IAAPA Expo 2026: education 16–19 November, show floor 17–20 November at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Badge prices, hosted buyers, schedule and travel.
Cover image: The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, venue of IAAPA Expo (file photo) — photo by User Nehrams2020 on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
IAAPA Expo 2026 runs from 16 to 20 November at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida: education sessions run from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 November, and the trade-show floor is open from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November. It is the annual expo of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, where operators of theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums and museums meet ride makers and suppliers.
There are no public days. Details below are as of 1 November 2026.
Who exhibits and who attends IAAPA Expo?
IAAPA Expo 2025, held at the OCCC from 17 to 21 November 2025, recorded 38,520 verified attendees from 43,840 registrations and 28,598 qualified buyers from 102 countries, with more than 1,100 exhibitors, according to the organiser. IAAPA's 2026 prospectus says owners made up 31% of registered attendees and senior managers 23%, and lists Canada, the UK, Mexico and Brazil as its top buyer countries after the US.
IAAPA's 29 October press release says the 2026 show "will be the largest in IAAPA's history", with more than 1,350 exhibitors across over 630,000 sq ft in the North/South and West Buildings. The West Building holds pavilions for first-time exhibitors, food and beverage, haunt (Halloween attractions), operational services, and rides and equipment.
How to attend IAAPA Expo 2026: badges and prices
Register online through IAAPA's registration provider, MCI. A member badge includes the education conference; a non-member badge covers the show floor only. A 6.5% sales tax is added to every package.
| Badge | Advance | On-site | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAAPA member | $219 | $319 | Show floor and education |
| Non-member | $379 | $539 | Show floor only |
| Non-member education upgrade | $449 | $449 | Education conference |
| Student (member / non-member) | $75 / $150 | $75 / $150 | Show floor; education included for members |
| VIP Gold (member / non-member) | $599 / $1,499 | Same | Badge, education, VIP lounge, meeting help |
| VIP Diamond (member / non-member) | $1,199 / $1,999 | Same | Gold plus Opening Ceremony seating and four ticketed events |
Members also get group rates: $169 for 15 to 24 people and $159 for 25 or more. IAAPA publishes no cut-off for the advance rate, so check the price at checkout. Breakfasts, lunches, receptions and EDUTours cost extra, and the refund window (30 days before the show) has passed. Badges are not posted: collect yours with your confirmation email and photo ID from Saturday 14 November at registration in the South or West Building. Visa invitation letters can be downloaded once registration is paid in full.
Hosted buyers need purchasing authority and proven purchasing intent of $250,000 or more. The Select tier adds capped airfare and up to three hotel nights in return for 12 exhibitor appointments; the Executive tier gives free registration for six. Press credentials are free for qualifying media, and online press registration closes on Thursday 12 November.
Is it open to the public? No. IAAPA calls its expos business-to-business events, and everyone aged 18 or over pays the full fee to enter the show floor. Children aged 17 and under enter free with a wristband and an adult, but may not attend education sessions or ticketed events.
Networking at IAAPA Expo: the day-by-day programme
| Day | Show floor | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 15 November | Closed | Badge pickup; evening EDUTour to Fun Spot America |
| Monday 16 November | Closed | Education day: sessions, Water Park Day, Lunch and Learn, sector receptions |
| Tuesday 17 November | 10:00–18:00 | Opening Ceremony 8:30, press conferences, Young Professionals Reception |
| Wednesday 18 November | 10:00–18:00 | Leadership Breakfast, press conferences, Legends panel 16:00 |
| Thursday 19 November | 10:00–18:00 | Last education day; IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Epic Universe, 19:00–23:00 |
| Friday 20 November | 10:00–16:00 | Show floor only |
Meetings run through Connect+, IAAPA's event app, where attendees can see who is coming, message exhibitors and book appointments before the show; VIP packages add help with those meetings. The education programme lists more than 170 events, including a Legends of Disney panel with Bob Weis, Joe Rohde and Leslie Iwerks on Wednesday and a Lunch and Learn with Andrew Bolstein, president of Shanghai Disney Resort, on Monday.
More than 25 exhibitors and operator partners hold press conferences on 17 and 18 November. Ticketed events are tied to your badge, and some had sold out as of 1 November 2026. IAAPA Celebrates costs $329 for members and $549 for non-members. IAAPA's suitcasing rule bars non-exhibitors from soliciting business at the show, and students are asked to approach exhibitors on Thursday and Friday.
