Expo! Expo! 2026, the annual meeting and exhibition of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), runs Nov. 16-18 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. The gathering brings event organizers, exhibitors and suppliers together to trade tips and sharpen skills, and this year adds several new programs aimed at corporate event marketers.

What is new at Expo! Expo! 2026?

Organizers are introducing an IAEE + EXHIBITOR Experience, a show-floor theater offering targeted education for corporate event marketers. Its sessions cover how to promote events, how exhibitors can work better on the floor, how to collaborate with event partners and how to use influencers.

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Other additions include an Industry Collective, where attendees can meet representatives of groups such as the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association and the International Association of Venue Managers. A race car simulator called the IAEE Speedway will sit on the show floor.

To make arriving easier, the organization is offering registration sites at the Hyatt, the Hilton, and during the opening event hosted by the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Why you should go

  • Peer learning: More than 60 interactive peer-to-peer sessions with over 100 speakers are built around shared discussion rather than lectures.
  • Practical sustainability: A multi-zone Sustainability Sanctuary lets attendees work on real-world challenges and leave with ideas for their own events.
  • Networking beyond the hall: The Expo! Expo! Dine Around and Food Tours on Tuesday, Nov. 17, starting at 6 p.m., let attendees eat and mingle around Milwaukee.
  • Supplier meetings: Booking appointments with exhibitors through the mobile app ahead of time lets attendees request demos and compare vendors.

What to know before you go

The Baird Center is at 400 W Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The broader event schedule runs from 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, Central time.

IAEE's Hannah Deters advises first-timers to arrive with a plan while staying flexible, skimming the agenda early and leaving open time for the show floor. The brief does not list ticket prices or registration fees, so check with IAEE for current rates and registration details.

FAQ

When and where is Expo! Expo! 2026?

It runs Nov. 16-18, 2026, at the Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

How much do tickets cost?

The brief does not state prices; check the IAEE event site for registration rates.