Trade Show News

A major hotel landlord, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, is threatening to sell its San Francisco hotels if a new tax bill (AB 1869) becomes law, raising concerns for the city's downtown recovery and convention business. Industry groups warn that such sales could depress tax revenue and disrupt service levels. San Francisco's tourism recovery heavily relies on hotels for tax revenue, jobs, and convention activity.

The 2026 Northern California Hotelier Conference & Trade Show, a collaboration between CHLA and AAHOA, is scheduled for July 9, 2026, at the San Ramon Marriott. This one-day event gathers hundreds of hoteliers for educational sessions and a trade show, offering networking opportunities and showcasing innovations vital to the hotel industry. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Conventions and corporate meetings are increasingly driving San Francisco's tourism recovery, with AI and technology conferences significantly boosting hotel demand and event bookings at Moscone Center. The city anticipates 38 events at Moscone Center in 2026, including Microsoft Ignite, Figma Config, HubSpot's Inbound, AVEVA World, Snowflake, and Databricks.

Conventions and corporate meetings are significantly contributing to San Francisco's tourism recovery, with AI and technology conferences boosting hotel demand and event bookings at the Moscone Center. The city anticipates 24.2 million visitors in 2026, with spending projected to reach $9.9 billion, surpassing the 2019 record.

San Francisco's tourism is rebounding, with the San Francisco Travel Association forecasting 24.2 million visitors in 2026, an increase of 500,000 from 2025. This growth is significantly driven by AI-related conferences, conventions, and business events, boosting local spending and supporting hospitality jobs. The steady rise reflects growing confidence in the city's economy and convention business.

Apollo is set to merge Emerald and Questex in a $1.5 billion deal, creating a combined entity that will operate approximately 160 trade shows, conferences, and content-driven events. This significant industry consolidation is expected to impact the global events landscape, including major convention destinations.

A new survey, "The Experience Design Report: What's Shaping Live Experiences in 2026," by Encore and Boldpush, reveals that human connection remains paramount for attendee satisfaction in in-person meetings. While AI-driven tools are emerging, nearly half of planners prioritize attendee-to-attendee connection as the top driver of event success. The report suggests that as AI transforms automation, the value of live experiences lies in what AI cannot replace.

CredPR reports a growing trend of B2B dinners replacing traditional trade shows, driven by a desire for more intentional, curated networking experiences and reduced travel. The article highlights that these high-impact corporate dinners, such as 'HumanX SF 2026' mentioned as an event spotlight, are becoming the 'secret sauce' for companies seeking to promote through events. This shift reflects a post-2020 change in attendance patterns, with less pressure for large conference participation.

A new trend is emerging where curated B2B dinners are gaining preference over traditional large trade shows due to 'trade show fatigue' and a desire for more intentional networking. Companies are shifting towards smaller, high-impact dinner events to promote their businesses. This article highlights the strategic planning involved in these events, which are seen as a more effective alternative to large conferences.

The Bay Area Business Travel Association (BABTA) is hosting a "Joint Education Day: The Future of Travel & Leadership in The Age of AI" on May 8, 2026, at The Westin San Francisco Airport. This event will explore the evolving corporate travel landscape, focusing on AI-powered solutions and leadership development. It aims to bridge the gap between new technology and human connection in the industry.

Catalyst | San Francisco, a one-day working session for procurement executives, is scheduled for May 2026, focusing on the operational realities of AI in procurement. The event aims to help senior executives navigate the impact of AI on operating models, leadership accountability, and governance through peer-driven discussions and expert insights. It offers decision frameworks and action plans for attendees.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is scheduled for October 12th in San Francisco, bringing together 10,000 attendees for a startup and SaaS event at Moscone. The conference features the Startup Battlefield pitch competition, investor access, and tracks on AI, SaaS, and emerging technologies. It serves as a strategic event for startups seeking visibility and networking.

San Francisco is set to host numerous international conferences in 2026, attracting researchers, innovators, and industry leaders across fields like technology, AI, and healthcare. These events, held in world-class venues, aim to foster collaboration, explore emerging trends, and provide networking opportunities for professionals and academics.

App Growth Summit SF 2026 is an invite-only, highly curated event for app growth marketers, brand marketers, and developers. Held at The Midway, it features 45 speakers, 12 sessions, and two stages, focusing on acquisition, retention, engagement, and monetization strategies. The summit aims to connect over 300 app growth professionals for insights and networking.

The Moscone Center, San Francisco's premier convention venue, highlights upcoming events for 2026 on its official calendar. Featured conventions include the APA 2026 Annual Meeting (May 16-20, 2026), the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) 52nd Annual Convention (May 21-25, 2026), and Snowflake Summit 2026 (June 1-4, 2026). The center provides facilities for innovation, education, and commerce.

The San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation has expanded sidewalk power-washing efforts near the Moscone Center from twice a month to five days a week, aiming to improve safety and visitor experience. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the downtown area, especially with an increase in events. The expanded cleaning is a direct response to the growing number of conventions and visitors.

San Francisco's Moscone Center is highlighted for its public art program, commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission as part of its 2019 expansion. The collection includes large-scale murals, sculptures, mixed media, and paintings from renowned artists, such as Leo Villareal's LED light sculpture "Point Cloud." These artworks contribute to the convention center's appeal and the overall attendee experience.

The Moscone Center, San Francisco's premier meeting and exhibition facility, has joined the Pointr Connected Venue™ program, bringing indoor navigation, digital mapping, and analytics capabilities to the venue. This partnership aims to enhance the attendee experience with features like 'Blue Dot' navigation, allowing attendees to see their exact location and navigate complex event layouts. The collaboration reinforces Moscone Center's commitment to innovation and improving the event experience.

The Moscone Center has joined Pointr's Connected Venue™ program, integrating cutting-edge indoor navigation, digital mapping, and analytics capabilities. This partnership will enable Blue Dot navigation for attendees, enhancing the experience at San Francisco's premier meeting and exhibition facility.