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Trade Shows for 2026: How to Maximize your Efforts

  • Writer: Betsy Lee
    Betsy Lee
  • Jan 30
  • 8 min read

Top Industrial Trade Shows GRS Will Be Supporting in 2026

(and Why Small Manufacturers, Distributors, and Consultants Should Attend)

 

Industry leaders are bracing for a pivotal year in 2026 as automation accelerates and market conditions fluctuate. According to Manufacturing Dive, a roundup of leading industry conferences highlights how events help executives, researchers and sales professionals stay ahead of rapid technological change while navigating economic uncertainty-a mission that resonates with every growth-minded industrial business.

 

At GRS Recruiting, we make it a priority to be on the ground at the most influential shows where technical innovation meets real-world problem solving. Whether you’re a small manufacturer seeking new channel partners, a distributor scouting complementary product lines or a consultant looking to expand your network, these gatherings offer unmatched access to decision-makers, emerging technologies and education that simply can’t be replicated online. In the sections below, you’ll find a curated list of the 2026 trade shows we’re supporting, along with clear guidance on how to turn each one into a catalyst for growth.

 

Our 2026 Lineup

 

Below is a quick-reference lineup of the 2026 events where you can find our team at GRS. Use it to map out your calendar now, then dive into the sub-sections that follow for deeper insight on each show.

 

Collectively, these gatherings span HVACR, packaging, construction, power transmission, automation, metal fabrication, fluid power, lubrication, water treatment and more- mirroring the diverse technical markets we serve. Manufacturing Dive notes that thousands of executives, researchers and sales professionals rely on such conferences to track fast-moving advances in robotics, aerospace, chemicals and other sectors while weathering shifting economic headwinds, a reality that makes 2026’s roster more relevant than ever for growth-minded teams.

 

1. AHR Expo

The AHR Expo remains the HVACR industry’s bellwether event, spotlighting the latest in heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration. For technical sales professionals, it’s a hands-on forum to compare new energy-efficient systems, indoor-air-quality solutions and smart-building controls-all while meeting contractors, OEM engineers and facility managers who influence purchase decisions.

 

Key attendee and exhibitor groups include:

  • Global HVACR manufacturers launching next-gen chillers, boilers and air handlers

  • Component suppliers showcasing compressors, fans, sensors and IIoT modules

  • Wholesalers and distributors seeking new product lines

  • Consulting engineers vetting solutions for commercial and industrial projects

  • Mechanical contractors and service firms evaluating installation efficiencies

 

2. PACK EXPO East and International

Across both its spring Philadelphia edition and the autumn Chicago flagship, PACK EXPO convenes the packaging and processing ecosystem under one roof. Small manufacturers and distributors gain an unparalleled window into automation, materials and sustainability trends that can shave costs, reduce waste and boost shelf appeal.

 

At these shows you’ll find:

  • End-of-line robotics, cobots and vision systems for faster throughput

  • Next-generation filling, sealing and labeling equipment scaled for mid-market plants

  • Sustainable materials, smart packaging and track-and-trace technologies

  • Educational Innovation Stages plus PACK EXPO’s free “Ask the Experts” stations

  • Targeted networking lounges for food, beverage, pharma and household product sectors

 

3. CONEXPO-CON/AGG

CONEXPO-CON/AGG dominates the construction and heavy equipment calendar with more than 2,000 exhibitors and 150+ learning sessions, but our interest zeroes in on the components that keep heavy equipment running. From mobile attachments and power-transmission drives to hydraulics, pneumatics and motion-control systems, the show is a gold mine for suppliers that feed the global construction supply chain.

 

Expect to explore:

  • High-torque gearboxes, clutches and couplings for earth-moving equipment

  • Hydraulic pumps, motors and filtration systems built for harsh job-site conditions

  • Pneumatic valves, cylinders and FRLs powering on-board tooling

  • Quick-attach couplers, breakers and specialty buckets expanding machine versatility

  • Telematics, control systems and electrification upgrades reshaping fleet efficiency

 

4. Automate, IMTS and FABTECH

Automate stakes its claim as North America’s largest robotics and automation event: Manufacturing Dive reports that more than 50,000 attendees will converge in Chicago to see “the latest robotics, vision systems, motion control and other AI technologies,” with over 1,000 exhibitors and 200 speakers expected.

