Daa Bots

Automate's keynote lineup features two Chicago Bears alums

Sports personalities are a big draw at trade shows. Here's the latest salvo:

Chicago Bears radio voice Jeff Joniak will sit down with former Bears linebacker (and Hall of Famer) Brian Urlacher for "a powerful, real-world conversation on leadership and performance," at Automate this year when the expo comes to the Bears' home city June 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

"Through candid stories and hard-earned lessons, this keynote explores how elite teams prepare, build trust, and deliver when it counts," the automation and robotics association said in a press release. "Walk away with a sharper mindset for leading teams, raising standards, and staying competitive in fast-moving environments. This is one of the most anticipated sessions of the week. Register for free now, and arrive early!"

The session is labeled "Built to Win: The Mindset Behind Championship Performance*"and will take place from 9:00-9:45 AM Central time on Thursday, June 25, the closing day of the convention.

Other highlights to look forward to at Automate this summer include:

• New Humanoid Robot Forum and Pavilion – This year’s Automate offers more opportunities to get acquainted with humanoids. 

• Star-powered keynotes – Start every morning at Automate with visionary speakers and trailblazers changing the game.

  Expert-led Conference tracks –  Get a quick look at areas of interest that can help you design your own track. Note: Conference access requires an additional fee.

• Networking opportunities – See where you can connect with industry leaders, automation experts, and peers. From demos to meetups, this list covers everything happening at Automate 2026.

• Exclusive feature – Read how open, software-defined automation offers a practical path to future-ready operations, sponsored by Schneider Electric. 

*Editor's note: Regarding "championship performance": Brian Urlacher never won a Super Bowl (he appeared in Super Bowl XLI in 2007, but his Bears lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 29-17) one could argue he technically won a nominal "championship" that year by winning the NFC Championship Game.