〽️FABTECH 2026 Kickoff Party: Start Your Vegas Trip With Metal Artists
If you're heading to FABTECH 2026 in Las Vegas, you already know the show itself is going to be huge. FABTECH runs October 21–23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with more than 31,000 expected attendees and more than 1,400 exhibitors covering metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing. FabTech Expo
But here's something I think is worth putting on your calendar before the show even starts.
Metal Artist Collective Kickoff Party
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
7:00 PM–10:00 PM
Sosa Metalworks & Luis Varela-Rico Studio
Las Vegas, Nevada
The event is being presented as a Kick Off Party for FABTECH 2026 Las Vegas by the Metal Artist Collective, featuring Sosa Metalworks and Luis Varela-Rico.
Sosa Metalworks is a Las Vegas custom metal fabrication shop known for handmade motorcycles and one-of-a-kind metalwork. The company describes itself as a shop focused on bringing clients' visions to life through fabrication and metal shaping. Sosa Metalworks
Luis Varela-Rico Studio is the studio of artist Luis Varela-Rico, whose portfolio includes large-scale and sculptural metal work.
Metal Artist Collective on Instagram
Why Go to a Party Before FABTECH?
This is where I think the event gets interesting for welders, fabricators, artists and content creators.
FABTECH is obviously a place to see machines, equipment, technology and new products. The official show itself is built around discovering new technology, connecting with experts and finding ways to improve your business. FabTech Expo
But the people you meet can be just as valuable as the equipment you see.
Getting into Las Vegas a day early gives you an opportunity to start meeting people before the convention floor gets crazy. You could meet another fabricator, an artist, a manufacturer, a creator or someone who works in an entirely different part of the industry.
And you never really know where those conversations lead.
Maybe you meet someone who needs fabrication work.
Maybe you find someone you can collaborate with.
Maybe you discover a new artist.
Maybe you make a connection that turns into content six months from now.
Or maybe you simply have a great night talking metal with people who understand what you do.
That's a pretty good way to start FABTECH.
There Is Also a Social Media Lesson Here
If you're attending FABTECH, don't think of the trip as starting when you walk through the convention center doors.
Start documenting and networking before you get there.
Post that you're traveling to Vegas.
Tag people you're hoping to meet.
Share events you're attending.
Take photos.
Introduce yourself.
Follow people you meet.
And when you get home, keep those relationships going.
That's how a three-day trade show can turn into months or even years of connections.
FABTECH itself recommends that first-time attendees create a strategy before arriving, connect with other people and think about what they want to accomplish at the show. FabTech Expo
This kickoff event fits right into that idea.
If You're Going to FABTECH...
I'd put this one on the list.
Tuesday, October 20 | 7–10 PM
Then Wednesday morning, FABTECH officially begins.
And this year's show is not a small one. FABTECH says the 2026 event will cover more than 700,000 square feet of exhibit space and bring together more than 31,000 industry professionals. FabTech Expo
So if you're making the trip to Vegas anyway, why not start building your network the night before?
What this means for your business
Don't just attend FABTECH... participate in it.
Find one event before the show, introduce yourself to someone new, take a few photos, share what you're learning and follow up with the people you meet.
The equipment you see at FABTECH might improve your shop.
The people you meet might change your business.
And sometimes, the second one is worth a lot more.
Five Minute Task
If you're attending FABTECH 2026, save this event and start following the Metal Artist Collective now.
Then make a list of three people or businesses you'd like to meet in Las Vegas.
You don't need to message them today.
Just start paying attention to who they are and what they're doing.
That's how you start turning a trade show into an opportunity before you ever leave home.
Slag Tag Media Takeaway: Trade shows aren't just about booths, machines and free stuff. They're about relationships. And from a social media standpoint, the best time to start building those relationships is usually before the event begins.
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FABTECH 2026 After Hours
Tuesday, October 20
Metal Artist Collective Kickoff Party
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sosa Metal Works and Luis Varela-Rico Studio
Wednesday, October 21
WeldPorn FABTECH Party
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
House of Blues, Mandalay Bay
Thursday, October 22
Women in Welding Happy Hour
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
S210, Las Vegas Convention Center
AWS Arcs & Ales
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location TBD
Manufacturing Champions Extra Innings
7:00 PM
Location TBD
Friday, October 23
Metal Artist Collective End of Show Party
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Kevin Stone Metal Sculptor Studio
This list will change over time to keep checking back to our articles for the most recent update we could find.
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