CHICAGO — The new year promises to bring more opportunities for trade show industry professionals to connect with each other over education, shared challenges and recognition. So, before your calendar for 2026 gets booked, check out some upcoming industry events to have on your radar.
Trade Show Executive compiled a list of some of the top events taking place in 2026 for trade show and exhibition professionals.
January 2026
- PCMA Convening Leaders 2026: Jan. 11-14 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
February 2026
- Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) Rising Leaders Summit: Feb. 23-25 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas
- Lippman Connects Exhibit Sales Roundtable: Feb. 26 at Convene – Rosslyn City Center in Arlington, Virginia
March 2026
- SISO CEO Summit: March 9-12 at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina
- Lippman Connects Attendee Acquisition Roundtable: March 26 at Convene – Rosslyn City Center in Arlington, Virginia.
- Destinations International CEO Summit: March 30-April 1 in Newport Beach, Calif.
April 2026
- Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit: April 22-24 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland
May 2026
- Lippman Connects ECEF (Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum): May 27 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.
- Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance Legislative Action Day: May 28 on Capitol Hill in Washinton, D.C.
- Global Policy Forum: May 29 at the Army & Navy Club in Washinton, D.C.
June 2026
- Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress (WEC): June 1-4 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas
- Lippman Connects Exhibit Sales Roundtable: June 25 at McCormick Place in Chicago
- ESCA Summer Educational Conference: June 28-July 1 at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada
July 2026
- Cvent CONNECT: July 13-16 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.
- Lippman Connects Attendee Acquisition Roundtable: July 30 at McCormick Place in Chicago
August 2026
- ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) Annual Meeting & Exposition: Aug. 15-18 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis
- Connect Marketplace: Aug. 24-26 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa Bay, Fla.
September 2026
- Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 Awards & Summit: Sept. 21-24 at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, Calif.
October 2026
- Lippman Connects Exhibit Sales Roundtable: Oct. 1 at Convene – Rosslyn City Center in Arlington, Virginia.
- IMEX America: Oct. 13-15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas
- Lippman Connects Attendee Acquisition Roundtable: Oct. 22 at Convene – Rosslyn City Center in Arlington, Virginia.
November 2026
- 93rd UFI Global Congress: Nov. 2-5 at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir, Bahrain
- Lippman Connects Large Show Roundtable: Nov. 5 in Detroit, Mich.
- Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Nov. 16-18 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisc.
December 2026
- National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) Annual Conference: Dec. 9-12 in Louisville, Kentucky
Do you know of another industry event we should feature in our 2026 listing? Let us know at mryley@tradeshowexecutive.com
