America Innovates

Overview

America Innovates is a free, open-to-public, family-friendly expo presented as a three-day celebration of past, present, and future innovation. Hosted in San Francisco at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, Gateway Pavilion on Pier 2, the event brings together leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and Forbes Innovator 250 honorees to showcase breakthroughs across multiple sectors including transportation, finance, retail, consumer tech, health, and science. The gathering runs from May 16 to May 18, 2026, with daily programming from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The expo is organized in partnership with America250 and Forbes, highlighting the American inventive spirit and the ongoing journey from invention to impact. Attendees will experience immersive exhibits, live stage conversations, demonstrations, and interactive showcases featuring a broad array of sponsors and speakers who have shaped technology, industry, and policy.

Agenda and format

The agenda spans three days with parallel tracks that center on the Innovation Stage and the Innovation Showcase. On Saturday, May 16, programming includes a sequence of live conversations and demonstrations with business leaders and Forbes Innovator 250 honorees, exploring how America can continue to embody the creative spirit of Thomas Edison for another 250 years. The Innovation Showcase provides visitors with hands-on exposure to cutting edge concepts and early prototypes from a diverse set of exhibitors. Sunday and Monday mirror these formats, continuing stage conversations and interactive showcases. The timing for all sessions runs roughly from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day, with detailed session timing published on the Forbes and Forbes connected event pages.

Speakers and performers

The event features a lineup of renowned innovators and thought leaders, including Rosie Rios, Timothy Springer, Suma Krishnan, Bob Metcalfe, Paul Mockapetris, Kulleni Gebreyes, Sudeepto Roy, Ted Tanner Jr, Baiju Bhatt, Mekena McGrew, Tahllee Baynard, Robert Rodriguez, Bran Ferren, Caterina Fake, George Church, Rodney Brooks, Arun Gupta, Jack Dangermond, Kristin Thompson, and Harold Hamm, among others. The speakers represent a cross section of technology, science, business, design, and public policy, bringing deep expertise and real world impact stories to the stage and exhibition floors.

Format and audience

This is an in person, offline event designed for a broad audience including families, students, professionals, and enthusiasts. Attendees will explore a walk-through exhibit, attend on stage conversations, and engage with dozens of exhibitors spanning technology, health, geography, and science. The event emphasizes practical demonstrations and interactive experiences that illustrate how innovations move from concept to market. The venue offers accessible entrances and directions, with nearby transit options and limited on-site parking. Pets are generally not allowed, with exceptions for service animals. The event is free to the public, though some exhibitors may have paid offerings or ticketed experiences for specific sessions.

What to expect and FAQs

Guests can expect a collaborative, educational experience featuring live demonstrations, hands-on exhibits, and on stage discussions with notable innovators. The agenda notes that timing is subject to change, and attendees are encouraged to view the full agenda on Forbes and Forbes connected pages for the most current schedule. Accessibility and logistics, including how to reach Fort Mason and travel options, are outlined in the event FAQ section on the page. The overall experience focuses on inspiration, practical demonstrations, and opportunities to learn how American innovation continues to shape multiple industries today and into the future.

Who should attend

The expo is suitable for anyone curious about how innovations are created and scaled, including students, families, tech enthusiasts, researchers, and professionals across diverse sectors who want to learn from leaders in business, science, and engineering.