World Waterpark Association 2026
Event Date
October 6–9, 2026
Location
Las Vegas, NV
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe WWA Annual Symposium & Trade Show is the water leisure industry's flagship gathering, produced by the World Waterpark Association. The WWA Annual Symposium & Trade Show is a premier event for professionals in the waterpark industry, bringing together waterpark owners, operators, developers, designers, and suppliers. The 2026 edition marks the association's 46th Annual Symposium & Trade Show, returning to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show serves waterparks across every segment of the market. This event is designed to cater to various attendees, including those in the public sector, hotel/resort affiliates, corporate chains, privately owned businesses, and international entities. Attendees come for three pillars: a deep education program, a comprehensive trade show floor, and intimate industry networking.
It is worth attending because it concentrates the global waterpark community in one place. The trade show floor at the WWA Show is filled with the products and services that waterparks owners, operators and developers use on a daily basis, and the show represents the greatest number of waterpark exhibitors anywhere. Networking at the WWA Show is one of its key benefits — the water leisure industry is a tight-knit community filled with people looking to expand their knowledge through one-to-one conversations with fellow industry professionals, and WWA networking events are a must-do at each show.
Show Highlights
- Education Program: The show features more than 40 breakout sessions, workshops and round tables. Time slots include core seminars, professional development seminars and advanced seminars.
- Signature workshops: WWA University workshops covering waterpark maintenance and design/development, plus lifeguard and pool operator certification courses. A two-day program is presented in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance's two-day workshop is designed to provide the knowledge necessary to operate and manage public pools and spas.
- Trade Show Floor (Oct. 7–8): Access to 100,000 square feet of the newest, most innovative waterpark-related goods and services. A tasty lunch on the trade show floor is one of the signature show amenities.
- Networking & social events: The WWA Annual Golf Tournament provides a fun and memorable way to network with fellow WWA Show attendees, along with opening receptions and after-hours mingling.
- Awards & scholarships: Board Awards & Hall of Fame Program, the Chris Stuart Emerging Leaders Scholarship, and the Wave Review Awards Competition.
Attendance
The official 2026 site does not publish current attendance figures. As a benchmark, a recent WWA Symposium & Trade Show drew strong global participation: the event filled 100,000 square feet of exhibit space with more than 230 exhibitors and 1,500 attendees, with active leisure markets represented from 23 countries including Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, Israel and Jamaica.
Booth Pricing
Each 10' by 10' booth is $2,095, with a 50% deposit requested at the time of the initial reservation. The WWA takes care of its exhibitors by providing registration, buffet lunches on the tradeshow floor both days, and entry to parties/receptions for two staff members. A 2026 exhibiting brochure is available from the show for full details.
Registration
Registration for the WWA Show is handled through the official show website. There are separate paths by attendee type:
- Park owners, operators, and developers can register online or download a park registration form.
- Suppliers can register online or download a supplier registration form.
The 46th Annual Trade Show takes place at The Paris Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 7–8, 2026, within the broader Oct. 6–9 symposium. Prospective speakers follow a separate track: session proposals begin being accepted in January, and interested speakers have through March 15, 2026, to submit a proposal.
History
The World Waterpark Association's Annual Symposium & Trade Show is the water leisure industry's long-running annual convention. The 2026 event is the WWA's 46th Annual Symposium & Trade Show, returning to Las Vegas, October 6-9, 2026. The 46th edition follows the 2025 show, which was held in a different host city: the WWA's 45th Annual Symposium & Trade Show ran October 20-23, 2025, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Over its history the show has grown into a global marketplace, drawing waterpark professionals from more than 20 countries and establishing itself as the industry's most comprehensive annual gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 WWA Show taking place?
The WWA's 46th Annual Symposium & Trade Show runs October 6–9, 2026, at the Paris Las Vegas Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The trade show floor is open October 7–8.
Who should attend the WWA Symposium & Trade Show?
It is designed for waterpark owners, operators, developers, designers and suppliers. Attendees include public-sector parks, hotel and resort operators, corporate chains, privately owned businesses and international operators.
How do I register for the show?
You can register online through wwashow.org. Park owners, operators and developers use a park registration path, while suppliers use a supplier registration path; downloadable registration forms are also available.
How much does an exhibitor booth cost?
Each 10' by 10' booth is $2,095, with a 50% deposit requested at the time of the initial reservation. The fee includes registration, buffet lunches on the trade show floor both days, and party/reception entry for two staff.
How do I get to the venue from the airport?
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is about 3.5 to 3.8 miles away, roughly a 15-minute drive with a taxi fare of about $25. Rideshare and taxis are available, and the Las Vegas Monorail stops directly at the Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas station.
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