The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

JEC World 2026 recorded more than 45,000 professional visits, in line with 2025 results, despite the situation in the Middle East and challenging travel conditions, including airline disruptions affecting attendees traveling via major transit hubs in the Gulf. Visitors in 2026 came from 94 countries, once again demonstrating the event’s undisputed global relevance as a key meeting point for the composites industry.

“The strong international turnout at JEC World 2026 once again demonstrated the need for in-person collaboration across the global composites industry to foster business, partnerships, and knowledge sharing. Innovation and industry growth in our sector rely on close interaction between material suppliers, manufacturers, researchers, and academics. Every year, JEC World provides the unique global platform where these connections happen” said Eric Pierrejean, President of JEC.

A Festival of Composites: Where Materials Meet Applications across industries

The JEC World 2026 edition welcomed professionals from a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, marine, defense, renewable energy, mobility, as well as sports and leisure. Throughout the show, attendees explored a comprehensive offering of products on display, live equipment demonstrations, and a rich conference program. Dedicated conferences on construction, aerospace, marine, as well as circular materials were widely praised by participants.

“JEC World is not only the annual global meeting of the composites industry, bringing together materials, machines, equipment, manufacturing technologies, and services. It is also a unique “Festival of Composites,” a place where professionals from diverse industries can discover how composites address their key challenges, particularly in terms of sustainability, decarbonization, and durability. At JEC World, they can explore existing products and applications and find inspiration for the development of future solutions,” said Eric Pierrejean, President of JEC.

In this context, the official JEC selection of more than 80 parts and components presented at the Innovation Planets was a must-see, alongside the many innovative products displayed across exhibitors’ booths.

In addition, the Live Demo Area featured real-time demonstrations of composite manufacturing processes and equipment, allowing attendees to experience technologies in action and interact directly with experts. In the Discovery Planet, a dedicated exhibition on the History of Composites in Aeronautics highlighted how composites have been instrumental in the development of modern aircraft, paving the way for future developments.

A Powerhouse of Business Opportunities

JEC World is more than ever serving as a powerful business platform for the entire composites value chain — from raw materials and manufacturing technologies to end-user applications. This year, business activity was particularly strong, with more than 20,300 pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers, organized through the JEC Business Meetings Service — an increase of 49% compared to 2025.

“Business is at the core of JEC World,” said Thomas Lepretre, Vice President, Events, Sales, and Operations at JEC. “This year’s numbers confirms that the event continues to strengthen its role as a global marketplace for composites. By bringing together the entire value chain, and key application sectors under one roof, JEC World creates unique opportunities for partnerships and investments. Where else can you do a year’s worth of businesses in three days?”

The business energy extended well beyond pre-scheduled meetings. The Country on Stage session on Saudi Arabia, hosted by OSP, highlighted how Vision 2030 is transforming the Kingdom into a hub for composites innovation, smart manufacturing, and advanced materials, with opportunities spanning energy, infrastructure, and high-tech industries.

Celebrating Excellence: From Startup awards to Student Design

More than 70 startups exhibited at JEC World, demonstrating the industry’s innovation pipeline. For the second consecutive year, JEC World also hosted a dedicated Investor Day, bringing together venture capitalists, some fifty startup founders and investors for one-on-one meetings, show floor visits and exclusive networking, giving investors privileged access to one of the most promising markets in advanced materials.

One of the highlights of the event, the JEC Composites Startup Booster — the world’s leading startup competition in composites and advanced materials — crowned three winners from 20 international finalists, selected from more than 160 applications.

• Grand Winner: Soarce (USA). Developing nanofiber technologies that make composites up to eight times stronger than steel.
• Runner-Up: nebumind (Germany). Turning production data into actionable insights for advanced manufacturing.
• Sustainability Winner: Plastalyst by AC Biode (Luxembourg/Japan). enabling low-temperature recycling of hard-to-recycle waste.

The SMC BMC Design Award 2026, themed “Live Better, Live Green,” recognized outstanding student designs in SMC and BMC materials. Gold went to ‘Hedera’ (Elisava Barcelona, Spain), a modular vertical garden system for building facades; Silver to ‘Domum Shelter’ (TU Delft, The Netherlands), a rapid-deploy shelter for refugees; and Bronze to ‘GROWi’ (ESAD Oporto, Portugal / Shenkar College, Israel), a soil-free modular aeroponics system.

The 11 award-winning solutions of the JEC Composites Innovation Awards were also on display, offering attendees the opportunity to discover and engage directly with the teams behind some of the year’s most outstanding composite innovations. The laureates were also honored during the official Welcome Ceremony, highlighting JEC World’s commitment to celebrating excellence and fostering collaboration across the global composites community.

A Record Conference Program: 100 Sessions, 200 Speakers

JEC World 2026 delivered its most ambitious conference program to date, with over 100 sessions and more than 200 speakers sharing scientific expertise, industrial experience, and market perspectives over the three days. Highlights included a masterclass by industry pioneer Professor Steve Tsai on Double-Double (DD) laminates, which drew exceptional attendance, as well as the SAMPE Technical Sessions, where experts from around the world presented the latest technological advances across four major themes: True Circularity, Accelerating Materials and Process Development Through Digitization, Advanced Manufacturing and Extreme Composites.

