SUR/FIN 2027, 8–10 June at the Long Beach Convention Center, is North America's leading surface finishing show, with 2,000+ expected professionals.
Dates
8–10 Jun 2027
City / country
Long Beach, United States
Venue
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Event overview
SUR/FIN 2027 is the North American surface finishing industry's principal conference and trade show, running 8–10 June 2027 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Organised by the National Association for Surface Finishing, it brings platers, coaters, anodisers, suppliers and OEM engineers together around electroplating, anodising, powder coating, wastewater treatment and air-quality compliance.
The 2026 edition drew nearly 1,900 attendees and 168 exhibiting companies, with more than 70 technical sessions. Buyers come to compare chemistries, tanks, filtration, rectifiers and control systems, and to leave with practical answers on PFAS, permitting and line efficiency.
Expected attendance for 2027 is 2,000+ professionals.
TL;DR
SUR/FIN is the one North American show where the entire finishing line is on one floor: chemistry, tanks, rectifiers, filtration, wastewater treatment, air handling and testing. Visitors can sit in technical sessions on PFAS, anodising and aerospace finishing, then walk the hall to compare suppliers against the same brief. The 2026 programme ran more than 70 sessions, and the 2027 edition returns to a walkable downtown Long Beach waterfront with hotels and restaurants close to the hall.
Exhibitors reach owners, plant managers and process engineers from job shops and OEM finishing lines who are actively buying chemistry, equipment and compliance services. SUR/FIN is sponsored by the National Association for Surface Finishing and draws a focused North American audience of roughly 2,000 professionals across three days. The show floor is compact enough for serious conversations, and the technical programme puts your experts in front of buyers already working on PFAS, wastewater and line-efficiency projects.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802, United States
Entrances & gates
Ocean Boulevard main entrance
Primary visitor entrance and registration area.
Food options
Convention center concessions
On-site diningParking: Paid on-site parking garages serve the convention center; enter from East Ocean Boulevard or South Pine Avenue and allow extra time on show mornings.
Gate: Use the main Ocean Boulevard entrance for badge pickup and the exhibit halls.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a photo ID and your registration confirmation to the Ocean Boulevard registration desk.
Ticket notes
2027 registration and pricing had not been published; use the official interest form for registration announcements.
Who runs the show
National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF)
Organiser
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 1,900
Exhibitors: 168
This edition
2027
Visitors: 2,000
Exhibitors: 175
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
SUR/FIN 2026 drew nearly 1,900 attendees and 168 exhibiting companies to Rosemont, Illinois, for three days of technical education and networking.
Impact
SUR/FIN is a compact, specialist show rather than a mass-market manufacturing expo. Its value comes from concentration: roughly 1,900 attendees and 168 exhibitors in 2026, with most visitors working directly on plating, coating or finishing lines. For a supplier, that means fewer badge scans but shorter paths to technical decision-makers and active projects.
Audience quality
The audience is weighted toward job shop owners, plant managers, process engineers and quality or environmental managers from North America. Visitors arrive with live questions on chemistry, equipment, PFAS and wastewater, so conversations tend to be technical and specific. It is not a broad consumer or design audience, and exhibitors should staff the stand with application engineers, not only sales generalists.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on fit and follow-up discipline. A 9 sqm shell stand in Long Beach is a modest outlay against a focused North American buyer pool, but the show rewards exhibitors who pre-book meetings and bring technical experts. No audited return, rebooking rate or satisfaction score is published, so treat any payback projection as a planning estimate and track cost per qualified lead from your own CRM.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Surface finishing is the hidden step that decides whether aerospace, automotive and electronics parts resist corrosion, wear and heat. PFAS restrictions, wastewater limits and reshoring are forcing platers to rethink chemistry, filtration and air handling, making a focused North American show the fastest place to compare qualified suppliers and compliance answers.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
PFAS restrictions reshape finishing chemistry
Regulators in the United States and Europe are tightening limits on PFAS and wastewater discharges, pushing platers to qualify alternatives and upgrade treatment.
What it changes: Buyers need suppliers who can document compliance and keep lines running through permit changes.
Reshoring lifts demand for domestic finishing capacity
Aerospace, defence and electronics supply chains are adding North American capacity, creating new plating and coating lines and refreshes of older ones.
What it changes: New lines mean equipment, chemistry and commissioning budgets in the same buying cycle.
Automation and data close the labour gap
Finishing shops are adopting automated hoists, dosing control, sensors and line dashboards to offset skilled-labour shortages and improve yield.
What it changes: Process control and automation are now a core purchase rather than a later upgrade.
SUR/FIN is the annual anchor of the NASF calendar, supported by a policy forum in Washington and a leadership conference in Phoenix. Buyers often pair the Long Beach show with these smaller NASF gatherings.
SUR/FIN week
Book hotels and flights by early spring 2027.
Policy and leadership
Smaller NASF gatherings for advocacy and chapter leaders.
Circuit dates from the organiser post-show release.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Long Beach Airport
Closest airport, with a compact terminal and short taxi or rideshare transfer.
About 10 km
to venue
15–20 minutes
by car
Los Angeles International Airport
Largest international gateway; allow extra time on weekday mornings.
About 35 km
to venue
35–60 minutes depending on traffic
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 140–190 / night
June is peak season; book early and confirm cancellation terms.
USD 200–280 / night
Walkable or a short rideshare to the convention center.
USD 300–450 / night
Closest full-service options; request a harbour or convention-center view.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Metro A Line
Use a TAP card or contactless fare; the line connects to LA rail and airport links.
