Upcoming San Diego Trade Shows 2026
Few cities combine business energy and coastal ease like San Diego. It stands among the West Coast’s most preferred destinations for trade shows. The city offers advanced infrastructure, diverse industries, and year-round appeal. From the San Diego Convention Center’s 2.6 million square feet of space to venues like the Town and Country Resort and Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego supports events of every size. Its accessibility, hospitality, and visitor-friendly layout make it a dependable choice for organizers and exhibitors.
In 2026, the SDCC is set to host 90 major gatherings with over 805,000 attendees, creating an estimated $1.5 billion in regional impact. Events span technology, biotech, healthcare, defense, and manufacturing. Each brings together professionals driving the next wave of innovation. For exhibitors and attendees alike, San
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1. PAG 33
When: January 9–14, 2026
Where: Town & Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 33) returns to San Diego for six days of groundbreaking research, collaboration, and innovation in genomics. The event features 7 plenary sessions led by world-renowned experts, 200+ scientific workshops, and a poster gallery of 1,200 abstracts. More than 100 exhibitors from the global genomics industry will showcase their latest tools, technologies, and research solutions. With over 3,200 attendees expected, PAG 33 offers an unmatched opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and build meaningful partnerships in the plant and animal genomics community.
2. Winter Fancy Faire
When: January 11–13, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The Winter Fancy Faire kicks off the specialty food industry’s event season with three days of discovery, connection, and flavor. Known as the first major industry gathering of the year, it blends structured business opportunities with organic networking, sampling sessions, and local culinary experiences. The show attracts 15,000+ senior decision-makers, with 90% holding purchasing authority and over half representing companies exceeding $5 million in annual revenue. For brands, it’s an ideal stage to launch products, strengthen buyer relationships, and chart growth strategies for the year ahead.
3. DISTRIBUTECH International – DTECH
When: February 02 – 05, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
DISTRIBUTECH International (DTECH) delivers direct access to over 17,400 professionals and 650+ exhibiting companies across 67 countries, making it the most powerful utility-focused event in North America. For companies targeting the transmission, distribution, and energy technology markets, this show offers high-value exposure to buyers, engineers, and utility executives who are actively sourcing solutions. A custom trade show booth rental at DTECH puts your brand front and center in a space designed for product showcases, one-on-one meetings, and nonstop traffic from a highly qualified audience.
With built-in visibility through curated networking, educational sessions, and award recognition, the show ensures your booth isn’t just seen but remembered. Trade show booth rentals here can be the best way to turn into strong ROI, industry credibility, and a measurable sales pipeline. Every detail of the event is engineered for serious business outcomes, making it an essential move for companies ready to scale their influence in the energy sector.
4. Intersolar North America
When: February 18 – 20, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
Intersolar North America puts your brand in front of nearly 10,000 clean energy professionals and over 500 exhibitors from 59 countries with all focused on solar, energy storage, EV infrastructure, and manufacturing. With 82% of attendees holding buying power, the floor is filled with decision-makers looking for solutions. A custom trade show booth rental here places you directly in that spotlight, giving you the chance to showcase innovation where it matters. The exhibit hall is designed for nonstop engagement, from live demos to the Solar Games competition and packed theater sessions.
Add in curated networking, on-site buyer-seller matchmaking, and a high exhibitor renewal rate, 70% signed up again in 2023, and the value becomes undeniable. This isn’t just about being seen, it’s about connecting with potential buyers, driving real ROI, and strengthening your position in a fast-moving market. If solar is your game, this is where your next opportunity is waiting.
5. Plastics Recycling Conference
When: February 23 – 25, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The Plastics Recycling Conference draws over 2,600 professionals and 250+ leading companies focused on advancing plastics recovery and circular economy solutions. It offers direct access to decision-makers across processing, equipment, packaging, and sustainability sectors who are actively looking for partnerships and innovations. A trade show booth rental here creates high-value exposure, enabling real-time product demos, detailed conversations, and strong lead generation. The exhibit hall routinely sells out with more than 240 booths, and the strong exhibitor return rate speaks to the quality of engagement and ROI. With expert-led sessions offering market insights and a schedule designed to drive consistent floor traffic, your presence stands out in front of the people who matter most.
Companies looking to increase their visibility, connect with industry leaders, and stay competitive in this evolving market gain a measurable advantage through smart placement and strategy. A well-executed booth turns interest into results, and results into growth.
6. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Annual
When: March 15 – 19, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition brings together over 4,500 professionals and more than 1,000 graduate students from nearly 70 countries, making it one of the most targeted platforms for materials science and engineering. With over 240 booths in a consistently sold-out exhibit hall, the event delivers unmatched access to industry leaders, academic researchers, and government decision-makers. A custom trade show booth rental here ensures your brand is front and center during three days of steady traffic driven by 120+ technical symposia, poster sessions, and networking receptions. Exhibitors receive full-conference access, visibility in the official guide and app, and access to attendee lists that extend the conversation beyond the show floor.
This isn’t passive exposure; it’s strategic positioning that generates leads, builds credibility, and strengthens recruitment pipelines. For companies looking to lead in innovation, deepen technical relationships, and convert conversations into opportunities, this is a high-value environment built for results.
Browse through our portfolio to find booth ideas in San Diego!
7. The HFA Show
When: March 16 – 18, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The HFA Show brings together 10,000 fitness professionals and 300+ companies for three days of nonstop engagement, deal-making, and brand visibility. It attracts decision-makers from health clubs, studios, gyms, and wellness brands looking for products, partnerships, and innovation. A trade show booth rental here positions your company for direct interaction with buyers who are actively sourcing new solutions. The floor is built for action with hands-on demos, instructor-led workouts, early morning activations, and high-traffic stages like the HFA Experience and pickleball pavilion. Exhibitors also benefit from lead capture, listings in the mobile app and show guide, and targeted attendee outreach before and after the show. With 400+ exhibiting companies and a high-energy environment, the competition is serious but the opportunities are stronger. This show delivers real-time feedback, qualified leads, and the kind of brand exposure that lasts well beyond the booth. If the fitness market is your focus, this is where your presence drives results.
20×20 Trade Show Booth at Tides USA 2025, San Diego, CA
8. Society of Toxicology
When: March 22 – 25, 2026
Where:San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The Society of Toxicology’s Annual Meeting and ToxExpo draws over 5,000 toxicology professionals and 275 companies from nearly 70 countries. It is the largest global event focused on toxicology, attracting scientists, researchers, regulators, and industry buyers. A trade show booth rental here places your brand in front of a targeted audience over three full days of traffic driven by 2,000+ poster sessions, technical presentations, and networking events. Exhibitors receive app and guide listings, attendee lead access, and built-in exposure before and after the show.
The floor remains consistently active, offering direct conversations with qualified prospects looking for lab equipment, software, research tools, and consulting services. Sponsored sessions provide an added platform to showcase expertise. The environment is focused, the audience is specialized, and the outcomes are measurable. For companies seeking visibility and leads in the toxicology field, this show delivers a clear, strategic advantage.
9. Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
When: March 30–April 2, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
The Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention is the leading event for the tribal and commercial gaming industries. Co-located with the DigitalPlay Summit and Mid-Year Conference & Expo, it brings together tribal leaders, casino executives, and key decision-makers from across the country. Attendees gain insights into new trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the gaming landscape. For exhibitors, it’s a powerful platform to connect with high-level buyers, build relationships, and showcase solutions that support growth in the thriving tribal gaming market.
10. World of Coffee
When: April 10 – 12, 2026
Where: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
About The Trade Show:
World of Coffee San Diego 2026 hosts over 17,000 professionals and 600+ companies from 85 countries, making it the largest specialty coffee trade show in North America. It brings roasters, retailers, importers, and distributors directly to the show floor looking for new products, equipment, and solutions. A trade show booth rental here places your brand in front of decision-makers with steady traffic driven by cuppings, roasting championships, and product award showcases. Exhibitors receive mobile app and guide listings, lead retrieval tools, and access to pre- and post-show attendee outreach.
Sponsorship options including stages and aisle signage increase booth visibility. The environment is built for direct engagement, product discovery, and serious conversations that lead to deals. For companies selling into the specialty coffee market, this event offers high ROI, quality leads, and strong global exposure in one place. It is a direct, focused opportunity to grow presence and business with industry buyers.
Conclusion
San Diego’s 2026 trade show lineup highlights the city’s continued strength as a hub for business growth and innovation. The city has world-class venues, steady visitor traffic, and events spanning genomics, food, and gaming. It offers unmatched opportunities for exhibitors to connect and compete at the highest level.
At Exponents, we help brands transform those opportunities into results. Our custom trade show booth rentals with complete project management and on-site support, our team ensures every detail works seamlessly on the show floor. With decades of San Diego experience and a facility minutes from major venues, we make exhibiting here effortless, efficient, and impactful.
