FAQs

Automation Fair will take place November 17-20, 2025 in Chicago, IL, USA, at the McCormick Place Convention Center and nearby hotels.

McCormick Place Convention Center / West
2317 S. Indiana Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616 USA

Each year, Automation Fair hosts more than 10,000 problem solvers, makers and leaders who are shaping the future of industrial operations. From C-suite executives to operations management to engineers across a range of industries, this four-day event provides unparalleled opportunities for learning, inspiration and connections for all who attend.

Automation Fair is the premier event dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation where you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Experience inspiring keynotes from notable thought leaders.
• Dive deep into training from knowledge experts on the latest technology advancements.
• Explore the newest innovations showcased across an expansive Expo with 120+ exhibitors.
• See firsthand how companies are using the latest industrial automation solutions during exclusive Off-site Tours.
• Immerse yourself in engaging discussions and community building at half-day Summits.
• Engage with thousands of your industry peers from around the world.

Yes, you can view the four-day event agenda below:

The Expo is open for 3 full days, featuring 120+ interactive exhibits over 500,000 sq. ft. packed with the newest industry solutions, technologies, services and expertise.

• Interactive Experiences
  Get immersed in live demos, engaging activities and real equipment and software that showcase the latest in industrial automation and digital transformation.
  
  
• Expo Tours
  Make the most of your time by taking an expert-led tour of the floor to get an inside look at the Expo highlights.
  
  
• Discovery Theater
  Grab a seat at the Discovery Theater, right in the heart of the Expo floor, to hear from leaders on industry trends and insightful topics to chart your course for today and tomorrow.

Learn more about the Expo here.

The Expo will be open on:

• Tuesday, November 18, from 10:00am to 5:00pm
• Wednesday, November 19, from 10:00am to 5:00pm
• Thursday, November 20, from 8:30am to 4:00pm

Times are subject to change.

Automation Fair offers an exclusive catalog of training and educational opportunities across all four days, including:  

Customer Voices, Industry Viewpoints, Insights and Education, Partner Solutions, and Product Intro Labs
Monday – Thursday | Manager and Executive Audiences | General Access Pass

These sessions feature problem-solvers, makers and leaders sharing their experiences, successes, best practices and discoveries while applying industrial automation and digital transformation solutions to today’s challenges.

Product and Technology Sessions, Hands-on Labs
Monday – Thursday | Technical Professional Audience | General Access + Advanced Training Pass

The interactive Product and Technology Sessions and Hands-on Labs are a deep dive into hardware and software solutions, with a chance to upskill your knowledge and talk about your specific scenarios with domain experts.

Advanced-level sessions offered with the General Access + Advanced Training Pass are eligible for 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) credit per hour. Hands-on Labs that run for 1.5 hours are eligible for 2 PDH credits.

The session schedule is configured so you can attend as many sessions as possible over four days. Many of our most sought-after sessions are offered multiple times.

Registration for the event is now open. Click here to register. You can sign up for sessions as soon as you register. Session seats are limited. We encourage you to select your sessions early to secure your spot.

The session catalog indicates which sessions are included with the General Access Pass and which are included with the General Access + Advanced Training Pass. You can view the full session catalog before deciding which pass fits your needs. Please note sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early. Capacity varies by session.

You can earn your Professional Development Hour credits by attending the Product and Technology Sessions and Hands-on Labs. These sessions and labs are available with the General Access + Advanced Training Pass.

Please note that Professional Development Hour credits are valid in the United States and Canada.

Off-site Tours are exclusive visits hosted by our customers and partners at their facilities where attendees can see technology solutions in real industrial applications. There are limited spots and tours are very popular, so we encourage you to sign up when you register for the event. Off-site Tours include transportation to and from McCormick Place and the tour location.

Off-site Tours details can be found here.

Off-site Tours are included in the General Access and General Access + Advanced Training pass. There is no additional cost to attend an Off-site Tour.

Unfortunately, complimentary Student passes are not eligible to attend an Off-site Tour. 

Due to the popularity of this activity and limited availability, eligible attendees are allowed to sign up for only one Off-site Tour.

Automation Fair Summits are half-day topic-specific events that bring together communities for idea sharing, problem solving and community building. Summits feature exclusive speakers, roundtable sessions and topical breakouts not available in the general event catalog. You’ll also enjoy dedicated networking time to connect with other Summit attendees.

