Orlando’s March calendar includes five tradeshows at Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Shingle Creek, led by Global Pet Expo and Vision Expo. Design and Construction Week will leave Orlando after its 2026 run and move to Las Vegas in 2027. METALCON also booked an October debut at Orange County Convention Center. Show metrics trended up at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show, which reported a 15 percent attendance gain and a larger exhibit footprint. Outside the halls, Orlando International Airport approved phased dining additions and hosted a Tokyo charter launch. Waymo also began an invite-only driverless ride rollout in the attraction’s corridor.
TRADESHOWS & CONVENTIONS
Orlando March Calendar Lists Five Tradeshows
Orlando lists five March 2026 tradeshows across Orange County Convention Center and Rosen Shingle Creek. The largest by exhibitor count is Global Pet Expo, running March 25–27 at Orange County Convention Center with 1,107 exhibitors and 17,347 attendees. Vision Expo runs March 11–14 at Orange County Convention Center and lists 446 exhibitors and 14,500 attendees. International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) Expo runs March 10–12 at Orange County Convention Center with 249 exhibitors and 3,300 attendees. Everything Under the Sun Expo runs March 6–7 at Orange County Convention Center with 225 exhibitors and 4,030 attendees. International Battery Seminar and Exhibit runs March 23–26 at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and lists 30 exhibitors and 2,100 attendees.
Diego Luna Added to MegaCon Orlando Guest List for March 19–22
MegaCon Orlando will run March 19–22 at Orange County Convention Center. Diego Luna is scheduled to appear during the weekend dates. The guest roster also includes Dafne Keen, Jennifer Beals, Giancarlo Esposito, John Boyega, Brent Spiner, Dominic Monaghan, and Elijah Wood. Organizers position the show around comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming. Programming includes panels, workshops, autograph and photo sessions, cosplay activity, and a large exhibit and retail floor.
Design and Construction Week to Leave Orlando After 2026 Run at Orange County Convention Center
The 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) opened at Orange County Convention Center as Design and Construction Week’s final Orlando edition before a permanent move to Las Vegas in 2027. Emmitt Smith headlined the opening ceremony. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) flagged 2026 headwinds including policy uncertainty, a softening labor market, and affordability pressure, with expectations of modest mortgage-rate easing. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) held its Design + Industry Awards gala on February 16 at Rosen Centre Hotel. NAHB and Pro Builder/Pro Remodeler also showcased The New American Home (TNAH) and the final Orlando edition of The New American Remodel ahead of the 2027 shift.
METALCON Sets Orlando Debut for Oct. 7–9 at Orange County Convention Center
METALCON will run October 7–9 at Orange County Convention Center, marking the show’s first Orlando edition and its 35th anniversary. Organizers opened exhibitor bookings and listed more than 75 product categories across metal systems, structural framing, fabrication, fasteners, coatings, construction technology, service providers, tools and safety equipment. The event also opened a call for education presentations, with proposals due February 27, and noted the program will offer American Institute of Architects (AIA) credits and Florida contractor credits.
GCSAA Orlando Show Drew 12,824 Attendees, Expanded Exhibit Space 16 Percent
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show ran February 2–5 in Orlando. Organizers reported 12,824 attendees, up 15 percent year over year. They reported 523 exhibitors, up from 464, and 178,600 square feet of exhibit space, up from 145,800, a 16 percent increase. Seminar seats filled totaled 8,074, setting a new record. The association also confirmed the 2027 event will run January 15–21 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
TOURISM
United Parks and Resorts Posted 2025 Attendance and Revenue Declines
United Parks and Resorts, the parent company of SeaWorld Orlando, ended fiscal 2025 with 21.2 million guests, down 1.8 percent year over year. Total revenue fell 3.6 percent to $1.7 billion, and net income dropped 26.0 percent to $168.4 million. Fourth-quarter attendance fell 2.6 percent to 4.8 million guests, with fourth-quarter revenue down 2.8 percent to $373.5 million. The company cited lower international visitation and weather-related impacts across peak periods.
AIRPORTS
Orlando International Airport Approves Phase 2 Plan With 25 New Dining Concepts
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approved Phase 2 of Orlando International Airport’s concessions plan, adding 25 new dining locations as part of a larger rollout across Terminals A and B. The article lists 44 total dining concepts approved across Phases 1 and 2. Openings are scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and continue through late 2028. Phase 2 additions listed include Bahia Bowls, Bricks & Bowls, Cava, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill, Raising Cane’s, Shake Shack, and Velvet Taco, plus additional Starbucks and McDonald’s locations.
ZIPAIR Starts Tokyo Narita–Orlando Charter with Four Roundtrips
ZIPAIR launched a nonstop passenger charter linking Tokyo Narita International Airport and Orlando International Airport, creating a direct passenger connection between Florida and Asia-Pacific. The first flight arrived February 23 with 280 passengers. The charter schedule includes four roundtrip flights, with departures set for February 28, March 5, and March 10, plus the inaugural rotation. Orlando International handled the arrival in Terminal C.
TRANSPORTATION
Waymo Launches Driverless Ride Service in Orlando with Invite-Only Rollout
Waymo launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in Orlando on February 24, 2026. The initial rollout is invite-only through the Waymo app, with broader access planned later in 2026. Local coverage pegged the early operating area at about 60 square miles across the tourist corridor, including Universal Orlando Resort and parts of the attractions district. The service does not run on freeways in the current phase, limiting access to some destinations and routes.
Image Caption: Attendees move through the Global Pet Expo show floor at Orange County Convention Center during the 2025 edition, with the 2026 show set to return March 25–27. Image courtesy of Global Pet Expo.
