Trade Shows You Need to Attend in 2024
Hit the road for these 20 top shows!
Keeping up with the ever-evolving supply chain landscape is not easy—especially when understanding the ins and outs of each facet of the supply chain requires a constant upkeep of knowledge. Trade shows offer opportunities for attendees to gather insights on key trends while exploring cutting-edge technologies and networking with industry leaders.
Featuring everything from inspirational keynote speakers to intimate breakout sessions, product demos, and vendor expos, these shows help put attendees at the forefront of the latest industry happenings. (Bonus: mingling with peers and colleagues during the shows is great for business development and career advancement.)
So, mark your calendars and get ready for these key supply chain events in 2024.
TRUCKING/SMALL PACKAGE
TMC 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition
Mar 4-7, New Orleans
tmcannual.trucking.org
Who Should Attend: Trucking fleet professionals, vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, and other commercial trucking professionals
What to Expect: A technical conference focused on helping attendees maximize fleet performance and efficiency.
Highlights: Task force meetings, new TMC member orientations, study sessions, Trucking Technology Marketplace
Truckload 2024
Mar 23-26, Nashville
tcaconvention.com
Who Should Attend: Truckload professionals
What to Expect: Education and insights on the latest truckload issues and industry best practices, committee meetings, networking functions, and exhibition hall.
Highlights: Executive leadership panels, keynote speech by “Mr. Wonderful” Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank, Young Trucking Executives discussion
Home Delivery World USA
Jun 5-6, Philadelphia
bit.ly/HomeDelivWorld24
Who Should Attend: Retail logistics and supply chain professionals, autonomous technology companies, delivery services, grocers and manufacturers, warehousing operators, final mile providers
What to Expect: Technologies, strategies, and best practices for the full scope of retail logistics from inventory management and fulfillment to delivery, customer experience, and returns.
Highlights: The Middle Mile, a co-located event dedicated to middle-mile logistics; 300+ exhibitors; speakers from top retailers including Macy’s, Walmart, IKEA, Best Buy, and others
Last Mile Delivery Conference & Expo
Jun 27-28, Las Vegas
lmdconference.com
Who Should Attend: Shippers, e-commerce retailers, transit and fleet operators, 3PLs, professionals from academia and government, and courier, express, and parcel companies
What to Expect: A summit to explore last-mile logistics and the cutting-edge technologies that are disrupting the status quo in warehousing, delivery, and customer service.
Highlights: Hosted buyer meetings, panel discussions, vendor demos
Parcel Forum
Sept 16-18, Dallas
parcelforum.com
Who Should Attend: Shippers, distributors, parcel logistics providers, freight auditors, and other small-package supply chain professionals
What to Expect: Attendees will explore innovations in last-mile delivery, e-commerce logistics, and shipping technologies.
Highlights: Top-rated conference program, peer-to-peer networking, exhibit hall experience with dedicated hours
Accelerate! Conference & Expo by Women in Trucking Association
Nov 10-13, Dallas
bit.ly/AccelerateWIT
Who Should Attend: Motor carriers, 3PLs, manufacturers, retailers, truck-driving schools, financial and insurance providers
What to Expect: “A unique event with a critical mission,” Accelerate! seeks to elevate, empower, and level the playing field for women in all facets of the trucking industry.
Highlights: Six different educational tracks, career-development seminars, featured trucks and trailers, 150+ exhibitors
AIR CARGO
Air Cargo Conference
Feb 11-13, Louisville, KY
aircargoconference.com
Who Should Attend: Shippers, airlines, airport authorities, freight forwarders, expedited providers
What to Expect: Insights on how to navigate today’s complex, global air cargo challenges including cargo theft, global regulations, congestion, and emerging technologies.
Highlights: A keynote speech from Captain Houston Mills, UPS President of Flight Operations & Safety; exhibit hall with 83 booths; women’s networking event
IATA World Sustainability Symposium
Sept 24-25, Miami
bit.ly/IATAWSS24
Who Should Attend: Shippers, airlines, airport authorities, OEMs, ANSPs, solutions providers, policy-makers and regulators, banking/financial institutions
What to Expect: Air cargo sector and government experts exploring ways to successfully execute on the industry’s commitment to decarbonize aviation by 2050.
Highlights: Sessions on how to finance the transition to sustainability, how to comply with sustainability regulations, what to expect next
Air Cargo Forum
Nov 12-14, Miami
bit.ly/AirCargoForum24
Who Should Attend: Shippers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, airports, airlines, manufacturers, solutions providers
What to Expect: Conference sessions covering key air cargo issues including sustainability, education/training, and technology.
