Tampa Convention Center to host five days of education, exhibits, and industry events
EXHIBITORLIVE 2026 drops anchor in Tampa Bay from March 29 through April 2, offering five days of education, innovation, and in-person connection for tradeshow and event marketing professionals. Now in its 37th year, the conference returns with more than 100 educational sessions, an exhibition hall filled with industry suppliers, and a fresh setting along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
This year’s event will be held at the Tampa Convention Center, a waterfront venue located in the heart of downtown. Known for its views of the Hillsborough River and proximity to hotels, dining, and cultural attractions, the center offers 600,000 square feet of transformable space. It is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025 and is fresh off a major industry win.
In October, the Tampa Convention Center received the 2025 Stella Award for Best Convention Center in the Southeast for the third consecutive year. The award, presented by Northstar Meetings Group, honors venues that demonstrate excellence in service, sustainability, and innovation. The center also holds LEED Silver certification and maintains long-term partnerships with exclusive service providers across catering, AV, internet, and signage.
A New City with Familiar Focus
Tampa is the third stop in EXHIBITORLIVE’s rotating location strategy, following Nashville and San Antonio. The annual move offers repeat attendees a change of pace while introducing new destinations for offsite events and evening networking Tampa’s Riverwalk is a wide, open-air path that runs along the Hillsborough River and connects the convention center to nearby museums, parks, and downtown hotels. The waterfront setting offers a different feel from last year’s San Antonio River Walk, with views of the bay and room to walk, bike, or relax between sessions.
Education at the Helm
Learning remains the heart of EXHIBITORLIVE. The 2026 agenda will feature a full slate of professional development sessions across a range of tracks, including exhibit strategy, measurement, global exhibiting, booth staffing, and event technology.
The Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program remains a central feature. CTSM is the industry’s only university-affiliated certification and includes 42 hours of coursework, an exam, and a final portfolio project. More than 3,000 professionals are currently enrolled in the program, with over 700 completing the certification to date.
Show Floor Highlights
The exhibit hall will feature more than 150 companies showcasing solutions for live events, exhibit builds, lead generation, and digital integration. The show floor is designed to encourage attendee interaction and supplier discovery.
Education sessions and exhibit hall hours will not overlap, allowing attendees to fully participate in both without missing key opportunities.
Professional Community and Industry Reach
EXHIBITORLIVE continues to draw professionals from some of the world’s most respected organizations. Past attendees have included representatives from NASA, GE HealthCare, Caterpillar, Thermo Fisher Scientific, L’Oréal, Emerson, and Fujifilm, along with hundreds of brand-side marketers and event teams.
Whether it is your first year or your fifteenth, the conference offers opportunities to learn, connect, and advance in a constantly evolving marketplace.
Registration is now open. The current rate for a Premium Pass is $2,350, offering full access to regular sessions and workshops. This early rate reflects a savings of $645 off the standard price of $2,995. Attendees can reserve their spot now and select specific sessions when full registration opens in mid-November.
For the full schedule, pricing details, and hotel information, visit www.ExhibitorLive.com.
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 96. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/96.
