As artificial intelligence, the circular economy, and market diversification reshape the industry’s priorities, major aluminium events have become powerful drivers of transformation.
These gatherings offer a front-row seat to emerging trends, open doors to new markets, and create opportunities for strategic partnerships.
Here’s our curated list of must-attend events in 2026, with a special focus on opportunities for Quebec’s aluminium sector.
This Year’s Event Landscape
To help industry stakeholders identify the most relevant events based on their goals, major gatherings can be grouped into three complementary focus areas:
1. International Trade
Major trade shows provide a showcase for innovations, suppliers, and global supply chains. They’re ideal for networking, exploring new markets, and strengthening business relationships.
On the radar for 2026:
• ALUMINIUM Exhibition
• ARABAL – Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition
• Horizon Aluminium
2. Research and Innovation
Scientific and technical conferences are key gathering points for researchers, engineers, and industry leaders looking to stay at the forefront of advanced materials, cutting-edge processes, and emerging technologies.
On the radar for 2026:
• ICSOBA International Conference and Exihibition
• TMS 2026 Annual Meeting & Exhibition
• NorCast 2026
3. Overall Industrial Strategy
These events bring together decision-makers, market analysts, institutional representatives, and key players in the energy transition. They offer valuable insights into market dynamics, upcoming regulations, and the geopolitical challenges shaping the sector.
On the radar for 2026:
• Fastmarkets International Aluminium
• CRU World Aluminium Conference / Summit
• Harbor – Aluminium Outlook / Industry events (Harbor)
2026 Global Calendar of Key Aluminium Events
Oct. 6–8 2026 – Düsseldorf, Germany
A dedicated platform covering the entire aluminium value chain, bringing together technological innovations, industrial solutions, and international B2B networking opportunities.
Held between Oct. and Nov. – Location TBA for 2026
An international technical conference focused on bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium.
Held in Nov. – Location TBA for 2026
A key gathering point for major Middle Eastern producers and global industry leaders, focused on primary production, investment opportunities, and emerging technologies.
March 15–19 2026 – San Diego, USA
TMS is one of the largest international conferences for experts in materials science, metallurgy, and process engineering.
March 23–25 2026 – Miami, USA
Organized by one of the world’s leading commodity analysts, this event provides strategic insights on pricing, market trends, and geopolitical climate, essential for decision-makers and traders alike.
May 12–14 2026 – London, UK
A well-known summit for the aluminium industry, covering market analysis, global dynamics, pricing, supply chains, and sustainability.
May 12–15 2026 – Saguenay, Canada
Horizon Aluminium is a new must-attend event in the aluminium sector, highlighting Québec’s expertise, fostering regional and international partnerships, and bringing together industry leaders from across the entire value chain to shape the future of aluminium.
June 1–4 2026 – Chicago, USA
It offers market analysis, price forecasts, logistics and policy trends, along with networking opportunities for suppliers, buyers, processors, and industry decision-makers.
Honorable Mention
The next edition is scheduled for 2027!
The European Aluminium Summit occurs every 2 years that brings together key players from across the European aluminium industry. It serves as a platform to exchange ideas on industrial challenges, EU policies, and growth opportunities for the sector.
What Role Does Québec’s Aluminium Industry Play in the Global Landscape?
Amid the growing internationalization of the aluminium industry, Québec’s sector, known for its integration, environmental performance, and innovation capacity, holds concrete levers to strategically position itself within major global events in 2026. These events serve as powerful platforms for influence and collaboration for businesses and institutions from Québec and across Canada.
Horizon Aluminium, Showcasing Québec’s Expertise on the Global Stage
Organized by the Aluminium Valley Society, Horizon Aluminium is designed as a strategic platform to highlight Québec’s expertise, spark new collaborations, and welcome international industry leaders.
Built to reflect local know-how while aligning with global challenges, the event features over 65 booths and expects more than 300 attendees from around the world.
Horizon Aluminium effectively joins the landscape of major international events, providing a dedicated platform to showcase Québec’s expertise, market diversification, innovation, and circular economy initiatives. It is a must-attend event that brings together key industry players, from producers and processors to researchers, manufacturers, and international delegations.
Practical Guide for Building Your 2026 Calendar
- Target the Right Decision-Makers
- Identify key influencers and potential partners in advance, such as industry clusters, strategic sectors, and relevant ecosystems.
- Showcase Your Technical Expertise
- Submit a presentation or join a panel at leading technical conferences (TMS, ICSOBA, NorCast) to boost your credibility.
- Choose Events Based on a Focused or Broad Strategy
- Align your event selection with your goals. Opt for highly specialized conferences to deepen your expertise in research and innovation, or attend broader, multi-theme events like Horizon Aluminium or Arabal to maximize visibility and expand international opportunities.
- Look for Cross-Sector Opportunities
- Prioritize events that connect aluminium with related industries such as mobility, battery technology, and construction.
- Measure Your Impact
- Review the impact of each attendance on the quality of connections, visibility gained, and tangible follow-ups. Turn each event into a strategic advantage.
- Focus on 2 to 4 Key Events a Year
- Allocate your resources to a few high-potential events to maximize return on investment and reinforce your industry presence.
For Québec’s aluminium industry, this year marks a time of mobilization and openness. From taking part in major international events to welcoming partners in Saguenay, every opportunity matters to strengthen relationships, build expertise, and expand the sector’s reach.
Horizon Aluminium is part of this momentum, offering a unique platform for connection, knowledge-sharing, and influence.
Stay tuned for our 2026 program and find out how you can get involved.