1. Pacific Dental Conference
The Pacific Dental Conference is one of the largest dental conferences in North America. While the first meeting of British Columbia’s dentists—the BC Study Club—took place in 1936, over the years the event has grown and includes more than 200 open sessions and hands-on courses and close to 300 exhibiting companies. Now, the event in the Vancouver Convention Centre attracts dentists and their teams from across North America, and the PDC Lab Expo is the largest dental technology trade show in Western Canada. Next: March 5-7, 2020
Photo: Shirley Nand
2. Buildex Vancouver
Informa Markets’ Buildex has been connecting the building industry—architects and designers, construction professionals, and property managers—for 30 years. Its 2019 theme, Shaping the Future, indicates the event’s role in showcasing innovation and technology and bringing in industry experts as speakers. With about 14,000 attendees, 90 seminars, and 600 exhibits, the forum provides a platform for serious discussion as well as networking opportunities. Next: February 12-13, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Informa Markets
3. Pacific Agriculture Show
The Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford is the largest agriculture exhibition in the province, attracting attendance from livestock and horticultural sectors. In its 21st edition, the 2019 show counted some 9,500 farmers and producers and more than 300 exhibiting companies. The show also features industry meetings including the Dairy Expo and the Horticulture Growers’ Short Course. Next: January 30-February 1, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Pacific Agriculture Show
4. Aerospace, Defence & Security Expo
Co-located in Abbotsford with the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s annual convention, the expo attracted a trio of federal government ministers as keynote speakers for its 2019 event along with session speakers from the industry including senior executives from Lockheed Martin and Airbus. The show also includes an innovation forum as well as an exhibit area at Tradex in Abbotsford. The event’s objective is to encourage the growth and improvement of the aerospace, defense, and security industries in B.C. Next: August 2020
Photo: Caillum Smith/Preserved Light Photography
5. AME Roundup
The Association for Mineral Exploration has been producing Roundup since 1982. As the major event for the mineral exploration industry, the show includes an award gala, a speaker series, courses for students interested in mineral exploration, and networking opportunities. Next: January 20-23, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Association for Mineral Exploration
6. CHFA West
CHFA West is produced by the Canadian health Food Association, the country’s largest trade association focused on natural health and organic products. The event, first held in 1969, combines a conference and a trade show over four days at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. The event will feature the latest in natural health, specialty food, and organic products. Next: February 20-23, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Health Food Association
7. Grocery & Specialty Food West
Produced by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, Grocery & Specialty Food West focuses on helping the industry grow and building relationships between sectors such as specialty food retailers, independent grocers and chains, mass merchants, and warehouse retailers. The event includes a reception, showcase of new products to highlight trends, and opportunities to network. The event is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre East. Next: April 27-28, 2020
8. CanWest Horticulture Expo
Produced by the BC Landscape & Nursery Association CanWest has been connecting the horticultural industry since 1981. Subjects of interest to growers, buyers, and sellers are the staple of the show that attracts an average of 1,700 attendees and includes some 150 companies and 330 booths at the event. In 2019 subjects such as improving soil health and how to inspire gardening in a changing world were on the agenda. CanWest made a big move five years ago, from downtown Vancouver to Tradex in Abbotsford, and has quadrupled its educational programming in recent years. Next: September 30-October 1, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of BC Landscape & Nursery Association
9. Vancouver Gift Expo
The Vancouver Gift Expo, produced by Smart Shows for nine years, is the city’s only wholesale gift show. There are two shows a year at the PNE Forum, in spring and fall. The show’s 2,000 attendees come from the region's wholesale and retail sectors. About 150 companies from across Canada and some international exhibitors show a variety of products, including gift, apparel, home decor, gourmet, bed and bath, and First Nations handcrafts. Next: September 15-18, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Vancouver Gift Expo
