Your Guide to the Biggest Trade Shows in San Diego, 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 Diego provides a setting where opportunity, connection, and growth align naturally.
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1. TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
When: March 30 – April 02, 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.
5. 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.
6. AIA Conference on Architecture
When: June 10 – 13, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
The AIA Conference on Architecture 2026 is the flagship event for the architecture, design, and built environment community. Hosted by the American Institute of Architects, the conference brings together architects, firm leaders, designers, and industry partners for four days of education, networking, and product discovery. Attendees explore emerging trends in sustainable design, materials, building performance, and practice management through curated sessions and a large expo floor. AIA offers direct access to specifiers and decision-makers shaping commercial, residential, and civic projects across the U.S.
7. BIO International Convention
When: June 22 – 25, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
The BIO International Convention is the world’s largest and most influential event for the biotechnology industry. Hosted at the San Diego Convention Center, BIO 2026 brings together global leaders from biopharma, biotech startups, academia, investors, and service providers. The convention focuses on drug discovery, clinical development, biomanufacturing, digital health, and global partnering, with thousands of one-to-one meetings scheduled through the BIO Partnering system. For exhibitors, BIO 2026 offers direct access to high-level decision-makers, dealmakers, and innovators shaping the future of life sciences. This makes it a strategic platform for visibility, partnerships, and long-term growth in the biotech ecosystem.
8. PCBC
When: June 28 – 29, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
PCBC 2026, the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, is one of the most influential events for the residential construction and real estate development industry on the West Coast. Hosted at the San Diego Convention Center, the show brings together homebuilders, developers, architects, building product manufacturers, and land-use professionals. The conference focuses on housing innovation, policy updates, market outlooks, and construction best practices. PCBC offers direct access to senior decision-makers shaping residential development, making it a high-value platform to build relationships and present solutions aligned with California’s evolving housing market.
9. Esri User Conference
When: July 13 – 17, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
The Esri User Conference is the world’s largest gathering of GIS professionals, bringing together analysts, developers, planners, engineers, and decision-makers who rely on geographic information systems to drive insight and impact. Held at the San Diego Convention Center, the event showcases the latest advancements in ArcGIS technology through technical sessions, hands-on learning, and real-world case studies across industries such as utilities, government, infrastructure, environmental management, and public safety. For exhibitors, Esri UC 2026 is a high-value platform to engage a highly technical, solution-focused audience, demonstrate applied GIS capabilities, and build relationships with organizations shaping data-driven decision-making worldwide.
10. SPIE Optics + Photonics
When: August 23 – 27, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
SPIE Optics + Photonics is a premier international event for the optics and photonics community, bringing together researchers, engineers, manufacturers, and technology leaders working across lasers, nanotechnology, optical materials, imaging, and quantum science. It combines a large technical conference program with a focused exhibition floor showcasing advanced components, systems, and manufacturing solutions. SPIE is a high-value platform to connect with R&D decision-makers, influence early-stage technology adoption, and build long-term partnerships within the global photonics ecosystem.
Browse through our portfolio to find booth ideas in San Diego!
20×20 Trade Show Booth at Tides USA, San Diego, CA
11. Small Business Expo
When: September 18, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
Small Business Expo San Diego 2026 is the city’s largest B2B event dedicated to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and growing companies. Hosted at the Sheraton San Diego Resort and Marina, the expo brings together exhibitors, industry experts, and decision-makers across marketing, finance, technology, HR, and professional services. Attendees participate in educational workshops, keynote sessions, and high-value networking. For exhibitors, the show offers direct access to motivated buyers and founders actively seeking solutions to strengthen and expand their businesses.
12. AAP Experience
When: October 02 – 06, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
AAP Experience 2026 is the flagship annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, bringing together pediatricians, subspecialists, practice managers, and healthcare leaders from across the globe. The event combines a robust educational program with a large medical expo focused on pediatric care, clinical innovation, digital health, and practice operations.
Attendees engage in evidence-based sessions, hands-on learning, and peer networking that address both clinical excellence and practice sustainability. For exhibitors, AAP Experience offers direct access to decision-makers shaping pediatric healthcare delivery, making it a high-value platform to present solutions that support patient outcomes, workflow efficiency, and long-term practice growth.
13. San Diego Food + Wine Festival
When: November 06 – 08, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
About The Trade Show:
The San Diego Food + Wine Festival 2026 is an iconic coastal culinary celebration featuring hundreds of domestic and international wineries, acclaimed chefs, and craft beer and spirits producers showcasing their best pours and pairings. The Grand Weekend lineup includes the Opening Night Grand Decant, a massive Grand Tasting with immersive tasting booths, and the Grand Fiesta highlighting Baja, Mexican, and San Diego cuisine. Attendees enjoy a diverse array of gourmet experiences, from curated tastings to interactive culinary events in venues across the city’s vibrant waterfront and urban neighborhoods.
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 in San Diego 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.
