Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition - SAE COMVEC 2026
Event Date
September 29 – October 1, 2026
Location
Schaumburg, IL
About This Show
AI-drafted summarySAE International's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition (COMVEC) is a three-day forum for the commercial vehicle industry. It is described as the only North American event that addresses vehicles and equipment spanning the on-highway, off-highway, agricultural, construction, industrial, military and mining sectors. SAE International's COMVEC is the premier forum where global leaders in on-highway, off-highway and defense sectors come together in a neutral setting to tackle the challenges shaping tomorrow's commercial vehicle industry.
The event draws engineers, technical experts, executives, researchers, and young and emerging professionals from across the commercial vehicle value chain. Attendees join the worldwide CV community in Schaumburg, Illinois, for an unmatched three-day, in-person experience, where they exchange knowledge, explore cutting-edge research and technology, and stay ahead of evolving standards and regulations.
Attendees gain access to keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, a robust exhibition, extensive networking opportunities, special events, and dedicated activities for young and emerging professionals. It is worth attending for anyone looking to stay current on commercial mobility trends and connect with the decision-makers driving the sector forward.
Show Highlights
The three-day COMVEC experience features a dynamic agenda packed with expert-led education, powerful keynote speakers, and exclusive special events designed to inform, inspire, and connect.
Signature program elements include:
- Executive panels, technical sessions and the L. Ray Buckendale Tech Talk.
- Executive panels where senior industry leaders explore the biggest strategic and technology-related challenges facing the commercial vehicle sector, with expert insights and open Q&A.
- A signature keynote-style talk designed with young professionals in mind, offering practical, real-world engineering insights from a leading voice in the field.
Across three focused days, the 2026 program tackles the priorities moving the industry forward: Effectiveness Unleashed: Cutting Costs without Cutting Corners; Emerging Technologies: Transforming Commercial Mobility; and From Delivery to Delight: Elevating Next-Gen Customer Experience. Technical sessions dive into critical topics like software defined vehicles, cybersecurity, systems engineering, safety, aerodynamics, low emission engine technologies, and more. The Buckendale Lecture features keynote speaker Anna Stefanopoulou from the University of Michigan.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 COMVEC event is open. Registration is handled online through the official COMVEC website (comvec.sae.org/registration). Prospective exhibitors can also contact SAE directly; SAE invites companies to exhibit at COMVEC 2026, with the SAE sales team creating a tailored package designed to meet each exhibitor's specific goals and objectives. Specific pass types and pricing tiers were not published in the sources reviewed, so check the official registration page for current rates and deadlines.
History
COMVEC is organized by SAE International, the professional association of automotive and mobility engineers. The COMVEC Technology Connection is positioned as the only North American event that addresses vehicles and equipment spanning the on-highway, off-highway, agricultural, construction, industrial, military and mining sectors. It is held once a year. The congress has been hosted in Schaumburg, Illinois, in recent editions, with themes evolving to reflect industry priorities such as sustainability, electrification, autonomy, connectivity and next-generation commercial mobility. A specific founding year was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is SAE COMVEC 2026 taking place?
COMVEC 2026 takes place September 29 to October 1, 2026, in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.
Who should attend COMVEC?
COMVEC is designed for engineers, technical experts, executives, researchers, and young and emerging professionals in the commercial vehicle industry. It is the only North American forum addressing vehicles and equipment across the on-highway, off-highway, agricultural, construction, industrial, military and mining sectors.
What does the COMVEC program include?
The three-day program features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, technical sessions, a robust exhibition, networking opportunities, and dedicated activities for young and emerging professionals. Technical topics include software defined vehicles, cybersecurity, systems engineering, safety, aerodynamics and low emission engine technologies.
How do I register or exhibit at COMVEC 2026?
Registration for the 2026 event is open and handled online through the official COMVEC website at comvec.sae.org. Companies interested in exhibiting can contact the SAE sales team, which creates a tailored partnership package based on the exhibitor's goals.
How do I get to the venue from the airport?
The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel is about 13 miles northwest of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, roughly a 24-minute drive. Rideshare, taxis, and a complimentary hotel shuttle within a three-mile radius are available, and on-site parking is offered at the venue.
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