Frequently Asked Questions

We've tried to cover a lot of common questions in this list. If this is your first conference, you'll definitely want to attend the AskME virtual events AME will host in the months leading up to the conference and the NuBee Night event taking place pre-conference at Baird Center on Monday, October 26. We will offer an overview of the conference and answer any questions to help you make the most of your conference experience. In the meantime, if you don't see an answer to your question in this list, please email conference@ame.org.

All conference events will take place at the Baird Center. Tours will take place at the host facility and will depart from/return to the Baird Center. Some networking activities will take place in and around Milwaukee. Reference the conference schedule for full details.

The theme for the 42nd annual international conference is People First, Progress Together.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the Hilton Milwaukee is within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and entertainment options. Click here to explore what's around.

Hotel rooms and suites at the Hilton Milwaukee feature TVs, plush bedding, coffee/tea makers, hair dryers, a mini fridge and scenic views. See the hotel's website for more information. Please use the AME booking link to make your room reservation at the group rate.

Parking is available at the Hilton Milwaukee. Overnight self-parking is available for $30 per vehicle, per day. And Daily self-parking is available at $18 per vehicle, per day.

The conference begins with the opening keynote session on Tuesday, October 27, at 8 a.m. and concludes on Thursday, October 29, with the lunch keynote session ending at 1:00 p.m. There are pre-conference workshops, tours and activities taking place on Monday, October 26. Be sure to reference the conference schedule for more detailed information. Check back often for updates.

We have planned breaks in between sessions to allow you time to check out the sponsor showcases and network. You will also have enough time to grab another cup of coffee and take a stretch before the next session.

Current registration pricing can be found here. Please note that there are discounts based on the number of participants you bring from your company and/or your partners. Consider a group of 10 or more to take advantage of the AME Accelerator Program benefits.

The dress code is business casual, with some conference participants leaning toward a more casual style and others leaning toward business attire. Whatever your preference, we suggest you consider dressing in layers as it is difficult to set a temperature at the venue that is agreeable to all. Additionally, tour sites require leather-like closed-toe shoes (no high heels), a long or short-sleeved shirt/blouse and long pants (no shorts, skirts or dresses.)

Here is a list of items:

• Appropriate footwear and clothing: If you plan to participate in a best-practice tour, you will need to wear leather-like closed-toe shoes (no high heels), a long or short-sleeved shirt/blouse and long pants (no shorts, skirts or dresses.) For the rest of the conference, plan to dress in layers.
• Business cards: The AME conference offers a myriad of networking opportunities, so bring plenty of business cards to hand out as you share, learn and grow with other conference participants.
• Note-taking: Consider bringing a blank notepad or tablet to take notes with.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship: If you signed up for a tour that requires proof of U.S. citizenship, please bring your passport, social security card or military ID. Please note that a U.S. driver's license is not considered proof of citizenship.
• Electrical adaptor: If you require it, don't forget to pack an electrical adaptor to charge or power your electrical devices.
• Conference mobile app: Be sure to download the conference app as soon as it is available so you can plan your schedule before you arrive in Milwaukee and connect with other conference participants through the platform.

Come see us at the AME registration desk, located on Level 2 of America's Center Convention Complex, during registration hours.

Check out the Hotel & Travel page for information on booking a hotel reservation at the Hilton Milwaukee at the discounted AME group rate. If you book by October 1st, the AME group rate applies to pre- and post-conference dates (based on availability) so you can extend your stay and explore all that Milwaukee has to offer!

Maps of the conference space can be found in the conference app, which will become available closer to the conference. You can also ask for assistance at the on-site AME registration desk.

Milwaukee temperatures in early October averages 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and in the 50s Fahrenheit in the evening. For the latest weather forecast, visit Accuweather.

Complimentary basic wireless internet access will be available throughout the AME conference space. In addition, basic wireless internet access will be available complimentary for sleeping rooms booked within the AME room block.

