Michigan hosts eight major manufacturing events in 2026, from the Advanced Manufacturing Expo in Grand Rapids to The Battery Show North America in Detroit. Here's what to attend, when, and how to prepare your business to capitalize on every connection.
| Event | Date | Location | Admission | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMA Operations Conference | April 23 | Lansing, MI | Paid | AI, operations, workforce |
| Great Designs in Steel Symposium | May 20 | Novi, MI | Paid | Automotive steel, AHSS |
| Realize LIVE Americas | June 1-4 | Detroit, MI | Paid | Digital transformation |
| Advanced Laser Applications Workshop | June 16-18 | Novi, MI | Paid | Laser processing |
| Greater Detroit Design-2-Part Show | June 17-18 | Novi, MI | Free | Custom parts sourcing |
| Automate 2026 | June 22-25 | Chicago, IL | Free | Robotics, AI, automation |
| Advanced Manufacturing Expo | July 29-30 | Grand Rapids, MI | Free | Automation, metalworking, MRO, i4.0 |
| The Battery Show North America | Oct 12-15 | Detroit, MI | Paid | EV, battery, electrification |
Michigan consistently ranks among the top U.S. manufacturing states by employment. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation identifies mobility and automotive manufacturing as one of the state's defining economic sectors, anchoring supply chains that stretch across the Great Lakes region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturing employment remains a cornerstone of Michigan's economy, with the automotive sector continuing its transition toward electrification.
That transition is reshaping supplier relationships, capital requirements, and payment cycles across the state. Manufacturers attending 2026 events will encounter new vendors, new customers, and new credit decisions that need to move fast. Having streamlined financial operations before you walk the floor means you can act on opportunities the same day you find them.
The Advanced Manufacturing Expo (AME) is Michigan's largest free-admission manufacturing trade show, held July 29-30, 2026 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, covering automation, metalworking, MRO/safety, and Industry 4.0 technologies, organized in partnership with the Michigan Manufacturers Association.
Advanced Manufacturing Expo: Key Facts
Automation Hall features robotics, industrial control systems, and collaborative robot (cobot) demonstrations. First-time attendees evaluating automation investments should prioritize this hall for side-by-side vendor comparisons unavailable in a catalog or demo video.
Metalworking Hall (sponsored by Creston Industrial Sales) showcases CNC machining, precision manufacturing equipment, and tooling solutions. Job shops and contract manufacturers sourcing new equipment or evaluating process upgrades will find the highest density of relevant vendors here.
MRO/Safety Hall (sponsored by Action Industrial Supply) covers workplace safety equipment, maintenance tools, and facility operations solutions. Plant managers and operations leaders focused on compliance and downtime reduction should allocate time here.
Industry 4.0 Technology Hall (sponsored by Industry 4.0 Accelerator) highlights smart manufacturing platforms, IoT integration, digital twin technologies, and data analytics tools. This hall is the most relevant for manufacturers beginning or accelerating their digital transformation.
Manufacturers who close deals at AME often need to extend or receive net terms quickly. A new supplier relationship that starts on the show floor can stall for weeks if credit decisions take days and invoicing is manual.
Resolve's net terms management platform approves buyer credit in real time, advances up to 100% of approved invoice value within 24 hours, and handles collections automatically. Trenchless Supply reduced their AR workload by 90% after implementing Resolve, freeing their team to focus on growth, not collections.
Before attending AME, review your credit policy for new customers and make sure your AR process can handle a surge in new accounts. Our net terms guide for manufacturers covers exactly how to structure this. For a broader look at financing options, see the complete financing guide for manufacturers.
The MMA Operations Conference is Michigan's premier manufacturing leadership event, held April 23, 2026 at The Lansing Center, bringing together operations managers, plant managers, HR professionals, and technology leaders for a full day of breakout sessions, keynotes, and peer networking.
Michigan manufacturers seeking operational excellence insights, AI implementation strategies, and networking with fellow state-based industry leaders.
As the Michigan Manufacturers Association's largest operations-focused event, this conference provides direct access to decision-makers who influence purchasing, technology adoption, and financial strategy within Michigan facilities. The emphasis on AI implementation and automation aligns with current industry trends toward digital transformation.
For manufacturers attending this event, having streamlined financial operations is crucial for capitalizing on new opportunities. Resolve's Net Terms Management solution handles every aspect of credit offerings, from smart credit checks to payment and collections management, freeing up time to focus on strategic growth.
