Orlando briefs this month track convention activity at major venues, strong theme park performance, visitor safety planning, and long-term airport investments as Central Florida moves toward a busy summer season.
Tradeshows & Conventions
Orlando May Calendar Lists Top Four Tradeshows by Exhibitor Count
Orlando lists several May 2026 tradeshows across the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Renaissance SeaWorld, Hyatt Regency Orlando, and other major venues. The largest by exhibitor count is Premiere Orlando, running May 30 through June 1 at the OCCC, with 500 exhibitors and 27,272 attendees. Other top May shows include American Thoracic Society (ATS), May 15 through 20 at the OCCC, with 243 exhibitors and 13,748 attendees; MICROGRID KNOWLEDGE Conference, May 4 through 6 at Renaissance SeaWorld, with 90 exhibitors; and Safety In Action Conference, May 5 through 7 at Hyatt Regency Orlando, with 80 exhibitors and 2,500 attendees.
Coverings 2025 Drew Nearly 25,000 Attendees in Orlando
Coverings 2025 ran April 29 through May 2 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The tile and stone industry event drew nearly 25,000 attendees and featured about 985 exhibitors, 24 conference sessions, 130 stage presentations, and 440,000 square feet of exhibit space. The show represented more than 120 countries.
Orlando Boat Show Displays Approximately 600 Boats at OCCC
The Orlando Boat Show ran April 4 through 6, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center’s North Hall A. The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida said the show featured 21 Central Florida boat dealers, more than 80 manufacturers, approximately 600 boats on display, and 30 marine industry exhibitors, making it the largest edition of the show to date.
SNAXPO25 Brings Snack Industry Suppliers to Orlando
SNAXPO25 ran March 30 through April 1, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The snack industry tradeshow was expected to draw 1,600 attendees and 170 exhibitors, including about 600 international attendees. SNAC International later said the event brought snack producers, suppliers, and industry partners from around the world to Orlando.
World Aviation Training Summit Returns to Orlando
The World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) 2025 ran April 7 through 10 in Orlando. The aviation training event brought together pilot training, cabin crew training, maintenance training, and flight school professionals. Organizers said more than 1,000 professionals attend annually from across the aviation training sector.
Fire Contained at OCCC Before Ulta Beauty World
A fire broke out early April 15 at the Orange County Convention Center, hours before the kickoff of Ulta Beauty World 2026. A convention center spokesperson said the fire appeared to originate from a booth in Hall E2 and was contained by Orange County Fire Rescue. No injuries were reported, and the cause remained under investigation. The convention center said other event operations remained active while teams assessed damage and worked to restore the exhibit hall.
Ulta Beauty World Brings More Than 5,000 to Orlando
Ulta Beauty World brought more than 5,000 people to Orlando in April through its public expo and Field Leadership Conference. The event opened to consumers April 16 at the Orange County Convention Center, with more than 220 brands on the show floor. Organizers said more than three million people entered the online queue for 3,000 public spots, which sold out in 71 minutes. The Orange County Convention Center estimated the event’s economic impact at $7.6 million.
Tourism & Major Events
Universal Reports Strong Start to 2026
Universal’s theme parks reported $2.3 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, up 24.2 percent from the same period in 2025. Comcast Co-Chief Executive Officer Mike Cavanagh said Orlando continued to perform well, with Epic Universe driving strong resort attendance and higher per-capita spending. Universal reported $553 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), up 33 percent from $413 million last year. The company also noted pressure at its Asian parks tied to inbound travel trends and macroeconomic conditions.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Prepares for Another Icon Park Teen Gathering
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said more than 1,000 teenagers gathered at Icon Park in Orlando over the weekend. The gathering led to fights, early business closures, and a large law enforcement response. Officials said 54 deputies responded. Two deputies were injured, and deputies arrested nine teens ages 13 to 16. Sheriff John Mina said another teen gathering is planned for May 9. Deputies are preparing for a larger presence.
Frontierland Construction Advances at Walt Disney World
Construction walls now cover large sections of Frontierland at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom. Disney is advancing work tied to the planned Piston Peak National Park area. Reports said the work affects Big Al’s, Westward Ho, and nearby walkways. The Frontierland Walt Disney World Railroad station is closed. The train is operating as a shuttle between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A. The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island closed in July 2025 as part of the larger redevelopment. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains closed for refurbishment and is expected to return in 2026.
Infrastructure & Development
Orlando International Airport Sets Long-Term Growth Vision
Orlando International Airport (MCO) welcomed more than 7.9 million travelers during a 46-day spring break travel period. The airport averaged about 172,000 passengers per day. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) outlined a long-term plan focused on customer experience, community, infrastructure, and people. Planned upgrades include a new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B by 2030. The plan also calls for 8,000 additional public parking spaces by 2030, restroom improvements, and expanded Gates 100-129. It also includes Terminal C mobility improvements and future work on an on-airport Advanced Air Mobility vertiport.
