APEX and IRE exhibitions return to Maastricht in 2026

APEX and IRE will return to Maastricht in 2026.

Two major exhibitions for the access and equipment rental industries – the APEX aerial platform show and the International Rental Exhibition (IRE) – are returning to Maastricht, the Netherlands in 2026.

The shows will have new educational sessions that will enhance the experience for visitors.

Last held in June 2023, the 11th APEX and 8th IRE (including two ‘RentEx’ editions) will be co-located on 2 to 4 June 2026 at the Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre (MECC).

As in previous years, APEX will be supported by IPAF and the European Rental Association will hold its annual convention at MECC on 3 and 4 June during IRE. It will also hold the European Rental Awards dinner on 3 June.

Over the two shows an estimated 250 suppliers and manufacturers will display a wide range of compact machinery and tools, all types of aerial platforms, as well as rental technology.

There will be a special focus on battery powered equipment and digital technology – such as paperless operations, telematics, AI for fleet management - targeted at equipment rental companies.

New in 2026 will be a ‘product showcase’ stage that will see exhibitors provide expert advice and information to show visitors. Within APEX, IPAF will have a dedicated space to give safety-related demonstrations and talks.

Tony Kenter, CEO of Industrial Promotions International BV (IPI), the event organiser, said; “We are already receiving requests for bigger exhibition stands from some big-name suppliers, so we are optimistic about both APEX and IRE.

“We know that 2024 and 2025 have been uncertain times for the access and rental sectors, but forecasting organisations are predicting a more stable, positive environment in 2026, making June next year the ideal time for the shows.”

James King, CEO of KHL Group, which jointly organises the shows with IPI, said; “Both events are well established in the access and rental calendar – the first APEX was held in 1996 and the first rental show in 2002 - and we are happy to be going back to Maastricht, a great convention city.

“The venue may be familiar, but we are not standing still with the events. The addition of the product showcase stage and IPAF demonstration area will add value for visitors. And ERA will be celebrating its 20th year in 2026, so there will be real cause for celebration.

“There is so much changing in the equipment and technology used by the rental industry, which means that the new showcase stages will provide a great opportunity to learn from experts in everything from battery management and telematics to charging technology and the use of AI in rental operations.”

Visitors who register for one show will have free access to both IRE and APEX. Complimentary shuttle buses will run to MECC from Brussels Zaventem Airport and Düsseldorf Airport from 1 to 4 June, with a travel time of less than 1 hr 15 minutes.

For those flying to Amsterdam Schiphol, the train journey to Maastricht takes between 2.5 and 3 hours, or under 2.5 hours by rental car.

There is also a limited number of connections directly to Maastricht Aachen Airport with Ryanair from Alicante and Girona (Spain), Bari (Italy), Porto (Portugal) and Zadar (Croatia).

To register for APEX, visit www.APEXshow.com

For the IRE show, visit www.IREshow.com