The best international trade fairs and exhibitions to attend in 2025-2026
Last updated: 25 Aug 2025
Plan your 2025-2026 calendar with these must-attend trade shows to grow your sourcing network and scale your business globally
Key takeaways
- Trade fairs offer unmatched access to manufacturers, innovations and sourcing opportunities across key global markets
- Asia dominates the sourcing scene with large-scale events in China, Japan, Vietnam and Hong Kong
- Europe hosts industry-defining expos in industrial tech, furniture, energy and luxury home décor
- North America and Australia put spotlight on fashion, apparel and cross-border supplier opportunities
- Attending the right events can help businesses secure better deals, discover trends early and build strategic partnerships
For online retailers, importers and e-commerce businesses, attending the world’s top trade fairs can be the key to sourcing competitively, discovering the latest products and building long-lasting partnerships.
From Guangzhou’s Canton Fair to Hannover Messe’s industrial tech showcase and LA’s Sourcing at Magic, this curated list highlights must-attend trade expos across Asia, Europe, Australia and America.
Table of Contents
Asia
Canton Trade Fair
- Date: 15th April – 5th May 2025 (Spring) / 15th October – 4th November 2025 (Autumn)
- Location: Guangzhou, China
- Average number of attendees: Approximately 250,000 (as of 2024)
- Industry Focus: General trade
The Canton Trade Fair is one of the largest trade fairs in China, giving you direct access to manufacturers and wholesalers from around the country. It’s organized twice a year. The first session kicks off in spring, around April/May and the second is organised in autumn, around October/November.
The fair has three phases with each phase focused on specific product categories, making it easier for businesses to plan their trip to Guangzhou.
Who should attend: A must-visit for wholesalers, importers and retailers aiming to diversify their product range, secure OEM partnerships and connect with Chinese suppliers directly.
Hong Kong Electronics Fair
- Date: 13 April – 16 April 2025 (Spring) / 13 October – 16 October 2025
- Location: Hong Kong
- Average number of attendees: Approximately 50,000
- Industry focus: Electronics
The Hong Kong Electronics Fair is a key event in the electronics industry that features exhibitors from consumer electronics to electronic components. The fair provides a comprehensive overview of market trends and innovations in electronics.
You can discover new products and technologies while networking with industry leaders. It is particularly beneficial for businesses in electronics retailing and manufacturing.
Who should attend: Businesses targeting tech-savvy consumers or sourcing trending gadgets can visit the event to gain early access to prototypes and negotiate exclusive distribution deals.
Japan IT Week Autumn
- Date: 22 October – 24 October 2025
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Average number of attendees: 27,000+
- Industry focus: Enterprise IT solutions and electronics
Japan IT Week Autumn is the largest B2B IT exhibition in Japan, focusing on digital transformation, AI integration and enterprise software solutions.
You will have the opportunity to connect with businesses offering the latest IoT solutions, information security products and advanced e-commerce and retail technologies.
Who should attend: IT managers, system integrators and CIOs/CTOs seeking Japan-specific tech solutions or partnerships for scalable enterprise systems.
Asia Toys & Baby Products
- Date: 20 October – 23 October 2025
- Location: Hong Kong
- Average number of attendees: 31,000+
- Industry focus: Toys and baby
Asia Toys & Baby Products Show attracts global buyers looking for the latest toys, games and baby products. The event brings together 400+ exhibitors from 12+ countries. You’ll find a wide range of products, including educational toys, plush toys, ride-ons, baby gear, nursery essentials and more.
Who should attend: Retailers, distributors and brands looking for high-quality toys and baby essentials suppliers from Asia.
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair
- Date: 27 April – 30 April 2025 (Spring) / October 20 – October 23 2025 (Autumn Edition)
- Location: Hong Kong
- Average number of attendees: 35,000+
- Industry Focus: Corporate gifts, promotional products
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is a one-of-a-kind sourcing event for businesses looking to discover the newest trends and innovations in the promotional and gifting category. The fair exhibits a wide range of commercial gifts, lifestyle gifts, decorative gifts and travel goods. Exhibitors include manufacturers from countries like China, Korea, Japan, France, Thailand, Vietnam and the US.
Who should attend: Retailers and online sellers seeking trendy, budget-friendly promotional items.
Thaifex Anuga
- Date: May 26th – May 31 2026
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
- Average number of attendees: 60,000+
- Industry focus: Food & beverage, hospitality
Thaifex Anuga is one of Asia’s largest food trade shows, co-organized by Koelnmesse. It exhibits products across halal, organic and functional food segments. You’ll find confectionery, beverages, frozen foods, meat, fine food, seafood, halal, superfoods, organic foods, ready-to-eat products and more here.
