Automotive industry conferences to watch in 2026
The dates and locations for several of the major U.S. automotive conferences taking place in the first half of 2026 have been announced. Along with new vehicle reveals, this year’s conference lineup is gearing up to be a continuation of some of the focus of last year, including electric vehicles, battery technology, hybrid powertrains and the evolution of software-defined and connected vehicles.
The 2026 events kick off in early January with CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) followed by the long-running Detroit Auto Show. But the upcoming schedule includes others focusing on a wide range of auto industry topics that we anticipate will generate strong interest.
To help our readers sort through a crowded field of industry events happening all over the U.S., WardsAuto put together a list of notable ones that piqued our interest. We’ll update this list in January and again in June 2026, as more events are added to the 2026 calendar, so be sure to check back periodically to stay in the loop.
Since our team won’t be able to attend every event on our list, we’d love to hear your insights on this year’s conference lineup. Are you looking forward to a particular show? What topics do you think will spark the most conversations at these events?
Let us know with an email to [email protected].
CES 2026
Jan. 6 – 9
Las Vegas
CES 2025 drew over 140,000 attendees checking out technology and products from over 4,500 exhibitors. But over the past few years, the tech event has expanded to become an important showcase for automakers to show off their latest vehicles and technology alongside consumer products.
Last year, CES debuted its West Hall Mobility Stage to showcase and bring together leading companies and startups that are pushing mobility forward. The West Hall Mobility Stage is returning for 2026 and will feature breakthroughs in autonomous driving and connected vehicle technology.
Exhibitors in the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility category for 2026 include Hyundai Motor Group, Waymo, Nvidia, Valeo, Zoox and ZF Group.
Detroit Auto Show
Jan. 14 – 25
Detroit
At the Detroit Auto Show, attendees can get an up-close look at dozens of new vehicles from top global automakers, including electric vehicles.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show brings back the “indoor EV Experience” that allows guests to sit alongside a professional driver to experience a ride in a variety of electric vehicles. The indoor track features a 300-foot acceleration lane so attendees can experience what modern EVs can deliver.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show also includes the “Mobility Global Forum” Jan. 14 – 15 at Huntington Place in Detroit. This two-day event will include keynotes, panels discussions and fireside chats with industry experts. This year’s Mobility Global Forum theme is “Transforming Mobility: Innovation, Integration and Impact.”
The event also includes AutoMobili-D, a mobility expo dedicated to showcasing emerging automotive technologies from academia and tech startups.
NADA Show 2026
Feb. 3 – 6
Las Vegas
The 2026 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show is aimed at professionals in the automotive retail industry. The annual event hosts a major gathering of dealers, manufacturers, and suppliers to learn about business trends impacting the automotive retail landscape. Last year’s show in New Orleans attracted over 20,000 attendees.
NADA serves as an industry voice for franchised new car dealers in the U.S. The organization is an advocate for dealer-manufacturer relations, helping to address concerns with OEMs and distributors. The association also promotes franchised dealer interests before Congress, the executive branch and federal agencies to help dealers navigate regulation and policies that could impact their operations.
The show also provides networking opportunities to discuss emerging new technologies for automotive retail, including business strategies, market trends and digital sales tools for dealers.
The show’s other focus areas for automotive retailers includes leadership, hiring top talent to better serve customers and maintaining profitably in a highly competitive auto market. Retailers can also learn about the latest trends in the U.S. auto market, the best practices for dealership management and how to strengthen customer relationships.
NADA was founded in 1917 and advocates for over 16,000 members today before government, car and truck manufacturers, the media and public.
Chicago Auto Show
Feb. 7 – 16
Chicago
The Chicago Auto Show was established back in 1901 and this year’s event marks the 118th edition. The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), which is the oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization in the U.S., has produced the Chicago Auto Show since 1935.
The exhibitions this year include: multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, as well as a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and concept vehicles, antique and collector cars. An estimated 1,000 different vehicles will be on display at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show from over two dozen OEMs. Among the automakers participating in last year’s show were Ford, Stellantis, Jeep and Subaru.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to browse accessories and auto-related exhibits.
EV Charging Summit & Expo
March 17 – 19
Las Vegas
Organizers of the 2026 EV Charging Summit & Expo say it’s North America’s largest event dedicated to electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The event brings together industry professionals from various sectors involved in shaping the future of electric mobility.
The show will largely focus on the intersection of innovation, policy, finance and technology related to rollout of public EV charging infrastructure in the U.S.
The 2026 EV Charging Summit & Expo will feature a series of “Shop Talks”, which are peer-to-peer, industry-focused conversations facilitated by notable speakers, according to the show’s organizers. In these smaller discussion forums, attendees can ask questions, share insights and address challenges by tapping into the expertise of speakers.
Shop Talk topics for the upcoming show include “EV Charging Infrastructure for High-Density Cities”, “How to Ensure Successful EV Charging Deployment for Residential, Retail, and Mixed-Use Properties” and “Harnessing EVs as a Grid Resource” with vehicle-to-home charging technology.
WCX 2026
April 14 -16
Detroit
The WCX 2026 World Congress Experience is a tech-focused event covering topics of mobility engineering and education sponsored by SAE International. It serves a global mobility community of OEMs, suppliers and manufacturers and engineers that come together to overcome challenges and drive the industry forward.
Among the topics and discussions of the 2026 WCX are cutting-edge consumer insights, evolving regulatory standards, and deep-dive technical sessions covering the entire vehicle ecosystem. Discussion topics include electric propulsion, advanced powertrains, battery storage systems, smart manufacturing and vehicle hardware and software.
