U.S. manufacturing is going through a transitional period as the federal government works to unlock incentives for big investments while the industry loses thousands of jobs. To help stay abreast of the latest trends, products and insights, Manufacturing Dive rounded up some of the leading industry conferences happening in 2026.
The events are intended to help business leaders looking to increase production by leveraging automation and other technologies, while also navigating economic uncertainty from the Trump administration’s trade policies.
Thousands of attendees ranging from executives and researchers to politicians and sales professionals travel to these trade shows each year to network and learn about the state of the manufacturing industry or its various sectors, including robotics, aerospace, chemicals, steel and semiconductors.
Which other events are on your radar for 2026? Let us know at [email protected].
Top manufacturing conferences in 2026
IMTS
Sept. 14-19
McCormick Place, Chicago
Hosted by the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the week-long conference draws experts and enthusiasts from around the world to stay abreast of the latest manufacturing technologies and trends. It is considered the largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere.
The Battery Show & EV Tech Expo 2026
Oct. 12-15
Huntington Place, Detroit
Thousands of engineers, executives and innovators gather to learn about the latest technologies and solutions shaping the industry, including battery manufacturing, EV power trains, energy storage and thermal management. Attendees can expect to see more than 1,300 exhibitors and more than 150 speakers, as well as opportunities to connect with top suppliers and OEMs.
Semicon West
Oct. 13-15
Moscone Center, San Francisco
This show and expo brings together people from across the global electronics supply chain to address the semiconductor industry’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Attendees can expect programs and events focused on smart manufacturing, cybersecurity, market trends, design, sustainability and more.
Fabtech
Oct. 21-23
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
Considered the premier event for the metal fabricating industry, it is one of the few conferences that showcases high-tech metalworking machinery alongside networking opportunities and educational sessions. More than 1,700 exhibitors with backgrounds in finishing, welding, forming and automation span the 850,000-square-foot show floor.
American Food Manufacturing Summit
Nov. 2-3
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, Chicago
This executive-level conference brings together leaders from the top food and beverage manufacturing companies for networking, strategic insights and discussions focused on digital transformation, safety, process optimization, industry trends and more.
Editor’s note: MD&M West and MD&M South are run by Informa, which owns a controlling stake in Informa TechTarget, the publisher behind Manufacturing Dive. Informa has no influence over Manufacturing Dive’s coverage.