Who should attend: Importers and F&B distributors sourcing niche Asian products.
Buama Shanghai
- Date: November 24 – November 27 2026
- Location: Shanghai, China
- Average number of attendees: 200,000+
- Industry focus: Construction machinery and mining equipment
bauma CHINA is Asia’s leading trade fair for construction and mining machinery, building material machines and construction vehicles. Held biennially at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, it serves as the key platform for global and domestic industry leaders to showcase their latest innovations.
bauma CHINA offers insights into the Chinese market, providing networking opportunities with decision-makers and experts.
Who should attend: Construction firms, equipment dealers and mining companies sourcing cost-effective Asian machinery.
Vietnam International Trade Fair
- Date: April 2026
- Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
- Average number of attendees: 20,000+
- Industry focus: Manufacturing, agriculture, FMCG
Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo) is one of Vietnam’s biggest annual trade promotion events, bringing together businesses, investors and industry leaders from around the world.
Each year, the event attracts hundreds of domestic and international exhibitors across diverse industries, including manufacturing, technology, e-commerce, machinery and consumer goods. It also features national pavilions from key global markets such as China, India, South Korea and Russia.
Who should attend: Businesses looking for cost-effective sourcing of textiles, footwear and agricultural goods. Also ideal for retailers who want to partner with ASEAN suppliers.
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Australia and New Zealand
China Clothing Textile Accessories Expo
- Date: 18 November – 20 Novembers 2025
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Average number of attendees: Approximately 5,000
- Industry focus: Textiles and apparel
The China Clothing Textiles & Accessories Expo is Australia’s leading sourcing event for apparel, textiles, footwear and accessories. Held annually in Sydney, the expo provides Australian businesses the opportunity to connect with 800+ suppliers and manufacturers across 15 countries and regions.
Who should attend: Businesses looking to expand their fashion/clothing product lines
Europe
HANNOVER MESSE
- Date: April 20 – April 26 2026
- Location: Hannover, Germany
- Average number of attendees: Approximately 120,000
- Industry focus: Industrial technology
HANNOVER MESSE is the premier global event for industrial technology. Held annually in Hannover, Germany, it showcases the latest developments in AI, robotics, sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing.
With thousands of exhibitors and industry leaders, the event is a hub for networking, collaboration and discovering breakthrough solutions.
Who should attend: Businesses and manufacturers seeking automation solutions or partnerships for smart factories.
MATELEC
- Date: 18 November – 20th November 2025
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Average number of attendees: 24,000+
- Industry focus: Electrical engineering and smart grids
With 550+ exhibitors from 64+ countries, MATELEC is the go-to event for the electrical, electronics and lighting industry. Attendees can discover solutions in energy efficiency, smart buildings, industrial automation and renewable energy.
Who should attend: Businesses across the entire electrical, electronics and energy value chain.
Imm Cologne
- Date: 20 January – 23 January 2026
- Location: Cologne, Germany
- Average number of attendees: 42,000+
- Industry focus: Furniture, interior design
Imm cologne is Europe’s most important furniture market event. Held in Cologne, the trade fair attracts retailers, designers, manufacturers and e-commerce businesses and helps them discover the latest trends and market-ready innovations.
Product segments include high-end furniture, home textiles and self-assembly solutions. Attendees can explore future-focused living concepts, network with top industry players and gain insights into the latest consumer preferences.
Who should attend: Furniture retailers, interior designers and hotel chains wanting to source premium European designs.
MAISON&OBJET
- Date: 4 September – 8 September 2025
- Location: Paris, France
- Average number of attendees: 70,000+
- Industry focus: Luxury home décor and artisanal crafts
Held twice a year in Paris, Maison&Objet is the premier global event for interior design, home décor and lifestyle trends. The trade fair puts the spotlight on emerging designers and new trends. The show runs alongside Paris Design Week, making it the perfect opportunity to explore what’s trending in global design.
Who should attend: High-end retailers and business owners curating luxury interiors.
North America
Sourcing at Magic
- Date: 18 August – 20 August 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Average number of attendees: 40,000+
- Industry focus: Apparel, footwear and accessories
Sourcing at Magic is North America’s largest fashion sourcing event, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers across the apparel, footwear, accessories, textiles and packaging industries.
Attendees gain exclusive access to the latest technology in fashion, sustainable sourcing solutions and supply chain innovations, which can, in turn, help them stay ahead of industry trends.
Who should attend: Brands, retailers and sourcing professionals in the clothing and textile industry
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Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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