2026 AENC Annual Trade Show

The Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) holds its next Annual Trade Show on Wednesday, 9 December 2026 at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, North Carolina. The official events listing gives hours of 8:00 AM–4:00 PM EST.

This is AENC’s signature year-end marketplace for association executives and meeting planners (association, corporate, sports, military, fraternal, religious, and independent planners). Floor access is limited to exhibitors and qualified attendees. AENC does not sell its attendee list; exhibitors receive the full attendee list in the days before the show.

Tentative on-site schedule (trade-show page)

• 8:30–8:45 AM — Registration & coffee
• 8:45–11:00 AM — Speaker Showcase (2.25 CAEs for CAE/CMP)
• 11:00 AM–3:45 PM — Annual Trade Show
• 3:15–3:30 PM — Announcements at Center Court
• 3:30–3:45 PM — Grand prize drawings (must be present to win)
• 3:45 PM — Best Booth Awards

Venue & hotel

Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Lunch co-sponsor for 2026 is the Raleigh Convention Center. The published room block is the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel. AENC warns that third-party emails offering attendee lists or other hotels are spam.

Exhibitor notes

Standard 10'×10' booths include black pipe & drape, one 6' skirted table, two chairs, wastebasket, exhibitor sign, and registration for four booth representatives. Carpet is not included (order via Southern Exhibition Services). Electricity, internet, phone, or water is ordered from the Raleigh Convention Center.

AENC member corner/aisle booths start at $1,285 / $1,195 before 14 October 2026; non-member rates are higher. Exhibit fees must be paid in full by 31 October 2026. Cancellations on or before 14 October 2026 receive a 50% refund; none after that date.

Official pages: Trade Show, Events calendar, Exhibitor orders. Contact AENC: 919-848-8255, [email protected] / [email protected].