The Association of Advancing Automation (A3) Celebrates Legacy of Advancing Automation with Golden Anniversary

Summary

The Association of Advancing Automation (A3) marks its 50^th anniversary in 2024 as the largest robotics and automation trade group in the world, representing over 1,280 member companies and helping to promote and transform automation technologies. A3 is celebrating their golden anniversary in Chicago on May 6-9 at Automate 2024, the premier event for automation innovators, educators and experts with a variety of networking opportunities. 

50 years in the making history highlights

• 1974: Robot Institute of America (RIA) is founded by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and is headquartered in Dearborn, MI.
• 1976: First Robots Show is co-located with the Assemblex III show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
• 1982: Bernard Sallot creates an independent RIA separate from SME, changing its name to the Robotic Industries Association.
• 1983: Donald Vincent becomes the RIA President and leads the organization for 24 years, retiring in 2007
• 2007: Jeff Burnstein becomes RIA President and leads global advocacy of automation in North America, Asia, and Europe
• 2011: The Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show rebrands to the first-ever Automate Show co-located with the ProMat Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
• 2016: Founding of A3 Mexico, the only trade group organized specifically to serve the automation industry in Mexico and Latin America
• 2022: Automate Show and Conference returns to Detroit, MI, becoming an annual standalone event

 Watch a video on 50^th Anniversary here.