The energy was unmistakable at the Toronto Congress Centre this fall. CMTS 2025 wasn’t just Canada’s largest manufacturing technology event – it was a vivid celebration of the country’s industrial strength, creativity, and collaboration in motion.
Over four packed days from September 29th to October 2nd 2025, more than 9,000 manufacturing professionals explored a show floor of innovation, connecting with over 750 OEMs, distributor and brands exhibited and witnessing live demonstrations spanning machining, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital transformation, and smart systems. Every aisle hummed with conversation and purpose – a meeting ground where real technology met real people to spark real solutions.
This year’s CMTS also stood apart for something every exhibitor noticed: stellar attendee quality. Decision-makers, buyers, and engineers from Automotive, Industrial and Commercial Machinery, Job Shop/Contract Manufacturing, Aerospace and many more sectors, came ready to engage – asking sharper questions, exploring implementation strategies, and looking to act. The conversations were deeper, the leads stronger, and the intent unmistakable.
Innovation That Moved
The sound of progress echoed through the halls – the whir of CNCs, the rhythm of cobots, and the steady buzz of live demos that made the show floor pulse with energy.
At the heart of it all was Innovation Park, a dynamic showcase connecting the future of manufacturing to the shop floor of today. Within the Park, three immersive zones took centre stage:
- RAPID + TCT Showcase: revealing the accelerating world of additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
- Smart Manufacturing Experience: bringing Industry 4.0 to life with AI-driven production, digital twins, and automation.
- Discovery Zone: spotlighting Canada’s newest innovators and start-ups redefining how small and medium manufacturers adopt emerging technologies.
Every demonstration reinforced one message: innovation in Canada is alive and accelerating.
Innovation & Industry Spotlight
Across every aisle, CMTS 2025 revealed the scale and depth of Canada’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The NGen Innovation Zone stood out as a vibrant hub where collaborative start-ups and technology clusters showcased how partnership fuels productivity and growth. CTMA Tooling & Manufacturing Pavilion celebrated Canadian craftsmanship and precision engineering – a showcase of tooling excellence and the country’s investment in developing the next generation of skilled trades.
Few moments captured national pride quite like Project Arrow, the country’s first zero-emission concept vehicle built by over 60 homegrown suppliers.
Adding to the event’s roster, several invitation-only industry gatherings deepened collaboration across borders and sectors. These included:
- CIT–OCI Call for Projects: connecting innovators and funders to accelerate technology deployment.
- APMA Project Arrow 2.0 Supplier Day: engaging key partners shaping the next generation of Canadian EV innovation.
- EIT Advantage Austria Manufacturing Delegation Meet: fostering international partnerships and knowledge exchange.
- AI4Manufacturing Workshop on Productivity and Process Optimisation: exploring data-driven pathways to smarter production.
- SME Membership Chapter 26 (GTA) Meet and Benedetto Scholarship Awards: recognizing achievement and strengthening SME’s local network.
Each gathering brought leaders together to exchange ideas, spark partnerships, and advance Canadian innovation on the global stage.
Together, these activations positioned CMTS as a bridge between Canadian innovation and global opportunity.
Education & Knowledge Sharing
Knowledge was the quiet force behind CMTS 2025. With over 40 sessions and panel discussions, the show offered learning experiences that were practical, immediate, and rooted in real-world solutions.
Industry voices such as Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, and Robert Cattle, Executive Director of the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association, delivered powerful insights into how innovation and policy are shaping the future of Canadian manufacturing.
The debut Executive Perspectives series, along with the Keynote Sessions, explored competitiveness, resilience, and smart growth – reinforcing CMTS as a platform not only to see technology, but to understand its impact.
Tech Hub Sessions presented case studies, demos and insights on emerging trends and future technologies.
Meanwhile, the Bright Minds Student Summit connected hundreds of students directly with employers, mentors, and innovators, turning curiosity into career ambition and ensuring the talent pipeline for Canada’s manufacturing future remains strong.
The result was unmistakable – a community learning together and shaping the next chapter of Canadian manufacturing.
People & Community
At its heart, CMTS 2025 was a celebration of people. From lively networking receptions and spontaneous meetups to handshakes on the floor and team group photos, every interaction added to the show’s unmistakable sense of community.
Moments of camaraderie filled the week – laughter over lunch, cheers at the SME Industry Celebration, and friendly competition at the Robo-Sketch Challenge, where students and professionals gathered around creativity in motion. It’s the people – not the machines – who define Canada’s manufacturing identity.
National Strength, Local Pride
From across Canada, CMTS 2025 reaffirmed why it stands as the nation’s manufacturing technology event – a platform where innovation is celebrated, deals are made, and the next generation of Canadian manufacturing talent is inspired.
Looking Ahead
CMTS will return to the Toronto Congress Centre from September 27-30, 2027, once again uniting the people, technologies, and ideas that power Canadian manufacturing.
To everyone who contributed, collaborated, and celebrated – thank you for making CMTS 2025 not just an event, but a defining moment for Canadian manufacturing.
Stay connected at www.cmts.ca and join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to follow Canada’s manufacturing story as it continues to evolve.