You can follow AME's social media accounts for updates and other information before, during and after the conference. Speakers, tour sites and conference participants are encouraged to use the #AMEConference hashtags when sharing social media content. In addition, be sure to check the conference website often for updates.

• Follow the AME LinkedIn Company page
• Follow AMEConnect on Instagram

Here is a list of the meals included and not included during the conference:

• Monday — Included: Lunch and coffee breaks for workshop participants and a welcome reception in the exhibit hall for everyone. Not included: Lunch for Monday tour participants
• Tuesday — Included: Breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks*. Not included: Dinner
• Wednesday — Included: Breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks*. Not included: Dinner
• Thursday — Included: Breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks*. Not included: Dinner

*On these days, lunch will be provided for tour participants who are not back in time for the lunch keynote.

If you have dietary restrictions, please email conference@ame.org. AME will provide you with a ticket at registration to use for lunch in the ballroom during the keynote session. The ticket ensures you'll get the right meal for your dietary restriction.

Please contact us at conference@ame.org.

Contact information can be updated on your profile page. Log in using your email and registration confirmation code. If you no longer have your registration confirmation code, you can opt to have it resent to you by clicking on the "already registered?" link at the top of the registration form. For email address changes, please contact 224-232-5980 or conference@ame.org.

Registrations are accepted on an individual basis, and access to the app and on-demand portal is unique to each registrant. Click here to view the available registration options.

Yes! You can attend one, two or all three days. You can purchase a day pass during the registration process.

Once your group registrations are paid for, an email including a registration code will be sent to the person who purchased the registrations. Distribute this code to each team member to use on the payment page during the registration process. This code will be the same for each of your group members. Using the code will allow each team member to register without requiring payment.

You will pick up your AME conference badge on-site at the AME registration desk located on Level 1 of Baird Center, during registration hours. Conference badges are not mailed.

The registration desk will be located on Level 2 of America's Center Convention Complex. The AME registration desk will be open during the following hours:

• Sunday, October 25 from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Monday, October 26 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 28 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conference participants must enroll in a tour to be able to attend a tour. This can be done online or in the conference app. Enrolling in a tour guarantees your spot. You are guaranteed one tour as part of your conference registration. Tour enrollment will be available in September and you will be notified by email.

You must register and pay to participate in a workshop. This can only be done online. If you are registered for the conference, you can log back into your registration to add items, such as a workshop, to your schedule and pay the fee at the same time. Full-day workshops are $450 (8-hour) and half-day workshops are $250 (4-hour). Workshop registration will be available in August and you will be notified by email. Registering for a workshop guarantees your spot.

Conference participants can add any other session type (practitioner session, keynote, interactive, idea exchange, networking, etc.) to their schedule online or in the conference app. These sessions are all included in your conference registration fee. Everyone is guaranteed a seat for the keynote sessions. Breakout sessions are first come, first serve for seating. So, even if you add it to your schedule, it does not guarantee you a spot.

Sessions have open seating, though some will fill up more quickly than others. We recommend that you arrive early to ensure you get a seat. The conference app is a great tool to plan each day by adding sessions to your schedule. Please note that creating your schedule in the app will not guarantee you a seat in a session; it will simply help you plan your time. Please note that everyone is guaranteed a seat for the keynote sessions.

Descriptions of presenting companies, the expected key learning objectives, comprehension level and session highlights are noted on the conference website. We recommend that you read through the information and find sessions that best suit your needs.

Presentation files will be available to view if the presenter shares their files with AME. Typically, AME does not receive the slides from speakers before the session. Therefore, we are unable to load the slides to the conference app ahead of time. Check the conference app and/or on-demand content hub after the conference for this content. Session presenters also generally do not provide handouts.

No, you should select the practitioner/interactive sessions that most interest you. At any given time during the conference, you will have four practitioner presentations and two interactive sessions from which to choose (or you may elect to participate on a best-practice tour.) You should move around among the sessions in order to maximize your learning.

View the 2026 conference program themes and reference the Program menu on the conference website for more information on each session offered.

