Global Business Development Trade Shows
Global Business Development's 2026 Trade Shows
Trade Show Overview
Every year, our Global Business Development division selects strategic trade shows to showcase Colorado’s many economic strengths that are aligned with the state’s advanced industries. The benefit of co-exhibiting at a trade show with OEDIT is that all booth costs and exhibitor fees are paid, and companies that participate receive a travel stipend to attend the show.
These trade shows are funded by the Advanced Industries Export Grant, a Colorado state program intended to support small businesses seeking to develop their international presence and exports. This grant requires a 1:1 cash match, meaning for every dollar reimbursed your company must show one dollar of matching funds. For example, a $4,000 reimbursement requires $8,000 in total expenses.
To qualify for Advanced Industries Export Grant funding and trade show participation, your company will need to:
- Manufacture an advanced technology and influence one or more of Colorado’s advanced industries.
- Be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and in Good Standing.
- Have headquarters in Colorado or have at least 50% of your employees based in Colorado.
- Employ fewer than 200 employees globally.
- Have at least two years of sales experience in the United States.
- Be new to export or expanding to a new export market.
- Have a commercialized product or service to export and be export-ready.
Apply online in the OEDIT application portal. Log in to your account or create a new account and navigate to the “More” menu option and select “Global Business Development Trade Shows”. To protect your personal information, we manually add new users to the portal, so it may take several days to activate new accounts.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is participating in Mobile World Congress to introduce Colorado technology companies to the largest gathering for the mobile communications industry from March 2-5, 2026.
Mobile World Congress is a global business event that attracts leading companies in the mobile technology ecosystem, including cloud hyperscalers, integrators and innovators in AI, robotics and automation, and mobile, fixed and satellite providers. This year, OEDIT will be selecting up to four companies to exhibit at the Colorado booth at the trade show and receive a $4,000 stipend to help cover travel costs.
The application to attend Mobile World Congress through the Advanced Industries Export Grant opens November 20, 2025 and closes December 15, 2025 at 11:30 p.m. MST. Apply online in the OEDIT application portal. Log in to your account or create a new account and navigate to the “More” menu option and select “Global Business Development Trade Shows”. To protect your personal information, we manually add new users to the portal, so it may take several days to activate new accounts.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is participating in the Smart Energy Week to introduce Colorado renewable energy and cleantech companies to the leading exhibition for the renewable energy industry from March 17-19, 2026.
Smart Energy Week is a premier international gathering for companies driving innovation in renewable and clean-energy technologies, including hydrogen and fuel cells, solar power, rechargeable batteries, smart grids, wind power, carbon capture, and energy storage. This year, OEDIT will be selecting up to four companies to exhibit at the Colorado booth at the trade show and receive a $4,500 stipend to help cover travel costs.
The application to attend Smart Energy Week through the Advanced Industries Export Grant opens November 20, 2025 and closes December 15, 2025 at 11:30 p.m. MST. Apply online in the OEDIT application portal. Log in to your account or create a new account and navigate to the “More” menu option and select “Global Business Development Trade Shows”. To protect your personal information, we manually add new users to the portal, so it may take several days to activate new accounts.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is participating in the Farnborough Air Show to introduce Colorado aerospace companies to the world-leading airshow for aerospace and defense from July 20-24, 2026.
The Farnborough Air Show is a global business event, bringing together leaders from the aviation, aerospace, space, and defense industries, alongside government and military decision-makers from across the world. This year, OEDIT will be selecting up to four companies to exhibit at the Colorado booth at the trade show and receive a $4,500 stipend to help cover travel costs.
The application to attend the Farnborough Air Show through the Advanced Industries Export Grant opens February 6, 2026 and closes March 6, 2026. Apply online in the OEDIT application portal. You will log in to your account or create a new account. Navigate to the “More” menu option and select “Global Business Development Trade Shows”. To protect your personal information, we manually add new users to the portal, so it may take several days to activate new accounts.
More about Global Business Development
The Global Business Development (GBD) division supports Colorado businesses and communities by using a data-driven approach to recruit, support, and retain businesses that contribute to a robust and diversified economy. We regularly host foreign delegations and participates in trade and investment missions around the world to strengthen global awareness of Colorado.
Our services include:
- export services and promotions
- foreign direct investments
- business recruitment, retention, and expansion
- data analytics
- advanced industries accelerator grants
Find incentives for expanding or relocating companies Check out the latest expansion and relocation projects