IAAPA Expo 2026
Event Date
November 16–20, 2026
Location
Orlando, FL
Expected Exhibitors
1,100
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryIAAPA Expo is the flagship annual trade show of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and the largest and most influential trade show for professionals in the global attractions industry. It brings together professionals from theme parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts, and beyond, combining a sprawling trade show floor with an extensive education program.
The event pairs commerce with learning. The show floor features more than 1,100 exhibitors showcasing rides, attractions, technology, food-and-beverage, and guest-experience solutions, while the event offers the most educational opportunities in its history, with more than 170 expert-led sessions providing practical strategies and insights across operations, technology, guest experience, safety, sustainability, and more.
For operators, suppliers, investors, and developers, IAAPA Expo is a global marketplace and networking hub. Attendees can make connections that transform their business and tap into a community of attractions operators, suppliers, investors, and developers who share a passion for innovation and the future of the attractions industry, making it a must-attend gathering for anyone shaping location-based entertainment.
Show Highlights
- Massive trade show floor: more than 1,100 exhibitors display the latest rides, technology, and attractions products.
- Robust education program: more than 170 expert-led sessions covering operations, technology, guest experience, safety, and sustainability.
- Special ticketed networking events including a Leadership Breakfast, Women in the Industry Networking Lunch, Young Professionals Reception, and constituency lunches and receptions for water parks, FECs, zoos and aquariums, and museums.
- 24/7 medical care is available to attendees through Orlando Health's Virtual Visit program.
- Signature after-hours event: IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Epic Universe, offering exclusive park access for networking.
Attendance
IAAPA does not publish a confirmed total attendance figure for the 2026 edition on its official pages. In terms of show scale, the trade show floor features more than 1,100 exhibitors. The audience is global and professional: it brings together professionals from theme parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, resorts, and beyond.
Registration
Registration is open for IAAPA Expo 2026. Attendees register online through the official IAAPA registration portal, with pricing based on member versus nonmember status.
Member advance pricing includes:
- Show Floor with Education: $219 advance / $319 on-site
- Student: $75
- VIP Experience Program Gold: $380
- VIP Experience Program Diamond: $980
- Group rates: $169 (15–24) and $159 (25+)
A 6.5% sales tax is added to registration packages. Numerous special ticketed events (lunches, receptions, EDUTours, and IAAPA Celebrates at Universal Epic Universe) are available for additional fees. On-site registration hours run from Saturday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 20. Cancellations must be submitted in writing on or before 30 days prior to the start of Expo to receive a refund, less a 10% processing fee; special event tickets and upgrades are non-refundable.
History
IAAPA Expo is the North American flagship event of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), held annually each November in Orlando. The association also runs regional editions including IAAPA Expo Europe and IAAPA Expo Asia, serving markets around the world. The Orlando event has grown into the industry's premier global gathering; the 2026 edition marks the event's largest footprint to date with its expansion into the Orange County Convention Center's West Building, and is billed as the largest IAAPA Expo ever with the most educational opportunities in its history.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: August 8, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is IAAPA Expo 2026?
IAAPA Expo 2026 takes place November 16–20, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. Education sessions run November 16–19 and the trade show floor is open November 17–20.
Who should attend IAAPA Expo?
It is designed for professionals across the global attractions industry, including theme parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, and resorts. Operators, suppliers, investors, and developers all attend to network and see new products.
How much does registration cost and how do I register?
You register online through the official IAAPA portal. Member advance pricing for Show Floor with Education is $219 ($319 on-site), students pay $75, and VIP packages start at $380; a 6.5% sales tax applies and nonmember rates are higher.
How many exhibitors and education sessions are there?
The 2026 show floor features more than 1,100 exhibitors, and the event offers more than 170 expert-led education sessions covering operations, technology, guest experience, safety, and sustainability.
What makes IAAPA Expo 2026 worth attending?
The 2026 edition is billed as the largest IAAPA Expo ever, expanding into the OCCC West Building, and it combines the industry's biggest trade show floor with its most extensive education program and premier networking events, including a special event at Universal Epic Universe.
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