Realize LIVE Americas is Siemens' annual digital transformation conference, held June 1-4, 2026 in Detroit, focused on AI in engineering, electrification, and manufacturing innovation for product lifecycle management professionals.
Engineering professionals, manufacturing managers, and product lifecycle management specialists seeking cutting-edge digital transformation solutions.
Detroit's position as the heart of automotive manufacturing makes Realize LIVE Americas particularly relevant for Michigan manufacturers navigating the transition to electric and autonomous vehicles. The event's focus on digital engineering directly addresses the technological transformation reshaping the state's industrial landscape.
Manufacturers leveraging digital transformation at events like Realize LIVE can benefit from Resolve's B2B payment platform, which streamlines net terms, reconciliation, and invoicing with AI-powered automation. As manufacturers adopt advanced digital technologies, their financial operations should be equally sophisticated.
The Battery Show North America is North America's largest advanced battery and EV technology conference, held October 12-15, 2026 at Huntington Place in Detroit, co-located with the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo, attracting 21,000+ attendees and 1,300+ exhibitors.
Battery engineers, manufacturing professionals, automotive executives, and supply chain specialists in the electrification ecosystem.
Michigan's strategic position in automotive manufacturing makes The Battery Show critically important for state manufacturers navigating the EV transition. The event provides essential insights into battery supply chains, manufacturing processes, and quality control standards that directly impact Michigan's automotive supplier network.
Manufacturers in the electrification space often face significant working capital requirements for equipment and inventory investments. Resolve's net terms financing provides a modern alternative to factoring, offering up to 100% upfront payment for approved invoices while taking on the credit risk. For a deeper look at financing options in this space, see our guide to B2B BNPL for manufacturers.
The Advanced Laser Applications Workshop (ALAW) is a three-day technical workshop held June 16-18, 2026 at Novi's Suburban Collection Showplace, featuring 20+ exhibits and state-of-the-art laser process demonstrations covering cutting, welding, and additive manufacturing applications for automotive, aerospace, and agricultural industries.
Manufacturers, job shops, and suppliers specializing in laser processing technologies and applications.
ALAW's focus on lightweighting applications for automotive, aerospace, and agricultural industries directly aligns with Michigan's manufacturing strengths. The workshop's 30+ year history makes it essential for manufacturers investing in advanced laser technologies.
For manufacturers attending specialized technical events like ALAW, having access to instant credit decisions for customers can accelerate sales cycles. Resolve's Business Credit Check service provides free, personalized business credit checks with results within 24 hours, enabling manufacturers to make informed decisions about extending credit to potential customers met at industry events.
The Greater Detroit Design-2-Part Show is a free, two-day regional trade show held June 17-18, 2026 at Novi's Suburban Collection Showplace, connecting manufacturers with 175+ U.S. job shops and contract manufacturers across 300+ custom parts categories including castings, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and metal fabrication.
Manufacturers, design engineers, and sourcing professionals seeking U.S.-based custom parts and contract manufacturing services.
The Design-2-Part Show's emphasis on U.S.-based manufacturing partnerships aligns with current trends toward supply chain resilience and domestic sourcing. For Michigan manufacturers seeking reliable partners for custom components, this event provides direct access to qualified suppliers in the regional manufacturing ecosystem.
Manufacturers building new supplier relationships at events like the Design-2-Part Show need efficient payment processing solutions. Resolve's white-label payment portal accepts ACH, credit card, wire, or check payments, streamlining transactions with new partners while maintaining professional customer relationships.
The Great Designs in Steel Symposium is an annual full-day event held May 20, 2026 at Novi's Suburban Collection Showplace, presented by the American Iron and Steel Institute, showcasing advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) and ultra-high-strength steels (UHSS) and their applications in automotive design, lightweighting, and body-in-white engineering.
Automotive designers, engineers, steel manufacturers, and body-in-white specialists seeking steel innovation insights.
Given Michigan's central role in automotive manufacturing, the Great Designs in Steel Symposium provides essential insights into material innovations that directly impact vehicle design, safety, and performance. The symposium's focus on steel applications in body-in-white engineering addresses core competencies for Michigan's automotive supplier base.
For steel manufacturers and suppliers attending this specialized event, offering flexible payment terms can be crucial for winning large automotive contracts. Resolve's net terms financing integrates seamlessly into existing business flows and is proven to increase sales volume and customer retention while providing instant approvals.
