Honoring the past and building the future at METALCON 2026

By Emma Peterson. 

METALCON is celebrating its 35th anniversary with special exhibits, networking events, industry awards and community celebrations!  

2026 marks 35 years of METALCON – the leading event for metal construction professionals. And this year’s show has a variety of special events planned to both celebrate this milestone and help professionals across the industry prepare for another 35 years of shaping the metal industry’s future. Here’s a shortlist of the events to expect from this year’s show, which is planned for October 7-9, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida!  

Steel on the Move Experience 

METALCON isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary this year, U.S. Steel is celebrating 125 years of innovation in 2026! And to honor it, they have created a special Steel on the Move Experience that is coming to the METALCON show.  

This exhibit is an immersive experience that showcases “the story of steel and its essential role in building the infrastructure, products and communities that power everyday life.” It will be located at the center of the exhibit hall, making it easy for all attendees to stop by and explore the engaging displays, interactive content and inspiring stories.  

Learn more!

The 2026 METALCON Top Product Awards 

The annual product awards are back — this is its sixth year! These awards celebrate the innovative products, technologies and solutions that exhibitors at METALCON bring to the table. And the results are decided by YOU!  

So, make sure you fill out your voting form as you explore the expo floor (which will host more than 250 booths this year!). Voting ends on October 7, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET with announcements of the winners hosted at the show October 8, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. 

See the nominees!

Forge: Where women in metal shape what’s next 

This is the only event on this list that is separately ticketed (meaning you need to register for it in addition to your general METALCON registration), but it’s well worth the time and the $35 ticket!   

Hosted the day before the METALCON show kicks off, the Forge centers around the incredible female professionals who are pushing the metal industry forward. It offers everyone from emerging professionals to industry veterans a chance to sit in a room of women who understand exactly what you do and how hard you’ve worked to get where you are today. 

Attendees can look forward to a keynote from Rita Goodroe; a panel discussion featuring Bryce Batts, Kate Glantz, Erin Hoffman and Amanda Turner; networking activities and a reception sponsored by National Women in Roofing (NWIR). This is a must-attend for those looking for meaningful conversation, leadership insights and genuine connections that extend well beyond METALCON.  

Learn more.

Oktoberfest 

METALCON is all about bringing learning, fun and community together and no event is better representative of this than their Oktoberfest expo experience! The event officially kicks off on Wednesday, October 7 at The Backyard with a golf simulator challenge sponsored by HELIX Metalforming and John Stortz & Son. The rest of the celebration will happen at various exhibitor booths across the expo floor.  

See the schedule!

Speed networking 

With all the education sessions and other events happening, it can be hard to find time for spur-of-the-moment networking, which is why METALCON has set up a speed networking event for Wednesday night (10/7/2026). This is a huge opportunity to “meet contractors, manufacturers, architects, fabricators, suppliers and industry leaders through short, structured conversations designed to spark real relationships and business opportunities. 

Each round will last just a few minutes, so make sure you bring your business cards and strong elevator pitch!  

METALCON 35th anniversary bash 

And last but certainly not least, METALCON will be hosting a special 35th anniversary bash on Wednesday, right after the speed networking event!  

This party celebrates the community that has grown around METALCON since the first gathering back in 1991. It also puts the spotlight on METALCON’s special Legacy 10 companies who have been at every show! These companies include:  

1. AkzoNobel: AkzoNobel has been a trusted METALCON exhibitor since the very beginning, showcasing their advanced paints and coatings to the attendees of the show. 
2. ATAS International: For more than 60 years, ATAS International has manufactured high-performance metal roofing, wall, ceiling and perimeter systems and for over half that time they’ve been supporting METALCON. 
3. Atlas Bolt & Screw: The Atlas team describes METALCON as “more than a trade show” and have been showcasing their commitment to building lasting relationships with contractors, manufacturers and industry partners by attending every show.  
4. AZZ Precoat Metals: As one of North America's leading providers of coil coating solutions, AZZ has met their customers at METALCON year-after-year. 
5. Englert: For years (35 to be precise) Englert has used METALCON to meet the architects, contractors and decision makers who use their metal roofing, gutter systems and rainware products in the field. 
6. Metal Construction News: A leading industry publication, their team has been at every METALCON show providing media support. 
7. McElroy Metal: As a manufacturer of metal-specific products, it only makes sense the McElroy Metal has been at every one of METALCON’s metal-dedicated shows. 
8. Metal Rollforming Systems: When asked why their team has made it a priority to attend METALCON all 35 years, the Metal Rollforming Systems team put it simply, “These connections allow us to stay ahead of market trends.” 
9. PPG: PPG has been in front of customers and behind the scenes supporting METALCON through initiatives like the Design District for decades now. 
10. Roof Hugger: Since METALCON’s inception, Roof Hugger has been there. Their longstanding commitment exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines the event. 

Overall, this bash is a must-attend of the 2026 show as it boasts a full schedule of food, drinks, entertainment and community that you won’t want to miss.  

Get your tickets today 

Don’t miss your chance to attend these incredible events, as well as explore METALCON’s extensive expo floor and education programming! The show will be hosted October 7-9, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. All events listed above are included in your registration except for the Forge, which is a separately ticketed event. Advance sign-up is encouraged.  

Register for the show today and use code 30MCS for $30 off your show pass!