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Smiling project executive in a white hard hat and orange vest with rolled plans in a wood-framed building

The job trailer issue · contractors 2027

Contractor, construction safety & construction technology trade shows 2027The people who run the job. One calendar.

Contractor, construction safety and construction technology trade shows 2027 in the U.S., 16 events in one guide: conventions for general, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, demolition and finance contractors, plus the safety and site-tech floors. The largest by published figures are the NSC Safety Congress & Expo (September 24–30, 2027, Anaheim; 1,000+ exhibiting companies), Commercial UAV Expo (September 7–9, Las Vegas; 3,800+ professionals in 2026) and Geo Week (February 23–25, Salt Lake City). Most conventions sell a 10×10 with a table; NSC sells space by the square foot.

ACI Workwear booth by Purple Exhibits: open white frame with navy headers, hi-vis jackets and orange coveralls on mannequins and rails around a lit counter
Built by PurpleACI Workwear: hi-vis jackets and orange coveralls under navy headers
7 trade shows9 conferencesBy the Purple Exhibits team.
Updated .
GENERAL CONTRACTORSMERIT SHOPMECHANICAL & HVACPLUMBINGDEMOLITIONCONSTRUCTION FINANCESAFETY & PPEDRONES & SCANNING

01 THE SIX BIGGEST

Biggest contractor, safety and construction technology shows in the U.S. Six floors, counted by the organizers.

Ranked by each organizer's latest published figure. The NSC Safety Congress & Expo has the largest exhibit floor; Commercial UAV Expo and Geo Week publish the largest attendance; the contractor conventions publish smaller, owner-heavy counts.

  1. Inspector in a white hard hat and lime vest writing on a clipboard while talking with a worker in plaidNSC Safety Congress & Expo 2027September 2027 · Anaheim1,000+ exhibiting companies on the expo floor, per the National Safety Council; no attendance figure published
  2. Pilot with a long blonde ponytail flying a drone with a tablet controller beside a sunny sports courtCommercial UAV Expo 2027September 2027 · Las Vegas3,800+ verified professionals from 65 countries and 250 exhibitors in 2026, per the organizer
  3. Hand launching a compact drone over tall reeds while the other holds the controllerGeo Week 2027February 2027 · Salt Lake City3,509 attendees and 238 exhibitors at Geo Week 2026 in Denver, per Geo Week
  4. New Orleans skyline seen across the Mississippi River at sunsetASSP Safety 2027 Conference + ExpoJune 2027 · New Orleans683 vendor booths across 134,000+ sq ft at Safety 2025 in Orlando, per ASSP
  5. Brick and tile-roofed buildings under a pale blue sky in Kansas City, Missouri, host city of DBIA 2027DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo 2027November 2027 · Kansas City2,200 attendees, nearly, gathered in Cleveland in 2026, per DBIA
  6. Lit fountain jets in front of the cattle drive mural on a Fort Worth square at nightPHCC CONNECT 2027October 2027 · Fort Worth860 registrations at PHCC CONNECT 2026 in Milwaukee, with 100+ brands on the floor, per PHCC

Two kinds of figure appear here, so read each with its label: the NSC Safety Congress & Expo and ASSP Safety publish exhibitor counts, the others attendance or registrations. The NSC floor (1,000+ exhibiting companies) is placed first as the largest exhibit floor in this guide; ASSP’s 683 vendor booths in 2025 are placed after the two largest attendance figures. Next by published figures: STAFDA, with 219 companies on its 2026 exhibitor list, and AGC, with 100+ exhibitors; the conventions with no published count are not ranked. Sources: NSC Safety Congress & Expo 2027 · Commercial UAV Expo 2027 · Geo Week 2027 · ASSP Safety 2027 Conference + Expo · DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo 2027 · PHCC CONNECT 2027.

The lookbookPlans, PPE & the people 2027

Nobody runs a job from a brochure. They run it from the plan.

The people at these events sign the subcontract, check the harness and fly the survey: the executive ready to talk, the painter finishing before handover, the engineer with her tablet, the project manager under the overpass. Build the booth for them.

Smiling businesswoman in a light gray blazer in a bright, white modern office
01Badge on, ready to talk.
Painter in an orange hard hat rolling a fresh coat on a bright hallway wall as a coworker walks in
02Fresh coat before handover.
Smiling engineer in a blue hard hat and lime vest with ear muffs at her neck, tablet in hand
03Tablet ready, ear muffs on.
Smiling contractor in glasses, a yellow hard hat and green mesh vest, arms crossed against a white wall
04Vest on, big grin.

Make the demo work without the hall signal.

From the exhibitor guide on this page
Twin concrete highway overpasses on round piers seen from below against a pale blue sky
05Built to carry the load.
Woman with glasses and a pen reviewing a building floor plan on a desktop monitor
06Checking the plan on screen.
Aerial view of a new wood-framed house on a city lot with lumber stacked on the lawn
07Framed, sheathed, on schedule.
Smiling project manager in glasses, a white hard hat and lime vest under a concrete overpass
08All smiles under the overpass.

02 SIXTEEN EVENTS, TWO KINDS OF ROOM

U.S. contractor association conventions, construction safety expos and site technology shows Expo floor or ballroom table?

These events split cleanly in two. Expo floors: the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, ASSP Safety, Commercial UAV Expo, Geo Week, NDA Demolition, PHCC CONNECT and STAFDA sell booth space in a convention hall, and some let machines, vehicles and drones in under fire-marshal rules. Association conventions: AGC, ABC, MCAA, ACCA, CFMA, CMAA, DBIA, the Construction SuperConference and Procore Groundbreak put the program first and the exhibit hall beside it, often in a resort ballroom with short hours and a package that includes a table. Filter by month, region or kind and keep the ones your buyer attends.

Every profile gives dates, city and venue, who attends, who exhibits, which companies it suits, what to know before you sign and a direct link to the organizer.

Trade shows & expos7

Safety and site tech floors: hands on the gear.

Floor time
Two to four days in a convention hall, from more than 1,000 exhibiting companies at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo to Indoor Airspace flying demonstrations at Commercial UAV Expo
How you exhibit
Space by the square foot ($33.50 for NSC members in 2027) or by package (STAFDA 10×20 for $5,400 in 2026), with floor covering, power and internet ordered separately
Budget
Space, carpet, structure, product walls, screens, wired internet, material handling, labor and show-week hotels
Best for
Letting safety directors try PPE on, flying or scanning in front of the people who buy, and meeting distributors from the whole country
Browse 7 trade shows
Conferences & summits9

Contractor conventions: the meeting first.

Floor time
Short exhibit blocks set around the program, from a 3-hour council exhibit at MCAA to two expo days at ABC (March 9, 3:30–5 pm; March 10, 11 am–3 pm)
How you exhibit
10×10 packages with a 6 ft table (ABC $4,500 for members), 10×10 inlines with an 8 ft back wall (DBIA from $4,600), council-only spots at MCAA and sponsor floor spots at the Construction SuperConference
Budget
Booth or sponsor fee, registrations, graphics and a counter that travel in cases, and the receptions where owners talk
Best for
Meeting owners, CFOs, counsel and program managers who choose suppliers for a whole company
Go to the conferences section

Popular cities

Feb172027Contractor conventions & trade shows Purple guide

NDA Demolition Fort Worth 2027 (Annual Convention & Expo)

Formerly NDA Annual Convention & ExpoFort Worth, Texas · SouthGo if you make demolition attachments, carriers, robots or dust and recycling equipment and want to run them in front of…
Event: February 17–20, 2027 · Exhibits: February 18–20, 2027Show guide

When & where Event: February 17–20, 2027 · Exhibits: February 18–20, 2027 · Fort Worth Convention Center · Fort Worth, Texas

Typical audience

Demolition, dismantling, concrete cutting and recycling contractors, project managers and safety staff; NDA represents over 1,000 companies.

Exhibitor types

Demolition excavators and high-reach machines, attachments, breakers, shears and processors, robots, compact equipment, dust control and recycling equipment.

A good choice if…

Go if you make demolition attachments, carriers, robots or dust and recycling equipment and want to run them in front of buyers.

Good to know

Indoor booths are sold in 10×10 increments at $27.50 per sq. ft. for NDA members (100–400 sq. ft.) and $42.50 for non-members, $250 per corner. The outdoor Live DEMOlition Event runs on Thursday, February 18, off site by shuttle: an approx. 100×60 ft space is $12,000 with one base machine and one attachment.