As part of the SAMPE Global Emerging Engineers Challenge, three finalist teams took to the Open Stage on March 11th to present their projects live before a panel of industry judges, who then awarded the winner.

• SAMPE Global Emerging Engineers Challenge 2026 Winner: The Future of Lightweight Spacecraft Structures | Nico Peters & Nick Elderfield, University of Calgary, Canada.

The two other finalists were:

• Structural Carbon Fibers from Waste CO₂ | Spencer Dansereau & Wesley Whitaker, Mach Electric, United States.
• Project Delta | Andrew Orr, Emma Clarke, Erin Callaghan & Stuart Dunlop, Boeing UK, United Kingdom.

A Media Hub for the Composites Industry — Content on Demand

Over three days, JEC world offered an unprecedented content program across three stages and a Live Demo Area, featuring keynotes, panel discussions, startup pitches, and live demonstrations. For the first time, JEC World also hosted a dedicated on-site Media Hub, bringing together a television studio, podcast room, and a blogging space in one location.

As no attendee fully can take in all content on site, the JEC Web TV, JEC’s online video platform, offers replays of all JEC World sessions, as well as exclusive interviews with industry leaders and experts.

JEC World 2027: 2–4 March, Paris Nord Villepinte

The global composites community will return to Paris from 2 March to 4 March 2027. To date, half of the exhibition space has already been reserved.

Key Figures — JEC World 2026

• 1,400+ exhibitors, 150+ new ones
• 45,000+ professional visits from 94 countries
• 27 regional and national pavilions
• 18 official delegations (national and regional).
• 20,300 pre-scheduled business meetings (+49% vs 2025)
• 3 JEC Composites Startup Booster winners & 20 finalists
• 11 JEC innovation awards winners among 33 finalists
• 100+ sessions featuring 200+ speakers on 3 stages during 3 days
• 140+ videos and interviews available on demand

Link to JEC World 2026 photo library: https://www.jeccomposites.com/jec-world-photo-library-2026/

PRESS CONTACTS
JEC
Hanna von Wendt
vonwendt@jeccomposites.com
Vanessa Galvez
galvez@jeccomposites.com

Rumeur Publique
Jérôme Saczewski – Christelle Grelou – Ingrid Jaunet – Anaëlle Djadjo
christelle.grelou@rumeurpublique.fr – ingrid.jaunet@rumeurpublique.fr – anaelle.djadjo@rumeurpublique.fr
+33 (0)6 46 54 94 51

About JEC

JEC Group is a non-profit organization entirely dedicated to promoting composite materials and fostering their applications globally. Publisher of the JEC Composites Magazine, the industry reference magazine, JEC organizes several events around the world, including JEC World, the leading international exhibition dedicated to composites and their applications, which takes place annually in Paris. JEC media, events and digital channels connect a global community of professionals from the composites industry and beyond, to enable knowledge transfer, create networking opportunities, and highlight innovation.

JEC: Connecting the World with Composites
www.jeccomposites.com

The post JEC World 2026 Confirms its Standing as the Unmissable Event for Composites and their Applications appeared first on World Construction Today.

Growth in earthmoving is supporting the sector, while global uncertainties and less dynamic demand are having a negative impact. Positive signals from several international markets waiting for SaMoTer 2026, International Triennial Construction Machinery Exhibition scheduled at Veronafiere on 6-9 May 2026.

Italian construction machinery exports posted a total value in 2025 of approximately 3 billion 226 million euros, recording a slight downturn of 0.5% compared to the previous year. These results confirm the general stability of the sector, despite the challenges of international markets, global economic uncertainties, and trade tensions that continue to impact exports negatively.

These details emerged from analysis of data in the third International Trade Report-2026 prepared by Unacea (Italian Construction Machinery Union) in collaboration with CER (European Research Centre), waiting for SaMoTer 2026, International Triennial Construction Machinery Exhibition scheduled at Veronafiere on 6-9 May 2026.

“Notwithstanding the complex international context,” said Luca Nutarelli, Director of Unacea, “the construction machinery sector has demonstrated significant stability. Exports held firm, driven especially by earthmoving machinery, thereby confirming our sector’s ability to tackle global challenges. This result highlights the strength of Made in Italy, backed up by technological innovation, a focus on sustainability, and targeted investments in new markets. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuating international demand, the sector continues to be a strategic driver for the Italian economy by combining quality, efficiency, and competitiveness in key international markets.” The Italian construction equipment sector is a strategic segment within Italy’s mechanical engineering industry and a key enabler for the infrastructural development and sustainable transition of the construction sector. It generates approximately 0.3% of Italy’s GDP, with more than 21,000 machines sold on the market annually, providing around 85,000 jobs (including allied industries).

In this context, the 32^nd edition of SaMoTer is a strategic event accompanying the sector in this period of transformation by offering a business and discussion platform embracing the main drivers of development: innovation, sustainability and digitization. With 6 show halls, 3 outdoor areas, and a total area of over 50,000 square metres, with more than 500 exhibitors already registered, the event (organized by Veronafiere in partnership with Unacea and Cece) confirms its calibre as a key European hub for companies, operators, and stakeholders across the entire construction industry: from earthmoving to hoisting/lifting, demolition and drilling, not to mention crushing and quarry/construction site vehicles, as well as concrete, the road-building sector, without overlooking equipment, engine components, spare parts, logistics, services and ICT solutions. This four-day event will turn Verona into the hub for a sector that significantly impacts employment, innovation, and infrastructure development. The exhibition will consequently not only showcase products but also emerge as an economic and industrial observatory capable of interpreting market dynamics and guiding the choices of the entire supply chain.

