Made in Montana trade show returns to Helena fairgrounds this March

The 2026 Made in Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts will take place at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena on March 13-14, bringing a two-day blend of wholesale commerce and public retail to the county. Organizers scheduled a wholesale buyer day on Friday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a public showcase and retail day on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is described as a premier venue for Montana-made food, gift and home products, and is expected to draw hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of public visitors on the retail day. For Lewis and Clark County that scale translates into concentrated foot traffic at the fairgrounds, higher occupancy for nearby hotels and more customers for downtown cafés and restaurants during the weekend.

The show’s structure gives local producers two distinct opportunities. Friday’s buyer-focused market emphasizes wholesale practices and buyer registration, making it a chance for Helena-based food makers, artisans and packagers to negotiate distribution and larger orders. Saturday’s public day offers direct retail sales and customer feedback for producers still expanding retail channels. Exhibitor resources include a floor plan, show guide, on-site Wi-Fi and a hospitality suite to support wholesale meetings and restocking during the weekend.

Practical details for businesses planning to attend include multiple booth-fee options such as inline booths, corner booths and multi-booth pricing, as well as published exhibitor rules and logistics information. Show management provides contact and exhibitor registration links through event materials so vendors can reserve space and review setup timelines. For smaller operations, the combination of buyer appointments and public sales can help bridge the gap from cottage industry to steady wholesale accounts.

Beyond immediate sales, the trade show matters for county economic development. Regular exposure to wholesale buyers can accelerate scaling and revenue growth for Montana producers, while concentrated visitor spending produces short-term gains for hospitality and transportation services in Helena. The event also amplifies supply-chain conversations locally, as retailers and food-service operators scout Montana-made options for their menus and shelves.

The takeaway? If you make food, gifts or home goods in Lewis and Clark County, this show is a practical opportunity to reach buyers and sell directly to consumers in one weekend. Plan early: register ahead, choose booth space that fits your inventory, prepare wholesale pricing and samples, and coordinate deliveries and staffing so you can make the most of both the buyer day and the busy public day. Our two cents? Treat March as a deadline to tighten packaging, price sheets and pitch lines so Helena shoppers and buyers leave wanting more.