By the numbers
NDA represents over 1,000 companies in demolition services.
Booth & eligibility
Indoor, sold in 10×10 increments: NDA members $27.50 per sq. ft. (100–400 sq. ft.), $16.50 (400–1,000), $13.50 (1,000+); non-members $42.50, $22.50 and $17.50; $250 per corner. Live DEMOlition Event: initial outdoor space approx. 100×60 ft $12,000, additional spaces $8,000, extra attachments $5,000 each; equipment corral approx. 50×40 ft $5,000 (1–2 machines) or $7,500 (3–5).
Future dates
Demolition Fort Worth: February 17–20, 2027, Fort Worth Convention Center.
Feb232027Safety, survey & drone shows Purple guide

Geo Week 2027

Salt Lake City, Utah · WestGo if you sell scanning, survey, site-measurement or BIM technology that contractors and engineers use on job sites.
Event: February 23–25, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: February 23–25, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Salt Palace Convention Center · Salt Lake City, Utah

Typical audience

Surveyors, AEC and BIM teams, reality capture users, construction technology managers and geospatial service providers; 3,509 attendees in Denver in 2026, per Geo Week.

Exhibitor types

Laser scanners and lidar, survey and machine-guidance hardware, drones, reality capture and BIM software; 238 exhibitors in 2026.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell scanning, survey, site-measurement or BIM technology that contractors and engineers use on job sites.

Good to know

An Exhibit Hall Only pass brings floor-only visitors, so plan walk-up demos.

By the numbers
Geo Week 2026 (Denver, February 16–18, 2026): 3,509 attendees, 3,800+ registrants, 238 exhibitors and 25 countries, per the Geo Week 2026 post-show report.
Booth & eligibility
Booth rates are not published.
Future dates
Geo Week 2027: February 23–25, 2027, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City.
Jun72027Safety, survey & drone shows Purple guide

ASSP Safety 2027 Conference + Expo

New Orleans, Louisiana · SouthConsider it if you sell jobsite safety products to EHS managers. The industrial machinery guide also lists this show.
Event: June 7–9, 2027 · Exhibits: June 7–9, 2027Show guide

When & where Event: June 7–9, 2027 · Exhibits: June 7–9, 2027 · Ernest N. Morial Convention Center · New Orleans, Louisiana

Typical audience

Occupational safety and health professionals from construction, industry and government.

Exhibitor types

PPE, fall protection, gas detection, training and safety software firms.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell jobsite safety products to EHS managers. The industrial machinery guide also lists this show.

Good to know

Exhibit sales are handled by HEI Expo, not by ASSP staff.

Sep72027Safety, survey & drone shows Purple guide

Commercial UAV Expo 2027

Las Vegas, Nevada · WestGo if you sell drones, sensors or mapping software used for site surveys, progress monitoring and inspection.
Event: September 7–9, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: September 7–9, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Caesars Forum · Las Vegas, Nevada

Typical audience

Commercial drone program managers and pilots in construction, surveying and mapping, infrastructure, mining and aggregates, energy and public safety; 3,800+ verified professionals from 65 countries in 2026, per the organizer.

Exhibitor types

250 exhibitors in 2026: drones, lidar and photogrammetry payloads, mapping software, inspection services and training.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell drones, sensors or mapping software used for site surveys, progress monitoring and inspection.

Good to know

Indoor Airspace flying demonstrations run at the show and the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit runs alongside. Booth rates come by inquiry.

By the numbers
Commercial UAV Expo 2026 (September 1–3, 2026, Caesars Forum): 250 exhibitors and over 3,800 verified professionals from all 50 states and 65 countries, with 146+ speakers, per the organizer.
Booth & eligibility
Booth rates are given on inquiry; not published.
For new brands
The exhibit hall mixes established brands with emerging startups; Indoor Airspace demonstrations and an Exhibit Hall Theater run during the show.
Future dates
Commercial UAV Expo 2027: September 7–9, 2027, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.
Sep242027Safety, survey & drone shows Purple guide

NSC Safety Congress & Expo 2027

Anaheim, California · WestGo if you sell jobsite safety products or safety software and want the largest U.S. safety floor.
Event: September 24–30, 2027 · Exhibits: September 27–29, 2027Show guide

When & where Event: September 24–30, 2027 · Exhibits: September 27–29, 2027 · Anaheim Convention Center · Anaheim, California

Typical audience

Safety directors, EHS managers, supervisors and safety committee members from construction, manufacturing, utilities and government, run by the National Safety Council.

Exhibitor types

More than 1,000 exhibiting companies: PPE, fall protection, gas detection, signage, ergonomics, training and safety software.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell jobsite safety products or safety software and want the largest U.S. safety floor.

Good to know

Space is $33.50 per sq. ft. for NSC members and $34.50 for non-members (10×10 minimum), $200 per corner. Move-in runs September 24–26 and move-out starts September 29; the Exhibitor Service Manual opens May 2027.

By the numbers
The NSC Safety Congress & Expo floor features more than 1,000 exhibiting companies, per the National Safety Council.
Booth & eligibility
2027 space: $33.50 per sq. ft. for NSC members, $34.50 for non-members, 10×10 minimum, $200 per corner; islands start at 20×30 with 16 ft fixtures and hanging signs to 20 ft. Each 100 sq. ft. includes one full conference badge and three expo badges.
Future dates
NSC Safety Congress & Expo 2027: September 24–30, 2027, Anaheim Convention Center; move-in September 24–26, move-out from September 29.
Oct252027Contractor conventions & trade shows Purple guide

PHCC CONNECT 2027

Fort Worth, Texas · SouthGo if you sell plumbing, heating or service products and tools to contractor owners.
Event: October 25–28, 2027 · Exhibits: October 26–27, 2027 (Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning; 2027 hours not confirmed yet)Show guide

When & where Event: October 25–28, 2027 · Exhibits: October 26–27, 2027 (Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning; 2027 hours not confirmed yet) · Fort Worth Convention Center · Fort Worth, Texas

Typical audience

Plumbing and HVAC contractor owners and managers from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association; Milwaukee 2026 drew 860 registrations and three of four show-pass buyers were owners or managers, per PHCC.

Exhibitor types

100+ brands on the 2026 floor: plumbing and heating products, tools, water heaters, software and services.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell plumbing, heating or service products and tools to contractor owners.

Good to know

Running since 1883. Breakfast, lunch and learning labs are on the show floor and the National Plumbing Apprentice Contest is built live in the hall. 2027 booth pricing is not published; 2026 exhibitors and the interest list get first pick of floor space.

By the numbers
PHCC CONNECT 2026 in Milwaukee: 860 registrations, PHCC's highest in many years, and 100+ brands on the floor; three of four show-pass buyers were owners or managers, per PHCC.
Booth & eligibility
2027 booth pricing is not published yet; a Super Early Bird rate goes first to 2026 exhibitors and the interest list.
Future dates
PHCC CONNECT 2027: October 25–28, 2027, Fort Worth Convention Center.
Nov142027Contractor conventions & trade shows Purple guide

STAFDA Annual Convention & Trade Show 2027

Orlando, Florida · SouthConsider it if you sell contractors' tools, fasteners or jobsite products through specialty distributors.
Event: November 14–16, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: November 14–16, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Orange County Convention Center · Orlando, Florida

Typical audience

Specialty tool and fastener distributors that sell to professional construction contractors; STAFDA members only.

Exhibitor types

Manufacturers of power tools, fasteners, anchors, adhesives, sealants, safety products and jobsite supplies.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell contractors' tools, fasteners or jobsite products through specialty distributors.

Good to know

Only STAFDA members can attend and register, and manufacturer members must exhibit to attend, so join before you plan a booth. Orlando floor hours and move-in are not confirmed yet; the 2026 edition ran November 15–17, 2026 in Anaheim.

03 SESSIONS IN THE MORNING. THE HALL AT LUNCH.

Contractor association conventions with exhibits 2026–2027 Owners, CFOs, counsel. In a hotel ballroom.

General contractors, merit shop builders, mechanical and HVAC owners, construction finance chiefs, program managers, design-build teams and construction lawyers meet at these conventions. The exhibit is a tabletop, a 10×10 with a table, a council-only morning or a sponsor spot, and the hours follow the program. Each card says what exhibiting means there.

Conferences & summits 9 conferences
Dec12026Contractor conventions & trade shows Coming soon Hotel conference with a sponsor floor plan Purple guide

Construction SuperConference 2026

Huntington Beach, California · WestConsider it if you sell claims, dispute, insurance or project-controls services to contractors and their lawyers.
December 1–3, 2026Show guide

When & where December 1–3, 2026 · Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort · Huntington Beach, California

Typical audience

Mid- to senior-level construction attorneys, in-house counsel, engineers, claims consultants and contractor executives; the conference is in its 40th year.

