Top IT & Engineering Conferences & Tradeshows for 2026
Tech Talent in 2026: What Skills Will Matter Most and How Companies & Candidates Can Prepare Now
December 15, 2025
Whether you’re in IT, software, or hands-on engineering roles like mechanical or electrical, conferences and trade shows are still some of the best ways to grow your network, sharpen your skills, and step outside your normal day-to-day. We’ve found that even one great event a year can reset your perspective in the best way.
Here’s our curated list of events worth considering in 2026:
National IT & Software Conferences
These are bigger, higher-impact conferences where you’ll get exposure to new ideas, tools, and people across the industry.
| Conference | Location | Dates | Who Should Attend | Why Attend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data + AI Summit (Databricks) | San Francisco, CA & Hybrid | June 15–18, 2026 | Data, analytics, and AI professionals | If you’re even remotely involved in data, analytics, or AI, this one is worth a look. It’s heavy on real-world use cases, not just hype, and the hands-on sessions are genuinely useful (not just slide decks). |
| Microsoft Ignite 2026 | San Francisco, CA | November 17–20, 2026 | Cloud and Microsoft ecosystem users | Massive but valuable. One of the best places to see where Microsoft is heading with cloud, AI, and enterprise tools like Azure and Power Platform. |
| Pink26 IT Service Management Conference | Las Vegas, NV | February 16–19, 2026 | IT operations and service management leaders | Less flashy, more practical. This is one of those conferences where you leave with frameworks you can apply Monday morning. |
| RenderATL | Atlanta, GA | August 12–13, 2026 | Software engineers and engineering leaders | Known for great content and even better community. Especially strong on engineering culture, craftsmanship, and leadership. |
| CES (Consumer Electronics Show) | Las Vegas, NV (2027) | January 6–9, 2027 | Anyone tracking emerging tech | If you want to see where consumer tech, AI, IoT, and emerging hardware are headed, nothing beats walking the floor. Just go in with a plan because it’s easy to get overwhelmed. |
Indiana & Indianapolis: Local Hubs for Learning & Networking
If you’re based in Indiana (like us), these local events are seriously underrated. Lower cost, easier travel, and way more chances for real conversations instead of just badge scanning.
| Conference | Location | Dates | Who Should Attend | Why Attend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide IT Conference 2026 | Bloomington, IN (Indiana University) | April 13–15, 2026 | IT professionals and technology leaders | One of the better regional conferences for practical IT content. Strong mix of leadership, technical tracks, and real-world case studies. |
| FORTE LIVE Indy | Indianapolis, IN (Indiana Convention Center) | February 11, 2026 | Startup founders, technologists, and business leaders | Free, easy, and surprisingly useful. Great for networking and getting a pulse on local startups and tech vendors. |
| ASABE AIM 2026 | Indianapolis, IN (JW Marriott) | July 12–15, 2026 | Engineering and industrial professionals | More technical and research-driven. Especially strong for applied and industrial engineering roles. |
| Innovations Conference 2026 | Indianapolis, IN (JW Marriott) | March 15–18, 2026 | IT and engineering leaders | A good blend of strategy and hands-on sessions. Feels more intimate than massive national conferences. |
| Indiana University Tech Expo | Bloomington, IN (Indiana University) | April 23, 2026 | Students, recruiters, and local tech teams | Great for networking, recruiting, and seeing what students and research teams are working on. |
| Purdue Innovates Startup & Technology Expo | West Lafayette, IN (Purdue University) | April 22–24, 2026 | Entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators | Brings together startups, industry leaders, and student capstone projects. A great spot for fresh ideas and connections. |
Looking for Industry-Specific Events?
If you’re searching for conferences tied to a specific industry, not just general IT or engineering, these sites are some of the best starting points.
Manufacturing & Industrial (Engineering & Tech)
If you’re in manufacturing, automation, robotics, or industrial systems, these are gold:
- 10times.com – Probably the most comprehensive directory for manufacturing and industrial trade shows worldwide. You can filter by country, industry, and even city.
- IndustryWeek Events – Solid resource for higher-level manufacturing and operations conferences.
Some of the big national ones to know for engineers:
- AUTOMATE — June 22–25, 2026 | Chicago, IL — The go-to show for robotics, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing.
- IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show) — September 14–19, 2026 | Chicago, IL (McCormick Place) — One of the largest manufacturing trade shows in the world.
- PACK EXPO — October 18–19 | Chicago, IL — Focused on packaging systems, machinery, and automation.
- Rockwell Automation Fair — November 16–19 | Boston, MA — Heavy on industrial controls, OT/IT convergence, and smart factory strategy.
- DISTRIBUTECH International — February 2–5 | San Diego, CA — Major event for power, utilities, and infrastructure systems.
Pharma, Medical Device & Life Sciences
For regulated industries, quality, validation, and R&D-focused roles:
- ConferenceAlerts.com – Surprisingly strong for life sciences, pharma, and medical research events.
- MedicalEvents.com – Good for clinical, regulatory, and med device conferences.
- Informa Markets (informa.com) – Hosts many of the major global pharma and healthcare trade shows.
Software, IT & Engineering (Broad Tech)
If you want to cast a wider net:
- Eventbrite – Underrated for finding high-quality local and niche tech events.
- Meetup.com – Still one of the best ways to find grassroots tech communities and recurring user groups.
- Devpost – Great for discovering developer-focused conferences and CFP-driven events.
And if you’re based in Indianapolis:
- Indy .NET Consortium – A local meetup Theoris’ hosts for developers and IT professionals focused on practical topics, peer learning, and community connections.
- For more local recommendations, check out our list of the Top 5 Indy Tech Meetups to Join.
The Big Picture
Staying current in IT and engineering is about keeping your skills sharp and your mindset open. It’s easy to get stuck in your own company’s bubble, and conferences are one of the fastest ways to step back and see what’s possible.
You don’t need to attend everything. A simple rule of thumb: Go to one or two in-person events a year for deeper learning and real connections. Then mix in virtual sessions when something specific catches your interest.
That balance keeps things fresh without burning out your calendar or your budget. And honestly, sometimes it’s just nice to get out of your normal environment and be around people who care about the same stuff you do. That alone makes it worth it.
