ISA Automation Summit 2025 Preview

2025 ISA Automation Summit & Expo: Essential Industrial Automation Event

The 2025 ISA Automation Summit & Expo, scheduled for October 5-7 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, represents the premier gathering for automation, control systems, and industrial cybersecurity professionals. This comprehensive event delivers exceptional educational sessions, practical experiences, and valuable networking opportunities for professionals focused on operational excellence, safety compliance, and ICS/OT security.

Exhibition Innovation Showcase

The ISA Expo, presented with the ISA Tampa Bay Section, features seventy-four leading automation vendors demonstrating practical solutions for process and discrete manufacturing applications. Attendees will witness advanced process control implementations, edge analytics applications, and AI-assisted diagnostic technologies operating under realistic industrial conditions.

Interactive Learning Opportunities

The Student Simulation Showdown provides immersive virtual reality scenarios addressing critical infrastructure challenges, creating valuable connections between students and industry professionals. Additionally, student design competitions enable collaborative development of interactive virtual environments for analyzing and solving real-world industrial incidents.

Keynote Presentations

Featured keynote sessions bridge strategic vision with practical implementation, addressing critical industry themes including emerging technologies and operational technology cybersecurity threats. Confirmed speakers include:

• Douglas Hurley, retired NASA astronaut: “To Infinity and Beyond: Innovation in Space Flight”
• Tom Liston, Bad Wolf Security owner: “Confessions of a Dirty Hacker: Over Two Decades as a Hacking Curmudgeon”

Additional presentations from industry leaders at Falcon Attractions, Lockheed Martin, Shell, Amazon, Eli Lilly, Walt Disney World, Blue Marvel, and MITRE will connect macro trends including artificial intelligence and digital transformation with practical project implementation and workforce development strategies.

Professional Recognition Event

The Honors and Awards Gala at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on October 6 celebrates engineers, educators, volunteers, and innovators advancing automation professions and ISA community initiatives. This separate-ticketed event recognizes 2025 award recipients, Fellows, and scholarship winners during an evening ceremony and dinner.

Critical Infrastructure Protection Workshop

The ICS4ICS (Incident Command System for Industrial Control Systems) workshop provides practical incident response frameworks for industrial environment protection. Participants gain actionable process templates, implementation guides, self-assessment tools, and engagement strategies through hands-on exercises based on actual plant scenarios.

Event Participation Strategy

• Identify specific operational challenges and target relevant sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities
• Schedule dedicated time for exhibition exploration and professional networking
• Document key insights, actionable items, and responsible parties for post-event implementation

Industry Perspective

From my experience covering industrial automation events, the ISA Automation Summit consistently delivers high-value technical content with practical applications. The 2025 program’s emphasis on AI implementation and OT security reflects critical industry priorities for maintaining operational resilience and technological competitiveness.

Registration Information

Registration begins at $835 for ISA members and $995 for non-members, with expo-only passes available for $125. The comprehensive conference program offers exceptional return on investment for professionals committed to advancing automation capabilities and protecting industrial operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the 2025 ISA Automation Summit?

October 5-7, 2025 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

What is the cost to attend?

Registration starts at $835 for ISA members, $995 for non-members, with $125 expo-only passes.

What makes this event unique?

The combination of technical sessions, hands-on workshops, vendor exhibitions, and networking opportunities specifically designed for automation professionals.

Who should attend?

Automation engineers, control systems professionals, industrial cybersecurity specialists, and operations management.

How can I register?

Visit the official ISA Automation Summit & Expo website for registration and program details.