Top Shops Conference Expands, Adds Products Finishing

The Modern Machine Shop and Products Finishing Top Shops Conference will take place October 6-7, 2026, at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

The annual Modern Machine Shop Top Shops Conference, presented by Gardner Business Media and GROW Industrial Intelligence, today announced the event’s expansion to include the co-located Products Finishing Top Shops Conference taking place October 6-7, 2026, at Cleveland, Ohio’s Huntington Convention Center.

Founded in 2017 as an in-person extension of Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops performance benchmarking survey and recognition program, the Top Shops Conference combines education, exhibits, awards and experiences aimed at helping manufacturing business leaders identify and implement data-driven, strategic improvement methodologies. 

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Through this expansion, Modern Machine Shop Top Shops and Products Finishing Top Shops, Gardner Business Media’s two largest and longest-running Top Shops programs, will join forces to host concurrent conferences.

In addition to dedicated programming, Top Shops Conference attendees will benefit from access to several shared general sessions, keynotes, exhibit rooms and special networking events enabling these two critical manufacturing service groups — CNC machining and industrial finishing — to learn, exchange ideas and make valuable business connections.

Top Shops Conference highlights include:  

• Only at Top Shops — Top Shops data, panel and awards presentations
• “For Shops, By Shops” — a focus on peer-led presentations, panel discussions, roundtables
• Technical Sessions — sessions on successful product and process technology applications
• Technology and Business Tracks — Focused educational tracks on process technology and shopfloor practices, as well as business strategies and human resources
• Exhibits — Displays from leading technology and services suppliers
• Experiences — Business networking and hospitality at industry receptions and Top Shops awards
• Entertainment — Meals, receptions and breaks all included    

The Top Shops Conference is currently accepting applications for speakers, sponsors and exhibitors. Information and applications can be found at TopShopsEvent.com.