The Flagship Industrial Event of Russia’s North-West
The Russian Industrialist Forum is a key annual event for Russia’s machine-building and industrial sectors. The 2026 edition will take place from October 20-22, 2026, at the EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre in Saint Petersburg.
A Legacy of Industry Leadership
The Forum has been held annually since 1997 and has grown into the largest industrial platform in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia. Over its 25-year history, the event has become a federal-level platform for demonstrating innovative industrial equipment, discussing the modernisation of machine-building enterprises, and promoting Russian products in regional and international markets.
The event is co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), and the Government of Saint Petersburg. This high-level backing underscores the Forum’s strategic importance for the country’s industrial policy.
Key 2025 Statistics:
- 14,000+ managers and specialists from leading enterprises
- Representatives from 42 regions of Russia
- Participants from 35 countries worldwide
What the Forum Covers
The Russian Industrialist Forum combines an extensive exhibition programme with a high-level business and congress agenda. It is designed to serve as a dialogue platform between major businesses, the state, leading technology companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Exhibition Programme Highlights:
- Machine tool building and metalworking
- Robotics and industrial automation
- Instrument making and electronics
- Advanced materials for industry
- Laser equipment and technologies
- Industrial design
- Machine industry
- Woodworking industry (new for 2026)
Congress Programme:
- Conference on machine tool building
- Conference on robotics and automation
- Conference on energy saving
- Round table on import substitution in metalworking
- Business dialogue on international experience in machine building
- Seminars on polymers and advanced specialist training
Why It Matters
The Forum addresses critical issues of industrial modernisation, technological sovereignty, and workforce development. Topics discussed include:
- Technological Sovereignty: Business support measures, import substitution programmes, and technological modernisation
- Personnel Development: Training of engineers and blue-collar workers, scaling best practices of advanced engineering schools, and the prestige of technical professions
- International Cooperation: Dialogue with representatives from friendly countries, including China, Iran, and UAE, as well as BRICS+ nations
The 2025 Forum’s main theme was “Industrialisation as the Foundation for National Projects”.
Practical Value
A notable measure of the Forum’s success is its track record of generating real business outcomes. In 2025 alone, industrialists from the Krasnodar Region signed contracts worth approximately 500 million roubles after participating in the exhibition. This demonstrates the Forum’s effectiveness as a B2B platform for concluding supply agreements and establishing partnerships.
Visitor Information
- Dates: October 20-22, 2026
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 daily
- Venue: EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre, Saint Petersburg
- Admission: Free for industry professionals with online pre-registration
The Russian Industrialist Forum 2026 is the essential annual gathering for Russia’s industrial sector, particularly in the North-West region. With its comprehensive exhibition, high-level business programme, strong government backing, and proven track record of facilitating real business contracts, the event offers an indispensable platform for discovering innovations, forging partnerships, and navigating the evolving landscape of Russian industry.
