After 'Good game, well played,' it's time for Level Up! ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE accelerates to 2026

You joined the ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE team as a new face, but within Grupa MTP you are a well-known figure for organising projects of enormous scale and success, such as Polagra, Poznań Game Arena and Caravans Salon. How will this many years of experience, successfully managed, translate into industrial fairs?

Miłosz Jankowiak: It is a great honour for me to join the ITM trade fair, which has been organised by Poznań International Fair for decades. Referring to the 'gamer' jargon that is familiar to me, I can say about the previous editions of ITM: 'Good game, well played.' However, I believe that every well-played game can be even better!

My many years of experience in managing the largest events at MTP Poznan Expo, such as Polagra and Poznań Game Arena, have taught me that the success of trade fairs is driven by people – open, willing to cooperate and ready to work together. I join with renewed energy and a fresh perspective to support the team. This is a time for inspiring conversations with leaders and listening to the needs of the industry. We, as Organisers, try to do what we do best: connect people, their ideas and facilitate business.

We know that after last year's edition, the team collected valuable surveys from participants. One of the challenges, despite its unquestionable advantage, turned out to be the vast area of MTP Poznań Expo. How do you plan to address this in the 2026 edition to be even closer to exhibitors?

- That's true. The extensive area allows for flexible space arrangement for several hundred exhibitors, but may be a difficulty for visitors who want to see their stands in a short time. Therefore, to be closer to the innovative heart of the industry, we plan to locate the majority of the ITM exhibition in a so-called four-pack. These are the most modern of four exhibition halls, whose spaces will perfectly complement the innovative nature of the fair. This will ensure proximity to halls 5 and 5A, and a little further on, in halls 3, the MODERNLOG logistics fair will be held. Adapting to changing market and technological conditions is key for both sectors. ITM is a place where, in a nutshell, for 4 days, you can see modern solutions live and, most importantly, make strategic purchasing decisions that optimise, among other things, production processes.

ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE is a comprehensive event. Please tell us which thematic exhibitions will constitute the main pillars of this innovative exhibition in 2026?

- ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 is a four-pronged innovation that will fully demonstrate the transformation of the industry. We have AUTOMA – the Automation, Robotics and Pneumatics Exhibition, where we will present the automation of production processes, industrial robots, cobots, modern control systems and the latest achievements in pneumatics. Then there is MACH-TOOL – Machine Tools and Tools Exhibition, the heart of machining, showcasing machining centres, milling machines, lathes, CNC grinders, as well as sheet metal processing technologies, including laser systems and press brakes, with plenty of live machine demonstrations showcasing precision. The third pillar is SURFEX – the Surface Treatment Technology Exhibition, focusing on painting, protective coatings, galvanisation and thermo-chemical treatment that minimises environmental impact, of course along with live demonstrations of surface treatment and painting. Finally, we have WELDING – Welding Innovation Exhibition, where the focus will be on robotic welding stations – automatic systems for joining materials, and on safety systems that improve the safety of these processes.

What about the accompanying programme and returning exhibitors?

- We are very pleased that exhibitors place orders for their stands several months before the fair, which allows us to precisely plan the space. We will also take care of proven and frequently visited thematic zones whose partners have already confirmed their presence. Schmalz will take care of the Collaborative Robot Zone, and Troax will take care of the Industrial Safety Zone. The Demobus Zone will also return, although I won't reveal the details of the new arrangement just yet. Our regular exhibitor PNEUMAT is already planning a space for pneumatic games and competitions for maintenance managers. We are also continuing one of the pillars of the programme – the Women Factories of the Future conference, organised with DBR 77 and B2B marketing expert Agnieszka Wnuk. It was at her urging that, even though the fair was still a few months away, in October this year our spaces hosted participants of the pioneering LinkedIn Local for Industry conference. The event exceeded our expectations and we plan to repeat it during the fair. This only reinforces our belief that the success of any conference or trade fair is due to people, their creativity and passion.

Although there is much talk of a slowdown in the industry, based on analyses by the Central Statistical Office, forecasts for 2026 indicate an improvement in the situation in the industry... Are companies ready to invest? And can the ITM trade fair make it easier?

- People who follow industry trends will certainly not leave Poznań disappointed! Referring to the analyses of the Central Statistical Office, forecasts for 2026 indicate an improvement in the situation in the industry. Companies that effectively implement innovations, optimise processes, and respond to new customer expectations will strengthen their competitive position.

Progressive digitalisation will be extremely important – the development of AI solutions, edge computing and MES/SCADA systems will support the modernisation of the machinery park. In addition, the green transformation is crucial, i.e. the emphasis on energy efficiency and the Circular Economy (CE), which will force design changes in machines and devices. Finally, we expect exports to increase, as the growing competitiveness of Polish producers should result in a greater presence on foreign markets. ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 will be a living showcase of these innovations.

Polish SMEs now have a real chance to lead the digital revolution. New programs supporting development have emerged, such as Dig.IT Digital Transformation, a project aimed at micro, small and medium-sized industrial enterprises and production services.

The budget is as much as PLN 140 million, and companies can apply for grants from PLN 150,000 to PLN 850,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs. This means that half of the expenses for ERP systems, production software or data analysis tools can be financed from external funds, and the ITM trade fair will be the perfect place to find and select these technologies. The call for applications ended in October, but the next one is planned for June 2026. There are also support programmes under European Funds for selected voivodeships, such as for innovative business investments, especially in the field of automation and robotisation for Western Pomerania.

The introduction to these innovations will begin here in Poznań.

We are ready to facilitate business and inspire the industry to take the next strategic step forward!