Trade Show News

Convention attendees are a significant factor in Seattle's short-term rental market, increasing local lodging demand and creating concentrated visitor activity. Visit Seattle reported that July 2025 saw the highest monthly contracted convention room-night total in 14 years, highlighting the impact of a busy convention center.

Seattle continues to experience robust convention demand, significantly supported by the Seattle Convention Center's Summit addition. The city's hospitality sector also remains strong, with new hotels like the InterContinental Bellevue and AC Hotel Seattle Downtown contributing to its growing offerings.

A developer is moving forward with plans for a 12-story hotel and residential project at 2934 Western Ave. in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, with a land use application submitted on October 1. The project includes a level of hotel rooms on the third floor, impacting the hospitality sector that serves trade shows.

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce will host its Regional Leadership Conference from October 21-23, 2026, at Suncadia Resort. The conference aims to convene business, civic, and community leaders to explore regional opportunities and challenges through dialogue, collaboration, and networking.

A 2026 economic impact analysis by Community Attributes Inc. reveals that Seattle Center activity generated approximately $2.1 billion in business output, supporting 12,670 jobs and $650 million in labor income. Visitor spending contributed nearly $2.3 billion in business output and over 14,000 jobs.

Smith was appointed to the Seattle Convention Center Board in 2026 by Governor Bob Ferguson. This appointment is part of the ongoing governance of the Public Facilities District that operates the convention center. The board comprises nine community members appointed by the State of Washington, King County, and the City of Seattle.

Visit Seattle has appointed Rachael Riggs as Vice President, Meetings and Conventions, and Mecelle Smith as Conventions Coordinator, both effective since 2026. These appointments aim to enhance the organization's convention sales and services efforts.

The 2026 SISO Leadership Conference, held in Seattle this past August, brought together independent show organizers to discuss key industry topics. The conference focused on themes like AI adoption, cost containment, and team culture, making it a significant gathering for leaders in the exhibition and events industry.

The 2026 North Puget Sound Contracting Conference (NPSCC) will return to the Lynnwood Event Center this fall, offering two days of networking, education, matchmaking, and contracting opportunities. The event, presented by The District, will connect businesses, government agencies, prime contractors, and industry professionals.

The AGC Contractor Exchange, a popular annual event, will take place on October 14, 2026, offering specialty contractors face-to-face interviews with AGC general contractors to discuss capabilities and upcoming project opportunities. This free event is a significant opportunity for certified small-business and disadvantaged specialty contractors.

The Seattle Convention Center is set to host a variety of professional events and trade shows in October and November 2026, including the BECU Day of Purpose, Bisnow Conference - PNW Healthcare, PSBJ Small Business Summit, 2026 Seattle National College Fair, GeekGirlCon '26, The Oddities & Curiosities Expo, AAP 2026 Annual Meeting, Smartsheet ENGAGE 2026, A4LE LearningSCAPES 2026, Emerald City Card Show, and AMP 2026 Annual Meeting & Expo. Other notable events include SASE STEMConnect 2026, 108th AAOMS Annual Meeting, AI Governance Global 2026, NAFSA 2026 Biregional I and XII Conference, Washington State Solar Summit, MozCon, Pacific Marine Expo, and UW Medicine Seattle Marathon Health & Fitness Expo.

The Seattle Convention Center is set to host several major events in late 2026, including the Out & Equal Workplace Summit (Oct 12-15), LearningSCAPES (Nov 4-7), the Association for Molecular Pathology Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov 10-14), and the Seattle Interactive Conference (Oct 12-13). These events will take place at the Arch building.

The Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair is scheduled for October 24-25, 2026, at Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center, attracting sellers from across North America. The event offers thousands of collectible books, prints, maps, and other items, providing an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to connect.

Seattle is set to host its annual rare book and paper event on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center. The Book Club of Washington will sponsor a guided tour of the fair, led by Portland-based bookseller Scott Brown. The event provides an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to explore and trade rare books and related items.

Seattle is set to host its annual rare book and paper event on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center. The fair will feature a guided tour sponsored by The Book Club of Washington.

The Seattle Convention Center has been awarded the 2026 IAVM Venue Excellence Award. This recognition highlights the center's commitment to operational excellence and its role as a premier event facility.

The Seattle Convention Center launched C-STAR, a new street-level safety and resource hub at 810 Pike Street, in collaboration with the Seattle Police Department and community partners. This initiative aims to enhance safety and hospitality downtown, serving both convention attendees and the surrounding community.

The Seattle Convention Center (SCC) marked a new milestone on October 8 with the opening of C-STAR, a street-level safety and resource hub at 810 Pike Street. This initiative aims to create a visible place for visitors, neighbors, and public-safety partners to connect, extending the SCC's commitment to downtown Seattle beyond its walls. C-STAR, which stands for Convention – Safety Technology Action Result, integrates hospitality, public-safety resources, information, and technology in one accessible location.

The Seattle Convention Center (SCC) and the Seattle Police Department opened C-STAR, a new street-level safety and resource hub at 810 Pike Street, on October 8, 2026. C-STAR aims to enhance safety and hospitality for SCC guests, event attendees, and the wider downtown community.

The Seattle Convention Center has opened C-STAR, a new street-level public safety and resource hub at 810 Pike Street, in partnership with the Seattle Police Department. This initiative aims to provide a visible security presence and a convenient connection for attendees and the community.