As a complement to HANNOVER MESSE USA in the odd-years, the new event will debut Sept. 10-12 at the newly renovated Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky.

Designed to be at the forefront of showcasing innovations in the factory of the future, DIG/IN USA will present the world’s top industrial technology and automation companies providing solutions, knowledge and expertise for every level of IIoT adoption on and off the plant floor. 

The new show will work to empower thought leadership from the factory floor staff to the C-Suite with a focus on advancing small to large companies in the automotive, aerospace and defense, machinery and equipment, energy/oil and gas, food and beverage, packaging and assembly, science lab equipment and logistics industries, according to HFUSA officials.

“DIG/IN USA blends a focus on IIoT, automation and controls technology and is a perfect follow-up to HANNOVER MESSE USA 2018, which was a huge success for industry exhibitors and attendees alike,” said Larry Turner, CEO of Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hannover, Germany’s Deutsche Messe, which is known as one of the world’s largest and most active organizers of industrial technology events.

He added, “DIG/IN USA will be an IIoT event as innovative and forward-thinking as the industry it supports.”

Exhibitors will demonstrate how to implement digitalization by featuring smart factory case studies and real-time IIoT solutions, such as production efficiency, data analytics and cloud, AI and intelligent machines, security, robots/cobots and additive manufacturing.

Similar to HANNOVER MESSE USA 2018 and Digital Factory at HANNOVER MESSE in Germany, DIG/IN USA will feature hands-on demonstrations, workshops and educational sessions across the trade show floor. 

The direction of DIG/IN USA is being driven by a show committee comprising industry experts from ARC Advisory Group, Beckhoff, Forcam, Hiwin, Microsoft, Nikola Industrial & Manufacturing Solutions and SAP, according to show officials.

“Creating a trade show and educational conference that is focused more intently on the increasing needs of IIoT and Industry 4.0 is so crucial,” said Brian Pitzer, global vice president of Nikola. “This area will continue to grow at an astounding rate over the next 10 years as it is easily the single biggest challenge facing the manufacturing and industrial environments today.”

At DIG/IN USA, attendees will have the chance to see and experience critical IIoT solutions to better understand how they interconnect in the factory, as well as take advantage of educational discussions and experiences across all levels of IIoT adoption, allowing attendees to foster long-lasting business relationships and address their most pressing needs.

“DIG/IN USA offers attendees the opportunity to identify the products and make the contacts necessary to further their automation goals,” said Shawn Lawrence, product marketing manager of HIWIN Corporation USA.

He continued, “With the growth of automation in small and medium-sized companies who may not have the engineering or IT resources to identify the right components to produce a complete solution, a ‘one stop shop’ with education offerings will be a very valuable opportunity” 

In addition to exhibits, learning labs and on-floor educational presentations, DIG/IN USA will feature a start-up area and hackathon, as well as virtual reality space to demonstrate a variety of technologies such as digital twin. 

Off the show floor, HFUSA will host a high-level executive conference the day prior to the event and local area tours of a distillery utilizing IIoT equipment as well as the Toyota plant and the UPS distribution center in Louisville.

“I am pleased to hear that Hannover Fairs USA is planning a new, immersive IIoT trade event that attracts highly automated companies, as well as those wanting to be more competitive, analytical and interconnected,” said Mark Gallant, senior director of marketing IoT manufacturing solutions at PTC.     

Leading the Digital Industry USA management team are Chicago-based Adrienne Zepeda, show manager of North American industrial technology events at HFUSA and Raymond Bianchi, vice president of events and business development at HFUSA.