The scenario outlined by Unacea highlights variable trends on the main destination markets, with signs of resilience and growth in certain areas that help offset the difficulties experienced in other international contexts, still affected by geopolitical uncertainties, trade tensions, and less dynamic global demand than in previous years. In particular, the solidity of more mature markets is matched by dynamism of a number of expanding areas, where investments in infrastructure and development programs continue to support demand for construction machinery, confirming the ability of Italian companies to adapt to diversified and constantly evolving scenarios.

Prospects for the sector, however, will depend on several key factors: from investments in infrastructure planned in Europe and major international markets, not the least in the light of economic recovery programmes and public development policies, to the technological transition towards increasingly efficient, safe, and sustainable machinery in line with the decarbonization and reduced environmental impact objectives. This is accompanied by expanding digitalization of construction sites and production processes that equally integrate innovative solutions that are progressively transforming the entire construction supply chain, while also improving its productivity, safety, and competitiveness on a global scale.

A closer look at product categories indicates that Italian exports posted heterogeneous dynamics last year. Earthmoving machinery and equipment are driving the sector, confirming their status as the most significant segment, with €1.55 billion in export sales, up 7.1% compared to 2024. Positive signals also come from tower cranes, posting 158.1 million euros (+3.2%), and road-building machinery, with 101.8 million euros (+3.6%). On the other hand, other segments in the supply chain posted downward trends: aggregate preparation machinery came to 633.3 million euros (–6.7%), drilling machinery to 485.6 million euros (–9.4%); concrete machinery posted exports worth 296.9 million euros (–9.8%). International markets where exports increased the most between January and December 2025 included Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Brazil, North Africa, and other African countries. The balance of trade in the sector in 2025 came to nearly 911 million euros, down by 14.1% compared to the previous year, confirming the continuing challenges on the international stage despite overall exports holding firm.

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Visitation at DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2026 is free of charge by registering here: Click Here

A TRUE INTERNATIONAL MEETING POINT

International attendance at DOMOTEX asia /CHINAFLOOR has long been one of its standout features. In 2025, the event was attended by 83,056 flooring professionals from 124 countries, including more than 18,000 international participants. With this expanded reach across worldwide markets, DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR has already become an unmissable meeting point for the global flooring industry and a platform of unparalleled opportunities.

For the upcoming edition, despite ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, the show continues to maintain strong momentum, with minimal impact on overall participation. Visitor registration is progressing steadily, in line with last year’s figures. Registration growth is especially notable from countries such as South Korea, Australia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam as well as the United States. Strong registration has been observed also from Canada and the United Kingdom, supported in part by recent visa waivers for travel to China and bilateral cooperation initiatives.

The show’s “Buyer Club” hospitality program has already set a record, with over 200 applicants just one month after its opening. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR continues its long-standing partnerships with regional industry associations, including the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA), Federparquet in Italy, Malaysia Interior Industry Partners Association (MIIP) among others, continuing to attract qualified buyers into this program and ensure high-value business connections.

EVENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2026 will feature an exciting lineup of industry events, workshops and seminars, with valuable regional markets’ statistics and insights, highlighting the trends and reflecting how evolving trade dynamics and consumer needs are shaping the Asian flooring industry.

Asia Flooring Talks: Asian Markets’ Insights and Trend Forecasting

This half-day, fully English-language workshop will take place on the second day of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2026, offering an in-depth look at the latest statistics, trends, and consumer preferences across Asia’s largest flooring markets. Through presentations and panel discussions, international industry experts, leading flooring companies, associations and industry media will share their perspectives on regions’ flooring market status. Topics will include market insights, innovations brought by the Asian manufacturers, Asia’s trends in the interior design, and other key developments. Confirmed speakers and moderators include, among others, Phil Buckley (CEO of Australasian Timber Flooring Association – ATFA); Elvin Tay (President at Malaysia Interior Industry Partners Association); Mallory Cruise-McGrath (Senior Managing Editor at Floor Covering Weekly), David Shi (GM at Power Dekor); Thomas Young, (Vice GM at Haima Group); Laetitia Kimblad (Director BU Flooring Technology at Valinge).

Sense-It! Design and Sensory Economy Summit – by cadex

Cadex for years has served as a premier platform within DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR, dedicated to fostering cross – industry collaboration for the contract, design, and architecture community. This year, the summit “Sense It! Design and Sensory Economy” will take place on for the first day of the show, bringing together Chinese and international experts in architecture and interior design, who will present their insights on integrating sensory economy with design and share real – world success stories, underscoring the immense potential of this fusion. Speakers include Edoardo Nieri (Founder & Design Director at Atelier Meadow); Peter Ippolito (Managing Partner & Creative Director at Ippolito Fleitz Group); Beatrice Rizzi (Asia Regional Director at DEDODESIGN) and Red Hu (Co-founder & Design Director at Greater Dog), among others. Following the main forum, the panel discussion “SHE DESIGN: Sensing Tomorrow” will convene exceptional female designers from diverse cultural backgrounds around the globe, to share their experiences of being at the vanguard of multi – disciplinary design, offering the industry fresh perspectives and invaluable inspiration.