Exhibitor types

Sponsors on a published floor plan: claims and forensic consultants, scheduling and cost experts, insurers, legal technology and expert-witness firms.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell claims, dispute, insurance or project-controls services to contractors and their lawyers.

Good to know

The 2026 edition runs in early December 2026: use it to plan the next edition. Presence is sold as sponsorships with a floor-plan spot rather than a separate booth price; run by Emerald.

Mar72027Contractor conventions & trade shows Hotel convention with a supplier trade show Purple guide

MCAA Annual Convention 2027

San Diego, California · WestConsider it if you sell to mechanical contractors and can join the Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Event: March 7–11, 2027 · Exhibits: Manufacturer/Supplier Council exhibit day and hours for 2027 not confirmed yet (2025: Tuesday, 7–10 a.m.)Show guide

When & where Event: March 7–11, 2027 · Exhibits: Manufacturer/Supplier Council exhibit day and hours for 2027 not confirmed yet (2025: Tuesday, 7–10 a.m.) · Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina · San Diego, California

Typical audience

Owners and executives of mechanical, plumbing and service contracting firms that belong to the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

Exhibitor types

Members of MCAA's Manufacturer/Supplier Council: HVAC equipment, piping, valves, fabrication tools, software and service suppliers.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell to mechanical contractors and can join the Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Good to know

The trade show features members of MCAA's Manufacturer/Supplier Council, so exhibit space comes through that council; booth rates are not published.

Mar92027Contractor conventions & trade shows Convention with a 10×10 tabletop expo Purple guide

ABC Convention 2027

Aurora (Denver), Colorado · WestConsider it if you sell technology, safety or workforce products to commercial and industrial contractors.
Event: March 9–11, 2027 · Exhibits: March 9–10, 2027 (Tuesday 3:30–5 p.m. grand opening; Wednesday 8 a.m.–3 p.m., staffed from 11 a.m.)Show guide

When & where Event: March 9–11, 2027 · Exhibits: March 9–10, 2027 (Tuesday 3:30–5 p.m. grand opening; Wednesday 8 a.m.–3 p.m., staffed from 11 a.m.) · Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center · Aurora (Denver), Colorado

Typical audience

Merit shop commercial and industrial contractors, ABC chapter leaders, craft professionals and students from Associated Builders and Contractors.

Exhibitor types

Construction technology, tools, safety, workforce, insurance and business service providers.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell technology, safety or workforce products to commercial and industrial contractors.

Good to know

A tabletop-style floor: each 10×10 includes a 6-foot table, two chairs, pipe and drape and a sign, at $4,500 for ABC members and $5,000 for non-members. Exhibit hours are short (March 9, 3:30–5 pm and March 10, 11 am–3 pm); Shepard is the general service contractor and non-members are vetted through a local ABC chapter.

Booth & eligibility
Standard 10×10 $4,500 for ABC members, $5,000 for non-members, with a 6 ft table, two chairs, sign, pipe and drape and wastebasket; Shepard is the general service contractor.
Future dates
ABC Convention 2027: March 9–11, 2027, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center; move-in March 9, 7:30 am–2:30 pm, move-out March 10, 3–7 pm.
Mar102027Contractor conventions & trade shows Conference with an expo hall Purple guide

ACCA 2027 Conference & Expo

National Harbor, Maryland · SouthConsider it if you sell HVAC equipment, tools, software or services to contractor owners.
Event: March 10–12, 2027 · Exhibits: March 11–12, 2027 (Thursday 1–3:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m.–noon)Show guide

When & where Event: March 10–12, 2027 · Exhibits: March 11–12, 2027 (Thursday 1–3:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m.–noon) · Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center · National Harbor, Maryland

Typical audience

HVACR contractors, business owners and service managers from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, paired with ACCA's 2027 Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.

Exhibitor types

HVACR manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers and service partners in the Expo Hall.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell HVAC equipment, tools, software or services to contractor owners.

Good to know

Booth sales opened July 28, 2026; the 2027 prospectus lists $50 per sq ft for ACCA members and $65 for nonmembers.

Apr62027Contractor conventions & trade shows Convention with an expo hall Purple guide

AGC Annual Convention 2027 (AGC Contractor Solutions Expo)

Phoenix, Arizona · WestGo if you sell equipment, technology or services to general contractors and want their owners and executives.
Event: April 6–8, 2027 · Exhibits: April 6–8, 2027 (Tuesday 3–6 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.)Show guide

When & where Event: April 6–8, 2027 · Exhibits: April 6–8, 2027 (Tuesday 3–6 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.) · Phoenix Convention Center · Phoenix, Arizona

Typical audience

Small and mid-sized general contractors, executives at ENR Top 400 firms and emerging leaders from the Associated General Contractors of America.

Exhibitor types

100+ exhibitors in the Contractor Solutions Expo: tools, equipment, construction technology, insurance and services for commercial construction.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell equipment, technology or services to general contractors and want their owners and executives.

Good to know

Expo hours: April 6, 3–6 pm; April 7, 8 am–5:30 pm; April 8, 8 am–1 pm. Pre-conference meetings and the AGC Education & Research Foundation Gala are April 5. AGC does not publish booth rates online.

May222027Contractor conventions & trade shows Resort conference with an exhibition hall Purple guide

CFMA's Annual Conference & Exhibition 2027

Nashville, Tennessee · SouthGo if you sell finance, ERP, payroll, surety or insurance products to contractors.
Event: May 22–26, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: May 22–26, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center · Nashville, Tennessee

Typical audience

Construction CFOs, controllers and financial managers of contracting firms from the Construction Financial Management Association.

Exhibitor types

Construction accounting and ERP software, payroll, banking, surety, insurance, CPA and advisory firms in the Exhibition Hall.

A good choice if…

Go if you sell finance, ERP, payroll, surety or insurance products to contractors.

Good to know

Registration and exhibitor details are not out yet; CFMA runs an interest list. Evenings and breaks are held in the Exhibition Hall.

Oct102027Contractor conventions & trade shows Conference with an exhibit hall Purple guide

CMAA2027 National Conference & Trade Show

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas · SouthConsider it if you sell project-controls, documentation or inspection tools to construction managers and public owners.
Event: October 10–12, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: October 10–12, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Venue for 2027 not confirmed yet · Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Typical audience

Construction and program managers, owners' representatives and public owners from the Construction Management Association of America.

Exhibitor types

Project controls and scheduling software, reality capture, inspection and testing, insurance and consulting firms in the exhibit hall.

A good choice if…

Consider it if you sell project-controls, documentation or inspection tools to construction managers and public owners.

Good to know

CMAA's flagship event with a comprehensive exhibit hall and the Project Achievement Awards. 2028 is in Orlando, October 8–10, 2028.

Nov32027Contractor conventions & trade shows Exhibit hall alongside conference sessions Purple guide

DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo 2027

Kansas City, Missouri · MidwestConsider it if your product or service is chosen by design-build teams on public or institutional projects.
Event: November 3–5, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yetShow guide

When & where Event: November 3–5, 2027 · Exhibits: not confirmed yet · Kansas City Convention Center · Kansas City, Missouri

Typical audience

Public and private owners, design-build contractors, architects and engineers; more than 2,200 AEC professionals each year and nearly 2,200 in Cleveland in 2026, per DBIA.

Exhibitor types

Contractors, design firms, building product makers, software and service providers working on design-build projects.

A good choice if…

Consider it if your product or service is chosen by design-build teams on public or institutional projects.

Good to know

Two price tiers remain: a member 10×10 inline is $4,600 through May 1, 2027 and $4,900 after, and a member 20×20 is $13,700, then $16,400; the lowest tier ended November 20, 2026. The program is education-first, so traffic peaks at breaks and receptions.

By the numbers
More than 2,200 AEC professionals attend each year (prospectus); nearly 2,200 attendees gathered in Cleveland for the 2026 conference, per DBIA.
Booth & eligibility
2027, three tiers (through November 20, 2026 / through May 1, 2027 / regular): 10×10 inline member $4,400 / $4,600 / $4,900, non-member $4,850 / $5,100 / $5,400; 10×20 member $8,500 / $8,900 / $9,500; 20×20 member $12,200 / $13,700 / $16,400. Each 10×10 includes two exhibit hall registrations and an 8 ft draped backwall.
Future dates
DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo 2027: November 3–5, 2027, Kansas City, Missouri.
Datesnot confirmed yetSafety, survey & drone shows Dates not confirmed yet Vendor user conference with a sponsor expo

Procore Groundbreak 2027

Anaheim, California · WestConsider it if your product integrates with Procore or sells to the contractors who use it.
2027 dates not confirmed yet

When & where 2027 dates not confirmed yet · Not confirmed yet · Anaheim, California

Typical audience

General and specialty contractors, owners and project teams that use Procore's construction management software.

