ISA Automation Summit 2025: A Powerful Convergence of Innovation and Expertise
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Oct. 21, 2025 – The International Society of Automation (ISA) successfully concluded the 2025 Automation Summit & Expo (ASE) from October 5–7 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The event blended technical deep-dives, hands-on learning, and an expansive expo, addressing automation’s evolving role in a rapidly digitizing, AI-augmented world.
A Growing Global Gathering of Industry Leaders
This year’s ASE welcomed over 630 automation professionals from around the world, representing sectors such as manufacturing, energy, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, utilities, and even entertainment. With a strong focus on cross-sector knowledge exchange, the summit solidified its role as a must-attend event for automation professionals seeking insight and inspiration.
Keynotes That Merged Innovation with Real-World Perspective
Two standout keynote sessions captivated attendees with both visionary and practical perspectives:
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Douglas Hurley, retired NASA astronaut, explored innovation in space flight, sharing lessons in system resilience, mission-critical engineering, and human-machine collaboration.
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Tom Liston, cybersecurity veteran and founder of Bad Wolf Security, presented "Confessions of a Dirty Hacker", drawing on over 20 years of experience to highlight modern OT threat landscapes with humor and urgency.
In total, 67 speakers from top organizations—including Lockheed Martin Ventures, AWS, Eli Lilly & Co., Wabtec, and MiTRE—shared strategies on secure architecture, scalable automation, and AI-integrated decision-making.
Expo Hall: From Demos to Real-World Deployment
The ISA Expo featured 65 leading vendors in automation, cybersecurity, and process control. Exhibitors delivered live technology demonstrations, peer-to-peer discussions, and solution showcases designed to help attendees turn concepts into actionable improvements.
Hands-On Cybersecurity Training with ISA Certification
ISA’s flagship cybersecurity training programs—IC32 and IC33—provided hands-on, certificate-based learning. These intensive courses helped professionals sharpen their skills in OT security and industrial risk management, addressing one of the most urgent challenges in today’s digitalized production environments.
Immersive Learning and Student Engagement in VR
The Student Simulation Showcase featured a cutting-edge virtual reality experience, allowing participants to navigate real-world industrial scenarios. This interactive exhibit highlighted ISA’s ongoing investment in the next generation of automation professionals, reinforcing the importance of applied learning through student competitions and innovation challenges.
Stronger Community Through Celebration and Connection
Beyond the sessions and expo, ASE 2025 fostered a sense of community through curated networking opportunities. Receptions for young professionals, welcome mixers, and vendor breaks encouraged meaningful connections. A major highlight was the Honors & Awards Gala held on October 6 inside Pandora – The World of Avatar, celebrating standout contributors in the automation field.
Looking Ahead to ASE 2026
ISA has confirmed that the 2026 Automation Summit & Expo will return to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on September 27–29, 2026. With momentum from 2025’s success, expectations are high for another groundbreaking gathering of the global automation community.