E-Commerce in focus: Teaming Up with Red Note to showcase carpets

China’s e-commerce market has become one of the largest and most innovative in the world. In 2025, DOMOTEX asia partnered with Red Note, a leading lifestyle e-commerce and social media platform, to explore ecological development and innovative practices in the carpet and textile sector. The collaboration returns again in 2026, with carpets as the main featured category. Focusing on display and conversion, the partnership aims to develop an integrated model that combines brand showcasing, trend releases, influencer tours, and product matching, offering a deeper, more immersive experience for both brands and consumers.

These diverse and enriching events are open to all flooring professionals, providing a great opportunity to engage with industry leaders, discover the latest trends, and forge valuable business connections.

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The SaMoTer B2Press event was held on Friday 13th March, the exclusive networking occasion organized by Veronafiere ahead of the triennial international construction machinery exhibition scheduled in Verona 6-9 May 2026. The event was attended by 18 top brands in the sector, joined by 32 Italian and international journalists specialising in this field from the UK, Germany, Norway, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, France, Romania, Finland, and Scandinavia. The event was hosted in Veronafiere’s Congress Centre. This unique platform previewed technological innovations and product developments for the most authoritative publications and editorial groups in the construction industry.

“B2Press,” said Matteo Pasinato, SaMoTer event manager, “confirms SaMoTer’s strategic role as a landmark for the construction, earthmoving, and road -building machinery sectors. It is a perfect opportunity for establishing long-lasting relationships between companies and the international press, thereby creating the conditions for qualified visibility and targeted networking. Held just six weeks prior to the opening of SaMoTer, B2Press is a strategic step leading up to the Show, helping to strengthen media exposure for participating companies by accompanying them towards the event in May with a further acceleration in terms of presence and positioning.”

Thanks to an intense schedule of 15-minute one-to-one meetings between exhibitors and the press, companies had the chance to preview the salient features of their technological offerings and highlight the products on show at the 32nd SaMoTer.

The event included discussions of product innovations, automation, environmental sustainability, emission reduction and digitalisation of construction sites, culminating in a light lunch and an informal networking session, which encouraged further dialogue among participants. B2Press consequently stands as an essential showcase for exhibitors by contributing towards a stronger link between industry and specialist trade media, as well as generating editorial content to accompany the approach towards SaMoTer 2026.

The coming edition of the exhibition organised by Veronafiere in partnership with Unacea and Cece is making ready to welcome producers, dealers, contractors and professionals from all over the world, confirming its status as one of the key events on a European scale for the entire construction machinery supply chain: from earthmoving to hoisting/lifting, demolition, drilling and crushing machinery, alongside quarry and construction site vehicles, as well as concrete to the road building sector, set off by equipment, engine components, spare parts, logistics, services and ICT solutions. With six show halls and three outdoor areas, for four days Verona will become the hub for a sector that has a significant impact on employment, innovation, and infrastructure development. “SaMoTer 2026 is expected to welcome more than 500 exhibitors,” Matteo Pasinato added, “although this figure is still not yet definitive and is likely to increase significantly prior to the closing date for registrations on 10 April 2026.” During the trade fair, the SaMoTer Arena (Show Hall 9) there will also host an impressive calendar of conferences, technical workshops and in-depth insight sessions, involving trade associations, institutions, and operators, to analyze the construction sector’s development prospects on a national and international scale to guide the strategic choices of the entire sector.

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EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Cologne 2026: High degree of internationality and important market impulses

Around 33.000 trade visitors from 125 countries ++ Positive business dynamic thanks to high level of visitor quality ++ More than 90 percent foreign share of exhibitors ++ New sequence of days reinforces productive business days ++ Successful premiere of the EISENworkshop

With around 33.000 trade visitors from 125 countries and around 2,500 exhibitors from 53 nations, the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 gathered the global Hardware industry from 3 to 6 March in Cologne and thus confirmed its role as the world’s leading trade fair of the tool and hardware industry. The event took place under challenging geopolitical conditions: the tense security situation in the Middle East led in the short term to restrictions in international air transport, which individual exhibitors and trade visitors were affected by. A warning strike in the public transport system on the last day of the fair also made mobility within Cologne more difficult. Nonetheless, international participation remained at a high level.

Four intensive trade fair days brought marketable innovations to the area, stakeholders to the table and initiated concrete business projects. The high quality of trade visitors ensured a business-oriented atmosphere on the eleven hall levels, where the entire offering diversity of the hardware world was reflected – from tools and accessories through industrial supply and fasteners and fixings to home improvement.

An over 90 percent foreign share of exhibitors and 72 percent of visitors demonstrate the international reach of the trade fair and its great relevance for industry, trade and procurement.

The new sequence of days from Tuesday to Friday was well-received by exhibitors and visitors. It underlines the clear orientation of the trade fair to efficient business days and sends a clear signal with regard to the strategic positioning of the event.