Exhibitor types

Procore partners and sponsors: construction software integrations, hardware, reality capture, payments and insurance providers.

A good choice if…

Consider it if your product integrates with Procore or sells to the contractors who use it.

Good to know

A vendor-run user conference: floor presence is bought as a Groundbreak sponsorship, not a booth from an association. Groundbreak 2026 ran October 20–22 in Orlando; registration for 2027 is not open.

04 BY CITY

Contractor and safety trade shows by city Anaheim twice. Fort Worth twice.

Two cities host more than one event here: Anaheim, with the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in September 2027 and Procore Groundbreak 2027, and Fort Worth, with NDA Demolition in February and PHCC CONNECT in October 2027, both at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Three spring conventions also share a resort chain: ABC at the Gaylord Rockies, ACCA at the Gaylord National and CFMA at the Gaylord Opryland, so one tabletop kit sized for a Gaylord exhibit hall can travel to all three.

Anaheim 2 events

The NSC Safety Congress & Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on September 24–30, 2027, and Procore Groundbreak 2027, set for Anaheim with dates not confirmed yet. STAFDA met in Anaheim on November 15–17, 2026 and moves to Orlando for 2027.

Fort Worth 2 events

NDA Demolition Fort Worth on February 17–20, 2027 and PHCC CONNECT on October 25–28, 2027, both at the Fort Worth Convention Center, a city-owned, non-union facility with 25 ft exhibit hall ceilings (2024 venue guide). CMAA2027 meets in Dallas/Fort Worth in October.

Contractor, owner and engineer in hard hats and vests marking up plans at a bright office table

September 2027: the two biggest floors in this guide, Las Vegas and Anaheim.

Commercial UAV Expo, then the NSC Safety Congress & Expo

05 FROM HUNTINGTON BEACH IN DECEMBER TO ORLANDO A YEAR LATER

Contractor, safety and construction technology event calendar 2026–2027 Conventions in spring. Safety floors in September.

The Construction SuperConference opens the run in Huntington Beach on December 1, 2026. NDA Demolition Fort Worth and Geo Week in Salt Lake City close February 2027. March is the convention month: MCAA in San Diego, ABC at the Gaylord Rockies and ACCA at National Harbor, all in the same week. AGC meets in Phoenix in April, CFMA in Nashville in May and ASSP Safety in New Orleans in June. September carries the two biggest floors, Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas and the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Anaheim, then CMAA in Dallas/Fort Worth, PHCC CONNECT in Fort Worth DBIA in Kansas City in early November 2027 and STAFDA in Orlando on November 14–16, 2027.

Conference marks conferences & summits. Everything else is a trade show.

Add every date to your calendar · Download the list (CSV)

December 2026

February 2027

March 2027

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June 2027

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October 2027

November 2027

On the watchlist next dates not confirmed yet

06 BUILT FOR PPE, TOOLS, DRONES AND SOFTWARE

Contractor and safety trade show booth ideas Show what they wear. Then show what it saves.

Real Purple builds, none of them made for a contractor convention: a workwear maker, a drone camera company, a safety glove and boot maker, a diamond tool maker, a software firm, a gear tool company and an equipment group. Each one holds an idea a safety floor or a contractor expo can use tomorrow, and we say which.

Trillium island booth by Purple Exhibits: a tall black wall with a fixed-wing drone graphic, black bar tables and a backlit tower of camera gimbals01 / THE FLIGHT WALL

Trillium · Purple Exhibits

Hang the aircraft on the wall, keep the floor open.

A tall black wall carries one large fixed-wing drone graphic, and a black tower lights each camera gimbal on its own mount, with bar tables in front. Built for a drone camera company, the plan suits Commercial UAV Expo and Geo Week, where pilots compare payloads side by side and the floor stays clear for a demo.

Rahman Group booth by Purple Exhibits: a lit center tower, red coveralls on a mannequin and pegboard walls of work boots, helmets and gloves02 / THE PPE TOWER

Rahman Group · Purple Exhibits

Put every boot and glove at arm's reach.

A lit center tower carries the name, a mannequin wears red coveralls at the aisle and pegboard walls hold boots, helmets and gloves in rows. Built for a safety workwear maker, it is the layout for the NSC Safety Congress & Expo and ASSP Safety, where a safety director wants to touch the gear before reading about it.

Solar Diamond Tools booth by Purple Exhibits: blue and white product walls, diamond tools on white plinths and a round meeting table with visitors03 / THE TOOL PLINTHS

Solar Diamond Tools · Purple Exhibits

One tool per plinth, one table for the order.

White plinths hold the tools at hand height in front of blue and white product walls, with a round table where distributors sit down. Built for a diamond tool maker, it is the right shape for STAFDA, where distributors compare blades, anchors and bits and then write a stocking order.

Prosperoware booth by Purple Exhibits: a blue backlit software wall, a white bar counter with stools and three staff beside a side monitor04 / THE BACKLIT DEMO BAR

Prosperoware · Purple Exhibits

Light the screen, then pull up a stool.

A blue backlit wall lists what the software does, a white bar counter with stools sits in front and a side monitor runs the demo. Built for a software firm, it carries straight to CFMA and the Construction SuperConference, where controllers and counsel want a quiet seat and a real walkthrough.

Genetec booth by Purple Exhibits: a green back wall, a white lit counter with a brochure rack and a team of seven in red shirts05 / THE TEAM COUNTER

Genetec · Purple Exhibits

Stand the whole team behind one counter.

A green back wall carries one plain line, a lit white counter fronts the aisle and a brochure rack sits at the corner, with seven staff in matching shirts. Built for an equipment group, it suits the 10×10 packages at ABC, AGC and CMAA, where a team needs a counter and a wall rather than a big structure.

S.S.Tools booth by Purple Exhibits: large gear graphics on the back wall, yellow cutters on white plinths and a white counter at the aisle06 / THE PRODUCT AT SCALE

S.S.Tools · Purple Exhibits

Print the part bigger than life.

Large gear graphics fill the back wall while the real cutters sit on white plinths and a white counter meets the aisle. Built for a gear cutting tool maker, the idea works for a fastener, fitting or valve company at PHCC CONNECT or MCAA: the small part, printed huge, read from across the hall.

From a demo bar to a fitting room

What fits in each space at a contractor convention, a safety expo or a drone floor.

The demo bar10×20

200 sq ft, two inline units side by side.

In the space
A backlit wall with one plain line, a bar counter with a screen, two stools, one product or tool on a lit plinth, lockable storage and two or three staff.
Best for
Software, finance, insurance, tool and safety companies at ABC, AGC, ACCA, CMAA, DBIA and the Construction SuperConference.
Good to know
At NSC 2027, an inline keeps 8 ft only in the back 5 ft and 4 ft in the front 5 ft, and DBIA keeps 8 ft to the rear half; plan the tall wall at the back.

The fitting room20×20

400 sq ft, usually a corner or a peninsula.

In the space
A PPE wall at arm's reach, a mirror and a bench to try boots and harnesses, a counter for orders, a screen for training content and four to six staff.
Best for
PPE, fall protection, gas detection and safety software companies at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo and ASSP Safety, and tool makers at STAFDA.
Good to know
STAFDA's 2026 20×20 island package was $12,700 with nine registrations; at NSC, peninsulas build to 16 ft with no backwall line-of-sight limit.

The flight deck20×30

600 sq ft, the smallest NSC island.

In the space
A netted demo bay or a scanning stage, a hanging sign where the hall allows, a theater bench facing a large screen, a meeting corner and storage for batteries and cases.
Best for
Drone, lidar, survey and reality capture companies at Commercial UAV Expo and Geo Week, and large safety brands at NSC.
Good to know
NSC islands start at 20 by 30 ft with fixtures to 16 ft and signs to 20 ft. At the Phoenix Convention Center, indoor drone flights stay inside a netted Interior Flight Zone with a 5 ft safety zone.

The demo dayOff-site lot

About 100 by 60 ft outdoors, beside an indoor booth.

In the space
A base machine and one attachment working on a real site, a shaded counter, a captioned replay screen in the indoor booth and shuttle-timed staff.
Best for
Demolition carriers, attachments, robots and dust control at NDA Demolition Fort Worth.
Good to know
NDA's Live DEMOlition Event space is $12,000 for 2027, each added space $8,000, and an equipment corral of about 50 by 40 ft is $5,000 for one or two pieces.