Getting to the Orange County Convention Center and where to stay
The OCCC is minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO); the venue estimates a taxi at $45 to $50, and LYNX buses link it with the airport. The Expo uses the South Building (9400 Universal Boulevard) and the West Building (9800 International Drive), joined by a pedestrian bridge and a free shuttle. Free shuttles also run from select official hotels, and I-RIDE Trolley stops sit outside both buildings on International Drive. The venue is cashless, and parking can be prepaid online.
onPeak is the official hotel provider. IAAPA's shuttle schedule lists the Hilton Orlando, Hyatt Regency Orlando and Rosen Centre as walking hotels; the OCCC says all three link to it by pedestrian bridges. US domestic flyers need a REAL ID-compliant licence or a passport, and as of 1 November 2026 everyone on a US-bound international flight from 3 November must complete a CDC Ebola attestation.
IAAPA Expo 2027 and IAAPA's other expos
IAAPA's 2026 sales prospectus lists the next Orlando expo for 16 to 19 November 2027 (for 2026 it gives the show-floor dates); the 2027 education dates and venue are not yet published. IAAPA's regional expos are separate shows with their own registration. IAAPA Expo Middle East makes its debut at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 12 to 15 April 2027. IAAPA Expo Asia moves to INTEX Osaka from 28 June to 1 July 2027 (show floor from 29 June) after a 2026 edition in Hong Kong; our guide to new theme parks opening in Asia covers the region's pipeline. IAAPA Expo Europe goes to VIECON, the Vienna Congress & Convention Center, from 20 to 24 September 2027 (show floor 21 to 23 September) after London in 2026.
Elsewhere in the US calendar, cruise lines meet their suppliers at Seatrade Cruise Global (5 to 8 April 2027, Miami Beach), and US destinations sell to international buyers at IPW (2 to 6 May 2027, New Orleans). All are in our travel trade show calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is IAAPA Expo 2026?
IAAPA Expo 2026 runs from 16 to 20 November 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Education runs from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 November; the show floor is open from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November, 10:00 to 18:00 (16:00 on Friday). Badge pickup opens on Saturday 14 November.
Is IAAPA Expo open to the public?
No. IAAPA describes its expos as business-to-business events for the attractions industry, and there are no consumer days. Anyone aged 18 or over needs a full registration to enter the show floor. Children aged 17 and under enter free with an adult but cannot attend education sessions or ticketed events.
How much does it cost to attend IAAPA Expo?
IAAPA members pay $219 in advance or $319 on-site, with education included. Non-members pay $379 in advance or $539 on-site for the show floor only, plus $449 for education. Students pay $75 as members or $150 otherwise, and VIP packages cost $599 to $1,999. A 6.5% sales tax is added, and ticketed meals, receptions and tours cost extra.
When is IAAPA Expo 2027?
IAAPA's 2026 sales prospectus lists IAAPA Expo 2027 for 16 to 19 November 2027 in Orlando; for 2026 it gives the show-floor dates. As of 1 November 2026, IAAPA had not published the 2027 education dates or named the 2027 venue; the 2025 and 2026 editions were both held at the Orange County Convention Center.
How do I become a hosted buyer at IAAPA Expo?
Apply through the hosted buyer form on IAAPA's website. Both tiers require purchasing authority, proven purchasing intent of $250,000 or more at IAAPA expos and a minimum age of 21. Select buyers get capped airfare and up to three hotel nights for 12 exhibitor appointments; Executive buyers get free registration for six. IAAPA replies within five business days.
Sources
- IAAPA, IAAPA Expo 2026 overview
- IAAPA, IAAPA Expo pricing
- IAAPA, IAAPA Expo on-site information
- IAAPA, Hosted Buyer Program
- IAAPA, IAAPA Expo 2025 sets new benchmark (21 November 2025)
- IAAPA, IAAPA Expo 2026 signature sessions (15 September 2026)
- IAAPA, Press events planned for IAAPA Expo 2026 (29 October 2026)
- IAAPA, 2026 sales prospectus (PDF)
- Orange County Convention Center, Getting here
More upcoming Americas travel trade shows
- 17–19 November 2026The Phocuswright Conference 2026Hollywood, United States
- 6–9 February 2027ABA Marketplace 2027Calgary, Canada
- 24–26 February 2027Vitrina Turística ANATO 2027Bogotá, Colombia
- 9–12 March 2027Tianguis Turístico México 2027Puebla, Mexico
- 5–8 April 2027Seatrade Cruise Global 2027Miami Beach, United States
- 13–15 April 2027WTM Latin America 2027São Paulo, Brazil
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