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Get ready! Join KUKA July 20–22, as we head west to beautiful Lake Tahoe for the 4th Annual Connexions Event!
Monday, July 20 - Wednesday, July 22nd
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa and Casino
111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV 89451, United States of America
If you have questions, please contact us at robusmarketing@kuka.com.
Follow the link the book your stay at a discounted rate. Secure your spot at Connexions before rooms fill up!
Connexions 2026 Welcome Reception
6:00PM - 10:00PM Welcome Reception
Check-in and welcome reception to kick off KUKA Connexions 2026
Eddie Saunders Jr. is the Founder & CEO of Speak Friend, a marketing agency focused on helping B2B companies turn buyer behavior into actionable intelligence.
Combining empathy-driven strategy with a data-first mindset, Eddie helps organizations better understand how modern buyers research, engage, and make purchasing decisions.
His work centers around marketing intelligence, website visitor identification, content strategy, and demand generation systems that help businesses stay visible throughout long buying cycles.
As a speaker, entrepreneur, and coach, Eddie is passionate about helping organizations build stronger relationships, make smarter marketing decisions, and create sustainable growth through the thoughtful use of data and technology.
7:00 - 8:00 Networking Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30 Opening Ceremony
8:30 - 9:15 The Step-Change: What CEOs Are Seeing Right Now
9:15 - 10:45 KUKA Robotics Product Roadmap
9:45 - 10:45 iiQKA Breakout Sessions and Networking Break
10:45 - 11:30 AMT: North America Manufacturing Outlook
11:30 - 12:00 Increasing Revenue Streams with KUKA Service
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch and iiQKA Breakout Sessions
1:30 - 2:15 Zeltwanger: Making the Switch to KUKA
2:15 - 2:45 Making the Move to Orange
2:45 - 3:45 iiQKA Breakout Sessions and Networking Break<
3:45 - 5:00 Breaking New Ground Panel Discussion: Alquist, Maximo, Lion Power, Autowash
5:00 Closing Ceremony and Group Picture
6:00 - 7:00 Connexions Happy Hour
7:00 - 10:00 Awards Ceremony and Dinner
7:00 - 8:00 Networking Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 Opening of Day 2
8:15 - 9:00 Medtronic: Building a Standard Product with KUKA
9:00 - 9:30 Somerset: How Financing Can Accelerate Sales
9:30 - 10:00 Autotool: Powered by Connexions Event Recap
10:00 - 11:00 Networking Break
11:00 - 11:30 Mobilizing Production: AMR Updates
11:30 - 12:00 KUKA AMP and Automation 2.0
12:00 - 1:30 Networking Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 Mobile Robotics Panel Discussion: KOOPS, Numina, KUKA
2:30 - 4:30 TBA
4:30 Closing of Connexions 2026
Macroeconomic Trends and U.S. Manufacturing
Christopher Chidzik, Principal Economist
This presentation will examine the current state of the U.S. economy and the trends shaping manufacturing and industrial investment for the remainder of the year. Attendees will hear how economic shifts may influence the industrial sector including how demand for automation, capital spending, and sales opportunities could shape up in the coming months.
Steve Forrest, Executive Vice President of Sales & GM
This year, Autotool hosted our first extension event of Connexions, the Autotool Tech Day Powered by Connexions. Powered by Connexions is a new initiative that builds on the momentum we have established leading with both partnership and innovation. Hear more about this inaugural event from Autotool at Connexions 2026.
Edward Hughes, Former CEO, CEO Coach, Board Advisor, Professor
Drawing from decades of experience advising and coaching CEOs, Edward will share practical frameworks for creating clarity, aligning leadership teams, and installing the execution cadence that turns priorities into measurable progress. Attendees will gain actionable insights on leadership discipline, strategic focus, and the habits high performing organizations use to move from planning to execution.
Adam Simon, Executive Vice President of Sales
This session explores how financing can help integrators close larger deals faster by reducing approval friction and spreading costs through manageable monthly payments. Somerset will highlight key points in the sales cycle where financing speeds up decisions, improves cash flow, and gives end users flexible options for ownership, upgrades, or deferred payments—capabilities customers increasingly expect from equipment providers.
Connexions will feature iiQKA-based breakout sessions designed to offer a hands-on experience with the next generation of KUKA software. These sessions will cover topics like simulation, welding applications, vision and pick-and-place applications. We will highlight how iiQKA streamlines workflows and accelerates real-world automation performance.
Michael Humphrey - Customer Service Sales Consultant, KUKA Robotics
This session discusses how integrators can leverage KUKA's customer service solutions as profit engine of their own. KUKA enables partners to keep end-customer uptime a top priority. Hear about PartnerPRO, the new initiative from KUKA that offers a low-effort method to score wins by reselling KUKA service tools.
Alexis Waxweiler Program Director, Medtronic
Much goes into bringing a medical device to market, and selecting the right automation partner is a critical part of the process. Hear how Medtronic collaborated with KUKA to develop a standardized solution using the LBR Med, our IEC 60601-01 certified robotic arm, to help advance medical technology.
Innovation is happening at the edges—and this panel brings it front and center. Hear from four pioneering startups—Autowash, LionPower Automation, Maximo, and Alquist 3D—as they push robotics into bold, real-world applications. From construction and infrastructure to cleaning and industrial automation, these companies are transforming how and where robots create value.
Join us for a dynamic conversation on what it takes to challenge convention, deploy cutting-edge technology in the field, and build the future from the ground up.
What's new with KUKA Robotics
Manuele D'Aversa, President and CEO
Making the Switch to KUKA
New: Connexions 2026 has expanded to a full two days. More time for learning, networking, and innovation than ever before.
Resort Address: 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, Nevada, 89451, United States
Recommended Airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Tips for Dress: Meals will be outside and it might be chilly in the mornings and evenings. A jacket or extra layer is recommended for comfort.
Registration: Please make sure that every person from your group has individually registered.
Are you staying off-site? Please send an email to ROBUSmarketing@kuka.com if you are not staying at the resort.