Multiple Summits will be offered at this year’s event. Summit topics and additional details can be found here.

Summits are included in the General Access and General Access + Advanced Training pass. There is no additional cost to attend a Summit.

Keynotes are scheduled on Monday, November 17 at 1:00pm and Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18 and 19 at 8:30am. You’ll be inspired as notable thought leaders take the stage to uncover what’s new and what’s next for the future of industrial operations. Keynotes are open to all event attendees.

Registration is now open. You can register here.

Yes, there are two access pass options for Automation Fair so you can select the one that best meets your needs. View Registration Packages and Pricing.

• General Access Pass: This pass includes admission on all 4 days, including keynote presentations, the 3-day Expo, Summits, Tours, over 250 session offerings, networking events and a daily lunch. Note: The introductory-level sessions offered with the General Access Pass will not be eligible for Professional Development Hour credits.
  Cost: $495 (Register by September 15); $795 (September 16 – November 14); $895 (On-site - November 15 - 20)

• General Access + Advanced Training Pass: This pass includes all the General Access benefits noted above, plus four days of unlimited access to the advanced-level Hands-on Labs and Product and Technology sessions. These training sessions are eligible for earning Professional Development Hour credits.
  Cost: $1595 (Register by September 15); $1895 (September 16 – November 14); $2295 (On-site - November 15 -20)

We recommend former ROKLive Americas attendees select the General Access + Advanced Training Pass. This package includes the type and level of training sessions a ROKLive attendee has experienced in the past.

Yes, both the General Access Pass and General Access + Advanced Training Pass include lunch, coffee and snack breaks during all four days of the event.

Yes, early registration pricing will be offered leading up to the event.

General Access Pass:

• $495 Early Registration: August – September 15
• $795 Advance Registration: September 16 – November 14
• $895 On-site Registration: November 15-20

General Access + Advanced Training Pass:

• $1595 Early Registration: August – September 15
• $1895 Advance Registration: September 16 – November 14
• $2295 On-site Registration: November 15-20

One-day passes are not available for purchase.

Expo-only passes are not available for purchase.

Reduced-rate Guest passes are not available.

Yes, complimentary General Access passes are available for current students and educators who provide proof of status.

Access to the Expo and Connection Zone areas requires a General Access Pass. If you’re attending a meeting hosted in the Expo or in the Connection Zone, you must purchase a General Access Pass. For meetings hosted at an adjacent event hotel or in convention center meeting rooms, registration is not required.

Cancellations must be received in writing to automationfair@rockwellautomation.com or processed via the Automation Fair registration website. Upon cancellation, the attendee’s registration will be cancelled, and the attendee’s selected sessions will be cleared. Cancelled registrations will be refunded according to the schedule below. All refunds will be processed within 30 days of cancellation.

Prior to September 30 = 50% refund

After September 30 = No refund

Attendees are solely responsible for cancelling their hotel and travel reservations and are responsible for any fees related to hotel/travel cancellation.

For more information, see our Registration Policies.

Yes, all Automation Fair attendees must be 18 years of age or older to attend the event. If you are coordinating a First Robotics team or other educational group that includes minors, please contact us for assistance at automationfair@rockwellautomation.com.

Attendee substitutions are not permitted.

Yes, attendees may upgrade and downgrade registration passes following the initial registration.

To upgrade a pass: Please refer to the confirmation email, click Modify Your Registration, and follow the instructions.

To downgrade a pass from General Access + Advanced Training to General Access only: Attendees must submit a request in writing to automationfair@rockwellautomation.com. We will process the request and issue a refund for the difference. All refunds will be processed within 30 days. Please note: Sessions not available in the General Access pass will be cleared from your schedule.

Registration payments are accepted by credit card at the time of registration. No other forms of payment will be accepted.

If you received an Activation code, you can enter it at the beginning of the registration process.

Yes, discounted rates are available at a selection of official event hotels in downtown Chicago and near the convention center.

You can make your hotel reservations at an official event hotel at the discounted event rate upon completion of your event registration.

If you made a hotel reservation through Maritz Global Events, the official housing company for the event, and need to cancel your reservation, please email automationfair@maritz.com or call +1 864-342-6327 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

If you require a visa invitation letter to attend Automation Fair 2025, please click here to generate your customized letter.