“As a central industry start, the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair is for many companies a decisive point in time in the innovation and decision cycle. Assortments are planned, partnerships solidified and strategic courses set on location. This year’s event has shown that the need for personal exchange and reliable orientation in the market environment remains consistently high“, according to Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH. “This year’s event convinced particularly with its high degree of internationality and outstanding visitor quality. With formats like the EISENworkshop, we are consistently developing the trade fair further and also shifting the target group of professional end users more into focus.“

Feedback from the hardware industry

Trend barometer 2026: focus on sustainability, digitalisation and efficiency

63 submissions, three prize winners: EISENaward 2026 presented

EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair expands knowledge and practice offerings

EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 in figures

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The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) wrapped a monumental week in Vegas, taking over the Central and South Halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 2-4. 53,315 professionals – including engineers, sales channel partners, owners, contractors, installers and more – came together to experience the latest offering from 1,956 exhibitors over 578,980 sq. ft. of show floor.

“This industry just keeps getting more exciting,” said Show Manager, Jeff Stevens. “We’re proud to serve as the place where HVACR professionals come together to tackle emerging challenges and discover new opportunities. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, our work together is more important than ever in shaping a built environment that is comfortable, safe, and efficient.

AHR gives our industry the opportunity to connect with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships that move us forward.” The HVACR industry continues to dive ahead into smarter ways to provide heating, cooling and refrigeration to the built environment. The steadfast application of legacy technologies all the way through the introduction of novel products and practices allows professionals to converge and refresh their knowledge, discover new paths and expand a network to help align and achieve goals.

“AHR Expo is three days of productive engagement with valued customers, suppliers and partners,” said Steve Ribaudo, VP & GM, Commercial HVAC Americas at Carrier. “We wrapped up a truly energizing week in Las Vegas, where the team at AHR Expo and our incredible team put on an amazing show and customer reception.”

Experts lend access to education and training

This week in conversation we heard about data centers, methods to strengthen workforce
development initiatives, discussions of steadying refrigerant shortages coupled with a push in direction to new refrigerants, updated regulations, and more.
In addition to the free industry program, already packed with sessions for all points of interest, the Education Program featured the 2026 Panel Series. Highlights include:
Monday and Tuesday featured a series of standing room only discussions on topics including refrigerants, data centers, workforce development, industry communication channels, heat pumps, ERV systems and the annual State of the Industry Panel.
“Standing in the back of a packed room this morning, listening to the state of the industry at AHR Expo. A stark reminder of why this industry works best when we’re actually together. Not because of one company or one product, but because it brings the whole ecosystem into the same conversation,” said Katie Blaufuss, Trane Technologies. “I work for a company and I support specific clients. That matters, but so does staying connected as an industry while everything around us continues to shift. Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, dealers, and industry partners all in one room, listening, sharing perspective, and wrestling with what’s hard right now and where opportunity really exists. This industry doesn’t move forward without all of those voices at the table.”

Ryan Sen, who moderated the panel Data Center Demands: Cooling Solutions, BMS Advancement and the Next Generation of HVAC, said of the session, “Standing room only! Yes, you heard me right our Data Center Demands panel was certainly one of the most heavily attended sessions at AHR Expo 2026, and with good reason. Given the speed, scale, and investment being made in this vertical, it was timely for the engineering, HVAC, and BAS communities to come together to hear from real subject matter experts helping to shape standards and technology adoption. These included none other than David Quirk, Justin Seter, Ken Duncan, and Davin Sandhu.”

You can find full length videos of all sessions in the 2026 Panel Series on ahrexpo.com soon.

Attendees weigh-in

It’s hard to escape the energy present in a room full of HVACR professionals. AHR Expo is honored to provide the once-a-year opportunity for the full community to come together for a few days.

“Still buzzing from AHR Expo 2026! An incredible experience packed with innovation that directly fuels my work in energy efficiency, building retrofits, and retro-commissioning across NYC,” said Mechanical Engineer Marina Rezkalla with Carlton Energy. “From next-gen HVAC systems to smarter controls and efficiency strategies, the expo delivered real, actionable ideas for improving existing buildings and meeting today’s performance demands.”

“WOW, what an amazing experience. As a first-time attendee, I was blown away by the number of vendors and HVAC professionals visiting from all over the world. Truly inspired by the seminars, the hands-on tool demos, and great conversations with industry professionals,” said Steve Doring, Owner of Paradise Heating & Cooling Ltd.

Awarding Innovation

During a closed ceremony on Monday, we honored the 2026 AHR Expo Innovations Awards for their contributions to HVACR and its future. This year’s winners include:
Building Automation winner Honeywell, Honeywell Connected Solutions; cooling winner Daikin, Magnitude® WME-C Quad; heating winner Copeland, Copeland heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio; indoor air quality winner Sharp Corporation, Airest; plumbing winner IDC Fluid Control, LeakStop III; refrigeration winner Copeland, Copeland transcritical CO2 scroll compressor with dynamic vapor injection technology; software winner Rebar, AI-Powered Takeoff Platform; sustainable solutions winner Blue Frontier, BF-DOAS; tools & instruments winner CSG Compressors (Houston & American Hermetics), SAMMi; and ventilation winner ABB Motors and Drives, ACH580 Variable Frequency Drives.

Blue Frontier took home the prestigious 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Product of the Year Award.

“When it was announced that we won Product of the Year, I could only think of the audacity of my team at Blue Frontier. A tiny group of people with the seemingly naive conviction that we can do things better and without compromises. This award marks a recognition and an encouragement for us to continue to find ways to align people, science, engineering, product, and customer experience to create products that seem magical,” Dr. Daniel Betts, CEO of Blue Frontier, Inc..

