Schedules & Programs at EXPO Richmond 2026
Easy Planning for EXPO Richmond
See the Full Event Schedule • Register for Programs
Plan your visit to EXPO Richmond 2026 with the complete schedule of programs, show hours, educational opportunities, and special events. Whether you are an exhibitor preparing your space, a buyer planning time on the show floor, or an attendee visiting with family, this schedule helps you make the most of your time in Richmond this April.
EXPO Richmond spans April 13-21 ,2026, bringing the forest products industry together for a full week of education, exhibits, and activities, culminating in two packed public show days on Friday and Saturday, April 17–18, 2026.
Show Hours & Key Dates
Full schedule for April 13-21, 2026. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on April 17 & 18!
| Time | Program or activity | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 13, 2026 | |||
| 7am–7pm | Outside Exhibitors can begin setting up | ||
| 8am–4:30pm | Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 1 of 4 | Meadow Hall | Four day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required. This course continues daily through Thursday and is ideal for professionals seeking foundational lumber grading knowledge |
| Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | |||
| 7am–8pm | Inside Exhibitors start setting up. Outside Exhibitor set up continues | ||
| 8am–4:30pm | Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 2 of 4 | Meadow Hall | Four day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | |||
| 7am–8pm | Inside and Outside Exhibitor set up continues | ||
| 8am–4:30pm | Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 3 of 4 | Meadow Hall | Four day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
| Thursday, April 16, 2026 | |||
| 7am–8pm | Inside and Outside Exhibitor set up continues | ||
| 8am–4:30pm | Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 4 of 4 | Meadow Hall | Four day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
| 8am–4:30pm | VT Educational Class | Meadow Hall | Registration required |
| 9am–6pm | Exhibitor Registration Opens | Farm Bureau Building West Front Entrance | |
| Friday, April 17, 2026 | |||
| 7:30am | Exhibitor Registration Opens | Farm Bureau Building West Front Entrance | |
| 8am | Registration Opens | Meadow Pavilion | |
| 8:30am | Show Opens | ||
| 8:30am–4:30pm | Weiler Loader Contest | Outside Booth C1 | |
| 9am | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 10:30am–12:30pm | SHARP Logger Class | Meadow Hall | |
| 11am | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 1pm | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 4pm–7pm | Taste of Virginia Welcome Reception | Meadow Hall | Invitation only |
| 5pm | Show Closes | ||
| Saturday, April 18, 2026 | |||
| 8am | Registration Opens | Meadow Pavilion | |
| 8:30am | Show Opens | ||
| 8:30am–1:30pm | Weiler Loader Contest | Outside Booth C1 | |
| 9:30am | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 10am–1pm | Virginia Forest Trails Initiative | Meadow Hall | Registration required. Please contact vaforesttrails@gmail.com |
| 10:30am–12:30pm | SHARP Logger Class | Meadow Hall | |
| 11am | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 1pm | Lumberjack Entertainment | ||
| 1:30pm | Weiler Loader Contest, Final Run Off and Awards | Outside Booth C1 | |
| 3pm | Show Closes | ||
| Sunday, April 19 to Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | |||
| All day | Exhibitor Clean Up | ||
Monday, April 13, 2026
| Time7am–7pmProgram or activityOutside Exhibitors can begin setting up |
| Time8am–4:30pmProgram or activityIntroduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 1 of 4LocationMeadow HallNotesFour day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required. This course continues daily through Thursday and is ideal for professionals seeking foundational lumber grading knowledge |
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
| Time7am–8pmProgram or activityInside Exhibitors start setting up. Outside Exhibitor set up continues |
| Time8am–4:30pmProgram or activityIntroduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 2 of 4LocationMeadow HallNotesFour day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
| Time7am–8pmProgram or activityInside and Outside Exhibitor set up continues |
| Time8am–4:30pmProgram or activityIntroduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 3 of 4LocationMeadow HallNotesFour day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
Thursday, April 16, 2026
| Time7am–8pmProgram or activityInside and Outside Exhibitor set up continues |
| Time8am–4:30pmProgram or activityIntroduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading, Day 4 of 4LocationMeadow HallNotesFour day course taught by NHLA and offered in Spanish and English. Registration required |
| Time8am–4:30pmProgram or activityVT Educational ClassLocationMeadow HallNotesRegistration required |
