The Best Trade Shows for New Industrial Startups (And Why You Need a Portable Booth)

Starting an industrial business isn’t just about making great products or building out slick processes—it’s also about getting noticed. One of the fastest ways to grow your network, generate leads, and stay ahead of trends is by hitting up the right trade shows. If you’re launching a new industrial brand, here’s your cheat sheet to the events you need to be at—and a heads-up on something no one tells you: you need a killer, portable booth. Let’s break it down.

Top Trade Shows to Get on Your Radar

If you’re just getting into the industrial space, there are a few trade shows that are absolute musts. These aren’t just events—they’re ecosystems full of potential customers, partners, investors, and future collaborators.

IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show)

📍 Chicago, IL

This is the big one. IMTS is massive and draws thousands of companies in machining, automation, and advanced manufacturing. If you’re in this space, you can’t afford to skip it.

FABTECH

📍 Rotates cities: Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas

FABTECH is ideal if you’re into welding, metal forming, or fabrication tech. Think: heavy machinery meets next-gen robotics.

MODEX / ProMat

📍 Atlanta or Chicago

These shows are goldmines for businesses in logistics, supply chain automation, or warehouse tech. Great if you’re pushing software or hardware that keeps things moving.

PACK EXPO

📍 Las Vegas or Chicago

Perfect if your products relate to packaging, bottling, or food processing equipment. There’s a big mix of industrial tech here.

Want to think bigger? International shows like Hannover Messe in Germany or EMO in Europe are totally worth it once you’re ready to scale globally.

The Power of a Portable Booth

Now, here’s something most newbies miss: you need a solid, portable booth setup. Trade shows aren’t just about showing up—they’re about standing out. If your booth looks like it was slapped together the night before, you’re already behind.

A good portable booth should be:

Lightweight but sturdy

Easy to set up (think under 30 minutes)

Designed to fit in a standard vehicle or be shipped affordably

Branded clearly with your logo, product visuals, and a quick pitch

Pro tip: invest in modular displays and high-quality signage. Make it look like you’re bigger than you are. Confidence sells.

Having a booth that travels well means you can hit more shows in more cities without wrecking your budget or your back. It’s also a game-changer for consistency—your brand shows up the same way every time, which builds trust fast.

Final Thoughts

Trade shows can feel intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out. But with the right strategy—and the right setup—they can become one of your most powerful growth tools. Pick a few key shows, prep your pitch, and bring a booth that makes people stop and ask, “Who are you guys?”

Then smile, shake hands, and get to work.