IAAPA Expo 2026 returns to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida, this November. According to IAAPA's official event page, education sessions run Nov. 16-19, 2026 (Monday through Thursday) and the show floor is open Nov. 17-20, 2026 (Tuesday through Friday). IAAPA says this year's event will take up more space than any previous Expo because it is expanding into the OCCC West Building.
Set expectations: an attractions show, not a cash-prize show
IAAPA Expo is an attractions-industry trade show serving theme parks, family entertainment centers (FECs), water parks, zoos and similar venues. For readers in the US cash-prize skill machine business, the overlap is in amusement, arcade and redemption equipment, card and cashless systems, and FEC operations. None of the sources reviewed for this article say cash-prize skill machines will be exhibited. Showing a product at a trade show in Florida or anywhere else also says nothing about whether it can lawfully be operated in Texas or any other state.
Dates, venue and logistics
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Education: Nov. 16-19, 2026, per IAAPA.
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Show floor: Nov. 17-20, 2026, per IAAPA.
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Venue: OCCC, 9400 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819, per IAAPA's event listing. IAAPA's Important Show Information page gives the West Building's address as 9800 International Dr. The North, South and West Buildings are all in use.
In its June 17, 2026 press release, IAAPA said "this year's Expo will mark the event's largest footprint to date with its expansion into the West Building." The release lists these West Building features: a Food & Beverage Pavilion that has doubled in size and will host live chef demonstrations, Haunting Grounds, the EDUTalk Stage, the What's New Theater and a Young Professionals Hub. It also lists a Cruise Lounge and a Glamping Lounge in the South Building. Todd Andrus, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA North America, said in the release: "IAAPA Expo remains the place where the global attractions community comes together to discover new ideas, build relationships, and shape the future of our industry."
If you plan to bring family or younger staff, note the minors policy. Children under 18 may be on the show floor during open show hours, and anyone 17 or under needs a wristband from registration. No one under 18 is allowed on the floor during move-in or move-out.
IAAPA's event listing also promotes a separate ticketed event, "IAAPA Celebrates: Universal Epic Universe," which it says gives eligible attendees exclusive access to the park.
Where to walk the floor
IAAPA's show information page lists five pavilions in the South Hall: Family Entertainment Center, Games & Arcade, Inflatable, Show Production & Design, and Water Parks & More. The West Hall holds First Time Exhibitor, Food & Beverage, Haunt, Innovation Activation, Operational Services, Tabletop, and a Mixed Product Area.
Editorial recommendation: amusement and redemption operators should start with the Family Entertainment Center and Games & Arcade pavilions in the South Hall. If you are looking for back-office, service or technology suppliers, the Operational Services and Innovation Activation pavilions in the West Hall are worth a look. Check each exhibitor's listing before assuming what it sells.
Education program
IAAPA says the program will include "more than 170 expert-led sessions" covering "operations, technology, guest experience, safety, sustainability, and more" (press release). Exhibit City News reported "nearly 200 education sessions." For the full agenda, IAAPA sends attendees to its Connect+ app.
Exhibit City News listed four signature sessions:
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DEEP STORY with Bob Rogers and Bob Weis: Nov. 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Lunch and Learn with Andrew Bolstein: Nov. 16, noon-2 p.m.
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Leadership Breakfast with Joe Pine II: Nov. 18, 8:30-10 a.m.
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Legends 2026 Panel with Bob Weis, Joe Rohde and Leslie Iwerks, moderated by Bob Rogers: Nov. 18, 4-5:30 p.m.
All four are about storytelling, leadership or guest experience, not gaming. For FEC operators, the IAAPA Foundation's FEC scholarship page names an FEC Reception and FEC Lunch and Learn events among the Expo events its $2,500 scholarship covers. That page currently describes the 2027 scholarship.
Exhibitors
IAAPA says "over 1,100 exhibiting companies from around the world" will take part (press release). Some companies have announced their plans themselves. On March 30, 2026, Gig Game Studios said it will exhibit its interactive social gaming platform in Orlando. That is the company's own statement.
For arcade context, Arcade Heroes' round-up of IAAPA Expo Europe 2026 (London, Sept. 22-24) said Bandai Namco would have "a presence to remember there, with several new games of their own." The outlet added that "we still look forward to what November will bring."
What it costs
As of Oct. 9, 2026, IAAPA's attendee pricing page listed these rates (advance / on-site):
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Member, Show Floor with Education: $219 / $319
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Non-member, Show Floor Only: $379 / $539
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Non-member, Education Upgrade: $449
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Member groups: $169 per person (15-24 people), $159 per person (25 or more)
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Students: $75 (member), $150 (non-member)
The page also lists a 6.5% sales tax.
Questions to bring to vendor conversations
Editorial recommendation, not a sourced requirement: treat booth conversations as a starting point for due diligence.
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Where is the company headquartered, and which states does it actually ship to and service? These are separate questions.
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If the vendor says a product is compliant, which jurisdiction's law does that claim cover, and what written documentation backs it up?
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What do the warranty, parts availability and field service look like in your area?
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How are software updates delivered, and how does the equipment work with card or cashless systems you already run?
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Which contract terms (pricing, revenue share, termination, liability) will the vendor put in writing?
Use the vendor comparison checklist to record answers and evidence side by side. The worksheet records questions and evidence. It is not legal approval, vendor verification or a measure of machine profitability.
Also on the calendar
If your business is closer to coin-op and amusement machines, Amusement Expo International 2027 may be a better fit. The show is sponsored by AAMA and AMOA and runs March 15-18, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the organizer, education runs March 15-16 and the show floor is open March 17-18.
Related reading
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Do Skill Game Trade Associations Actually Protect Operators?
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Skill Game Industry News 2026: Texas and Pennsylvania Developments to Watch Heading Into Q4
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Lease vs Buy Skill Machines: Which Costs Texas Operators Less?
Sources
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IAAPA Attendee Pricing (checked Oct. 9, 2026)
Sourcing note: Dates were checked against IAAPA's official event pages and press release on Oct. 9, 2026. This article was prepared with AI assistance and edited against the cited sources.
Reporting is for information, not legal advice. A vendor listing or the term skill game does not establish a machine's legality in any jurisdiction.