You may enroll to participate in one best-practice tour in September. Those who have registered for the conference will receive a communication to the email address used during registration as a reminder when tour enrollment opens. If you are part of the Accelerator Program, one of the many benefits is access to tour registration two weeks before it is open to anyone else.

There is no cost to attend a tour, however seats are limited. You will be notified when tours are open for registration.

If a tour is full, the registration system will indicate this and you will be able to choose another tour site. At the conference, there will be a visual board indicating which tours are available or full. You can stop by the tours desk on-site for more information.

Typically, there are a few conference participants who do not show up for their scheduled tour. If a tour you would like to attend is full and has no advance restrictions, you can arrive at the tour check-in room 30 minutes before the tour departure time and check in with the bus captain to wait on standby. In order to go on your first-choice tour, we recommend that you confirm your spot as soon as tour enrollment begins, rather than waiting until you arrive in Milwaukee.

As we get closer to the conference, an option to participate in a second tour may become available. If this happens, AME will send out an email notification with more information. If this opportunity becomes available on-site, AME will send a push notification through the conference app.

Tour descriptions and highlights are provided on the tours page of the conference website. We recommend that you read through the information and find a tour that will best suit your needs.

If the tour you are attending requires personal protective equipment, it will be provided to you by the host facility, unless otherwise noted. Please note, all facilities require participants to wear full leather-like closed-toe shoes (no heels), a long or short-sleeved shirt/blouse and long pants (no shorts, skirts or dresses). Please review the information for the tour site before you enroll to ensure that you understand and can comply with the requirements and restrictions.

Some host facilities may give a brief overview of their company and their continuous improvement process. Host facilities are not required to provide handouts. You may ask the host facility for an electronic copy of the material, although they are not obligated to provide this.

If the tour you enrolled in allows only U.S. citizens, please bring your passport, social security card or military ID. Please note that a U.S. driver's license is not considered proof of citizenship.

AME has arranged for tour shuttles to depart from and return to the America's Center. Tour participants cannot arrive to or depart from a tour location on their own through any other means of transportation.

If your company is interested in hosting a tour during the AME Milwaukee Conference, you can submit a proposal here.

Yes! Review all the tours offered by viewing the schedule on the AME conference website or in the conference app. To enroll in a tour, simply add it to your schedule in the conference app or modify your existing registration online. These features will be available in September.

Lunch is provided on all tour days except for Monday. You will be provided with a box lunch if your tour is scheduled over the lunch keynote session in the ballroom. Lunch is on your own for Monday tour participants.

Full- and half-day workshops will take place on Monday, October 26 at the Baird Center.

Workshop registration will open in August. Immediate payment is required upon registration. If you are part of the Accelerator Program, one of the many benefits is access to workshop registration 2 weeks before everyone else.

A half-day workshop is $250 (4-hour) and a full-day workshop is $450 (8-hour.) You will be prompted for payment during the registration process. AME accepts all major credit cards.

If a workshop is full, the registration system will indicate this and you will be able to choose another workshop. At the conference, there will be a visual board indicating which workshops are available or full. You can also stop by the AME registration desk on-site for more information.

Workshop descriptions, expected key learning objectives and interactive components are provided on the workshop page of the conference website. We recommend that you read through the information to find a workshop that will best suit your needs.

Prior to the conference: If you received a notice from AME that your workshop was canceled, you can edit your profile online and select a new workshop.

On-site: You can modify your registration online or go to the AME registration desk for assistance. If you would like to receive a refund instead, please contact us at conference@ame.org. Please note, you cannot select a workshop through the conference app.

Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided for Monday workshop participants.

Yes, you can register to participate in a workshop without attending the whole conference. Please email conference@ame.org with your request.

Workshop presenters are not required to provide handouts or share their presentation file. If handouts are available, they will be provided at the start of the workshop. Some workshop presenters will require participants to complete pre-work. For those workshops, AME will collect the pre-work from the workshop presenter and send it to you on their behalf.

