Korea’s largest manufacturing exhibition, SIMTOS 2026, will be held from April 13 to 17, 2026, at KINTEX Halls 1 and 2, covering 102,431㎡ under the forward-looking theme ‘AI Autonomous Manufacturing Meets Talent’. With just seven months to go, the show has already achieved a record-breaking milestone — over 5,000 booths, representing 92.4% of total space, have been reserved, marking the highest pre-booking rate in the event’s history.
Following the completion of exhibitor assignments, the SIMTOS Secretariat is now focused on finalizing hall layouts and booth placements. The 2026 edition promises to deliver an engaging experience through a series of dynamic side programs, offering attendees deep insights into the evolving landscape of smart and AI-driven manufacturing.
Strategic Preparation and Record-Breaking Achievements
Following the conclusion of SIMTOS 2024, the Secretariat immediately began preparing long-term strategies for the next edition undertaking a two-year preparation process. This level of planning is rare, especially considering that most domestic machine industry exhibitions are typically organized within just five to six months. Such thorough preparation underscores SIMTOS’s unique value as a must-attend business platform not only for domestic and international manufacturers, but also for stakeholders across the entire production ecosystem, including government agencies and research institutions.
In May, SIMTOS 2026 began accepting exhibitor applications and saw an overwhelming level of interest from companies. Over 5,000 booths were reserved in just 25 days, setting a record both in speed and scale for the event. The SIMTOS Secretariat continues its step-by-step preparations to ensure a high-quality exhibition that meets the expectations of its participants.
More Companies Join as the Deadline Approaches
With exhibitor recruitment virtually complete, SIMTOS 2026 will begin designing the exhibition layout in October, aiming to allocate booths by December. Booth allocation is more than assigning space it marks the starting point for exhibitors to officially announce their participation. From that point forward, exhibitors will have access to SIMTOS’s promotional platforms, enabling them to showcase products and build anticipation prior to the event.
Visitors can plan their routes in advance by referring to online and offline promotional materials and identifying must-visit companies. Thus, following booth allocation, SIMTOS’s promotional efforts shift to align more closely with the specific interests of individual visitors.
SIMTOS 2026 goes beyond a conventional manufacturing exhibition. It serves as a future-oriented platform where visitors can explore the future of the industry, build new partnerships, and gain insights into the global shift toward smart manufacturing.
With about seven months to go until SIMTOS 2026, the SIMTOS Secretariat stated, “We are committed to enhancing the overall quality of the exhibition through meticulous preparation. The record-breaking level of exhibitor interest reflects the high expectations for SIMTOS 2026, and we are fully dedicated to meeting those expectations with thorough and strategic planning.”
SIMTOS 2026 will take place over five days, from April 13 to 17, 2026, at KINTEX Halls 1 and 2.
The exhibition will feature five specialized pavilions:
1. Metal Cutting & Die Mold Tech
2. Materials·Parts, Control Tech
3. Tooling & Measuring Tech
4. Metal Cutting-Off & Welding Tech
5. Press & Forming Tech
Concurrent with SIMTOS 2026 will be a special exhibition, M.A.D.E. in SIMTOS, showcasing innovations in AI-driven manufacturing and their transformative impact on industry.
