FABTECH U.S.A. 2026 - Metalforming and Welding Expo in Las Vegas

FABTECH stands as one of the largest and most influential trade shows for the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing industries. This annual event provides a platform for professionals and companies within these sectors to exhibit their latest technologies, products, and services, fostering knowledge exchange and industry networking. Attracting a global audience of industry professionals, FABTECH offers a wide array of exhibits, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. As North America's largest event of its kind, FABTECH offers a comprehensive "one-stop shop" experience, facilitating connections with over 1,300 world-class suppliers and providing access to cutting-edge solutions, tools, and strategies for enhanced productivity and profitability. The next edition is scheduled for October 21-23, 2026, at Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada.

Multi-faceted conference: automation, additive manufacturing, and beyond

The FABTECH conference speaker submission portal welcomes potential speakers to provide abstracts aligned with industry-relevant content and engaging presentation styles. The event's conference program offers a comprehensive array of sessions and workshops designed to enhance professional development and operational efficiency in the metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing industries. The program covers a wide range of topics, including advanced fabrication and welding technologies, workforce development, and management strategies.

Connections with industry experts

FABTECH offers unparalleled networking opportunities, enabling you to establish valuable connections and exchange knowledge with industry experts. Attendees can immerse themselves in the latest technologies, gain insights into industry trends, and enhance competitiveness, all under one roof. The event will occur in two distinct buildings: the first will accommodate the welding, automation, and finishing sectors, while the second will house industries focusing on forming & fabricating, 3D/additive manufacturing, metalform, and tube & pipe.

2025 highlights: strong attendance and purchasing power

FABTECH 2025, held September 8–11 at McCormick Place in Chicago, welcomed 41,795 attendees and 1,702 exhibitors across 889,905 square feet of exhibition space. The event generated 202,191 leads and featured more than 500 speakers. Half of all attendees were first-time visitors, while 60% reported attending no other trade show, highlighting FABTECH's role as a key meeting point for the manufacturing industry. Attendees spent an average of 11.3 hours on the show floor, with their main objectives being to evaluate new products and technologies, keep up with industry trends, and compare solutions side by side. Purchasing influence was also significant: 81% of attendees influenced or approved equipment purchase decisions, while 52% had equipment budgets exceeding $200,000. Among the technologies attracting the greatest interest were cutting (39%), lasers (38%), bending and forming (37%), welding machines (36%), automation (34%), and robotics (33%).

Looking back at FABTECH 2024

FABTECH 2024, held from October 15–17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, brought together 30,000 industry professionals from all 50 states and 70 countries. The event featured 1,500 exhibitors, including 279 first-time participants, and showcased over 500 new product debuts. The education program offered more than 200 in-depth sessions covering topics such as AI integration, automation, supply chain strategies, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. In 2024, FABTECH contributed an estimated $89 million to the local economy.

About the organizers of FABTECH

FABTECH is organized by five key industry associations: the American Welding Society (AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and Industrial Finishing & Coating Association (IFCA). Together, they provide a platform for professionals in metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing to explore innovations, network, and stay updated on industry trends.