Bring Back the Trades Sells Out 2026 Massachusetts Skills Expo
More than 3,000 students and job seekers expected in Marlborough on October 29
RYE, NH — September 2026 — Bring Back the Trades (BBTT) has sold out tickets to its 2026 Massachusetts Skills Expo presented by F.W. Webb Company, with more than 3,000 students and job seekers set to attend on Thursday, October 29 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, MA. It’s the second year BBTT has brought the Skills Expo to Massachusetts, and the first time the event has sold out at this venue.
“The response has been incredible,” said Steve Turner, founder and chief executive officer of Bring Back the Trades. “Moving the event to a weekday was something teachers asked us for last year, and it opened the door for so many to access the event via field trips this year.”
Exhibitors are bringing a wide mix of hands-on activities this year, including:
- Virtual reality welding simulations
- Hands-on electrical work — stripping wire, making a splice, and wiring a receptacle or switch
- Pipe work with roll grooving, press fittings, and drilling with real drill bits and holesaws
- A mini wall-building station where students construct a small wall themselves
- A physical skills challenge area with a pull-up bar, cornhole, and strength testing
Other exhibits include a submarine-building video game and VR activity, a valve assembly matching challenge, tire repair demos, tool and safety gear try-on stations, a career simulator, hands-on portable lab equipment, and giveaways throughout the day.
Exhibitors confirmed for this year’s event include F.W. Webb Company. Casella Waste, Eastern Propane & Oil, W. L. French Excavating Corporation, Timberland PRO, Milwaukee Tool, Kinross Nevada, MA Army National Guard, New England Institute of Technology, ARMI BioFab USA, Cranes101, Fraser Engineering Company, IBEW Local 93, MEI Industrial Solutions, Utility Contractors’ Association of New England, and more! You can see the full list of exhibitors on the BBTT MA Expo event page.
Returning as title sponsor is F.W. Webb Company, who has supported Bring Back the Trades’ Skills Expos for multiple years as well as their research efforts.
“Supporting an event like this lines up directly with what we care about as a company — building the next generation of skilled tradespeople,” said Sean Davis, vice president of marketing at F.W. Webb Company. “If even a handful of these kids leave here thinking about the trades differently, we’ve done our job.”
Tickets are gone, but exhibitor spots are still open through the end of September. Businesses interested in exhibiting can reach out to [email protected].
About Bring Back the Trades
Bring Back the Trades is a non-profit organization committed to providing scholarships and equipment to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades. By partnering with industry leaders, BBTT works to change the public perception of trade careers and ensure the next generation of American craftspeople has the resources to succeed. BBTT.org. Research outlining the $325 billion workforce gap: https://bringbackthetrades.org/research
About F.W. Webb Company
An industry pioneer since 1866, F.W. Webb Company is the largest wholesale distributor of plumbing,heating, HVAC, LP gas, refrigeration, pipe, valves and fittings in the Northeast. F.W. Webb has grown from a single location to more than 100 across nine states and proudly offers customers an extensive inventory of products and dedicated services that reach from underground to the rooftop. Covering 16 areas of expertise, specialty markets include process controls, water works, environmental services and more. F.W. Webb also operates more than 49 Frank Webb Home bath, kitchen and lighting retail showrooms. Media contact: [email protected].