The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) recently announced a joint US-China Robotics Forum at Automate 2017 . The event will bring together A3’s Robotic Industries Association (RIA) and the China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA).

According to the World Robotics Report 2016, published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China has significantly expanded its leading position as the largest robotics market in the world, accounting for 27 percent of global purchases in 2015.

“The US-China Robotics Forum is a groundbreaking event for robotics companies in both countries,” stated Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “The forum paves the way for an ongoing exchange of ideas and the forging of strategic partnerships that will better serve global automation companies.”

Thirteen Chinese automation companies will be participating in their first US automation trade show. They are:

The forum will feature several talks from Chinese industry leaders, including Song Xiaogang, executive president, China Robot Industry Alliance and Dr. Qu Daokui, president, Siasun Robot & Automation Co. Ltd.

Speakers from the Robotic Industries Association will include Mike Jacobs, CEO, Applied Manufacturing Technologies and chair of the RIA Board and Scott Eckert, CEO of Rethink Robotics and RIA Board Member.

Participating panelists include Liu Erbing, VP of Risong Technology, Joe Gemma, chief regional officer of KUKA and Stu Shepherd, CEO of Gudel US.

The event starts April 4 at 10:15AM CT in the Future of Automation theater on the Automate show floor at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.

Attendee registration is now open at the Automate 2017 website. Prospective exhibitors can find more information on exhibition opportunities at the event website.