Market and trade challenges are pushing executives to be more forward thinking than ever before, and industry conferences can help prepare leaders in steering their businesses.
From networking to panels and music, these events help prepare attendees with insight and optimism to pull through setbacks and gain competitive edges, thanks to keynote speakers, breakout sessions and more.
Whether talking with speakers before and after panels or meeting fellow conference goers during and after networking events, vital connections can help companies make the most of the market regardless of which direction it's headed.
To help you prepare for the 2026 conference season, we've put together a list of the top trucking shows in the U.S. below along with a quick summary of each. We also reached out to organizers for some information. Some conference details were left as TBD until they are officially announced.
Top trucking conferences for 2026
BulkLoads 2026 Bulk Freight Conference
Jan. 7-9
Hilton Branson Convention Center in Missouri
This conference, in its fourth year, is aimed specifically at the bulk freight industry that brings together industry players ranging from owner-operators to carriers, brokers and shippers.
SMC³ Jump Start 2026
Jan. 26-28
Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center, Georgia
From sessions with topics such as the National Motor Freight Classification overhaul to an array of speakers that includes Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings CEO Adam Miller, this conference brings together a range of industry players and topics.
Manifest Vegas
Feb. 9-11
The Venetian, Las Vegas
Encounter logistics and supply chain executives and top industry leaders in an event featuring over 400 speakers to find out more about leading innovation and technology.
Truckload 2026
Feb. 28-March 3
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida
This year's Truckload Carriers Association marquee event features Jimmy Johnson, former back-to-back Super Bowl-winning Cowboys head coach, as its keynote speaker. And that's just one highlight of an event ripe with education, exhibits and networking.
Work Truck Week
March 10-13
Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis
Experience educational sessions, exhibits and the latest equipment and technology. The event helps kick off the year with what organizers bill as “more than a trade show.”
Mid-America Trucking Show
March 26-28
Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville
Check out hundreds of exhibits as some 50,000-plus attendees pour into the multiday event.
National Tank Truck Carriers Annual Conference
April 20-22
Baltimore, Maryland
Check back for more details on the 2026 event that's focused on "safety, policy, workforce development, and operational excellence" and bringing together a range of stakeholders.
Advanced Clean Transportation Expo
May 4-7
Las Vegas Convention Center
Gain perspectives on alternative fueling solutions amid shifting government priorities. Observe the latest technology, hear about energy policy and trends and discover an expo hall featuring hundreds of exhibitors.
NPTC National Safety Conference
May 9-11
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
Educational and networking opportunities abound in the National Private Truck Council’s multiday event featuring panels, presentations and workshops.
Broker-Carrier Summit
Date and location TBD
Bringing together brokers and carriers to highlight their partnerships, this event features networking, education sessions and more.
National Truck Driving Championships
Aug. 11-14
David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Witness the heralded competition that brings together the best-of-the-best accident-free drivers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of the profession.
FTR Transportation Conference
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Location TBD
Mark your calendars for another must-see event on the conference circuit, powered by FTR Freight & Analytics' analysts and the firm's well-connected network of presenters and panelists.
Intermodal Expo
Sept. 14-16
Long Beach Convention Center, California
The Intermodal Association of North America features one of the biggest events of the year with this multiday event ripe for connecting with peers and getting the latest intel about the industry.
NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2026
Marriott Long Beach Downtown in California
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association's annual event features speakers, strategies and more to help enhance trucking security. Hear from industry leaders and network with IT and cybersecurity professionals serving the trucking industry.
Inland Distribution Conference 2026
Date and location TBD
Join key leaders for informational sessions in a key transportation industry conference. Hosted by the Journal of Commerce, the event spans across transportation modes.
CSCMP’s EDGE 2026
Oct. 4-7
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee
The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ annual conference, an industry staple, gives attendees the chance to discover the latest innovations, new strategies, and best practices shaping the industry, thanks to dozens of sessions, over 175 exhibitors and more.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Date and location TBD
A key conference from FreightWaves connects industry leaders with exhibits, networking and more.
ATA Management Conference & Exhibition
Oct. 17-20
Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina
The American Trucking Associations’ event brings attendees together to recognize the leading issues affecting the industry, coupled with top-notch fanfare with networking, entertainment and presentations.
Accelerate! Conference & Expo
Date and location TBD
The Women In Trucking Association's annual event draws thousands of attendees and features breakout sessions, networking opportunities and other activities celebrating the industry's workforce.
Editor’s note: This article will be updated in January and June.
