Messe Frankfurt has confirmed a strategic collaboration with GMTX Co Ltd to co-organise Automation Expo in Thailand, marking a significant expansion of its manufacturing and automation trade event portfolio in Southeast Asia. This addition strengthens the global exhibition organiser’s presence in the region and reflects its commitment to supporting industrial digitalisation and technological advancement for manufacturers across Southeast Asia.
The upcoming Automation Expo 2026 is scheduled to take place from 25–27 February 2026 at the Nongnooch International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICE) in Pattaya. The venue sits within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a key initiative aimed at driving high-tech industrial development and attracting international investment.
Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt Group, highlighted that the company currently organises 11 events and conferences globally within its Electronics and Automation Technologies portfolio, which includes trade shows focusing on smart and digital automation, intelligent motion and power electronics, and energy management solutions. With Automation Expo’s inclusion, Messe Frankfurt aims to support Thailand’s industrial sector as it undergoes digital transformation, enabling both local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multinational firms to benefit from international standards and connections.
Thailand’s manufacturing sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s GDP, is facing demographic challenges, including low birth rates and an ageing workforce. These shifts are creating pressure on the labour market, prompting manufacturers to increasingly adopt automation and advanced technologies to maintain competitiveness and productivity. Against this backdrop, Automation Expo will serve as a platform where technology providers can showcase solutions to help bridge labour gaps and support high-value production.
Covering approximately 7,500 square metres of exhibition space, Automation Expo 2026 is expected to host around 150 exhibitors showcasing a comprehensive range of technologies spanning the entire production cycle. Featured exhibits will include industrial automation systems, robotics, smart sensor technologies, digital infrastructure, and software for design, simulation, and process control. The event will also offer professional services related to project analysis and financing, catering to businesses at different stages of automation adoption.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the programme is set to include seminars and technical discussions focused on key industry themes such as hyperautomation, AI-enabled quality systems, factory cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and IT/OT integration—topics of growing relevance as manufacturers navigate digital transformation.
Automation Expo is supported by leading industry associations and organisations, including The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the Department of Industrial Promotion, the Thai-German Institute (TGI), and the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT), underscoring broad institutional backing for innovation and industrial growth in the region.
The launch of Automation Expo further cements Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to Southeast Asia as a dynamic hub for international trade shows, connecting local manufacturers with global automation expertise and fostering growth across high-tech industrial sectors.
