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Trade Shows and Expos: Upcoming Events for Buyers and Suppliers

Trade Shows and Expos: Upcoming Events for Buyers and Suppliers

ATN BREAKING NEWS |

Trade Shows and Expos: Upcoming Events for Buyers and Suppliers

October 21, 2026 | ATN Trade & Finance

The fall trade show calendar is fully underway. FABTECH — the largest metal fabricating, welding, and industrial automation show in North America — is running this week (October 21–23) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PACK EXPO International, the packaging and processing industry's flagship event, is also in October in Chicago. Below is a curated guide to the major events coming up through December, organized by sector.

Automotive: Las Vegas, November 3–6

The first week of November puts two major automotive events simultaneously in Las Vegas. The SEMA Show (November 3–6, Las Vegas Convention Center) draws 153,000+ industry professionals and 2,300+ exhibiting companies in the specialty equipment and aftermarket space — performance parts, accessories, tools, and automotive technology. Immediately alongside it, AAPEX (November 3–5, The Venetian Expo) brings 45,000 attendees and 2,500+ manufacturers and suppliers focused on replacement parts, diagnostics, and EV repair technology. The two shows together make the first week of November the automotive aftermarket's largest annual event cluster.

Clean Energy: RE+, Las Vegas, November 16–19

RE+ (November 16–19, Las Vegas Convention Center) is the industry's largest annual gathering for solar, battery storage, wind, hydrogen, EV infrastructure, and grid-edge technology. Buyers include energy developers, utilities, project companies, and institutional investors; suppliers range from panel and inverter manufacturers to software platforms and project finance providers. The 2026 edition arrives as US grid investment is at a multi-year high, driven by AI data-center power demand and federal incentive programs.

Attractions and Entertainment: IAAPA Expo, Orlando, November 16–20

IAAPA Expo (November 16–20, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando) covers the global attractions industry — theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, and museums. The show draws 40,000+ global industry professionals and 1,100+ exhibitors selling rides, immersive technology, gaming, and guest-experience solutions. Education sessions run November 16–19; the show floor opens November 17.

Advanced Manufacturing: Formnext, Frankfurt, November 17–20

For buyers and suppliers in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and precision tooling, Formnext (November 17–20, Frankfurt) remains the global benchmark event. It draws manufacturers of industrial 3D printers, materials, post-processing equipment, and design software alongside aerospace, automotive, and medical device buyers. The show overlaps with JIMTOF (November 25–30, Tokyo), the Japan International Machine Tool Fair — the two together make late November the most active period for precision manufacturing procurement globally.

Medical Imaging and Radiology: RSNA, Chicago, November 29–December 3

RSNA 2026 (November 29–December 3, McCormick Place, Chicago) is the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting — the leading event for medical imaging, AI diagnostics, and healthcare IT procurement. Hospital administrators and radiology department heads evaluate equipment from major medical device companies; vendors including GE HealthCare, Siemens Healthineers, and Philips use RSNA for product launches.

Technology: AWS re:Invent, Las Vegas, November 30–December 4

AWS re:Invent (November 30–December 4, Las Vegas) is the year's largest cloud and enterprise technology conference, with 2,200+ exhibitors from across SaaS, cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, and cloud services. For enterprise technology buyers evaluating vendor contracts heading into 2027 budget cycles, re:Invent is typically the last major checkpoint before Q1 decisions.

Retail Real Estate: ICSC New York, December 9–10

ICSC New York (December 9–10, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center) is the deal-making summit for retail real estate — retailers, property owners, developers, brokers, and brands. It serves as a final networking event before year-end lease and development decisions.

Racing and Motorsports: PRI Show, Indianapolis, December 10–12

The Performance Racing Industry Show (December 10–12, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis) is the motorsports supply chain's annual procurement event — teams, builders, and distributors sourcing engines, drivetrain components, fabrication services, and electronics from 1,000+ exhibitors.

What this means: The November–December calendar concentrates the year's remaining major procurement opportunities into an eight-week window before the holiday break. For buyers in automotive, clean energy, medical devices, and enterprise technology, the shows above represent the primary in-person touchpoints for 2027 contract and vendor decisions. Suppliers with booth presence at SEMA/AAPEX and RE+ in mid-November face the most compressed back-to-back scheduling; buyers attending multiple events should note that Las Vegas is the host city for SEMA, AAPEX, RE+, and AWS re:Invent across November 3–December 4, making it the de facto trade show capital of the fall season.

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