A good contractor booth works like a good pre-task meeting: one clear plan on the wall, the gear where people can pick it up, a person who has done the work, and a table where the owner can ask what it costs. We will plan the structure, the graphics, the demo and the shipping cases together. Get a fixed proposal

07 FOUR DESKS ON EVERY JOB

Who you meet at contractor, safety and site tech events The owner signs. Three others decide first.

A construction company buys through four people: the owner or executive who sets the direction, the CFO or counsel who reads the contract, the trade foreman who has to install it, and the safety or technology lead who has to approve it. Each one walks a different convention, so start with the person who stops a deal.

Smiling executive in a navy suit and glasses standing with arms crossed against a white wall

Owners & executives of contracting firms

For construction software, equipment, insurance, staffing and business services sold to the people who run general, merit shop and design-build firms at the AGC Convention, the ABC Convention, CMAA2027, the DBIA Design-Build Conference and Procore Groundbreak.

What mattersA reference from a firm their size, the margin it protects, what it does to the schedule and a person who will still answer when a job goes sideways.

Smiling woman in a dark blazer at a round office table with papers and a pen

CFOs, controllers & construction lawyers

For accounting and ERP software, payroll, banking, surety, insurance, claims and expert-witness firms at CFMA's Annual Conference in Nashville and the Construction SuperConference in Huntington Beach.

What mattersClean job costing, faster month-end close, retainage and change orders tracked to the dollar, and someone who can explain it in a deposition.

Two electricians in tool belts setting a temporary power pole on a muddy commercial job site

Trade contractors & tool distributors

For HVAC, piping, plumbing, demolition attachments, tools and fasteners sold to the owners of trade firms at MCAA, ACCA, PHCC CONNECT, NDA Demolition and STAFDA, where 85%+ of ACCA attendees own the HVACR business they run, per ACCA.

What mattersInstall time saved per job, a product they can hold, a distributor who stocks it and a rep who knows their trade.

Safety team in hi-vis vests meeting an owner and a manager around a table with hard hats and a tablet

Safety directors, survey & drone leads

For PPE, fall protection, gas detection, safety software, laser scanners, survey hardware and drones at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, ASSP Safety, Geo Week and Commercial UAV Expo.

What mattersFit and comfort for a full shift, compliance paperwork, accuracy they can check, a demo that works without the hall WiFi and training their crews will sit through.

08 EVERY SUPPLIER LIST STARTS WITH ONE TABLE

How new exhibitors get into contractor, safety and drone events Get on the list. Then get on the floor.

Contractor associations fill their halls with members and returning exhibitors first, so a new company starts with the interest list, a membership, a launch program or a smaller space. Here is the route at each event that publishes one, with the organizer's source.

Safety & PPE

ASSP Safety 2027

How to get in

  • Exhibit sales are handled by HEI Expo, not by ASSP staff.
  • A limited three-day Expo-only pass lets the customers you invite walk the floor without paying for sessions or CEUs.

Ways to be seen

  • RUNWAY, the PPE and safety apparel fashion show, charged featured vendors $2,000 in 2026 with limited spots.
  • In 2026 every attendee got a Parade to Prizes game card to stamp at participating booths.

Expo for attendees ↗ RUNWAY fashion show ↗

Drones

Commercial UAV Expo 2027

How to get in

  • Booth rates come by inquiry; the exhibit hall mixes established brands with emerging startups.

Ways to launch a product

  • The Innovation Spotlight takes submissions before the show and names one winner per category.
  • Indoor Airspace flying demonstrations and an Exhibit Hall Theater run during the show.

Innovation Spotlight ↗ 2026 post-show report ↗

Tools & fasteners

STAFDA Annual Convention & Trade Show

How to get in

  • Members only: manufacturer members must exhibit to attend, and locations are self-selected, first come, first served (2026).
  • Tech vendors may use full booth displays instead of tabletops (2026).

Programs for new products

  • Power Pavilion entries in 2026 had to be truly new products introduced after the 2025 trade show, one per company.
  • ShowMo promos let exhibitors list show-only specials, prize drawings, new product details and up to three demo videos at no extra cost in 2026.

STAFDA 2026 convention ↗ STAFDA 2027 convention ↗

Program management

CMAA2027 National Conference & Trade Show

How to get in

  • The CMAA2026 Expo Hall sold out; CMAA invited companies to email its director of business development to join the 2027 list.
  • Booth applications list your top three locations, first come, first served by the time the form arrives.

How position builds

  • CMAA’s priority point system, in place since 2014, rewards exhibitors and sponsors who return.

CMAA 2026 booth packages ↗ CMAA2026 rules ↗

Plumbing & HVAC

PHCC CONNECT 2027

How to get in

  • 2026 exhibitors and sponsors pick 2027 floor space first, so a new exhibitor’s first step is the interest list.
  • Submitting the booth inquiry costs nothing; PHCC replies with the floor plan, pricing and sponsorship menu once 2027 prices are final.

Worth asking about

  • At the 2026 show, Milwaukee Central gave regional manufacturers their own area.

PHCC CONNECT 2027 ↗ PHCC news ↗

Demolition

NDA Demolition Fort Worth

How to get in

  • Start with a 10×10 indoor booth or an equipment corral (approx. 50×40 ft, $5,000 for one or two small machines) instead of a full outdoor lot.

Ways to show equipment

  • Live DEMOlition Event: equipment works on a real demolition site on February 18, 2027.
  • Equipment corrals for nano-lifts, scissor lifts, concrete cutters, compressors and small robotics.

Exhibit & sponsorship opportunities ↗

Rules are the latest each organizer published; several of these halls sell out to returning exhibitors, so ask for the list the day you decide.

WHAT WE BUILD FOR SAFETY AND SITE TECH

A drone on a plinth.
A glove on a hook.
A quote on the counter.

Safety and technology floors reward a booth people can use. The NSC Safety Congress keeps demonstrations inside the booth, ASSP sets fuel and battery rules for any vehicle on display, and Commercial UAV Expo flies its demonstrations in Indoor Airspace. Purple plans the build around the hands-on part: a fitting wall at arm's reach, a netted bay or a screen for the flight, a wired line for the scanner and a counter where the buyer can price it. Our Las Vegas shop builds and prints in the city of Commercial UAV Expo, and our Fishkill, NY shop serves the East Coast conventions.

Plan a hands-on booth
Two people on a bench flying a drone from a tablet controller showing the live camera view
Live feed on the tablet.
Gray plastic pipes bending in parallel across a pale wall with metal clamps
Runs set before the walls close.
Zaxe booth by Purple Exhibits: a blue backlit product selector wall, a white counter with stools and a small enclosed meeting room
A lit selector wall we built.

09 LET'S GET YOU ON THEIR LIST

How to exhibit at a contractor convention, safety expo or drone show Read the rulebook. Then draw the booth.

Contractor and safety events ask for things an equipment floor never does: a booth that fits a council-only breakfast hour, PPE people want to try on, a drone that has to fly inside a net, a scanner demo that cannot rely on the hall signal, and owners who leave the floor for a session at 10:30. Here it is in pieces.

01THE ROOMKnow whether you are on a floor or in a ballroom.
  • Expo floors: The NSC Safety Congress & Expo, ASSP Safety, Commercial UAV Expo, Geo Week, NDA Demolition, PHCC CONNECT and STAFDA sell booth space in a convention hall, with move-in days, carpet rules and a general service contractor.
  • Conventions: AGC, ABC, MCAA, ACCA, CFMA, CMAA and DBIA put the program first; the exhibit is a package with a table or a 10×10 inline, and the hall fills at breaks, meals and receptions.
  • Sponsor floors: The Construction SuperConference sells presence as sponsorships with a floor-plan spot, and Procore Groundbreak sells a sponsorship rather than an association booth.
02THE RULEBOOKRead the height and package rules before the drawing.
  • Height zones: NSC inlines keep 8 ft in the back 5 ft and 4 ft in the front 5 ft (2027 FAQ); DBIA allows 8 ft only in the rear half (2026 rules).
  • What comes with the space: ABC's 10×10 includes a 6 ft table, two chairs, a name sign, pipe and drape and a wastebasket; NDA's space comes with a 7 by 44 inch ID sign, an 8 ft back drape and 3 ft side rails (2027).
  • Carpet: Required at NSC and NDA and not included with the space; not required at ABC 2027 because the Gaylord Rockies hall is already carpeted.
  • Endcaps and sightlines: CMAA does not allow endcap booths and enforces IAEE layout rules (2026).

