Top Trade Shows in Chicago 2026
Karin Roberts : Thu, Dec 18, 2025
Explore Chicago's top 2026 trade show events at McCormick Place and Donald Stevens to boost your brand, connect with industry leaders, and discover...
The trade show industry in the USA is a dynamic and thriving market, offering countless opportunities for businesses to elevate their brand presence and expand their reach. Making meaningful connections in person is a refreshing change from the digital interactions we've grown accustomed to. Emerging from the subdued atmosphere of lockdown, the excitement of engaging with fresh ideas and connecting with industry peers is unparalleled. However, the abundance of trade show options can be overwhelming for companies seeking to make the most of these valuable opportunities.
Whether you're a seasoned trade show pro or just dipping your toes in the industry, understanding the key sectors and their trade show locations is crucial. Attending the largest trade shows in the USA can provide you with a competitive edge, allowing you to forge connections, engage with key decision-makers, and showcase the latest products and industry trends. If you are an international exhibitor looking to participate in a trade show in the USA, then this article is a helpful guide for you. Also check out our CALENDAR OF TRADE SHOW EVENTS.
(All dates below reflect the most recently confirmed 2027 schedules as of September 2026. A few shows — noted individually — have not yet finalized 2027 dates, changed names, or shifted cities; always confirm with the organizer before booking travel.)
List of Shows:
1. Consumer Electronics Show – CES
When: January 6–9, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, NV & Digital
CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and for over 50 years, has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. At CES, thousands of exhibitors participate from different parts of the world, and attendance regularly tops 100,000+, which makes it one of the largest tech trade shows in the USA and across the globe.
When: January 19–21, 2027 (education programming begins January 18)
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
Held annually, this international event is exclusively for professionals in the concrete and masonry industry. Visitors and exhibitors alike will get to see innovative equipment, tools, and products exclusive to the show. U.S. manufacturers and distributors showcase their offerings alongside international manufacturers and distributors, with the show occupying hundreds of thousands of square feet of floor space.
3. MD&M West (Medical Design & Manufacturing)
When: February 9–11, 2027
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
MD&M West is a great opportunity for exhibitors to get ahead in the global medical manufacturing community. Ideal for MedTech professionals, this trade show gathers thousands of exhibitors from various parts of the globe and runs alongside co-located events including WestPack and the Sustainable Manufacturing Expo.
When: February 16–18, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
The largest fashion marketplace in the United States. This show runs alongside PROJECT, SOURCING at MAGIC, and OFFPRICE at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with thousands of brands from 45+ countries exhibiting and dozens of networking opportunities with retailers, buyers, and brands.
When: March 2–4, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
ASD Market Week is one of the world's top B2B trade shows in Las Vegas and remains one of the most comprehensive trade fairs for consumer merchandise in the USA. With thousands of exhibitors from different parts of the globe, ASD Market Week draws tens of thousands of buyers from dozens of countries. If your company is into consumer goods and wholesale merchandise, this is a show to participate in with a well-crafted trade show booth design.
When: March 2–5, 2027 (exhibit halls open March 3–5)
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim
Natural Products Expo West remains one of the biggest trade shows for the natural, organic & healthy products industry, bringing together thousands of exhibiting companies and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world with a dedicated trade show booth presence.
When: September 27–29, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
PACK EXPO Las Vegas, held every other year, is the ideal trade show for advancements in processing and packaging. It welcomes a broad spectrum of consumer packaged goods and life sciences companies from more than 40 vertical markets. Be part of this USA exhibition and elevate your packaging business to the next level. (Note: PACK EXPO's Chicago-based sister show, PACK EXPO International, runs in even years, most recently October 2026.)
8. Food Production Solutions Show (formerly Process Expo / EATS) – FPSA
When: October 26–28, 2027
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
The long-running FPSA event (Process Expo, later rebranded EATS) has been relaunched as the Food Production Solutions Show for 2027, moving to McCormick Place in Chicago. It continues to showcase the newest developments across food and beverage processing, packaging, automation, and workforce solutions, with exhibitors representing every market of the food industry.
9. National Hardware Show – NHS
When: March 9–11, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
The National Hardware Show remains a key venue for buying opportunities, merchandising solutions, and face-to-face networking in the hardware and home improvement space. (Note: some organizer materials describe the show transitioning toward a broader retail-sourcing focus — confirm current positioning before exhibiting.)
10. New York International Auto Show
When: March 26 – April 4, 2027
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Manhattan, NY
The Auto Show showcases the latest automotive trends within the industry, allowing exhibitors to present their collection of innovative designs across multiple floors of displays, with automotive companies from around the world exhibiting.
11. NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters)
When: April 4–7, 2027 (conferences and workshops begin April 3)
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
Held annually, NAB Show draws tens of thousands of visitors and well over 1,000 exhibitors. It's a premier venue for advanced devices and gadgets, cameras, lenses, capture accessories, lighting and grip devices, streaming, AI, and much more.
No 2027 edition — IMTS runs biennially in even years. The next edition is IMTS 2028 at McCormick Place, Chicago.
13. National Rifle Association – NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
When: April 23–25, 2027
Where: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Held annually, the NRA hosts one of the largest displays of firearms, shooting, and hunting accessories in the world, spanning acres of exhibit space with hundreds of exhibitors and a jam-packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and special events.