Long Beach Transit bus
Useful for short hops between hotels and the convention center.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program or ESTA | $185.00 | Several weeks to several months; apply early |
Visa Waiver Program nationals may travel on an approved ESTA instead of a visa.
The United States accepts ATA carnets for temporary professional equipment; confirm exhibition-goods and customs-bond requirements with your freight forwarder.
Official visa pageWeather
June is mild and dry in Long Beach, with morning marine layer and afternoon sun. Expect 16–24°C (60–75°F); bring a light layer for air-conditioned halls.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Downtown Long Beach has good mobile coverage and hotel Wi-Fi; the convention center offers event Wi-Fi, but exhibitors should bring a backup hotspot for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Direct, time-pressed meetings
US buyers usually expect a short agenda, clear pricing and a follow-up date. Lead with the commercial case, then technical detail.
Tipping and cards
Cards are accepted almost everywhere; tipping 15–20% is normal in restaurants and for taxi or rideshare drivers.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Long Beach Airport (LGB); Los Angeles International (LAX) for more international routes
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for June; LAX is usually cheaper for international routes but adds a 35–60 minute transfer.
Most international business visitors need a B-1 visa or an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program; Canadian citizens generally need only a passport.
Estimated cost: USD 185 visa application fee; ESTA is a separate fee
Processing: Apply at least 8–12 weeks before travel
Bring the event invitation, registration confirmation and hotel booking to the interview.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: LGB is 15–20 minutes by taxi or rideshare; LAX is 35–60 minutes by shuttle, taxi or rideshare.
Hotel → venue: Most downtown hotels are a 5–15 minute walk or a short rideshare.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate at both airports and downtown; use the designated pickup zones.
Public transit: Metro A Line and Long Beach Transit buses connect downtown, the waterfront and regional rail.
Parking: Paid garages at the convention center; pre-book if driving daily.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: June
Temperature: 16–24°C (60–75°F)
Seasonality: Mostly dry with morning marine layer; June gloom usually clears by midday.
Packing: Light layers, comfortable shoes for the hall, and a jacket for cool evenings.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Wednesday 9 June 2027
The middle day usually has the fullest technical programme and the busiest floor, after Tuesday setup traffic and before Thursday departures.
Register and book flights — Use the official interest form, then confirm the registration opening.
Reserve a downtown hotel — June is peak season; choose a refundable rate.
Build a supplier shortlist and meeting requests — Pick 8–12 exhibitors and book slots.
Download the floor plan and session list — Mark must-see sessions and stand numbers.
Pack badge, ID, business cards and charger — Check the venue entrance and travel time.
Registration and badge pickup
Ocean Boulevard main entranceTechnical session on PFAS and wastewater
Conference roomSupplier meetings on the exhibit floor
Exhibit HallNetworking reception
Exhibit Hall loungeAquarium of the Pacific
Waterfront Attraction
10 minutes by foot from downtown hotels
A short post-show break on the Long Beach waterfront.
Queen Mary
Historic Ship
15 minutes by rideshare
Iconic Long Beach landmark with harbour views.
Pine Avenue restaurant strip
Downtown dining
Walkable from the convention center for supplier dinners.
Long Beach waterfront
Harbour walk
Easy evening walk from downtown hotels.
Surface finishing sales cycles run from weeks for consumables to several quarters for a new line, so follow-up should match the buying stage.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 480–650 / m²
Raw space
USD 320–430 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Planning bands for a US west-coast trade show; no 2027 tariff was published.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Booth space
exhibit · standard
USD 4300–5900 / 9 sqm shell
Hotel
both · mid
USD 200–280 / per night
Travel
both · economy
USD 380–950 / round trip
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booth space | exhibit | standard | USD 4300–5900 / 9 sqm shell | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | both | mid | USD 200–280 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Travel | both | economy | USD 380–950 / round trip | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether SUR/FIN 2027 is a visit, exhibit or skip for your team.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What do you need from the show?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have active projects and can commit at least one full day.
Best for
Buyers comparing chemistry, equipment and compliance suppliers
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
6–8 weeks to register and book travel
Risks
Crowded floor limits meeting time
June hotel rates
exhibit
You have a defined product launch or distribution push.
Best for
Suppliers and service firms selling into North American finishing lines
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
3–6 months for stand, freight and promotion
Risks
Smaller audience than horizontal manufacturing shows
High cost per lead if stand is under-staffed
skip
Budget or travel is constrained and the 2026 show already covered your needs.
Best for
Teams with no North American finishing projects this cycle
Timeline
Reassess for the 2028 edition
Risks
Missing competitor and PFAS updates
Book with
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
The waterfront convention center hosting SUR/FIN 2027 in downtown Long Beach.
Venue resource; not a confirmed 2027 sponsor.
National Association for Surface Finishing
The trade association that owns and organises SUR/FIN.
Organiser resource.
City of Long Beach
Host city for the 2027 edition, with waterfront hotels and transit links.
Destination resource; not a confirmed partner.
Long Beach Airport
Closest airport to the venue, about 15–20 minutes by road.
Travel resource; not a confirmed partner.
Recommended providers
Official B-1 guidance and appointment scheduling.
Filter for downtown Long Beach and free cancellation.
Compare LGB and LAX; book 6–10 weeks ahead for June.
International exhibition freight and customs brokerage; confirm the official handler when published.
Compare travel and exhibitor liability cover.
Book harbour cruises, the Queen Mary or Aquarium tickets.
Badge-scanning and lead-capture options for US trade shows.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
3
Publishers
3
Date checked
National Association for Surface Finishing
NASF
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