Students Experience HVACR’s Shining Moment

On Monday, student engineers from ASHRAE’s youth programming joined us for a curated tour and panel discussion. HVACR professionals from across the industry came together to talk about career paths, industry entry, and real-world advice for building and sustaining a successful career.

On Wednesday, high school students enrolled in a dual-enrollment program from Clark County Public Schools joined us for their own hands-on experience. Mirroring Monday’s programming, students participated in a curated tour led by industry ambassadors who highlighted the innovation, technology, and career potential within HVACR. Students also attended a panel discussion exploring the wide range of career pathways available in the industry. A special thank you to program sponsors Grundfos, Viega, and Midea for providing lunch and donating goods for the students.

“We are so incredibly grateful for our time at the AHR Expo this week. I’ve attended a lot of trade shows, but this one blew my mind. The size, the innovation, the community. I can’t stop telling people about what an exceptional experience it was. I appreciate the thought that went into the programming for our students; it was relevant, meaningful, and engaging. I left feeling inspired, and I know that our staff and students did as well,” said Lilianna Bonderov, Principal at Central Technical Training Academy.

AHR Expo heads to Chicago for 2027

AHR Expo will return to Chicago January 25-27, 2027. Registration is expected to open in summer.
For more information about AHR Expo please visit ahrexpo.com.

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• PPP project financing
• Public Private Partnership training
• PPP contract management

With a rising infrastructure demand in transport, healthcare, education, housing, and utilities, public authorities face mounting budget and delivery challenges. PPP financing could prove to be vital for attracting private investment while ensuring value for money. However, the success of PPP initiatives depends on resilient project preparation, effective PPP feasibility assessment, sound financial structuring, and disciplined transaction execution.

This programme covers all phases of a Public Private Partnership training (PPP Training)– from project identification and feasibility analysis to procurement, financial close, and long-term management of PPP contracts. PPP regulations, institutional and legal frameworks, risk allocation, financial modelling, and project selection criteria are the key topics of the course. Additionally, participants will learn how to create bankable PPP contracts using credit improvement methods like blended finance, viability gap funding, guarantees, and risk mitigation.

This course emphasizes practical application by showcasing case studies of best practices and common risks.

In addition to studying worldwide methods for PPP contract management and agreements, participants will get to look at templates for PPP tender papers, such as Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Project Information Memoranda.

Delivered over eight live online sessions, the programme features an interactive methodology that requires active participation. Each of the 8 sessions have immersive exercises, group assignments, and focused review questions designed to simulate real-world PPP procurement and financing scenarios. This approach will enable participants to develop essential skills required in drafting and maintaining PPP contracts.

The program also covers the administration of long-term PPP contracts and PPP transactions. Priority is given to important elements including pricing control, stakeholder involvement, performance evaluation, service delivery, social and environmental sustainability, and alternative dispute resolution techniques. These elements are essential for ensuring that PPP projects continue to deliver value for money throughout their operational life.

Like InFocus International’s in-person seminars, this live online course offers the same level of engagement and skill growth. Taught by seasoned professionals, this course also offers the flexibility of remote learning. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to make wise choices about contract management, procurement, and handling PPP project financing inside their companies.

The course spans interactive sessions on 8 days: August 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27 and 28, 2026. Early registration is recommended due to limited seats. A discount is available for a joint registration up to 3 participants.

Infocus International is a globally recognised business intelligence and professional training provider, delivering high-impact conferences, summits, and market-driven programmes across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Headquartered in Singapore, the company combines rigorous local and international research with industry expertise to deliver innovative, results-oriented insights.

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• EPC contract fundamentals
• EPC risk allocation
• Project finance structures
• Construction dispute management

The curriculum studies the interrelations between EPC contracts and other project documentation and commercial frameworks, stressing on EPC risk allocation throughout the various phases of the project.TThe course equips participants with practical techniques for the creation and negotiation of contractual responsibilities, including risk transfer in major projects, pricing structures, and performance guarantees.

A key issue of the course is how the project finance structures affect EPC contracts. The program uses actual examples and inputs from industry professionals to discuss issues such as lender needs, security packages, and sharing of financial and technical risks in project-financed developments. This helps participants better connect EPC contract fundamentals with budget and completion goals.

Both freshers and seasoned professionals can benefit from this course. This program also delves into effective construction dispute management through identifying common dispute sources as well as solutions for its resolution.

Taught via Infocus International’s interactive virtual learning platform, the course includes expert guidance, live discussions, case studies, and quantitative models. Participants will interact directly with a well-versed course director who has extensive global experience in EPC contracts and infrastructure projects.

This program embodies Infocus International’s dedication to providing high-quality professional education in relevant skills in the required industries. This course hopes to enable the industry workforce to make informed decisions and risk management in EPC, construction, and infrastructure projects worldwide.

This course on EPC contract fundamentals offers two flexible options over 5 days: June 17, 18, 22, 23, and 25, 2026, or November 12, 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2026. Early registration is recommended due to limited seats. A discount is available for a joint registration up to 3 participants.

Infocus International is a globally recognised business intelligence and professional training provider, delivering high-impact conferences, summits, and market-driven programmes across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Headquartered in Singapore, the company combines rigorous local and international research with industry expertise to deliver innovative, results-oriented insights.

