The first quarter of the year sets the pace for the entire trade show calendar, and for exhibitors, that means critical decisions around booth design, logistics, and audience engagement happen early. From CES in Las Vegas to NRF in New York and major industry-specific expos across construction, retail, and branded merchandise, Q1 is when innovation, storytelling, and competitive differentiation take center stage.

Below is a curated list of key Q1 trade shows, dates, and locations designed to help brands, marketers, and event teams plan their exhibit strategy, align resources, and make the most of each opportunity on the show floor.

Access our show planner checklist here to plan for your next trade show efficiently.

January 2026 Trade Shows

CES 2026 – Consumer Electronics Show
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
January 6–9, 2026 — A global showcase of technology innovation and the official kickoff of the trade show year.

Surf Expo 2026
Orange County Convention Center – West Concourse,
Orlando, FL
January 7–9, 2026 — Trade-only event connecting qualified retail buyers, exhibitors, and industry media across apparel, hard goods, shoreline outdoor products, and lifestyle categories.

NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
January 11–13, 2026 — The retail industry’s premier event, drawing thousands of brands, retailers, and technology partners.

PPAI Expo
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
January 13–15, 2026 — Leading promotional products and branded merchandise trade show.

Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
January 14–16, 2026 — Key event for licensed products, fan merchandise, retail partnerships, and brand activations.

World of Concrete 2026
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
January 20–22, 2026 — Major construction industry trade show focused on concrete, masonry, and building technologies.

SHOT Show 2026 (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade)
The Venetian Convention Center and Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, NV
January 20–23, 2026 — The largest trade show for shooting sports, outdoor, and tactical industries.

International Roofing Expo (IRE)
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
January 20–22, 2026 — Roofing and exterior construction industry expo.

Outdoor Retailer Winter 2026
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
January 21–23, 2026 — Leading trade event for the outdoor, sports, and active lifestyle industries.

The NAMM Show 2026
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
January 21–25, 2026 — The largest trade show for music, audio, production, and experiential brand marketing.

Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas, NV
January 25–29, 2026 — Design, home décor, furniture, and gift marketplace for buyers and brands.

February 2026 Trade Shows

NY NOW
New York City, NY
February 1–3, 2026 — Home, lifestyle, and design brands conference and wholesale marketplace.

MD&M West 2026 (Medical Design & Manufacturing)
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
February 3–5, 2026 — Major trade show for medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technology.

Toy Fair® 2026
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY
February 14–17, 2026 — Four days of exhibits, networking, product launches, and business development for toy and play professionals.

KBIS – Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
February 17–19, 2026 — North America’s largest kitchen and bath trade show for designers, builders, and manufacturers.

DAX Show (Decorative Apparel & Accessories)
Kansas City, MO
February 20–21, 2026 — Trade event for apparel decorators, customization professionals, and accessories brands.

APA Show (Advertising & Promotional)
Las Vegas, NV
February 24–27, 2026 — Promotional products, branding, and marketing services expo.

March 2026 Trade Shows

Natural Products Expo West 2026
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
March 3–6, 2026 (Exhibit halls open March 4–6) — One of North America’s largest trade shows for natural, organic, and healthy products, including food, wellness, clean beauty, and sustainable goods.

Oddities & Curiosities Expo
George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
March 14–15, 2026 — Curated marketplace featuring niche products, alternative retail, and creative vendors.

ASD Market Week
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
March 17–19, 2026 — One of North America’s largest wholesale trade shows for general merchandise and retail buyers.

Impressions Expo – Atlantic City
Atlantic City, NJ
March 26–28, 2026 — Print, sign, and apparel decoration marketplace.

Tips for Exhibitors Planning Q1 Participation

Start early with booth design and logistics.
Many January shows require 4–6 months of lead time, especially for custom builds. Early planning allows time to align booth design with brand messaging, product launches, and marketing campaigns, not just floor space requirements.

Book hotels and shipping windows in advance.
Cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Anaheim fill quickly during peak show weeks. Locking in travel, freight, and drayage early helps avoid rush fees, limited availability, and last-minute compromises that can impact both budget and execution.

Prioritize audience alignment.
Broad shows like CES and NRF offer reach and visibility, while vertical expos such as World of Concrete or SHOT Show provide more targeted buyer engagement. Choose events based on who you want to meet, not just how many people will attend.

Plan staffing and show sequencing carefully.
Exhibiting back-to-back across Q1 can strain budgets and teams without advance coordination. Define booth roles, rotate staff strategically, and ensure every team member is trained on messaging, demos, and lead qualification.

Integrate marketing before, during, and after the show.
Strong exhibitors don’t rely on foot traffic alone. Launch pre-show email and social campaigns, schedule meetings with priority prospects in advance, and plan post-show follow-up workflows to extend ROI well beyond the event.

Design for buyer engagement, not just visibility.
Your booth should support conversations, storytelling, and product interaction, not just brand exposure. Use clear messaging, intuitive layouts, and interactive zones to invite prospects in and guide meaningful dialogue.

Build lead generation into the experience.
Define what qualifies as a lead before the show begins. Use badge scanning, digital forms, or app-based tools to capture contacts, categorize interest, and assign ownership for follow-up while the conversation is still fresh.

Measure success beyond foot traffic.
Set clear KPIs such as qualified leads, meetings booked, conversion rates, and post-show pipeline contribution. Q1 is not just about launching the year; it’s about establishing momentum that compounds across your full trade show calendar.

Looking Ahead

As the trade show year kicks off, the most successful exhibitors are those who plan with intention designing spaces that not only stand out on the floor, but also support meaningful conversations, brand storytelling, and measurable ROI. Whether you’re launching a new booth, refreshing an existing exhibit, or building a full-year show strategy, Steel City Displays partners with brands to deliver trade show booths, permanent branded environments, and experiential displays built with radical intentionality.

If one of these Q1 shows is on your calendar or if you’re planning ahead for the year connect with our team to explore how your next exhibit can perform beyond the booth.