So, you want to attend AB Show 2026. Excellent choice.
Now comes the important part: making sure you arrive in Orlando ready to learn, connect and make the most of every minute. Think of this as your pregame checklist.
Step 1: Claim Your Spot
The first rule of AB Show? Don’t wait.
Registering early not only locks in the best rates, but it also gives you first access to tours, special events and education planning. Plus, there’s something satisfying about checking “professional development” off your to-do list months in advance.
Step 2: Book Your Home Base
Every great road trip needs a destination, and every great conference needs a hotel reservation.
AB Show’s official hotel partners offer convenient access to the convention center and place you right in the middle of the action. Translation: less time commuting and more time networking, learning and enjoying Orlando.
Step 3: Build Your Schedule
With hundreds of educational sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, AB Show is a choose-your-own-adventure experience.
Take a little time before arriving to review the schedule and identify your must-see sessions. Mark your favorites, explore new topics and leave room for a few unexpected discoveries along the way.
Step 4: Plan Your Facility Tours
One of the most popular AB Show experiences happens outside the convention center.
Facility tours provide a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most innovative athletics, fitness and recreation facilities in the region. They’re part field trip, part professional inspiration and entirely worth the early wake-up call.
Step 5: Bring Plenty of Business Cards (or Your Best Handshake)
The person sitting next to you in a session could become your next mentor, vendor partner, industry resource or lifelong friend.
AB Show brings together professionals from across athletics, fitness, recreation and aquatics. Be ready to introduce yourself, ask questions and exchange ideas.
Step 6: Wear Comfortable Shoes
This may be the most important advice we have for you.
Between educational sessions, facility tours, networking events and the expo hall, you’ll cover some ground. Comfortable shoes aren’t just a recommendation — they’re a strategy.
Step 7: Explore the Expo Hall
The expo hall is where ideas become reality.
See the latest equipment, products and services, ask questions directly to manufacturers, and discover solutions that can help improve your facility, programs and operations.
Step 8: Leave Inspired
The best AB Show attendees don’t just collect brochures and business cards. They return home with new ideas, new connections and actionable strategies they can implement immediately. The goal isn’t simply to attend the show — it’s to bring back something that makes your organization stronger.
Final Whistle
Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned veteran, a little preparation goes a long way. Register early, make a plan and come ready to learn. We’ll handle the rest.
See you in Orlando!
Chris Stevenson to Inspire AB Show 2026 Attendees With Opening Keynote on Leadership, Resilience and Growth
Great leaders aren’t born — they’re developed through experience, reflection and a commitment to continuous growth.
AB Show 2026 is excited to welcome Chris Stevenson as this year’s opening keynote speaker. A respected entrepreneur, leadership coach, author and dynamic presenter, Stevenson will bring an engaging blend of personal stories, industry expertise and practical insights to kick off the conference.
What makes Stevenson’s appearance particularly meaningful is his longstanding relationship with AB Show. Long before stepping onto the keynote stage, he attended AB Show as a participant, learning alongside fellow professionals in athletics, fitness and recreation. Having experienced the event from the audience perspective, he understands the challenges attendees face and the opportunities they seek to create within their organizations.
Throughout his career, Chris has built and led successful fitness businesses, coached leaders and teams, and inspired audiences across the globe. His energetic delivery, authenticity and ability to connect with people have made him a sought-after speaker for organizations looking to strengthen leadership, improve culture and drive meaningful results.
During his keynote presentation, attendees will explore how greater self-awareness can transform leadership effectiveness, why a growth mindset is essential to sustained performance, and how building resilience prepares leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing professional environment. Chris will also share strategies for developing the habits and skills that create lasting change and unlock the communicator and leader already inside every attendee.
Attendees can expect to leave with:
- Tools for building habits and skills that stick long after the conference ends
- Practical techniques to strengthen self-awareness and leadership effectiveness
- A framework for developing and sustaining a growth mindset that drives long-term results
- Strategies for developing resilience during periods of change and uncertainty
As founder of The Empower Group, co-author of the textbook Fitness Facility Management and longtime contributor to Athletic Business magazine, Chris brings a unique combination of industry knowledge and real-world leadership experience. His message is relevant for professionals at every career stage — from emerging leaders to seasoned executives.
Join us at AB Show 2026 as Chris Stevenson opens the conference with an empowering keynote designed to challenge assumptions, inspire action and help attendees unlock their full potential.
Chris Talks AB Show
You once sat in the audience at AB Show and are now standing on the keynote stage. What lessons from your professional journey helped you develop the self-awareness and mindset needed to reach this point?