For more information and registration: https://www.infocusinternational.com/epc-online

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A cornerstone of the show’s international outreach strategy is its exclusive Buyer Club program, designed specifically for qualified importers, distributors, agents, and retailers with decision-making authority and confirmed purchasing budgets. The program aims to facilitate efficient sourcing and high-level networking through curated business making and tailored engagement activities, which ensure meaningful connections between supply and demand and create measurable value for participants. Approved Buyer Club members enjoy a range of exclusive hospitality benefits. Flooring professionals interested in joining the Buyer Club can submit their application at:
https://www.domotexasiachinafloor.com/Buyer-Club.html

Through this program, in 2025, the organizers hosted over 180 selected buyers from 25 countries, along with 10 delegations organized in collaboration with Chinese and international associations, media partners, and key industry stakeholders. The buyers participated in nearly 400 targeted business matching meetings, generating substantial new business opportunities across worldwide markets.

The world stage for flooring innovations

The upcoming edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is set to further strengthen its position as the leading global platform for the carpet and flooring industry, not only in terms of scale and trading opportunities, but also as a key showcase for innovation, product launches, and high-level industry networking.

The exhibition will welcome around 1,500 exhibitors and attract over 80,000 professional from more than 120 countries. Spanning over 200,000 square meters across seven dedicated halls, the show will present the full spectrum of the flooring industry, offering comprehensive sourcing opportunities under one roof.

Hard flooring – including wood, laminate, bamboo, resilient flooring, and outdoor decking –  will occupy four halls, while FLOORTECH Asia will spotlight cutting-edge technologies in raw materials, production machinery, and installation solutions.

Confirmed international brands exhibiting in these sectors include Coretec, Craft Floor, Daejin, Kronospan, KTE, Swiss Krono, ter Hürne, Välinge, UNY Group, Unilin Technologies, i4F, Adesiv, AICA, Azumi, Bona, Debal Coating, and Stauf, among many others. China’s leading manufacturers and technology innovators will also take center stage, including BBL, Power Dekor, Novalis, Dajulong, Elegant, Halead, Jinka, Kingdom, Zhengyoung, Dilong, Intco, Sanyi, and many more.

Mr. Jiang Bao, General Manager of New Material Department at Power Dekor, one of China’s leading flooring manufacturers, said: “Power Dekor will make a grand appearance at DOMOTEX asia 2026, bringing along our overseas exclusive brand under the group, POWER SPACE. We will showcase a comprehensive range of eight major product categories, including Homogeneous PVC Flooring, Composite PVC Flooring, SPC flooring, LVT flooring, wall panels, wood flooring, sports vinyl flooring, and sports wooden flooring. DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR provides us with an excellent opportunity for in-depth communication with numerous overseas buyers.”

Carpet & Carpet Tech spanning two dedicated halls, will cover the entire carpet supply chain and present a comprehensive range of all types of carpets, both machine and hand made. The exhibition will feature a strong lineup of confirmed carpet brands, including Abrishami Carpet, Almas, Elite, Dongsheng, Haima, Hong Casa, Jey Key Rugs, Mahesh Exports, Mortazavi, Nirmal, Paulig, Ragolle, Ruixin, Standard Carpets, Solomon Carpets, Xingyue Carpet. On the technology side, leading machinery and component specialists such as Card-Monroe Corp, Freudenberg, Groz-Beckert, Lingda, Michishita, Vandewiele, Wuding among many, will showcase the latest advancements in carpet production technology.

Mr. Song Zhang, General Manager at Overseas Business Division of China’s leading carpet manufacturer Haima, stated: “Haima Carpet will bring to DOMOTEX asia its new nylon raw filament Axminster carpet. This is a specially designed product we’ve introduced for floor decorations in commercial spaces. We warmly invite buyers from all over the world to attend DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2026.”

With global supply chains evolving and Asia maintaining its position as a key production and consumption hub, the 2026 edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR is expected to further strengthen its role as a strategic meeting point for international trade in the carpet and flooring sectors.

About DOMOTEX Worldwide:

DOMOTEX (17^th – 20^th January 2028, Hannover – Germany) is the world’s leading flooring and interior finishing trade show. Deutsche Messe AG Hannover organizes the show.

DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR (27^th – 29^th May 2026, Shanghai – China) is the largest international carpet and flooring show in the Asia-Pacific region. DACF Exhibitions Ltd., a joint venture company between GLOBUS Events (ex VNU Exhibitions Asia) and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd. (China subsidiary of Deutsche Messe and Fiera Milano) is the show organizer.

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia (11^th – 13^th Novembre 2026, Bangkok – Thailand) is a newly launched event that will serve as a gateway to Southeast Asia’s Booming Flooring and Interior Markets. The show is organized by DACF Exhibitions Ltd and the Thailand based partner – Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd.

The post DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2026 Opens Applications for the “Buyer Club” Hospitality Program appeared first on World Construction Today.

The world’s leading trade show, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair will once again gather the global hardware sector in Cologne from 3 to 6 March 2026. As the premier platform for procurement, knowledge exchange and networking, it brings together key players from industry, retail and sourcing worldwide. Kicking off the year, the trade fair defines the topics and trends that will shape the direction of the hardware industry. It delivers unparalleled product breadth – encompassing tools and accessories, industrial supplies, fasteners and fixings, fittings, and building and home improvement materials – providing a concise overview of the global market.