The full five-show comparison sits in the floor rules table on this page.

03THE SHORT HOURSStaff for the hour that matters.
  • MCAA: The Manufacturer/Supplier Council exhibit runs about 3 hours; at MCAA25 it ran Tuesday, 7 to 10 a.m.
  • ABC: Booth entry Wednesday from 8 a.m., with staffing required only from 11 a.m. to the 3 p.m. close.
  • AGC: The expo opens Tuesday, April 6, 3 to 6 p.m., runs Wednesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closes Thursday at 1 p.m.
  • ACCA: Expo hours are Thursday, March 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Friday, March 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon.
  • PHCC CONNECT: Breakfast and lunch are served on the show floor, so the busiest minutes follow the meal service.
04THE FLIGHT AND THE SCANMake the demo work without the hall signal.
  • Indoor flights: At the Phoenix Convention Center, home of AGC 2027, drone flights stay inside a netted Interior Flight Zone with a 5 ft safety zone, and free flight over attendees is prohibited.
  • Indoor Airspace: Commercial UAV Expo runs flying demonstrations in its own Indoor Airspace and an Exhibit Hall Theater.
  • Power and lines: At Geo Week, electrical and internet come from the Salt Palace Convention Center, not Freeman, so order wired lines for rendering workstations from the building.
  • Offline first: A recorded flight or a finished point cloud on a large screen, beside the real hardware, keeps the story going when the signal drops.
05THE GEAR THEY TRY ONBuild the fitting room into the booth.
  • Keep it inside: NSC keeps demonstrations, models and handouts inside the booth, and recommends taking orders rather than selling from the floor (2027 FAQ).
  • Brace the tall wall: At NSC, any wall or tower 8 ft or taller is tied off or carries base plates or returns (2025 guidelines).
  • Vehicles: At the Morial, a display vehicle needs Public Safety approval, a gas tank one-eighth full or 10 gallons, a locked cap and batteries off (2022).
  • Get seen: ASSP's RUNWAY fashion show charged featured PPE vendors $2,000 in 2026, with limited spots.
06THE MEMBERSHIP GATECheck who is allowed to exhibit.
  • MCAA: Only Manufacturer/Supplier Council participants exhibit, for a $3,000 annual Council fee, and spots are picked in order of each company's renewal payment date.
  • STAFDA: Members only; manufacturer members must exhibit to attend (2026).
  • ABC: Non-members are vetted through a local ABC chapter.
  • ACCA: ACCA does not permit additional outside events hosted by vendors; Dinearound hosting on Thursday, March 11, costs $3,000.
  • STAFDA meetings: No distributor or rep members may be invited to suites or meetings during trade show hours (2026).
07THE FREIGHT & LABORFile the paperwork before you ship.
  • Plan back from move-in: Our builds take 30 to 45 days, so we work back from each move-in date and each advance warehouse deadline.
  • Two shops: We build and print in our Fishkill, NY and Las Vegas shops; the Las Vegas shop sits in the city of Commercial UAV Expo.
  • Outside installers: CMAA wants an exhibitor-appointed contractor to notify the decorator at least 10 days before move-in with $2 million general liability and auto cover; DBIA wants a written request naming the firm; the Construction SuperConference asks for liability, auto and workers' compensation certificates in the sponsor console.
  • Labor: Each hall sets who may install, wire and rig. Your project manager runs the install with the labor the show requires.
08THE CALL AFTERFollow up before the next bid closes.

Scan every badge with notes: company type and trade, crew size or revenue band, who signs, and what they asked about. Send the price, the reference and the demo or trial offer within days.

Tag each lead as an owner, a CFO or counsel, a trade foreman or a safety or technology lead so the right person calls back. Contractor buying follows bids, budgets and safety approvals: a product cleared by the safety director in September can be on the spring jobs, so count trials and approvals across a full year, not only scans.

THE BID PACKAGE

Everything an owner asks before the second meeting.

Contractors decide between the expo hall and the office on Monday. Hand over one printed page and a short link so the conversation keeps going after the session ends.

New to the terms? See the glossary

RFI # 0427STATUS: READY TO PRICE

  • 1× One-page product sheet with sizes and ratings
  • 1× Hours or days saved per job, with the source
  • 1× Reference from a contractor their size
  • 1× Price sheet and show offer with its end date
  • 1× Distributor or dealer map
  • 1× Compliance and certification documents
  • 1× Training plan for crews and supervisors
  • 1× Integration list for the software they run
  • 1× Warranty, service and replacement terms
  • 1× Insurance and safety data sheets
  • 1× Short video from a working job
  • 1× One clear next step + a U.S. contact

READY TO PRICE

10 THE ESTIMATE

Contractor and safety trade show budget & ROI Estimate the whole job. Then count the accounts it opens.

Put real numbers behind the plan. Enter your show budget and your own margin per new contractor account to see what breaking even could look like over a buying cycle that runs through bids, budgets and safety approvals.

The line items after the space.

Space & package
Booth or sponsor fee, carpet where required, structure, backlit walls, counters, screens, product plinths and furniture.
People in the room
Exhibitor and full-conference registrations, extra badges, receptions, meals and the sessions your team needs to attend.
Running the demo
Electrical, wired internet, netting or a demo bay, batteries, lead retrieval, cleaning and material handling.
Getting there & after
Freight in cases, installation and dismantle, show-week hotels, travel, and trials or site visits after the show.

Ask for itemized quotes and keep a contingency line. Conventions add registrations, meals and sponsor fees; expo floors add carpet, power, internet and material handling; drone and scanner demos add netting, screens and wired lines. These categories are a planning checklist, not a price estimate.

THE EXHIBIT MATH

Let’s do the math.

An example to get you started. Change the numbers to fit your company.

Use gross profit over the life of the account, not one order. Contractor sales move through bids, budgets and approvals, so pick one period (for example, 18 months) for every input.

1,000+
exhibiting companies on the NSC Safety Congress & Expo floor. National Safety Council ↗
683
vendor booths across 134,000+ sq ft at ASSP Safety 2025 in Orlando. ASSP ↗
3,800+
verified professionals from 65 countries at Commercial UAV Expo 2026. Commercial UAV Expo ↗
3 of 4
PHCC CONNECT 2026 show-pass buyers were the owner or manager. PHCC CONNECT 2027 ↗
85%+
of the people at ACCA own the HVACR business they run. ACCA ↗
200+
apprentices and craft pros testing in 11 crafts beside the ABC Convention booths. ABC ↗
47%
of U.S. construction spending projected to be design-build by 2028. DBIA 2027 exhibitor prospectus ↗
11,000+
construction financial professionals in CFMA’s network. CFMA ↗

Real booth prices, published.

What these organizers list for space or packages. Add the exhibit, freight, labor, power, internet and travel.

ShowPublished priceSource
NSC Safety Congress & Expo2027$33.50 per sq. ft. member · $34.50 non-member · 10×10 minimum · +$200 per cornerSource ↗
STAFDA Annual Convention & Trade Show202610×20 package $5,400 with 6 registrations · 20×20 island $12,700 with 9Source ↗
NDA Demolition Fort Worth2027Members $27.50 per sq. ft. (100–400 sq. ft.) to $13.50 (1,000+) · non-members $42.50 to $17.50 · outdoor demo space approx. 100×60 ft $12,000Source ↗
DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo2027Member 10×10 inline $4,600 (to May 1, 2027) · $4,900 regular · member 20×20 $13,700 to $16,400 · the lowest tier ($4,400) ended Nov. 20, 2026Source ↗
ABC Convention202710×10 with table and chairs $4,500 member · $5,000 non-memberSource ↗
MCAA Annual ConventionCouncil$3,000 annual Manufacturer/Supplier Council participation fee; exhibit space goes to Council participantsSource ↗
NDA Live DEMOlition Event2027Equipment corral approx. 50×40 ft $5,000 (1 or 2 pieces) or $7,500 (3 to 5)Source ↗

The rulebook, side by side. What five floors let you build.

NSC Safety Congress vs. ASSP Safety vs. DBIA vs. NDA Demolition vs. CMAA: the exhibit rules that decide height, machines, flooring, structure and teardown at five contractor and safety events, copied from each organizer's or venue's own rules with the year they apply to. Every cell links to its source.

