Expo! Expo! - International Association of Exhibitions & Events - IAEE 2026
Event Date
November 16–18, 2026
Location
Milwaukee, WI
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryExpo! Expo! is the annual meeting and exhibition of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), widely known in the industry as "the show for shows." It brings together exhibition and event professionals — including show organizers, suppliers, and service providers — for a combination trade show and conference that features a marketplace of buyers and sellers alongside a robust education program.
The 2026 edition takes place November 16–18 in Milwaukee, WI, at the Baird Center. Attendees can expect a busy exhibit floor of industry suppliers, dozens of education sessions, and extensive networking events. IAEE organizes the show around multiple content tracks addressing the needs of the events ecosystem.
It is worth attending because it is the largest annual gathering dedicated specifically to the people who produce trade shows and exhibitions. Professionals come to source technology and services, sharpen their skills, earn continuing education, and build relationships with peers and vendors from across the globe.
Show Highlights
Key features of Expo! Expo! typically include:
- A supplier marketplace / exhibit floor where event organizers meet vendors offering technology, services, and destination options.
- Multiple education tracks — the 2026 show is organized around six content tracks addressing the needs of the events ecosystem. Past editions featured tracks in focus areas such as Content Creation, Bridging Relationships, Game Plan Moves, Grow Your Show and The Evolving Professional.
- CEM and CEM-AP certification courses offered around the main program.
- Signature networking events, including the IAEE Awards (which have incorporated the TSNN Awards), a Young Professionals party, and the annual PRIDE Party.
- Programs for newcomers and buyers, including a Show Organizer First Timer Program and a Hosted Buyer program.
Attendance
Attendance figures are published for past editions rather than the upcoming Milwaukee show. Expo! Expo! 2022 in Louisville, Ky. drew 1,476 attendees per the verified audit conducted by Exhibit Surveys, Inc. At the 2024 edition in Los Angeles, 240 exhibitors and more than 1,700 attendees convened on the show floor. In 2019, about 2,400 attendees and 400 exhibitors were expected at the event at MGM Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The audience is made up primarily of exhibition and event industry professionals — trade show organizers, suppliers, and service providers.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 show is open, with early-bird "Be Smart" rates available. Attendees can register online through the official "Register Now" portal for the event in Milwaukee, WI on 16–18 November.
Helpful registration resources published by IAEE include:
- Show Organizer First Timer Program — for those attending for the first time.
- Hosted Buyer program — for qualifying show organizers.
- Justification Toolkit — to help attendees make the case to attend.
Register as early as possible to secure the lowest available rates.
History
Expo! Expo! is the annual meeting and exhibition of IAEE, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, which owns and produces the event. The show rotates among major U.S. convention cities each year. Recent host cities and venues have included New Orleans (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center), Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center), Orlando (Orange County Convention Center), Houston (George R. Brown Convention Center), Los Angeles (Los Angeles Convention Center) and Baltimore (Baltimore Convention Center). The 2018 New Orleans edition marked the association's 90th anniversary. More recent editions were held in Louisville (2022) and Los Angeles, and the 2026 edition brings the show to Milwaukee for the first time in recent memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Expo! Expo! 2026 taking place?
Expo! Expo!, IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition, takes place November 16–18, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It will be held at the Baird Center, located at 400 W Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203.
Who organizes Expo! Expo! and who should attend?
The show is owned and produced by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). It is designed for exhibition and event professionals, including trade show organizers, suppliers, and service providers, and is often called "the show for shows."
How do I register for Expo! Expo! 2026?
Registration is open and can be completed online through the official "Register Now" portal on the event website. Early-bird "Be Smart" rates are available, and IAEE offers resources such as a First Timer Program, a Hosted Buyer program, and a Justification Toolkit.
What can attendees expect at the show?
Expo! Expo! combines a supplier exhibit floor with a robust education program organized around six content tracks. Attendees can also take CEM certification courses and take part in signature networking events such as the IAEE Awards and Young Professionals party.
Where should I stay and how do I get to the venue?
The Baird Center is connected by skywalk to more than 1,300 hotel rooms at the Hilton Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown. The venue is in downtown Milwaukee, a short drive from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, with on-site and nearby parking available.
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