This is where innovation meets real demand, new products find international procurement channels and technological developments fuel hands-on exchange.

For the first time, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair will be held from Tuesday to Friday in 2026. The new format aligns more closely with internationally established business days, making it easier for exhibitors and visitors to plan high-quality business and purchasing meetings. Tickets for the event are now available in the official ticket shop.

Strong registration numbers underscore international appeal

Around 2,450 companies from 53 countries are on board, clearly highlighting the broad international participation in EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026. Foreign exhibitors account for 86 percent.

German companies and brands confirmed for EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 include ABUS August Bremicker Söhne, alfer aluminium, Allit, Arnz FLOTT, Brockhaus HEUER, Burg-Wächter, C. & E. Fein, Collomix, CONACORD, Conmetall Meister, edding International, Erwin Halder, F. REYHER Nchfg., Felo Werkzeugfabrik, fischerwerke, Gust. Alberts, Hailo-Werk Rudolf Loh, Heller Tools, Hettich Do-It-Yourself, JOKARI, KIP, Kirchoff Witte, KRAUSE-Werk, LUKAS ERZETT, MATADOR, MUNK, NOVALIA Deutschland, NWS Germany Produktion W. Nöthen e.K., Osborn, Picard, Prebena Wilfried Bornemann, PROJAHN Präzisionswerkzeuge, RHODIUS Abrasives, Rothenberger Werkzeuge, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Scheppach, SFS Group, SPAX International, suki.international, TOX-Dübel-Technik, Weidmüller Interface, Wilh. Schmitt and wolfcraft.

Among the registrations from abroad are AMBROVIT, Annovi Reverberi, Apex Tool Group, Irega, Isaberg Rapid, JCB, KRINO, Morganti, Patrol Group, Prosperplast, Providus, PROXXON, Stanley Black & Decker, Telwin, Toughbuilt and Weiler Abrasives.

The full exhibitor list can be found via the official online exhibitor search.

Cologne – a must for the industry

Sebastian Hein, Director of the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair, is optimistic about the progress of the preparations and highlights the event’s global appeal: “Current registration numbers show that Cologne is a must-attend for the industry. We’re seeing broad international participation with an exhibitor roster that reflects the full diversity and innovative strength of the hardware world. This makes EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 the definitive global kickoff of the year and most important platform for new products, sourcing and face-to-face business.”

This market-driven focus is also evident in the strategic development of the trade fair. Alexander Alberts has joined the Advisory Board as its new Deputy Chairman. His appointment underscores the collaboration between the trade fair and the industry, and its commitment to tailor content and formats even more closely to global market needs and forward-looking issues.

New live EISENworkshop format puts practical know-how centre stage

With the EISENworkshop, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 is expanding its programme to include an interactive format that showcases modern craftsmanship and strengthens the trade fair’s role as a hub for innovation and knowledge. Located in a specially designed workshop in passage 10/11, leading professionals from various trades will give live demonstrations of tools, equipment and materials. The creators will address everyday workplace challenges and share their expertise through hands-on tips, tricks and lifehacks with audience participation. Targeting end users, retailers, product managers, technicians and buyers, the EISENworkshop delivers high-impact value through professional development, networking and hands-on experience. By featuring their products in real-world application scenarios, exhibitors can gain additional visibility in a dynamic showcase setting.

Hosted buyer programme and VIP accreditation – global reach set for major expansion

To further boost the event’s international business impact, EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026 is pursuing a focused strategy to significantly increase internationality, reach and visitor quality. The core component is scaling up the hosted buyer programme with systematic visitor management across six global regions, including Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America, the Middle East and Africa. The aim is to identify and connect directly with top-tier buyers, retail chains, importers, OEMs and international decision-makers.

In addition, a new VIP accreditation programme will roll out for high-level international decision-makers in charge of global sourcing, such as managing directors, business owners, purchasing heads and category managers. VIP guests will enjoy exclusive services and personalised support to make their visit as seamless and efficient as possible. For exhibitors, this means contacts of higher quality, better planning for business meetings and greater incentives for global market development. More information about the VIP programme can be found at www.eisenwarenmesse.com/vip.

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the hardware sector: As a top international trade fair organiser, Koelnmesse is the global market leader for events in the tools and hardware sector. Cologne is home to the EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR, the world’s leading trade fair for the industry. Asia-Pacific Sourcing, the largest sourcing platform outside of Asia, also showcases its products there. Koelnmesse is also expanding its international portfolio in key markets. The China International Hardware Show in Shanghai, International Hardware Fair Italy in Bergamo, International Hardware Fair India in New Delhi and El Gran Salón Ferretero in Colombia are tailored events and leading regional trade fairs with international participation. The successful launches of the International Hardware Fair Indonesia in Jakarta and the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in 2025 marked the addition of further events in strategically important growth markets: www.hardware-worldwide.com.

The next events:

INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE, Cologne 03.03. – 06.03.2026

International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s largest trade fair for the hardware and tools sector, Riyadh 15.06. – 17.06.2026

International Hardware Fair Indonesia – powered by EISENWARENMESSE, Jakarta 23.09. – 26.09.2026

You can find more information about the EISENWARENMESSE INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR COLOGNE at www.eisenwarenmesse.com, on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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