Top Trade Shows and Expos in Montreal 2026–2027

Montreal is Canada’s second-largest events market and one of the busiest convention cities in North America. For exhibitors, that means a full calendar of trade shows for manufacturers, truckers, dentists and miners, and big public shows for car buyers, homeowners and outdoor fans.

This guide lists the trade shows and expos in Montreal from November 2026 through 2027, with dates, venues, who attends and how to plan a booth that works for a francophone audience.

Why Montreal matters for exhibitors

Business events are a major industry in Montreal. According to the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the city hosted 477 business events in 2025 that drew more than one million visitors and generated an estimated $438 million in economic spinoffs for Montreal and Quebec.

The Palais des congrès is at the centre of it. It hosted 281 events in 2025 with some 940,000 participants and visitors, accounting for 92% of participation and 63% of the economic value of business events in the city, according to the Government of Quebec newsroom. Montreal has also been named the leading destination in North America for international conventions for ten years in a row, according to the Palais and Tourisme Montréal.

“The 2025 results confirm the relevance of focussing on high-impact events.”

— Emmanuelle Legault, President and CEO, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Source: Retail Insider, February 2026

The Palais des congrès de Montréal

Almost every show on this list takes place at the Palais des congrès, on Saint-Antoine Street West between Old Montreal and downtown, with direct metro access at Place-d’Armes. Its central location makes it easy for visitors to come for a day, but parking and loading can be tight, so plan freight and move-in times carefully with the organiser and the venue’s official contractor.

Upcoming B2B trade shows in Montreal

These shows are restricted to trade visitors, so booths should focus on qualified conversations rather than entertainment.

ADM Montreal and its co-located shows

ADM Montreal brings design and manufacturing, automation (ATX), packaging (PACKEX), plastics (Expoplast) and powder and bulk solids together over two days. Engineers, plant managers and buyers from Quebec’s manufacturers move between the shows on one badge, so a clear, bilingual headline helps visitors understand what you do at a glance.

ExpoCam

ExpoCam is the national trucking show, held every two years at the Palais. Trucks and trailers are displayed indoors next to stands for parts, tires, telematics, financing and fleet services. Visitors are fleet owners, owner-operators, maintenance managers and drivers from Quebec and eastern Ontario.

CIM CONNECT

CIM CONNECT is the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s convention and trade show, drawing mine and mill engineers, geologists, metallurgists, consultants and students. For mining equipment and service suppliers, it is one of the most important professional events of the year.

Journées dentaires internationales du Québec

The JDIQ is Quebec’s major dental convention, with dentists, specialists, hygienists, assistants, practice managers and students visiting suppliers of equipment, materials and practice technology. It is a strong room for dental brands that want to reach Quebec clinics.

Public shows in Montreal

Montreal’s public shows are busy, family-friendly and mostly in French. They run mainly from January to March.

Auto show dates are from Bonjour Québec, and motorcycle show dates from Powersports Business.

Montreal International Auto Show

The auto show opens Canada’s auto show season each January. Carmakers take large stands, and aftermarket, accessory, EV charging, finance and insurance firms reach thousands of Quebec car buyers. Smaller exhibitors win with bright backlit graphics and one clear offer.

ExpoHabitation and the National Home Show

Montreal has two big home shows a month apart. ExpoHabitation in February focuses on buying and renovating, while the National Home Show in March covers renovation, design and home products. Contractors, kitchen and bath companies, window and door firms and condo developers exhibit to homeowners and first-time buyers planning projects.

Outdoor and powersports

The Motorcycle & Powersport Show and the Outdoor Adventure Show close out the winter season, reaching riders, campers, paddlers and travellers before spring.

Other shows on the Palais calendar

Several other public shows appear on event listings for the Palais, including the Salon du livre de Montréal (late November), the Salon des Artisans (December), the Salon du véhicule récréatif (March) and the Salon national de la femme (May). Confirm their dates with the organisers before planning.

Exhibiting in French

Montreal is a francophone city, and most visitors at public shows, and many at trade shows, will expect French. Quebec’s language rules generally require French on commercial signage, so check the organiser’s guidance before you print. In practice, the simplest approach is a French-first or bilingual backwall, with French-speaking staff at the front of the booth.

If you exhibit in both Montreal and Toronto, you can keep the same frames and print a French graphic for Montreal. A retractable banner stand is also an easy way to add a French panel to an existing English booth.

How to choose the right Montreal show

Match the audience

If you sell to manufacturers, ADM is the room. Trucking suppliers belong at ExpoCam, mining suppliers at CIM CONNECT and dental suppliers at the JDIQ. Consumer brands should choose the public show that matches their product: auto, home, outdoor or powersports.

Plan around the season

Public shows cluster between January and March, so print slots and freight get busy. Order displays well before the holidays if you exhibit in the first quarter.

Budget for the whole show

A reusable display keeps the rest of the budget predictable, and our guide to trade show displays in Canada, with types, sizes and CAD prices breaks down what each format costs.

Booth planning for Montreal exhibitors

Lead with a clear, bilingual message

Visitors scan quickly. One strong headline in French (or French and English) and a strong image do more than a wall of text.

Light it up

Large exhibit halls at the Palais can feel dim. Backlit SEG displays make graphics stand out, and a hanging banner helps visitors find you where rigging is allowed.

Pick the display for your footprint

A 10 ft trade show display, a fitted table cover and booth kits sorted by size cover most Montreal booths.

Trade show booth versus public show booth

Common mistakes Montreal exhibitors make

• English-only graphics. Many visitors will walk past.
• No French-speaking staff. Conversations matter more than signs.
• Late freight planning. Downtown loading is busy; book move-in times early.
• Printing before the booth number is confirmed. Corner and inline booths need different side graphics.
• A cluttered booth. Keep it simple and open. Our booth design principles explain how.

Your next step: a pre-order checklist

1. Confirm dates, hall and booth number in writing with the organiser.
2. Read the exhibitor manual for height limits, power, demo rules and fabric fire-safety requirements.
3. Prepare French or bilingual artwork and plan French-speaking staff.
4. Choose the display for your footprint.
5. Request a free 2D mockup and get sign-off from everyone who needs to approve it. Production starts within 24 business hours of your written approval.
6. Tell us your show date and delivery address when you order so we can confirm timing.
7. Do a test build before the show.

Plan your Montreal booth with a free mockup

Pick your show, lock in your booth number, then request a free 2D mockup to see your artwork on the exact frame size before anything goes to print. Our in-house designers can get your file print-ready at no extra cost.