Workshops are typically conducted by consultants. Since providing such training is part of how they make their living, presentations are usually not available for download.

Your schedule will populate automatically onto the conference app and on-demand platform. You can also determine which workshop you signed up for by logging in to your registration profile. Click here to access your registration profile.

You can change the workshop you want to attend by changing it in your registration profile.

Please email your request to conference@ame.org.

Please email your request to conference@ame.org.

Workshops are full at this time. Check the website for updates for the 2027 conference.

Yes! Review all the workshops offered by viewing the schedule on the AME conference website or in the conference app (available in September). To register for a workshop, log in to your existing registration online and modify your schedule. This feature will be available in August. Please note that you will be able to view workshop information but will not be able to register for a workshop through the conference app.

Workshops are an additional cost of $250 (4-hour) for half-day and $450 (8-hour) for full-day and require advance registration.

There are countless opportunities to network throughout the week, including NuBee Night, the welcome reception celebration in the exhibit hall, dine-arounds, breakfast club and lunch bunch gatherings, the AME-zing Race, and more. Also, during breaks and before sessions begin, we encourage you to connect with conference participants, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors.

While most of the conference events will take place at the Baird Center, some networking activities will take place in and around Milwaukee. Reference the conference schedule for full details.

Visitor Visa: Travelers coming to the United States to conduct temporary business such as attending conventions and conferences need visitor visas unless they qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for additional details related to passports, visas, etc. You may also visit our international participants webpage.

USD currency: U.S. currency is required if you would like to pay for items in cash. All major credit cards are accepted throughout Milwaukee.

Electrical adaptor: If you will require an electrical adaptor to charge or power your electrical devices, don't forget to pack one.

The Accelerator Program is for companies who bring teams of 10+, 25+ or 50+ to the AME conference. The more people on a team who share the AME conference experience, the more impact it will have on a company's goals and objectives. The Accelerator Program provides the perfect forum for maximizing an organization's efforts to improve its processes and positively impact its culture.

If your company is sending multiple people to the conference, you may be part of the Accelerator Program. If you aren't sure of your company's status, email conference@ame.org to confirm, or, once the conference app is available in September, reference the AME Accelerator Program page and check to see if your company is listed there. From this page, you'll be able to view your facilitator name and contact information, your debrief room location (as applicable), and more.

Not at all! Your group can include people from different facilities within your organization or even your customers and suppliers. You'll just need to designate a point person to get a count of how many registrations you'll need and register for that many "TBD registrations." Your point person will get a TBD code once the registration balance is paid in full. You then send your TBD code to every member of your team so that they can register themselves. The TBD code ensures that they will not have to pay during the registration process.

Once you pay for your registrations, you will receive a TBD code to provide to each of your team members. Each team member should register themselves using the TBD code. Your team members must use their company email domain when registering with their TBD code. Our system will not recognize a team member's personal email address as part of the Accelerator Program.

The Accelerator Program is available to members of any AME Consortium. Contact your facilitator to learn more.

AME is more than willing to work with you to schedule payments and assist you with anything else you may need leading up to the conference. As soon as we process your payment in full, our system will produce your TBD code so that you and your team members can register for the conference.

You can pay by check or credit card. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars.

If the participant is an AME member or belongs to an organization owning a corporate membership, no additional membership fee is required. If the registrant is not a member, they will be offered the option to purchase an individual membership for $150 or pay the $150 non-member fee. We strongly advise you to consider purchasing a corporate membership. Click here to learn more about the benefits of corporate membership.

Groups are reviewed for accelerator programming by the Accelerator Program Chair. Please contact AME at conference@ame.org for more information.

Filling out a survey is easier than ever. Simply open the schedule in the conference app, select the session you would like to provide feedback on, select "survey" and begin! AME will also include an overall conference survey in the app. We use the survey feedback to help us continuously improve for future conferences.

