FABTECH 2026 Attracts 32,530 Attendees to Las Vegas

FABTECH 2026 welcomed 32,530 industry participants to the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 21-23, marking the event's largest attendance outside Chicago. The show returned to Las Vegas for the first time in 10 years and recorded its highest first-day attendance in event history, according to organizers.

North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing trade show featured 1,461 exhibitors across 727,251 square feet of exhibit space. The event also reported 628 new product introductions, with 59% of attendees participating in FABTECH for the first time.

California, Texas, Nevada, Utah and Arizona accounted for approximately 41% of total attendance. Visitors from all 50 states and 80 countries were represented.

FABTECH 2026 Attendance and Exhibitor Statistics

The event's post-show figures highlighted participation from manufacturers, suppliers and industry professionals across the metal fabrication sector.

Key figures from FABTECH 2026 included:

• 32,530 industry participants

• 59% first-time attendees

• 1,461 exhibiting companies

• 220 first-time exhibitors

• 727,251 square feet of exhibit space

• 628 new products introduced

• 180+ educational opportunities across 12 tracks

• 50 states and 80 countries represented

Tracy Garcia, CEM, FABTECH Group Director at SME, said the high percentage of first-time attendees reflected interest in equipment demonstrations, emerging technologies and direct interaction with manufacturers.

Automation and Artificial Intelligence Featured at FABTECH

The 2026 show floor covered 40 product categories across the Las Vegas Convention Center's North, Central and South halls. Exhibits included equipment and technologies for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing, with live demonstrations and hands-on experiences.

Eight specialized pavilions focused on different areas of manufacturing technology: Welding, Automation, Forming and Fabricating, Tube and Pipe, Finishing, Job Shop, Stamping and Press Automation, and Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing (AIM).

The AIM Pavilion made its debut at FABTECH 2026, providing a dedicated area for manufacturers to explore artificial intelligence applications in industrial operations.

Other technologies featured throughout the event included automation systems, collaborative robotics and digital manufacturing solutions.

Mark Hoper, senior vice president of expositions and media at the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International (FMA), noted that the combination of first-time exhibitors and first-time attendees created opportunities for companies to introduce products and connect with new potential customers.

Exhibitors Report Equipment Sales and Business Activity

Several exhibitors reported strong booth traffic, customer interest and equipment sales during the three-day event.

Cosen Saws representative Hayden Peterson reported that the company sold five of the six machines it brought to the show floor, which he said was potentially a company record.

Josh Pawley, vice president of business development and founding partner at Vectis Automation, cited customer relationships, product demonstrations and business development as important outcomes of the event.

These individual company reports reflect exhibitor experiences rather than overall industry sales figures.

Metal Artist Collective Makes First FABTECH Appearance

The Metal Artist Collective made its debut at FABTECH 2026, bringing together 60 artists and displaying metal artwork ranging from large-scale sculptures to detailed fabricated pieces.

The exhibit was organized to recognize metal artists and highlight the role of craftsmanship within the welding and fabrication industries.

Stacia Mueller, vice president and owner of Edge Welding Supply, spoke on behalf of the collective's organizing board, noting that the initiative also aimed to create professional connections and encourage interest in metalworking among future generations.

FABTECH Conference Features Manufacturing Technology Education

FABTECH's conference program included more than 180 educational opportunities across 12 tracks. Sessions and workshops addressed topics for basic, intermediate and advanced experience levels.

Key subject areas included:

• Industrial artificial intelligence

• Digital twins

• Collaborative robotics

• Automation return on investment

• Lean manufacturing practices

• Workforce development

The event also introduced its FAB Pass, a premium attendee offering that sold out at 200 participants. The package included conference and keynote access, a VIP lounge, priority entry to select activities and additional benefits.

Keynotes and Industry Events Address Manufacturing Challenges

The event's keynote speakers and special programs addressed manufacturing leadership, technology adoption, workforce development and industry participation.

Amber Mac, author and podcast host, spoke about AI readiness on Oct. 21. Steve Darnell, founder of Welder Up and known for the television series Vegas Rat Rods, addressed craftsmanship and grit in fabrication on Oct. 23.

On Oct. 22, former professional football player Jerry Rice delivered a keynote titled "Championship Culture in Manufacturing: Discipline, Teamwork, and Excellence." Approximately 1,000 people attended the presentation at the FABTECH Theater.

Women of FABTECH marked its 11th year with a record 170 attendees. The sold-out program featured Vanessa Heim, president and CEO of Brenco Industries, who discussed leadership, professional visibility and challenges women can encounter in manufacturing leadership roles.

A State of the Metal Fabrication Business panel on Oct. 21 addressed several operational challenges facing manufacturers, including equipment availability, supplier capacity, recruiting and employee training.

Panelists also discussed the role of automation and artificial intelligence in manufacturing operations. They highlighted the potential for these technologies to reduce time spent on tasks such as data analysis and early-stage engineering, allowing employees to focus on more specialized responsibilities.

FABTECH 2027 Scheduled for Chicago

Following its 2026 Las Vegas event, FABTECH will return to Chicago's McCormick Place Sept. 13-16, 2027.

Organizers reported that 92% of the planned exhibit space for the 2027 event had already been sold as of the October 2026 announcement.

Additional information about exhibitor opportunities, registration and event programming is available at FABTECH's official website.