Top Manufacturing Trade Shows in the US (2026 Guide)

From IMTS in Chicago to FABTECH in Las Vegas, the United States is home to some of the most influential manufacturing trade shows in the world, and knowing which ones matter most can shape your entire go-to-market strategy.

IMTS tops this list of manufacturing trade shows worth clearing a calendar for in 2026, and IndustrialSage will be on the show floor in September as an official media partner capturing it firsthand.

Why the Show Floor Still Matters

In fact, digital marketing has not replaced the trade show floor for manufacturers, it has raised the bar for what a booth needs to deliver. Buyers still travel to see equipment run in person, and exhibitors that also turn a single show week into video content, press coverage, and sales collateral get far more mileage out of the investment than the show week alone provides.

1. IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show

IMTS 2026 runs September 14 to 19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, billed as the largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere. Specifically, the most recent edition, IMTS 2024, drew 1,737 exhibiting companies and 89,020 registrants across 1,226,523 square feet of show space, up 3% and 4% respectively over IMTS 2022. IMTS is organized by AMT, The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and also covers the full spectrum of machine tools, automation, additive manufacturing, and digital manufacturing technology.

IndustrialSage is an official media partner of IMTS 2026 and will have professional video crews on the show floor covering exhibitors throughout the week. Companies exhibiting at IMTS can also learn more about show floor video coverage at industrialsage.com/IMTS-2026.

2. FABTECH

FABTECH heads to the Las Vegas Convention Center October 21 to 23, 2026, marking its first Las Vegas edition in ten years. The show is North America’s largest event for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing, with 1,400 exhibitors expected across more than 700,000 square feet and 31,000-plus attendees projected. In addition, the floor runs alongside 180-plus conference sessions and workshops.

3. PACK EXPO International

PACK EXPO International lands at McCormick Place in Chicago October 18 to 21, 2026, produced by PMMI. Specifically, organizers expect 2,600-plus exhibitors and 48,000-plus attendees across 1.3 million square feet, with 81% of attendees reporting buying authority. Overall, it is one of the largest packaging and processing technology showcases in North America, covering everything from primary packaging equipment to full processing lines. Details are available at packexpointernational.com.

4. Automate

Automate 2026 wrapped June 22 to 25 at McCormick Place in Chicago, hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Notably, the 2026 edition was the largest on record, with more than 1,000 exhibitors showcasing robotics, machine vision, and motion control technology across the show floor. Automate is free to attend for anyone age 12 and up.

5. MODEX (and Its Sister Show, ProMat)

MODEX 2026 concluded April 13 to 16 in Atlanta as the show’s most successful edition to date, with 50,000 registered visitors from every U.S. state and 132 countries, and 1,057 exhibitors across 630,000 net square feet, organized by MHI as the premier supply chain and material handling trade show. The show also shares a floor identity with ProMat, MHI’s sister event, and the two alternate years so a supply chain show lands in Chicago or Atlanta annually. ProMat’s next edition then returns to Chicago in 2027 with more than 1,100 exhibits expected. IndustrialSage has additionally covered both shows on the floor in past years, browse the MODEX archive and ProMat archive for past coverage.

6. IPPE – International Production & Processing Expo

IPPE set a new floor-space record at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, running January 26 to 28, 2026, with 1,375 exhibitors across 662,214 square feet, the largest trade show floor in the event’s history. The event also serves the poultry, egg, meat, and animal food processing industries. IndustrialSage has shot on the IPPE floor in past years, see the IPPE archive for that coverage.

7. RAPID + TCT

RAPID + TCT, North America’s premier additive manufacturing and 3D printing event, made its Boston debut April 13 to 16, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, drawing more than 10,000 attendees, 470-plus exhibitors, and 260-plus expert speakers. Next, the show’s 2027 edition moves to Huntington Place in Detroit. Details are available at rapid3devent.com.

Show	2026 Dates	Location	Scale
IMTS	Sept 14–19	Chicago, IL	1,737 exhibitors, 1.2M+ sq ft (2024)
FABTECH	Oct 21–23	Las Vegas, NV	1,400 exhibitors, 700K+ sq ft
PACK EXPO International	Oct 18–21	Chicago, IL	2,600+ exhibitors, 1.3M sq ft
Automate	June 22–25 (concluded)	Chicago, IL	1,000+ exhibitors (record edition)
MODEX	Apr 13–16 (concluded)	Atlanta, GA	1,057 exhibitors, 50,000 visitors
IPPE	Jan 26–28 (concluded)	Atlanta, GA	1,375 exhibitors, 662K sq ft
RAPID + TCT	Apr 13–16 (concluded)	Boston, MA	470+ exhibitors, 10,000+ attendees

How IndustrialSage Covers the Show Floor

IndustrialSage has produced video coverage from trade show floors across the country for years, including past visits to MODEX, ProMat, and IPPE. Currently, that coverage lives in the FTF, From the Trade Show Floor archive. For IMTS 2026, IndustrialSage is expanding that coverage as an official media partner, deploying video crews across McCormick Place to capture exhibitor booths, product demonstrations, and executive interviews. Exhibitors interested in show floor coverage can find package details at industrialsage.com/IMTS-2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest manufacturing trade show in the US?

IMTS, the International Manufacturing Technology Show, is the largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere. Specifically, IMTS 2024 drew 1,737 exhibiting companies and 89,020 registrants across 1,226,523 square feet at McCormick Place in Chicago.

When is IMTS 2026 and where is it held?

IMTS 2026 runs September 14 to 19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

Is IndustrialSage affiliated with IMTS 2026?

Yes. IndustrialSage is an official media partner of IMTS 2026 and is deploying professional video crews across the show floor to cover exhibitors throughout the event.

What is the difference between MODEX and ProMat?

MODEX and ProMat are sister supply chain and material handling trade shows both organized by MHI. Specifically, they alternate years rather than running simultaneously, MODEX returned to Atlanta in April 2026 as its most successful edition to date, and ProMat returns to Chicago in 2027.

Which trade show is best for robotics and automation companies?

Automate, hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation, is North America’s largest robotics and automation event. Notably, the 2026 edition, held in Chicago in June, was the largest on record with more than 1,000 exhibitors.

Are these the only major manufacturing trade shows in the US?

No. This list covers seven of the largest national manufacturing trade shows by scale, but numerous regional and sector-specific shows, such as EASTEC, WESTEC, and Design-2-Part, also serve manufacturers throughout the year.