Attendees can also sit in on discussions about emerging regulations, or how to find the right supplier partnerships.
The Battery Show South
April 22 – 23
Charlotte, North Carolina
This conference is focused on the growing “Battery Belt” and clean energy industries in the Southeast U.S. The event informs decision-makers in battery manufacturing and automotive industries about the latest technologies across commercial and industrial transportation, including stationary energy storage systems, recycling, components, mining and aerospace.
The 2025 Battery Show South featured four tracks of technical education covering new methods of advanced battery design and latest technologies, including manufacturing development.
New York Auto Show
April 3 – 12
New York
The New York Auto Show allows attendees to get up close with new vehicles hitting the market, and the show is an opportunity for automakers to unveil vehicle designs of the future as well.
The 2025 show featured interactive exhibits, floor tours, educational seminars, and opportunities to test drive new vehicles, including electric vehicles. The show draws tens of thousands of attendees each year.
Participating automakers can also reach car buyers directly with their new models on display.
Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2026
April 21 -23
Huntington Beach, CA
The annual event hosted by Automotive Logistics is now in its 16th year. The conference is aimed at professionals in the finished vehicle logistics industry and will feature over 450 automotive leaders and more than 20 expert speakers, according to its website.
Attendees can gain insight and market intelligence from industry leaders. The conference will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions and workshops addressing topics such as how finished vehicle logistics can support the auto industry’s transformation and transition to electric vehicles, digitalization, sustainable transport, as well as more agile and leaner manufacturing operations.
The audience for this event includes senior management in global automotive logistics and supply chain, procurement professionals, and technology partners.
AutoTech 2026
June 2 – 4
Novi, Michigan
The annual AutoTech conference provides an opportunity to discover new automotive technology and innovation happening across the industry. The tech-focused event hosted by Informa offers opportunities to network with top executives, engineers and visionaries from leading automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and tech companies to learn more about what’s driving the industry forward.
Although the 2026 agenda is still being finalized, AutoTech 2025 featured panels with discussions about software-defined vehicles, the future of EVs and connectivity, as well as live demonstration of next-generation vehicle tech, including advanced driver assistance systems, artificial intelligence and augmented reality applications that are poised to transform the driving experience in the near future.
Disclosure: AutoTech 2026 is run by Informa, the owner of WardsAuto. Informa has no influence over WardsAuto’s coverage.
Automotive Chassis Systems 2026
Jun 9 – 11
Michigan – Location TBD
As its name implies, Automotive Chassis Systems 2026 will focus on technology that’s transforming vehicle braking, steering, suspension and chassis control systems. As the industry moves towards building more software-defence vehicles, new systems architectures are being developed that improve vehicle performance, ride comfort and handling, as well as safety.
The conference with feature presentations and panel discussion focused on advancements in steering braking and chassis controls, including best practices and solutions to challenges shared by OEMs. Last year’s speakers included experts from General Motors, ZF Group, Nexteer Automotive, Bosch and Hyundai Mobis.
SDV USA
June 29 – 30
San Francisco
SDV USA is focused on the development of software-defined vehicles, which prioritize software over hardware to enable new functionalities and business models for OEMs.
Attendees can learn about the latest advancements in vehicle software architecture, cloud solutions and over-the-air updates that are transforming how modern vehicles are being built from the ground up.
The conference also includes topics such as how artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to create new user experiences, enhance vehicle safety, and streamline the entire vehicle lifecycle from design to manufacturing.
Last year’s conference featured panel discussions on cybersecurity, open-source software and agile development, and how automakers and stakeholders are addressing these challenges.
Automated Transportation Symposium
July 27-30
San Diego
The Automated Transportation Symposium (ATS) produced by SAE International serves as a global forum for advancing SAE Levels 4 and 5 autonomous driving development, which requires no human supervision when active. ATS brings together innovators to address technical, regulatory, and policy challenges shaping the future of automated mobility.
Panels and breakout session topics include creating an effective regulatory framework, including legal issues and federal and state legislative priorities for deploying highly automated, driverless vehicles on public roads, such as robotaxis.
Attendees include a mix of automakers and Tier 1 suppliers, AV Startups and technology companies, federal and state transportation/safety agencies, and academic researchers and technical experts.
Paris Motor Show
October 12 – 18, 2026
Paris, France
The biennial Paris Motor Show attracts major global manufacturers, technology providers and hundreds of thousands of visitors. The 2026 show is expected to be a venue for both European and international OEMs to display their new vehicles, as the global auto industry continues its transition toward electrification. The show also serves as a platform to showcase future mobility concepts, such as electric and fuel cell vehicles, urban mobility solutions and autonomous driving technology.
2026 SEMA Show
Nov 3 – 6
Las Vegas
The annual Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show is a global conference dedicated to the automotive specialty equipment industry. The industry-only event brings together manufacturers, buyers and media to discover the latest products and trends in vehicle customization, performance and accessories. The show features product demonstrations, and networking opportunities with the global aftermarket community.
According to SEMA, the 2025 show attracted over 160,000 attendees to check out automotive aftermarket products from over 2,000 exhibitors.
Los Angeles Auto Show
November 2026 – Dates TBD
Los Angeles
The long-running Los Angeles Auto Show, founded in 1907, spans floor space of over one million square feet at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The show typically features hundreds of new vehicles on display and also offers test drives on indoor and outdoor test tracks so attendees can get behind the wheel of a variety of new EVs, hybrids, SUVs and other vehicles.
Automakers participating in recent years have included Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Ram, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.
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