IAAPA Expo 2026

IAAPA Expo is the largest global event for the attractions industry, featuring thousands of exhibitors and attendees. It is a key B2B event for amusement parks, family entertainment, and attractions.

IAAPA Expo 2026

IAAPA Expo 2026 runs at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida.

Education and show floor run on different dates

This catches people out every year, so it is worth being precise about:

• Education: 16–19 November 2026
• Show floor: 17–20 November 2026

Education opens the event a day before the halls do, and the show floor runs a day past the end of the education programme. If you are booking travel to catch both, you need the full 16–20 November span, not a three-day trip.

The West Building is new this year

IAAPA Expo has historically occupied the North and South Buildings of the OCCC. For 2026 the organiser is adding the West Building. If you have attended before, the floor plan you remember is not the floor plan you will be walking — allow more time to cross the show than previous events needed.

It is the attractions industry's global meeting point

IAAPA Expo covers the full breadth of the attractions business: amusement and theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos and aquariums, museums and science centres, and resorts. That breadth is the reason the exhibitor mix runs from major ride manufacturers through to ticketing software and concessions supply.

Orlando in November

The show sits immediately before the US Thanksgiving week and in one of the busiest theme-park cities in the world. Accommodation near the convention centre goes early.

Education 16–19 November 2026; show floor 17–20 November 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando.

New for 2026: the West Building joins the North and South Buildings.

Covers the full attractions industry — theme parks, water parks, FECs, zoos, aquariums, museums and resorts.

Exhibitor mix spans major ride manufacturers to ticketing software and concessions.

9400 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819.

Amusement and theme park operators — owners, general managers, operations and capital planning teams.

Water park operators.

Family entertainment centre owners and operators, including trampoline parks, bowling and mixed-use venues.

Zoos, aquariums, museums and science centres.

Resorts and destination venues with attractions components.

Buyers across rides, games, food service, ticketing, retail and safety.

One practical note: because education begins on 16 November but the show floor does not open until the 17th, an attendee coming only for the exhibition should not arrive on the first day of the event.

Ride and attraction manufacturers.

Water park equipment suppliers.

Games, redemption and amusement equipment suppliers.

Food service and concessions suppliers, a major category for venue operators.

Ticketing, access control and operations software vendors.

Theming, design and fabrication firms.

Safety, maintenance and inspection services.

The addition of the West Building for 2026 expands available floor space; exhibitors who have shown before should confirm their placement relative to the new layout rather than assuming continuity with their previous location.