The machine-to-machine and Internet of Things industry moves fast, and conferences are the best way to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're a network engineer evaluating 5G private networks, a product manager scoping out new sensor platforms, or a C-suite executive looking for strategic partnerships, the right conference can accelerate your roadmap by months.
Here's our curated list of the top 10 M2M and IoT conferences worth your time and travel budget in 2026.
1. MWC Barcelona 2026
The undisputed king of connectivity events. MWC Barcelona draws 80,000+ attendees from the entire mobile and IoT ecosystem. The exhibition halls span over 120,000 sqm, and the keynote lineup features CEOs from the world's largest telecom operators. If you attend only one event this year, make it this one.
Best for: Enterprise buyers, telecom professionals, and anyone in the 5G value chain.
2. CES 2026
CES is where consumer technology meets industrial IoT. The show floor is a sensory overload of connected devices, from smart home hubs to autonomous vehicle platforms. The dedicated IoT pavilion has grown significantly in recent years, attracting serious M2M players alongside the consumer electronics giants.
Best for: Product designers, startup founders, and hardware engineers.
3. Embedded World 2026
If your M2M work involves hardware at the edge, Embedded World in Nuremberg is essential. This is where chip manufacturers, module vendors, and embedded software companies converge. The technical depth here is unmatched — expect deep dives into RTOS, low-power wireless protocols, and secure boot architectures.
Best for: Embedded engineers, firmware developers, and hardware architects.
4. IoT Tech Expo North America 2026
IoT Tech Expo offers a practical, solution-oriented approach to IoT adoption. The conference tracks cover smart cities, connected industry, and data-driven healthcare. Free passes are available for the exhibition, making it accessible for teams exploring IoT for the first time.
Best for: Solution architects, IT directors, and digital transformation leaders.
5. Hannover Messe 2026
Hannover Messe is the world's leading industrial technology fair. With a massive focus on Industry 4.0, digital twins, and industrial IoT, this is where manufacturing meets connectivity. The scale is staggering — over 4,000 exhibitors across 24 halls.
Best for: Manufacturing executives, industrial automation engineers, and supply chain leaders.
6. GITEX Global 2026
GITEX Global in Dubai has emerged as the premier tech event for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia markets. With dedicated halls for AI, cybersecurity, and smart cities, it's an excellent gateway for companies looking to expand into emerging markets.
Best for: Business development teams targeting MEA markets, government technology officers.
7. IoT World Congress 2026
Co-located with the Barcelona Industry Week, IoT World Congress focuses on industrial IoT applications across manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and transportation. The testbed area lets attendees see working IoT deployments in action.
Best for: Industrial IoT practitioners, operations technology managers.
8. ConnecTechAsia 2026
ConnecTechAsia in Singapore is the gateway to the fast-growing ASEAN IoT market. Combining telecom, media, and enterprise technology, it provides a comprehensive view of the Asian connectivity landscape.
Best for: Companies expanding into Southeast Asia, telecom operators.
9. Smart City Expo World Congress 2026
Smart City Expo is where M2M meets urban planning. City administrators, technology vendors, and infrastructure companies come together to discuss connected transportation, smart grids, and citizen services platforms.
Best for: Smart city solution providers, urban planners, government officials.
10. VivaTech 2026
VivaTech in Paris brings a uniquely European perspective to innovation, with strong representation from IoT startups and scale-ups. The startup competition and corporate open innovation tracks make it ideal for early-stage companies.
Best for: Startup founders, venture capitalists, corporate innovation managers.
Planning Your Conference Calendar
Attending multiple conferences in a year requires strategy. We recommend picking one flagship event (MWC or CES), one regional event close to your target market, and one technically focused event matching your specialization. Check our full event directory for the complete list of M2M conferences worldwide.