The biggest lesson is that self-awareness is not a destination. It is a practice. I remember sitting in that AB Show audience watching keynotes from Jesse Cole and Lou Holtz thinking, I want to be on that stage someday. That was not ego. That was clarity about who I wanted to become. Self-awareness starts with a clear picture of who you want to be, the values that support that vision, and honest daily reflection to ensure you are living it.
Think back to your first AB Show as an attendee. What is one thing you remember most, or one thing you never imagined would happen, that makes you laugh today?
I remember walking onto that trade show floor for the first time feeling like a kid in a candy store. I was grabbing brochures, stopping at every booth, collecting pens, stress balls, t-shirts and any other swag I could get my hands on like it was my full-time job. And can we just take a moment to acknowledge that AB Show has the best conference t-shirts of any event I have ever been to? That is not up for debate. I was nodding confidently at equipment I had absolutely no business understanding. Then the evening reception hit and I quickly learned that this industry knows how to have a good time. You spend all day in serious educational sessions talking about facility management and leadership development, and then five o’clock arrives, and suddenly everyone is your best friend, and nobody is ready to go home. It is one of the best surprises the conference has to offer. But the thing that makes me laugh and smile the most, looking back, is this: I had no idea that some of the people I met at my very first AB Show would become some of my very best friends.
AB Golf Classic — Tuesday, Nov. 17
Kick off your AB Show 2026 experience with a memorable day at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club, a renowned Rees Jones-designed championship course located a short drive from the Orange County Convention Center. The AB Golf Classic combines great golf, valuable networking opportunities, and time with industry colleagues in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to make new connections, strengthen existing relationships or simply enjoy a day on the course, this event offers the perfect blend of friendly competition and camaraderie. Golfers will tee off at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and compete in a fun four-person scramble format. Complimentary transportation will be provided, with buses departing the Orange County Convention Center at 7 a.m.
Registration is $200 per person or $750 per foursome and includes greens fees, golf cart, range balls, a breakfast burrito bar, a boxed lunch, two drink tickets, tournament play and post-event awards.
Don’t miss this tee-rific opportunity for networking, camaraderie and friendly competition. Add the AB Golf Classic during registration and reserve your spot today!
Find Your Perfect Stay for AB Show 2026
One of the best parts about attending AB Show 2026 isn’t just what happens inside the Orange County Convention Center — it’s having incredible hotel options waiting for you when the day is done.
Whether you’re looking for maximum convenience, a trusted hotel brand, budget- friendly accommodations or easy access to Orlando’s world-famous attractions, the AB Show hotel block offers something for every attendee. With properties representing virtually every major hotel brand and a wide range of price points, finding the perfect fit for your trip has never been easier.
Stay Closest to the Action
For attendees who want to be at the center of everything, the Rosen Plaza serves as the official AB Show headquarters hotel. Located adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive, the hotel offers unmatched convenience, allowing guests to maximize their time networking, learning and exploring the show floor.
The Rosen Plaza has long been a favorite among AB Show attendees and staff. With comfortable accommodations, multiple dining options and easy access to nearby restaurants and entertainment, it provides the ideal home base for a busy week at the show. The hotel sits directly in Orlando’s convention district and is just steps away from countless dining and entertainment opportunities.
Options for Every Traveler
Not every attendee travels the same way, and that’s exactly why AB Show’s hotel program includes a diverse collection of properties.
Attendees can choose from leading hotel brands they already know and trust, whether they prefer full-service convention hotels, business-focused properties, family-friendly accommodations or budget-conscious options. With rates starting at affordable price points and premium properties available for those seeking additional amenities, attendees can select the experience that best fits their needs and travel budgets.
Make a Vacation Out of Your Visit
One of the advantages of returning to Orlando is the destination itself.
Many of the hotels in the AB Show block are located near Orlando’s most popular attractions, making it easy for attendees to extend their stay or bring family members along for the trip. From world-famous theme parks and entertainment districts to shopping, dining and nightlife, Orlando offers countless opportunities to turn a professional development trip into a memorable getaway. Hotels along International Drive place guests within minutes of attractions such as Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort.
Book Early for the Best Selection
As one of the industry’s premier educational conferences and expos, AB Show attracts professionals from across athletics, fitness, recreation and military communities.Booking early ensures the best selection of hotels, room types and rates, while also keeping attendees close to the convention center and fellow industry professionals.
According to AB Show Director Adam O’Brien:
“Attendees consistently tell us they appreciate Orlando for the flexibility it offers. Whether someone wants to stay right next to the convention center, earn points with their favorite hotel brand, stay near the attractions or find an option that fits their budget, our hotel block delivers. We want every attendee to have a stay that fits their needs and enhances their AB Show experience.”
AB Show 2026 takes place Nov. 17–19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their hotel accommodations early to secure the best availability and rates.
