The International Association of Pickleball & Padel Facilities (IAPPF) and AB Show today announced a partnership that brings the IAPPF 2026 International Conference and Expo to AB Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Nov. 17-19.
The IAPPF will host its full two-day conference within AB Show, delivering dozens of sessions led by leading industry experts, facility operators and suppliers focused on the business of building and running successful pickleball and padel facilities. The IAPPF will also expand the AB Show expo floor, bringing in dozens of suppliers and service providers from the pickleball and padel industries — from court builders and surfacing to equipment, technology and operations partners.
The partnership joins two of the fastest-growing sports in the country with an event built for facility decision-makers. Produced by Athletic Business, founded in 1977, AB Show is the largest comprehensive trade show for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals. The event averages more than 2,000 attendees from all 50 states and pairs an expo hall of more than 200 exhibitors with a conference featuring 100-plus seminars and 100-plus speakers. Its audience includes owners, managers and program directors who drive capital improvement projects of $50 million or more — the buyers pickleball and padel suppliers most want to reach.
"Pickleball and padel are booming, but our facilities face the same design, construction and operational challenges AB Show has been solving for nearly 50 years," said David Johnson, CEO and founder of the IAPPF. "By bringing our conference and our industries together with AB Show, we're not adding two audiences — we're multiplying the value for everyone in the room. I've always said 1+1=3. Our attendees get more education and a bigger network of facility decision-makers, and our sponsors and exhibitors get access to serious buyers they couldn't reach at any single event. That's a bigger stage than either of us could build alone."
"AB Show has always been about bringing together the professionals who design, build, manage and improve athletic, fitness and recreation facilities," said AB Show director Adam O'Brien. "The addition of the IAPPF creates even more opportunities for attendees to discover new ideas, learn from industry experts and connect with innovative suppliers. At the same time, it introduces the pickleball and padel industries to thousands of decision-makers responsible for shaping the future of sports and recreation facilities. It's a natural partnership that strengthens the experience for everyone involved."
The IAPPF 2026 International Conference and Expo runs alongside AB Show, Nov. 17-19, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Registration and program details are available at iappf.org and abshow.com.
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About the IAPPF
The International Association of Pickleball & Padel Facilities (IAPPF) is a trade association serving owners, operators and developers of pickleball and padel facilities. The IAPPF provides education, resources and industry connections designed to drive success across the pickleball and padel industries. Learn more at iappf.org.
About AB Show
AB Show is the largest comprehensive trade show for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals. Produced by Athletic Business, founded in 1977, the event combines a solution-focused conference with a wide-ranging expo, bringing together industry leaders and facility decision-makers from all 50 states. AB Show 2026 takes place Nov. 17-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Learn more at abshow.com.
Media Contact:
Josh Kerns
Chief Marketing and Member Officer, IAPPF
[email protected]
AB Show Contact:
Adam O’Brien
[email protected]