Automate 2026 is North America's largest automation trade show, held June 22-25, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, drawing 25,000+ attendees and 1,000+ exhibitors focused on robotics, AI, machine learning, vision systems, and collaborative robots (cobots).
Manufacturers implementing or evaluating automation, robotics, and AI solutions across all industrial sectors.
The proximity of Chicago to Michigan's manufacturing corridor (approximately 4-5 hours by car or direct flights) makes Automate 2026 highly accessible for state manufacturers. The event's comprehensive coverage of automation technologies directly addresses current industry priorities around productivity improvement and workforce optimization.
Manufacturers investing in automation technologies often face significant capital expenditure requirements. Resolve's non-recourse advances enable manufacturers to fund automation investments without taking on additional debt or credit risk. This approach is particularly valuable for manufacturers who discover new automation opportunities at events like Automate. See how B2B BNPL for manufacturers can support these investments.
Not every event fits every manufacturer. Here's a quick guide by audience type:
If you're attending more than one event this year, the June cluster (Realize LIVE, ALAW, Design-2-Part, Automate) offers the highest density of opportunities within a single month.
Michigan's 2026 manufacturing event calendar spans the full spectrum of innovation, from the AI-focused MMA Operations Conference in April to the electrification-centered Battery Show in October. The common thread across all eight events: manufacturers who arrive with streamlined financial operations close more deals and act faster on new opportunities.
Resolve's comprehensive platform, featuring embedded payments, AI-powered accounts receivable automation, and non-recourse net terms financing, enables businesses to offer flexible payment options while maintaining healthy cash flow and reducing administrative overhead.
The platform integrates natively with QuickBooks, NetSuite, Oracle, Shopify, BigCommerce, and other systems commonly used in manufacturing. Whether you're a small job shop attending the Design-2-Part Show or a large automotive supplier at Realize LIVE Americas, a modern B2B payment solution is the infrastructure that turns event connections into closed revenue.
The Advanced Manufacturing Expo (AME) is Michigan's largest in-state manufacturing trade show, held at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids on July 29-30, 2026. The free-admission event features four halls covering automation, metalworking, MRO/safety, and Industry 4.0 technologies, organized in partnership with the Michigan Manufacturers Association.
Yes. The Advanced Manufacturing Expo offers free admission for qualified manufacturing professionals. Registration is available at advancedmanufacturingexpo.com.
Michigan hosts a diverse range of manufacturing events in 2026, including general manufacturing conferences (MMA Operations Conference), automotive-focused events (The Battery Show North America), automation and robotics showcases (Automate 2026), and specialized technical workshops (Advanced Laser Applications Workshop). Events span automotive, automation, digital transformation, materials processing, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Attending manufacturing events provides opportunities to network with industry decision-makers, discover new technologies and suppliers, stay current with industry trends, and identify solutions for operational challenges. Events like the Advanced Manufacturing Expo offer hands-on demonstrations, while conferences like Realize LIVE Americas provide strategic insights into digital transformation and AI implementation. These gatherings also facilitate relationship building with potential customers and partners.
While events themselves don't typically provide direct financing, they connect manufacturers with financial technology providers and create opportunities to discuss cash flow challenges with peers. Platforms like Resolve's net terms financing offer up to 100% upfront payment for approved invoices while taking on credit risk. This non-recourse approach helps manufacturers manage cash flow without debt while investing in opportunities discovered at events.
Traditional net terms can strain manufacturer cash flow by creating gaps between material and production costs and customer payments. Resolve's net terms management platform addresses this by advancing up to 100% of invoice value within 24 hours while customers maintain their standard Net 30/60/90 terms. This eliminates cash flow strain without requiring customers to change payment behavior.
Manufacturers who close deals at trade shows often face a gap between fulfilling orders and receiving payment. Resolve advances up to 100% of approved invoice value within 24 hours, non-recourse, so manufacturers get paid immediately while buyers keep their Net 30/60/90 terms. This eliminates the cash flow strain that often follows high-volume event sales.
Yes. Resolve offers native integrations with major ERP and accounting systems commonly used in manufacturing, including QuickBooks, NetSuite, Oracle, and SAP. These integrations enable automated invoice synchronization, real-time payment updates, and seamless financial reconciliation. When evaluating platforms, manufacturers should verify compatibility with their specific systems and understand the depth of integration available.
This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. Resolve assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.