Exhibit rules compared across five U.S. contractor and safety events
TopicNSC Safety Congress & ExpoASSP SafetyDBIA Design-BuildNDA DemolitionCMAA2027
How tallInlines: 8 ft max in the back 5 ft, 4 ft in the front 5 ft. Islands start at 20 by 30 ft and build to 16 ft; peninsula and island signs hang to 20 ft (2027 FAQ). Source ↗Plans for multi-story or enclosed booths are due 60 days before move-in; ceiling clearances run 26 ft 4 in to 59 ft, most areas at least 30 ft (2022). Source ↗Inlines: 8 ft max only in the rear half of the space, 4 ft on everything forward to the aisle; islands may reach 16 ft (2026 rules). Source ↗An 8 ft back drape and 3 ft side rails come with the space (2027); Fort Worth Convention Center Exhibit Halls A to F list a 25 ft ceiling. Source ↗Exhibits may not block the view of other exhibits or exceed the contracted space; endcap booths are not allowed (2026 rules). Source ↗
Machines, fuel & demosDemonstrations, models and handouts stay inside the booth; floor sales are not recommended, orders are allowed (2027 FAQ). Source ↗Vehicles need Public Safety approval first; gas tanks one-eighth full or 10 gallons, diesel one-quarter; cap locked, batteries off, no running in event hours (2022). Source ↗No flammable materials or explosives; hydraulic or electric equipment must be lowered unless mechanical safety devices hold it (2026 rules). Source ↗Equipment only moves in on Tuesday, February 16, by appointment; machines run at the outdoor Live DEMO in Irving, about 100 by 60 ft for $12,000 (2027). Source ↗CMAA may restrict any exhibit that becomes objectionable through noise, method of operation or early dismantling (2026 rules). Source ↗
Floor & packageFloor covering is required and is not part of the space rental, except in NSC booth packages (2025 display guidelines). Source ↗Hall slabs carry 350 lb per sq ft, with 500 lb zones in parts of Halls H through J; heavier loads need stamped plans 3 months ahead (2022). Source ↗The space includes an 8 ft draped backwall, 3 ft draped sidewall and an ID sign; floor covering, furnishings, AV, electrical, lead retrieval and rigging are extra (2027 prospectus). Source ↗Booth carpet is not included with the space and is required for every booth (2027). Source ↗The 2026 package: a 10 by 10 ft space with an 8 ft back wall, 3 ft side drape, one 6 ft skirted table and two chairs. Source ↗
Structure & laborAny wall or tower 8 ft or taller must be tied off or carry base plates or returns, and stand up to wind when freight doors open (2025 guidelines). Source ↗Over 250 lb per hanging point in peaked-ceiling areas needs Morial approval; only the building or general contractor rigs; plans due 60 days before move-in (2022). Source ↗An outside installer is requested in writing, naming the firm, contacts and services; its staff wear work passes (2026 rules). Source ↗Audiovisual presentations may not block aisles and must run in a sound-proof room; music may not disturb neighbors (2027 rules). Source ↗An exhibitor-appointed contractor notifies the decorator at least 10 days before move-in and carries $2 million general liability and $2 million auto cover (2026 rules). Source ↗
TeardownMove-in runs September 24 to 26 and move-out starts September 29, per the 2027 exhibitor FAQ. Source ↗Dismantle runs Wednesday, June 9, 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursday, June 10, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (2027 prospectus). Source ↗DBIA sends each exhibitor its own installation schedule 30 days before the assigned move-in date; a team that misses its slot is billed for the extra cost it causes. Source ↗Exhibits stay intact until the 11 a.m. Saturday close; dismantling early costs 10 priority points; everything out by noon Sunday (2027 rules). Source ↗Booth staff enter 30 minutes before opening and may stay up to 30 minutes after closing, wearing the CMAA EXHIBITOR badge (2026 rules). Source ↗

Rules are each organizer's or venue's own, with the year of the document they come from; ASSP's slab, rigging and vehicle rules come from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center policies on the 2022 exhibitor page, and the NSC wall rule from its 2025 display guidelines. When each 2027 exhibitor service manual opens, its rules are the ones that apply.

Looking for an old show name?

Several shows have been renamed or replaced. Here’s where they went.

Second lookRebar, pipe & rotor

Pipe runs. Hard hats. Then the approval.

Rebar pulled from a teardown, pipe runs set before the walls close, a folding drone held to the sky and hard hats stacked at the end of the day: the details the trades and the safety desk watch.

Black and white tangle of pulled rebar in front of an excavator arm on a demolition site
09Rebar out of the teardown.
Parallel gray and copper pipe runs turning a corner along a white wall
10Pipe runs turning the corner.
Hand holding a small folding drone up against a green field and pale sky
11Ready to launch.
Copper and white plastic drain pipes on a weathered wall below a barred window
12Copper on an old wall.
White, blue and yellow hard hats stacked on a concrete ledge with a hazy city skyline behind
13Three colors, one stack.

11 PRE-BID QUESTIONS. ANSWERED.

Contractor and safety trade show FAQ Questions from the trailer. Answers with a source.

Rahman Group booth by Purple Exhibits: pegboard of leather and coated work gloves, shelves of safety boots and a mannequin in hi-vis coveralls
Gloves, boots and a lit wall.

What is the largest construction safety trade show in the U.S.?

The NSC Safety Congress & Expo has the largest floor in this guide, with more than 1,000 exhibiting companies, per the National Safety Council. The 2027 edition runs September 24–30, 2027 at the Anaheim Convention Center. ASSP Safety is the other large safety floor: 683 vendor booths across 134,000+ sq ft in Orlando in 2025, per ASSP, and June 7–9, 2027 in New Orleans.

How much does exhibit space cost at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo 2027?

Space is $33.50 per sq ft for NSC members and $34.50 for non-members, with a 10×10 minimum and $200 per corner, per NSC. Each 100 sq ft includes one full conference badge and three expo badges. Floor covering is required and is not part of the space rental, except in NSC booth packages.

What are the booth height limits at NSC 2027?

Inline booths may reach 8 ft in the back 5 ft and 4 ft in the front 5 ft, per the 2027 exhibitor FAQ. Peninsulas build to 16 ft, islands start at 20 by 30 ft with fixtures to 16 ft, and hanging signs over peninsulas and islands reach 20 ft; no hanging signs over inline or corner inline booths.

When and where is Commercial UAV Expo 2027?

Commercial UAV Expo 2027 runs September 7–9, 2027 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The 2026 edition drew more than 3,800 verified professionals from 65 countries and 250 exhibitors, per the organizer. Booth rates come by inquiry, and Indoor Airspace flying demonstrations run during the show.

When is Geo Week 2027?

Geo Week 2027 is February 23–25, 2027 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The 2026 edition in Denver had 3,509 attendees and 238 exhibitors, per Geo Week. Booth rates are not published; electrical and internet come from the Salt Palace, not from Freeman.

How much is a booth at the ABC Convention 2027?

A standard 10×10 costs $4,500 for ABC members and $5,000 for non-members, per ABC, and includes a 6 ft table, two chairs, a name sign, pipe and drape and a wastebasket. The convention runs March 9–11, 2027 at the Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, Colorado, with exhibits on March 9, 3:30–5 pm and March 10, 11 am–3 pm.

What are the AGC Convention 2027 dates and expo hours?

The AGC Annual Convention runs April 6–8, 2027 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Contractor Solutions Expo is open April 6, 3–6 pm; April 7, 8 am–5:30 pm; and April 8, 8 am–1 pm, per AGC. Sponsorships do not include exhibit space, so the booth is booked separately on the expo floor plan.

Who can exhibit at the MCAA Annual Convention?

Only participants in MCAA's Manufacturer/Supplier Council can exhibit, per MCAA; regular supplier membership alone does not allow attending, exhibiting or sponsoring. The Council fee is $3,000 a year, the booth is typically 8 by 10 ft with a 6 ft table, and the 2027 convention runs March 7–11 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

What does a booth cost at the DBIA Design-Build Conference 2027?

A member 10×10 inline is $4,600 through May 1, 2027 and $4,900 after that, per DBIA's 2027 prospectus; non-members pay $5,100, then $5,400, and a member 20×20 is $13,700, then $16,400. The lowest tier, $4,400 for a member 10×10, ended November 20, 2026. The conference is November 3–5, 2027 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Which trade shows do HVAC and plumbing contractors attend?

Three events in this guide: MCAA for mechanical contractors (March 7–11, 2027, San Diego), ACCA for HVACR contractors (March 10–12, 2027, National Harbor, Maryland) and PHCC CONNECT for plumbing and heating contractors (October 25–28, 2027, Fort Worth). More than 85% of the people at ACCA own the HVACR business they run, per ACCA, and three of four PHCC CONNECT 2026 show-pass buyers were owners or managers, per PHCC.