 

IMTS follows in September, and as the show itself puts it, it’s “the largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere,” drawing innovators together to connect, be inspired and uncover new solutions.

 

FABTECH closes the year for metal fabricators, offering one of the few venues where more than 1,700 exhibitors fill 850,000 sq ft of floor space dedicated to cutting-edge welding, forming and finishing equipment.

 

What sets each event apart?

  • Scale: Automate (1,000+ exhibitors) | IMTS (all of McCormick Place) | FABTECH (850k sq ft)

  • Core focus: Robotics & AI | End-to-end manufacturing tech | Metal fabrication & forming

  • Learning tracks: 200+ speaker sessions at Automate, IMTS conferences on additive, automation and smart manufacturing, FABTECH’s expert panels on welding metallurgy and shop automation

  • Ideal attendee: Automation leads, plant managers and system integrators | C-suite tech buyers and production engineers | Fabricators, job shops and process-improvement teams

 

5. Specialized Niche Events: IFPE, Lubricant Expo, Bearing Show, NAHAD, WEFTEC, ILMA Annual Meeting

 Niche shows may be smaller, but their laser-focused audiences turn casual conversations into high-value relationships-especially for businesses selling specialized components or services.

 

Distinctive opportunities include:

  • IFPE: The fluid power companion to CONEXPO featuring hydraulic and pneumatic systems, motion control electronics and sealing technologies

  • Lubricant Expo North America: A deep dive into industrial lubricants, additive chemistries and condition-monitoring breakthroughs

  • Bearing Show North America: A gathering of bearing, linear motion and power-transmission innovators serving OEM and MRO markets

  • OTC: The Offshore Technology Conference offers a focused gathering of professionals and manufacturers serving predominantly the Oil and Gas industry

  • NAHAD Convention: The premier hose and hose-accessories event fostering distributor-manufacturer collaboration

  • WEFTEC: North America’s largest water-quality conference, ideal for pump, valve and instrumentation specialists

  • ILMA Annual Meeting: A strategic forum for independent lubricant manufacturers to explore regulatory shifts, raw-material trends and partnership opportunities

 

Collectively, these specialized gatherings help small businesses secure channel partners, spot emerging niches and accelerate product-development roadmaps-capabilities that can make the difference between incremental gains and breakout growth.

 

Unlocking the Benefits of Trade Show Attendance for Small Manufacturers, Distributors, and Consultants

 

Few forums accelerate growth quite like a well-chosen trade show. In a single venue you can evaluate cutting-edge machinery, map out supply-chain partnerships and gather competitive intelligence that would otherwise take months of research trips and virtual calls.

 

As Laura Thompson, Vice President of Trade Shows at PMMI, notes, “Trade shows offer small to mid-size businesses an opportunity to explore a large number of the latest products, services, and innovations in their industry in person over a short amount of time,” a perspective shared in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce article that champions face-to-face networking opportunities.

 

Trade shows consistently deliver high-caliber leads and industry insight; in fact, one business resource points out that 81% of attendees have buying authority, meaning most people who stop by your booth can directly influence a sale.

 

Here are additional advantages to consider:

  • High-quality lead generation opportunities in a concentrated time frame

  • Direct, real-time feedback on prototypes, samples and service concepts

  • Face-to-face relationship building that accelerates trust far faster than virtual outreach

  • Hands-on demos of emerging technologies to inform capital-equipment planning

  • Access to expert-led seminars and workshops that compress months of learning into a few days

  • Media exposure and social amplification opportunities that boost brand visibility long after the show floor closes

 

Maximizing ROI: Strategies for Small Businesses to Succeed at Trade Shows


Preparation is where good intentions turn into measurable gains. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce piece on trade-show success urges attendees to “be proactive in introducing yourself, ask insightful questions, and exchange business cards or digital contact information,” underscoring how a clear engagement plan multiplies the value of every badge scan.

