Made In Montana Trade Show Returns to Helena in March 2026

The Montana Department of Commerce has posted details for the Made In Montana Trade Show for Food and Gifts, to be held at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena on March 13 and 14, 2026. The listing confirms that the first day, March 13, is reserved for wholesale buyers such as store buyers and retailers, while March 14 is open to the public and carries free admission. The announcement also includes exhibitor information, expected attendance and general logistics including booth fees and exhibitor resources.

As a statewide trade show hosted in Helena, the event draws producers and retailers from across Montana and serves as an important marketplace for locally made food and gift items. For Lewis and Clark County vendors the arrangement provides a concentrated opportunity to secure wholesale accounts on the buyer day, and to showcase products directly to consumers on the public day. That two part format concentrates business development and direct sales in a short time span, which can accelerate order flow for small producers that rely on seasonal and event based revenue.

From an economic perspective the trade show functions as both a wholesale conduit and a local tourism magnet. Wholesale buyer access can translate into larger recurring orders that help scale production, while public attendance stimulates out of pocket spending in food service, lodging and retail in Helena. The event listing frames these benefits by supplying booth fee structures and exhibitor resources, which influence how accessible the show is to smaller operators. For county policymakers and economic development officials the event offers a measurable touch point to assess how local business assistance and infrastructure are translating into new market entry and sales.

Longer term trends support the relevance of statewide maker shows. Consumer interest in locally sourced food and handcrafted goods has expanded channels for direct to retailer distribution, and industry networks formed at trade shows often persist beyond a single event through repeated buyer relationships. For rural producers in Lewis and Clark County the trade show is a recurring platform to test products, obtain retailer feedback and scale production to meet wholesale demand.

Residents and businesses planning to participate can refer to the Montana Department of Commerce Made In Montana Trade Show page for specifics on exhibitor registration, booth fees, and expected attendance. The March 13 wholesale buyer day and the March 14 public day with free admission provide two distinct avenues for market engagement, underscoring the event as a notable date on the local economic calendar.