| Time9am–6pmProgram or activityExhibitor Registration OpensLocationFarm Bureau Building West Front Entrance |
Friday, April 17, 2026
| Time7:30amProgram or activityExhibitor Registration OpensLocationFarm Bureau Building West Front Entrance |
| Time8amProgram or activityRegistration OpensLocationMeadow Pavilion |
| Time8:30amProgram or activityShow Opens |
| Time8:30am–4:30pmProgram or activityWeiler Loader ContestLocationOutside Booth C1 |
| Time9amProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time10:30am–12:30pmProgram or activitySHARP Logger ClassLocationMeadow Hall |
| Time11amProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time1pmProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time4pm–7pmProgram or activityTaste of Virginia Welcome ReceptionLocationMeadow HallNotesInvitation only |
| Time5pmProgram or activityShow Closes |
Saturday, April 18, 2026
| Time8amProgram or activityRegistration OpensLocationMeadow Pavilion |
| Time8:30amProgram or activityShow Opens |
| Time8:30am–1:30pmProgram or activityWeiler Loader ContestLocationOutside Booth C1 |
| Time9:30amProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time10am–1pmProgram or activityVirginia Forest Trails InitiativeLocationMeadow HallNotesRegistration required. Please contact vaforesttrails@gmail.com |
| Time10:30am–12:30pmProgram or activitySHARP Logger ClassLocationMeadow Hall |
| Time11amProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time1pmProgram or activityLumberjack Entertainment |
| Time1:30pmProgram or activityWeiler Loader Contest, Final Run Off and AwardsLocationOutside Booth C1 |
| Time3pmProgram or activityShow Closes |
Sunday-Tuesday, April 19-21, 2026
| Program or activityExhibitor Clean Up |
Virginia Tech Forest Products
Innovation and Technology Summit
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Prepare for what’s next in forest products. Looking Towards the Future is a one-day educational session focused on current marketing trends and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the forest products industry, offered at EXPO Richmond on April 16, 2026.
This year’s course is Looking Towards the Future: Marketing Changes and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Forest Product.
Prepare for What’s Next in Forest Products
Focus on current marketing trends and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the forest products industry
Practical insights into how markets are changing and where new opportunities are emerging
Learn about the latest innovations and technologies shaping the future of forest products
Learn, Connect and Apply
Hear from industry leaders, academicians, students, and government agencies
Gain value from expert presentations and panel discussions
Network with peers across the forest products supply chain
Explore how new technologies and innovations can support efficiency and improve your bottom line
NHLA Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading Course
Build foundational grading knowledge with the NHLA Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading Course, a four day educational program offered during EXPO Richmond. Taught by certified National Hardwood Lumber Association instructors, this course provides a clear introduction to hardwood lumber grades, terminology, and inspection principles used across the forest products industry.
The course runs Mon., April 13 - Thurs., April 16, 2026, during the event and is ideal for industry professionals, new employees, students, and anyone seeking a better understanding of hardwood lumber standards. Instruction is offered in English and Spanish, making it accessible to a wider workforce audience.
Participants gain practical knowledge that supports better communication, improved quality control, and stronger decision making in sawmills, manufacturing, and wood products operations.
Registration is required and will be opening soon.
Formerly known as the Virginia Forest Trails Initiative, join Virginia Tech, Mountain Gateway Community College and Industry Leaders to learn more about education and careers in Forestry.
NextGen Forestry: Pathways to Forestry Careers
VoTech Class Day | Fri., April 17, 2026
High school teachers and vocational instructors, you’re invited to register to bring your classes to NextGen Forestry. Students will discover the world of forestry and learn about the diverse career paths and opportunities, all while exploring the East Coast’s Sawmill, Logging & Pallet Equipment Exposition, EXPO Richmond.
For questions and to register your class, reach out to us at NextGenForestry@vfpa.net.
To learn more, download and share this VoTech Day flyer.
Individual Student Day | Sat., April 18, 2026
If you are a high school junior or senior who would like to come, but whose school is not bringing a class to the Friday NextGen Forestry event, you’re invited to register to attend the Saturday event. Click below to discover more information about this special Saturday experience.