 

Before the show:

  • Define objectives such as lead quotas, partnership targets or product-validation milestones

  • Map out must-see exhibitors, education sessions and after-hours mixers in a time-blocked agenda

  • Reach out to priority contacts via LinkedIn to set brief, on-site meetings

  • Align booth staff on elevator pitches and demo flows so every visitor hears a consistent story

 

On the floor:

  • Position displays to invite passersby and keep sight lines clear to interactive demos

  • Capture prospect details digitally to avoid lost business cards and speed post-event follow-up

  • Rotate staff in short shifts to maintain energy and ensure no lead goes unengaged

  • Track questions that surface repeatedly; they’re clues to blog topics, product tweaks or service add-ons

 

After the show:

  • Send personalized recaps within 48 hours while conversations are fresh

  • Segment leads by priority and schedule discovery calls or plant tours accordingly

  • Debrief internally on what resonated, what fell flat and how to refine the next event strategy

  • Share takeaways on social channels to amplify your presence beyond the exhibit hall


With such a high percentage of attendees wielding buying authority, timely follow-up is non-negotiable if you want to convert interest into revenue. Execute these steps consistently and you’ll be ready for the real-world success stories that follow.

 

Real-World Success: Case Studies and Outcomes from Industrial Trade Shows

Trade shows aren’t just line items on a marketing budget-they’re catalysts for tangible growth. Manufacturing Dive reports that the largest industrial events draw tens of thousands of executives and sales professionals, creating an environment where chance conversations often become multimillion-dollar opportunities. When you combine that density of decision-makers with a disciplined engagement plan, impressive results follow.

 

Below are illustrative scenarios-grounded in outcomes we regularly see among our clients-that show how a few days on the show floor can translate into long-term business value:

  • A Midwest hydraulic-cylinder manufacturer debuted a compact, high-pressure prototype at IFPE and secured a joint-development agreement with a global OEM within six weeks, accelerating its market entry by nine months and adding a projected $3 million in annual revenue

  • At PACK EXPO East, a regional food-processing equipment distributor showcased a mobile demonstration unit, booked 120 qualified appointments on site and converted 35 percent of them into purchase orders before year-end

  • During Automate, a family-owned machine shop partnered with a collaborative-robot vendor it met in a breakout session; the resulting automation retrofit boosted throughput 25 percent and reduced per-part labor costs by 18 percent

  • A specialty lubricant blender leveraged its presence at Lubricant Expo to co-host an educational session; the resulting media coverage doubled website traffic for a month and generated inbound inquiries from three continents

  • At the NAHAD Convention, a hose-assembly supplier joined a distributor roundtable, identified a gap in quick-connect fittings and launched a new product line that now represents 15 percent of annual sales

 

When such a high share of attendees has purchasing authority, even a handful of well-timed follow-ups can reshape a company’s growth trajectory. With outcomes like these on the table, the question shifts from “Should we attend?” to “How quickly can we register?”

 

Take the Next Step: Connect with GRS at a Trade Show or Discuss Your Recruiting Needs

Industrial trade shows remain one of the few arenas where you can evaluate emerging technology, cultivate partnerships and build brand credibility-all within a few productive days.


For small manufacturers, distributors and consultants, the stakes are even higher: the right conversation can secure a critical supplier, land a marquee customer or surface top-tier talent that transforms your sales organization.

 

If you’re planning to attend any of the events listed above, we’d love to meet you there. And if you’re facing urgent hiring needs now, there’s no reason to wait. Contact us at GRS to discuss how our industry-specialized recruiters can connect you with the sales and leadership talent that keeps your growth engine running, or schedule time with us on the show floor to explore both your staffing strategy and market opportunities in person.

 

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Betsy Lee is the Director of Marketing for GRS Recruiting. She has over 12 years of experience working directly in the recruitment industry, developing marketing strategies that attract top talent and equipping recruiters with the tools and training they need to succeed. A small-business advocate, she loves helping companies grow and take their teams to the next level. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyroselee/


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