As with each of the past 40 annual AME conferences, content is planned by and for the AME community. Our passionate volunteers who serve on the conference committee are current and retired practitioners and consultants. They select the content they believe will be most valuable to conference participants and which most heavily aligns with the conference theme. The 2026 conference is full, please check the AME website If you are interested in submitting a request to present for the 2027 conference.

Yes, AME will share recordings of the keynote sessions following the conference.

On-demand content will be available through the conference app/online platform, Attendee Hub. We will provide instructions on how to access on-demand content following the conference.

AME will have on-demand content available for viewing within a few weeks following the conference.

We have many sponsors and exhibitors who will be in Milwaukee to enhance your learning experience. Our sponsor & exhibitor page lists the most current sponsor and exhibitor list. Check back as the website is updated often.

We encourage you to visit and network with our sponsors and exhibitors during the following times:

• Monday, October 26, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Join us for a welcome reception celebration at 4:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, October 27, from 7 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
• Wednesday: October 28, from 7 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29, from 7 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

If you are interested in exhibiting at the AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference, please see the exhibitor page on the website or contact AME at conference@ame.org or 224-232-5980.

If you are interested in being a sponsor at the AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference, please see the sponsor page on the website or contact AME at sponsorship@ame.org or 224-232-5980. We would be happy to discuss exclusive/co-sponsorship opportunities to customize a complete sponsorship package to meet your goals and objectives.

The AME Milwaukee Conference app will be available to download in September. Check back later for information on how to download the app to your smartphone or tablet. The app contains the latest information so you can find details about all the sessions, speakers, workshops and tours to customize your personal schedule.

Technical support will be provided before and during the conference. Before the conference, you can email appsupport@ame.org. During the conference, you can visit the AME registration desk, located on Level 2 of the America's Center Convention Complex, during registration hours.

The Attendee Hub app is only available on devices with an operating system of 14.2 or above for iOS and 10 or above for Android.

Visit the Download the conference app page on the conference website. This page will be available closer to the conference.

Visit the Download the conference app page on the conference website. This page will be available closer to the conference.

Are you using a work phone? If so, you will need to ask your company's IT team to whitelist the CVENT app. It's common for companies to block certain apps.

The AME Excellence Award recognizes manufacturing plants that have demonstrated excellence in manufacturing and business. The primary focus of the award is to acknowledge continuous improvement, best practices, creativity and innovation. This award supports AME's vision, mission and values of inspiring commitment to enterprise excellence through shared learning. Click here to learn more.

The AME Champions Club is exclusively for the Champions of Excellence within a plant or facility. Membership in the Champions Club enables these agents of change to interact directly with a select group of individuals who shoulder similar responsibilities to improve their company's competitiveness and who approach that challenge with an equally high level of enthusiasm and insight. Champions Club membership also enhances the company's commitment to the excellence process while creating a broader alliance of companies within AME. Click here to learn more.

The Champions have leadership events, special sessions with keynotes, and networking opportunities at the conference that are exclusive for Champions and guests. Contact Sara O'Hara at sohara@ame.org for more information.

This information will be available at a later date. Click here to see a list of past conference city locations and dates.

Click here to find an event in your region.

There are many ways to get involved, from short-term projects to board and committee service. AME is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers! To volunteer with AME, click here to complete our volunteer web form and share your interests with us. We will take it from there!

AME is a not-for-profit and compensates its dedicated, hard-working volunteers with thanks and gratitude. Depending on the level of engagement a volunteer has and the roles and responsibilities they take on, volunteers can receive benefits such as a complimentary conference or regional event registration.

AME's Target Online is a free newsletter designed to help you on your enterprise excellence journey. Delivered right to your email inbox, it is the premier source for continuous improvement news and original content from AME writers, contributors and industry sources. Click here to subscribe.

AME members also have access to the Target Magazine Archives. With nearly 35 years of content dedicated to improving global manufacturing competitiveness and enterprise excellence, access to the Target Magazine Archives is just one of many benefits of AME membership.

Email us at conference@ame.org and an AME team member will help answer your additional questions.