Best Mechanical & HVAC Trade Shows for Commercial Service Contractors
There are many HVAC and mechanical trade shows vying for your attention and attendance. And we know it would be great to attend them all as these events are so often valuable and invigorating—but we also know that’s not normally possible. Too many shows, too little time, and a limited budget! That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top seven U.S. and Canadian conferences for HVAC and mechanical contractors. These are the heavy hitters that offer the most value in terms of networking, speakers, exhibitors, and fun.
Not all of these events are perfect for every business, but all of them offer valuable opportunities to learn about new trends in the HVAC and mechanical industry, network, and check out new products from suppliers, manufacturers and technology partners.

MCAA Convention 2026
The MCAA Convention is one of the largest and most robust mechanical events of the year. The conference offers many opportunities for contractors to learn, network, and engage with partners and vendors. The conference offers impressive keynote speakers, entertainment, and packages for family members, including children.
2026 Date:March 15-19
2026 Location: Phoenix, AZ
Website: https://mcaaconvention.org/
CMPX 2026
CMPX is Canada’s show for HVACR and plumbing contractors. The show, which features over 500 exhibitors is a valuable event for Canadian contractors who want to learn about innovative new products, stay current with the latest code and regulatory trends, and network with industry peers.
2026 Date: March 25 – 27, 2026
2026 Location: Toronto, Canada
Website: https://www.cmpxshow.com/
MSCA 2026 Annual Education Conference
This leading conference, specifically for mechanical service contractors, features current issues and trends in service and service sales management, personnel, finance, marketing, training and recruiting. The conference consists of networking opportunities, educational sessions, peer-group sessions, and exhibitors. ServiceTrade will be among the exhibitors. We hope to see you there!
2026 Date: November 8 – 11, 2026
2026 Location: Austin, TX
Website: https://www.mcaa.org/events/calendar/2026-msca-annual-education-conference/
SMACNA 2026
A four-day event for SMACNA members, chapter executives, and associate members. This conference features educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a product show with dozens of the industry’s most prominent suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers.
2026 Date: October 25 – 28, 2026
2026 Location: Orlando, FL
Website: https://www.smacna.org/education-events/calendar-of-events

ServiceTrade Chief Technology Officer Brian Smithwick spoke to a packed room at the 2025 SMACNA Convention about practical AI for mechanical contractors.
MCAC 2026
MCAC offers a robust program for Canadian contractors, focusing on networking and educational sessions. The conference is a leading event for Canadian commercial service contractors to reconnect, learn about future industry trends, and check out exhibitor solutions.
2026 Date: September 30-October 2, 2026
2026 Location: Kelowna, British Columbia
Website: https://mcac.ca/events/
AHR Expo 2027
The AHR Expo is a leading event for HVACR professionals, especially contractors who are looking to innovate with new technology. It features a comprehensive gathering of industry manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes and specialties. Exhibitors unveil the latest additions to their product line-ups, demonstrate what is new and innovative about the technologies, provide product details, and answer questions.
2027 Date: January 25 – 27, 2027
2025 Location: Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.ahrexpo.com
—
The events above offer the best in networking, engaging educational speakers, innovative exhibitors, and fun for your team. We hope you make room on your calendar for some (or all) of these events. And if so, we’ll see you there!
You can check all of the events ServiceTrade participates in here.
Fire and life safety work doesn’t look the same for every contractor. Some teams focus primarily on recurring inspections and compliance reporting. Others balance inspections with service calls, repairs, and ongoing maintenance across multiple sites and systems. Many fire protection businesses fall somewhere in between—managing a mix of scheduled inspections, emergency service, deficiency tracking, and […]
Mechanical inspections don’t look the same for every contractor. Residential teams need to move fast, stay consistent, and clearly communicate results to customers. Commercial contractors often need more capabilities—like detailed asset tracking, preventative maintenance, and help staying compliant. Many mechanical businesses sit somewhere in the middle, handling a mix of both. The problem? Most inspection […]