IAAPA Expo 2026, the attractions industry's biggest annual gathering, runs November 16-20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Organizer IAAPA says this edition is its largest yet, filling more than 630,000 square feet with over 1,350 exhibitors. The trade show floor opens Tuesday, November 17, and attention is building around a speaker lineup that includes several well-known Disney creative figures.

Who is speaking at IAAPA Expo 2026?

The centerpiece is the Legends 2026 panel, featuring Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering; Joe Rohde, a former Imagineer and Disney Legend; and Leslie Iwerks, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker. According to IAAPA's press release, more than 25 exhibitors and their operator partners will also hold press conferences on November 17 and 18, at booths and on a newly reimagined Innovation Stage.

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Weis appears again alongside Bob Rogers in a separate session, "DEEP STORY: The Secrets of Transformational Story Making," on building experiences that connect with audiences. Organizers list 170 educational sessions covering technology, guest experience, operations, safety, sustainability and leadership.

Why you should go

  • Hear from Disney veterans. Weis, Rohde and Iwerks share firsthand accounts of how attractions move from idea to opening, according to the panel's description.
  • See new rides first. Press conferences are where manufacturers and parks unveil attractions and announce partnerships.
  • Learn practical skills. The 170 sessions cover technology, safety, sustainability and leadership for operators at any level.
  • Meet international peers. A Latin America and Caribbean track includes a Lunch and Learn with executives from Happyland Peru, Parque Diversiones and KidZania.
  • See the expanded floor. A West Hall ribbon cutting on November 17 marks the larger exhibition space.

What to know before you go

Key moments on November 17 include a media preview from 7 to 9 a.m., the Opening Ceremony in the Chapin Theater from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., press conferences from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the South Hall, and "The Future of the Attractions Industry" from 4 to 5:30 p.m. IAAPA Expo is a trade event for attractions professionals; the brief does not list ticket prices or registration details, so check with IAAPA.

FAQ

When and where is IAAPA Expo 2026?

It runs November 16-20, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with the trade show floor opening November 17.

Can the public attend?

It is a trade event for attractions professionals. The brief gives no ticket prices, so check with IAAPA for attendance requirements.