Is there a conference for construction CFOs and controllers?

Yes: CFMA's Annual Conference & Exhibition, May 22–26, 2027 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. CFMA's network counts 11,000+ construction financial professionals. Registration and exhibitor details are not out yet; CFMA keeps an interest list, and evenings and breaks are held in the Exhibition Hall.

Where do construction lawyers and claims consultants exhibit?

At the Construction SuperConference, December 1–3, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort, in its 40th year of construction law education. Presence is sold as sponsorships with a spot on a published floor plan; each sponsor booth space comes with one Full Conference badge and one Knowledge Exchange Only badge.

When is NDA Demolition 2027 and how does the Live DEMOlition Event work?

NDA Demolition Fort Worth runs February 17–20, 2027 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The outdoor Live DEMOlition Event runs on Thursday, February 18 off site by shuttle; an approx. 100×60 ft space is $12,000 with one base machine and one attachment, and indoor booths start at $27.50 per sq ft for NDA members, per NDA.

Can I fly a drone inside my booth?

Only where the hall allows it and inside a protected zone. At the Phoenix Convention Center, where AGC meets in 2027, indoor flights stay inside a netted Interior Flight Zone with a 5 ft safety zone around it, and free flight over attendees is prohibited. Commercial UAV Expo runs its own Indoor Airspace demonstrations; elsewhere, a recorded flight on a large screen beside the aircraft is the safe plan.

How do I get a booth at CMAA2027?

Ask to join the list early: the CMAA2026 Expo Hall sold out, and CMAA invited companies to email its director of business development for 2027. CMAA2027 runs October 10–12, 2027 in Dallas/Fort Worth. The 2026 package was a 10 by 10 ft space with an 8 ft back wall, 3 ft side drape, a 6 ft skirted table and two chairs, and returning exhibitors earn priority points.

Which contractor and safety events are in Anaheim?

Two: the NSC Safety Congress & Expo (September 24–30, 2027, Anaheim Convention Center) and Procore Groundbreak 2027, which is set for Anaheim with dates not confirmed yet. STAFDA met in Anaheim on November 15–17, 2026 and moves to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for November 14–16, 2027.

What is Procore Groundbreak and can I exhibit there?

Groundbreak is Procore's user conference for the contractors, owners and project teams that run its construction management software. Floor presence is bought as a Groundbreak sponsorship, not as an association booth. Groundbreak 2026 ran October 20–22 in Orlando; the 2027 edition is set for Anaheim, with dates not confirmed yet.

Does Purple Exhibits build booths for contractor conventions and safety expos?

Yes. Purple designs and builds custom booths from 10×20 up, with fixed proposals and 30–45 day builds in our Fishkill, NY and Las Vegas shops. Your Purple project manager runs the install with the labor each show requires. The booth ideas on this page are real Purple builds for workwear, safety, drone, tool and software clients.

12 SPEAK FLUENT JOB TRAILER

Contractor, safety and site tech show glossary Merit shop, retainage, point cloud. Plain English.

The words contractor owners, CFOs, safety directors and drone pilots use at these events, explained the way you would explain them in the job trailer, so nothing gets lost between the booth contract and the purchase order.

Show all 23 terms

Running the company

Merit shop
A construction firm that hires and pays on performance without a union agreement. Associated Builders and Contractors represents merit shop contractors, and its convention is their main national meeting.
Design-build
One contract covers both the design and the construction, so one team answers to the owner for both. DBIA's prospectus projects 47% of U.S. construction spending will be design-build by 2028.
Construction manager at risk
A delivery method where a construction manager joins during design and then guarantees a maximum price for building it. Owners and program managers at CMAA compare it with design-build.
Owner's representative
The person or firm a building owner hires to watch cost, schedule and quality on its behalf. Many CMAA members do this work for public agencies and universities.
Specialty distributor
A wholesaler that sells tools, fasteners, anchors and jobsite supplies to professional contractors. STAFDA is their association, and its trade show is where manufacturers meet them.

Money and contracts

Retainage
A share of each progress payment the owner holds back until the work is finished and accepted. Construction CFOs track it job by job, and software and banking vendors at CFMA sell tools for it.
WIP schedule
Work-in-progress report: one sheet that shows each open job's contract value, cost to date, billing and expected profit. Sureties and banks read it before they extend credit.
Surety bond
A guarantee from a surety company that the contractor will finish the job and pay its subs and suppliers. Public projects require one, so surety firms exhibit where CFOs gather.
Change order
A signed change to the contract's scope, price or time after work has started. Most construction disputes, and many talks at the Construction SuperConference, start with one.
Expert witness
A scheduling, cost or engineering specialist who gives an independent opinion in a construction claim. Claims and forensic firms sponsor at the Construction SuperConference to meet the lawyers who hire them.

On the safety desk

EHS
Environment, health and safety: the department that writes the safety program, buys the PPE and signs off on new equipment. EHS managers make up much of the NSC and ASSP audiences.
Personal fall arrest system
Harness, lanyard or self-retracting line, and anchor that together stop a fall from height. Buyers check fit, weight rating and inspection tags before they approve one.
Job hazard analysis
A short written review of each step of a task, the hazard it carries and the control for it, done before the work starts. Safety software vendors sell digital versions of it.
Competent person
The worker a contractor names as trained to spot hazards on a task and with authority to stop the work. Trench, scaffold and fall protection programs all require one.
Gas detector
A worn or portable meter that alarms on oxygen, combustible gas or toxic gas in a tank, trench or vault. Bump tests and calibration records are what a safety buyer asks about.

In the air and on the scan

Point cloud
Millions of measured 3D points captured by a laser scanner or lidar, the raw record of a site or building as it really stands. Geo Week is built around making and using them.
Photogrammetry
Measuring a site from overlapping photos, usually taken by a drone, and stitching them into a map or 3D model. It is cheaper than lidar and common for progress reports.
Remote pilot certificate
The FAA license a commercial drone pilot needs in the U.S. Drone program managers at Commercial UAV Expo ask how a product fits their certified pilots and their flight logs.
Interior flight zone
A netted area inside an exhibit hall where a drone may fly during a demo. At the Phoenix Convention Center it carries a 5 ft safety zone around the net.

On the expo floor

Height zone
A rule that sets how tall a booth may be in each part of the space. At NSC 2027, an inline keeps 8 ft in the back 5 ft and 4 ft in the front 5 ft.
Endcap
A booth at the end of an aisle row, open on three sides. CMAA does not allow endcap booths, so check the floor plan before you design for three open sides.
Expo-only pass
A badge that admits a visitor to the exhibit hall but not the sessions. ASSP sells a three-day one, a cheap way for your customers to reach your booth.
Manufacturer/Supplier Council
MCAA's paid group of suppliers, $3,000 a year; only its participants exhibit at the MCAA convention, and booth picks follow their renewal dates.

13 MORE CONSTRUCTION GUIDES

More construction trade show guides Other job sites. Same plan.

Purple builds for the whole construction calendar. These guides cover the rest of it.

Trillium booth by Purple Exhibits: a matte black wall reading Imagery Delivered over a black counter with a copper triangle mark

YOUR PRODUCT. YOUR BUYERS. YOUR RULEBOOK.

Ready for move-in. We'll build to the rules.

From the height zones in Anaheim to the council breakfast in San Diego, let's plan a contractor or safety booth that passes the floor rules, puts the gear in people's hands and gives the owner a place to sit and price it. Fixed proposals, 30–45 day builds, shops in Fishkill, NY and Las Vegas, and your own project manager on site.

Let's plan your contractor show booth
How we put this guide together, sources and photo credits

Researched and written by the Purple Exhibits team. Updated November 13, 2026. Show dates, venues, prices and rules come from each organizer’s published pages, linked on every show card. Fit notes, booth ideas and planning tools are our editorial guidance from building booths for contractors, tech & safety exhibitors. Listings are not paid placements. The guide covers U.S. business-to-business events plus selected international shows.

Photos: Adobe Stock · Emmy E / Pexels · DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ / Pexels · Adobe Stock · Adobe Stock · cottonbro studio / Pexels · K / Pexels · Kaboompics.com / Pexels · Adobe Stock · Adobe Stock · Erick Ortega / Pexels · Winston Lim / Pexels · Nelson Axigoth / Pexels · Adobe Stock · Deniz ŞENGÜL / Pexels · Sonny Sixteen / Pexels · Ahmed / Pexels · Brett Sayles / Pexels · Khwanchai Phanthong / Pexels · Gabriel Passos / Pexels · Bùi Hoàng Long / Pexels. Booth photographs: Purple Exhibits.

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