Business events in Orlando: what is worth attending in 2026–27

Orlando hosts business events year-round, but the main season runs October to June. January to April 2027 is the densest stretch, when one large trade show follows another at the convention center. July and August are quieter, and the calendar picks up again in September.

The live Orlando calendar lists every event atndr tracks.

Orlando's strength is large association trade shows, each the main annual meeting of a US industry. Pick the one that matches your supply chain.

Manufacturing, plastics and automation

NPE2027: The Plastics Show (3–7 May 2027) is the Plastics Industry Association's triennial show for the whole plastics supply chain. It fills the West and South buildings with more than 1.1 million square feet of exhibits, from machinery and molds to resins and recycling, and adds the Society of Plastics Engineers' ANTEC conference in 2027. The organiser cites more than 2,200 exhibitors and more than 51,000 visitors from 130+ countries. The A3 Business Forum (18–20 January) is a members-only outlook meeting for robotics and automation executives.

Aerospace, defense and transport

I/ITSEC 2026 (30 November–3 December) is described by its organiser, the National Training & Simulation Association, as the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event. AIAA SciTech Forum 2027 (11–15 January) is aerospace R&D: AIAA reports 5,963 attendees and 2,938 technical presentations at its last forum. MRO Americas (13–15 April) is Aviation Week's aircraft maintenance show, which reported 19,000 attendees and 1,075 exhibitors in 2026. TMC 2027 (8–11 March) is where truck fleet maintenance leaders write the industry's Recommended Practices.

Technology, AV and security

InfoComm 2027 is AVIXA's pro AV show: education runs 12–18 June and the exhibits 16–18 June in the OCCC West Building, with RESIDE and Lightapalooza on the same badge. The 2026 show in Las Vegas drew 28,132 verified attendees. GSX 2027 (20–22 September) is ASIS International's security conference, with 500+ exhibitors and up to 22 CPE credits. HITEC (28 June–1 July) covers hotel and restaurant technology.

Food, retail and consumer goods

The NAFEM Show 2027 (11–13 February) is the biennial commercial foodservice equipment show; NAFEM expects around 20,000 professionals. Dairy Forum (24–27 January) is IDFA's executive meeting for dairy processors. Global Pet Expo (17–19 March) cites 1,200 exhibiting companies and 3,500 booths. Surf Expo runs twice a year (6–8 January and 9–11 September) for surf, resort and coastal retail buyers. PGA Show 2027 (26–29 January) is the golf industry's trade show, now in its 74th year, and Premiere Orlando (5–7 June) serves licensed beauty professionals.

Auto retail, building products and logistics

The NADA Show 2027 (17–20 February) is the annual convention of franchised new-car dealers, with automaker franchise meetings and an expo. Coverings 2027 (6–9 April) is North America's largest tile and stone show, and GlassBuild America (26–28 October) covers glass, windows and doors. Home Delivery World (25–27 May) is Terrapinn's last-mile delivery conference and expo.

Marketing

The ANA Masters of Marketing Conference (20–23 October 2026, Rosen Shingle Creek) is the Association of National Advertisers' flagship meeting of CMOs and brand leaders.

Trade shows go to the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC); conferences go to resort hotels. The OCCC has two buildings, West and North-South, with 2,055,222 square feet of exhibit space between them (1,104,940 in the West Building and 950,282 in the North-South Building), according to the venue.

The OCCC's main address is 9800 International Drive. Orange County says it is 12 miles from Orlando International Airport, 11 miles south-west of downtown Orlando, and within walking distance of 7,380 hotel rooms. Check which building your show uses before booking: the West and North-South buildings have separate entrances.

Prices vary more in Orlando than in most cities, because many shows are run by US trade associations with member and non-member rates. Several are closed to the public and check that you work in the industry.

• Free for qualified buyers: Global Pet Expo (buyers apply and qualify), Surf Expo (free if registered at least two weeks ahead, USD 25 on site) and Coverings (registration includes the conference programme).
• Paid badges: The NAFEM Show attendee badge is USD 75 in advance and USD 125 late. TMC's full meeting costs USD 925 for members early-bird and USD 1,550 for non-members.
• Trade-only with proof: the PGA Show requires trade qualification; Surf Expo buyers show a resale certificate and recent invoices; Premiere Orlando admits licensed beauty professionals and students, and no one under 18.
• Restricted: the A3 Business Forum is for A3 member companies only; I/ITSEC attendance is open to Five Eyes partners, NATO members and nations that profess neutrality.

Register early. Advance rates are lower, badge pickup is faster, and several shows run hosted-buyer or matchmaking programmes that fill up, such as Home Delivery World's HDW Connect and Surf Expo's CONNECT app.

Plan around distance and timing. The convention center and the conference resorts are miles apart, so a hotel close to your venue saves the most time.

1. Stay close to your venue. For OCCC shows, the hotels on International Drive are within walking distance. For resort conferences, the host hotel is usually the base for sessions, meals and networking.
2. Use the pre-show tools. Matchmaking apps and hosted-buyer schemes at Surf Expo, MRO Americas and Home Delivery World book meetings before the floor opens.
3. Pair shows that sit close together. The PGA Show (26–29 January) overlaps Dairy Forum (24–27 January), and The NAFEM Show (11–13 February) and the NADA Show (17–20 February) are a few days apart.
4. Know the education day. Several shows open with an education-only or demo day (PGA Show Demo Day, Premiere Orlando's Saturday classes) before the floor opens.
5. Budget for credits. GSX offers up to 22 CPE credits, and Coverings sessions carry AIA credits, which can justify the trip for certified staff.