Highlights: 15,000+ sq. ft. expo space with 220+ exhibitors, comprehensive networking program including golf tournament, receptions, pre/post event excursions, and after-parties
MARITIME/PORTS
CMA Shipping
Mar 12-14, Stamford, CT
cmashippingevent.com
Who Should Attend: North American maritime professionals
What to Expect: Three days of sessions on key maritime issues, challenges and opportunities, as well as insights on the future of the maritime supply chain from top industry leaders.
Highlights: Networking Gold Card, comprehensive expo hall, Commodore Gala
AAPA 2024 Smart Ports Seminar & Expo
Jul 9-12, Seattle
bit.ly/AAPASmartPorts
Who Should Attend: Maritime professionals, technology providers
What to Expect: A detailed exploration of how smart technology is transforming ports as well as insights on facilities engineering and port security.
Highlights: Port tour, exhibit hall showcasing emerging technologies and solutions providers
Breakbulk Americas
Oct 15-17, Houston
americas.breakbulk.com
Who Should Attend: Logistics and supply chain managers involved in the movement of breakbulk products; specialized service providers
What to Expect: 5,000+ attendees sharing the latest breakbulk and project cargo strategies and exploring emerging industry trends and technologies.
Highlights: More than 280 exhibitors, Women in Breakbulk breakfast, other networking events
AAPA Annual Convention and Expo
Oct 27-30, Boston
bit.ly/AAPAAnnual24
Who Should Attend: Port professionals, terminal operators, service providers, transportation leaders, supply chain partners
What to Expect: Key takeaways on the latest industry trends and innovative solutions impacting the future of American ports.
Highlights: Full slate of sessions, speakers, and exhibit hall; port tour
INTERMODAL/RAIL
IANA Intermodal Expo 2024
Sept 9-11, Long Beach, CA
intermodal.org/intermodalexpo
Who Should Attend: Intermodal professionals from shippers, railroads, motor and ocean carriers, ports, technology suppliers, equipment manufacturers, leasing companies, 3PLs
What to Expect: Intermodal topics to be tackled include terminal design, transloading, driver productivity, sustainability, regulatory risk, and chassis provisioning, among others.
Highlights: 21 hours of educational content, nine hours of exclusive exhibit hours, 10 hours of networking
20th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference
Apr 15-16, Dallas
bit.ly/SWestRail24
Who Should Attend: Public- and private-sector freight and passenger rail professionals
What to Expect: Key inputs and discussions from across the rail sector concerning transportation planning, government affairs, emerging technologies, freight logistics, supply chain management, and sustainability.
Highlights: An expanded program of sessions, key networking opportunities
North American Rail Shippers Annual Meeting
Apr 30-May 2, Chicago
https://bit.ly/RailChicago24
Who Should Attend: Rail shippers, transportation providers
What to Expect: Speaker and panelist lineup consisting of high-profile rail transportation executives and experts from academia and government; ample networking opportunities.
Highlights: Co-located with the Traffic Club of Chicago’s annual golf outing and gala dinner
SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS
MODEX
Mar 11-14, Atlanta
modexshow.com
Who Should Attend: Manufacturing, supply chain, and transportation professionals
What to Expect: A focus on how to future-proof your supply chain via sessions about emerging technologies and equipment led by practitioners across the supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem.
Highlights: 150+ free education sessions, exhibit hall with 1,000+ providers, networking with 45,000+ attendees, keynote speakers including actor Jeremy Renner and comedian Colin Jost
ISM World 2024
Apr 29-May 1, Las Vegas
bit.ly/ISMWorld24
Who Should Attend: Procurement and supply chain management professionals
What to Expect: More than 2,000 attendees coming together to exchange insights and strategies on top procurement and supply chain issues
Highlights: ExecIn, a conference within the conference for senior leaders; post-event 90-day access to a comprehensive library of all the breakout sessions
WERC 2024 Annual Conference
June 2-5, Dallas
bit.ly/WERC2024
Who Should Attend: Warehousing, distribution, and logistics professionals
What to Expect: Explore new ideas, tools, and techniques with front-line innovators and thought leaders, covering topics ranging from labor and inventory challenges to digital transformation within the industry.
Highlights: Roundtable discussions, peer-to-peer sessions, facility tours, networking events, WERC Sponsor Showcase
CSCMP EDGE 2024
Sept 29-Oct 2, Nashville
cscmpedge.org
Who Should Attend: Logistics, transportation, and supply chain management professionals
What to Expect: Actionable takeaways from 100+ educational sessions spanning the end-to-end supply chain. The event is hosted by The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).
Highlights: Supply Chain Exchange featuring demonstrations, equipment, systems, and technologies; pre-conference Academic Research Symposium; 15 Continuing Education Units