14. CLEANPOWER (formerly AWEA Windpower)
When: May 24–27, 2027
Where: Anaheim, CA
The American Wind Energy Association's WINDPOWER show has since merged into the American Clean Power Association's CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition, which brings together wind, solar, storage, and transmission under one roof. It remains a game-changer platform for exhibitors to learn from industry experts, network with major players across the clean energy sector, and strengthen their brand.
15. Offshore Technology Conference – OTC
When: May 3–5, 2027
Where: NRG Park, Houston, Texas
OTC is the world's leading conference for the development of offshore resources in drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection, connecting exhibitors with C-suite leaders and speakers from around the globe, alongside hundreds of journalists covering the event.
When: April 5–8, 2027
Where: Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
RSAC is the world's leading cybersecurity conference, bringing together tens of thousands of IT security professionals, CISOs, developers, and industry leaders from well over 100 countries. Exhibitors gain access to a highly qualified audience through two large Expo halls, while attendees can explore emerging threats, cutting-edge security innovations, and the RSAC Innovation Sandbox for up-and-coming startups.
When: June 4–7, 2027
Where: The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas
JCK Las Vegas remains one of the leading annual trade shows in the jewelry industry, converging tens of thousands of influential industry professionals from around the world, with well over 1,000 global exhibitors and individual retailers.
When: June 5–7, 2027
Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
For over 30 years, Premiere Orlando has been the go-to event for beauty industry professionals, showcasing skincare products, hair styling and care products, nail and barbering innovations, spa and wellness offerings, and more.
19. BIO International Convention
When: June 7–10, 2027
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, BIO brings together thousands of biotechnology companies, state biotechnology centers, academic institutions, and related organizations. As an exhibitor, you gain visibility in front of influential decision-makers and meet with high-level executives through BIO One-on-One Partnering. (Note: BIO moves cities year to year — 2027 is in Philadelphia.)
When: June 12–18, 2027 (exhibit hall open June 16–18)
Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
InfoComm remains one of the top and most exciting trade shows focused on the professional audiovisual and integrated experience industry, featuring hundreds of exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors from around the world.
21. National Restaurant Association Show
When: May 22–25, 2027
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
The world's most influential showcase of foodservice innovation, the National Restaurant Association Show is where every trend, solution, and category in the industry comes to life — the place to stay ahead of what's next in hospitality.
When: July 31 – August 5, 2027
Where: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas
Black Hat USA, recognized as one of the most prestigious and enduring events in information security, presents unmatched networking opportunities, technical briefings, trainings, and the Arsenal open-source tool showcase.
23. The Inspired Home Show (formerly International Home + Housewares Show)
When: March 9–11, 2027
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
North America's largest housewares trade show connects buyer to seller, product to lifestyle, and industry to consumer mindset. Home and housewares professionals from more than 100 countries converge upon Chicago each year to discover new products and industry trends.
When: September 28 – October 1, 2027
Where: Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI
Held annually, this event is exclusively for dairy farmers and the global dairy industry. Exhibitors find an active, engaged audience of tens of thousands of visitors from around the world to showcase the latest technologies and innovations.
When: September 13–16, 2027
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
FABTECH is North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, giving exhibitors the chance to engage an audience of high-level decision-makers seeking new technology and products.
26. American Academy of Ophthalmology – AAO
When: November 13–15, 2027 (Expo); Subspecialty Day November 12–13
Where: The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
The American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting is the illustrious trade show for the ophthalmology industry, featuring keynote lectures, instructional courses, and technological innovation for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and eye care professionals worldwide. (Note: AAO has shifted from its traditional Orlando/early-October slot to a mid-November date in Las Vegas for 2027.)
27. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show – FLIBS
When: Expected late October 2027 (exact dates not yet officially announced as of this writing)
Where: Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Broward County Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, and other waterfront venues)
Regarded as one of the largest boat shows around the globe, FLIBS covers every sector of the marine and nautical industry, bringing together well over 1,000 exhibitors and vessels from dozens of countries.
When: Expected early November 2027 (exact dates not yet finalized as of this writing)
Where: The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, United States
AAPEX is the place for conversations with others tackling the same challenges in the automotive aftermarket, making profitable deals with trusted suppliers, and hearing directly from industry experts.
When: November 2–5, 2027
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
With the SEMA Show, you can showcase your brand to tens of thousands of qualified buyers from the specialty equipment industry, drawing visitors from well over 100 countries.
30. Radiological Society of North America – RSNA
When: November 14–18, 2027
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago
RSNA brings together doctors and radiologists from North America, allowing you to showcase the latest in CT, MRI, AI, 3D printing, and other imaging modalities to key decision-makers and radiologists from every subspecialty. (Note: starting in 2027, RSNA shifted to a schedule that lands two weeks earlier than in prior years, ending the week before Thanksgiving.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United States hosts a diverse array of trade shows that cater to a multitude of industries, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning, and business growth. From technology and fashion to healthcare and renewable energy, these events are pivotal for companies looking to stay ahead of industry trends and connect with key players. Whether you're an exhibitor aiming to showcase your latest innovations or an attendee seeking to expand your professional network, these top trade shows provide the perfect platform to achieve your goals. As you plan your participation in 2027, consider the unique benefits each event offers and how they align with your business objectives — and always double-check dates directly with organizers, since several shows above have shifted cities, names, or calendar slots in recent cycles.
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