AE 2026 SEA Event Information!

Aviation Expo 2026 is on final approach into SeaTac with over 160 marketplace tables, aviation collectibles, model aircraft, airline memorabilia, special guests, workshops and seminars, tours, and more!
The schedule of our exciting events is listed below.

If you don’t have a hotel reservation and want to use our special Aviation Expo room rate, email us at info@aviationexpo.org.
Also, be sure to pack a light jacket as some low 50°F temperatures are in the forecast.

Click here to book Pizza Party, Boeing Luncheon, and collector items!

Click here to book AE 2026 SEA tours. Closes Friday, July 3!

Click here to view the Aviation Expo 2026 SEA schedule.

Click here to view the Aviation Expo 2026 SEA speaker lineup.

2026 SEA Marketplace Hours:

Thursday, July 9: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (4-day attendee early access)

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (daily admission access)

Friday, July 10: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (all attendees)

Saturday, July 11: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (all attendees)

If you bought a one-day registration, it’s only good for one use on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. The Marketplace is NOT open on Wednesday. Marketplace access for exhibitors is on Thursday from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and Friday / Saturday from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.

Marketplace payment options will vary. Some exhibitors may only accept cash, while others will take credit/debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, or cash. There is an ATM at the hotel. We recommend bringing multiple payment methods so you are ready for the marketplace.

AE 2026 SEA Speaker Schedule:

We have 8 awesome speakers scheduled for AE 2026 SEA! From airport diorama building and diecast industry insights to aviation content creation and career pathways, there will be aviation topics for everyone to enjoy. Click here to view the full AE 2026 SEA speaker schedule, session details, and speaker information on our website. Be sure to visit them in Northwest Ballroom #1 per the speaker schedule below.

Thursday, July 9	Speaker
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM	Brian Worthington Short-Lived Airlines Around the World
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Beginner Workshop
12:45 PM – 2:15 PM	David Velupillai The Airbus A330/A340 Story
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Beginner Workshop
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Todd Michaels From Concept to Collector

Friday, July 10	Speaker
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Bryce Rea Building an Aviation Brand on YouTube
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Intermediate Workshop
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Todd Michaels The Diecast Industry Today
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Intermediate Workshop

Saturday, July 11	Speaker
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Andy Roeske The Power of 3D Printing in Model Aviation
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Advanced Workshop
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Connor McCauley Building an Aviation Brand in the Digital Era
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Joe Crawford Industry Insights & Aviation Career Pathways
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Brian Keene Airport Diorama Advanced Workshop
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Connor McCauley Turning Your Aviation Passion Into a Career

With the vibrant marketplace, speaker sessions, tours, and the Friday Night Pizza Party and evening spotting event, there will be excitement happening throughout Aviation Expo 2026 SEA. Check out more event information below!

AE 2026 SEA Venue Information:

Aviation Expo 2026 SEA will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport. The DoubleTree is located on the southeast corner of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and the hotel’s address is 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188. Click here to familiarize yourself with the area. Our hotel is not to be confused with the DoubleTree Suites.

The complimentary hotel shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes, 24/7. You can even walk to the hotel from the airport if you’d like!

Registration Desk / Badge Pickup:

All attendees can check in at the Aviation Expo registration desk upon arrival. You’ll receive your badge / wristband, event materials, parking passes, etc. The registration desk will be located in the grand foyer outside of the ballroom.

Your badge / wristband will be required for marketplace access, speaker sessions, and Aviation Expo events during the week. Be sure to have government-issued photo ID for any applicable tours.

Registration desk hours:

Wednesday, July 8: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday, July 9: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday, July 10: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, July 11: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

What to Bring to AE 2026 SEA:

We recommend bringing your registration confirmation, government-issued photo ID, closed-toe shoes (for tours), camera / phone, and multiple payment methods for exhibitors to ensure your AE 2026 SEA experience is enjoyable.

Parking Information:

Parking is $13 a day, a discount from the normal $33 a day. Discounted parking passes will be available at the Aviation Expo registration desk. When arriving at the show, please pull a ticket and park in their main parking lot. Directional signage will be in the hotel lobby.

Tour Check-In / Important Tour Reminders:

If you are participating in any AE 2026 SEA tours, please review your tour selections, departure times, and tour rules before arriving. Tour participants should arrive at the designated tour meeting location early. We recommend arriving 15-20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Tour check-in / departures will be across from the registration desk in the grand foyer. If you have tight tour connections, don’t worry; we will ensure you don’t miss your next tour. All you’ll need is your ID for each tour, so don’t worry about having your badge if you’re running behind.

Many tours require a government-issued photo ID, and some tours have strict security, photography, luggage, food, and drink restrictions. Please follow all tour host instructions. Please respect other tour participants and bring as little as possible.

Friday Night Pizza / Plane Spotting Party:

We’re excited to announce another fun community event for Aviation Expo 2026 SEA! Join us on Friday night, July 10, from 6:30pm-9:30pm for our 14th-floor Friday Night Pizza Party, sponsored by Airways Magazine. This event is just $15 ($20 day of show) and includes 3 slices of pizza. With floor-to-ceiling airport views, great company, and plenty of avgeek conversation, this will be one of the coolest events of the weekend! Click here to reserve your spot at our Friday Night Pizza Party. During this event, we’ll have a plane spotting photo presentation! Attendees will be able to submit up to 3 of their own plane spotting photos to be shown during the presentation. Click here to submit your photos for the plane spotting photo presentation.

Luncheon Speaker – Anna Italiano from Boeing:

We are excited to announce Anna Italiano as our AE 2026 SEA luncheon speaker! Anna is a Corporate Historian with The Boeing Company in their archive department. The luncheon will be on Friday from 12-1:30pm in the 14th-floor Maxis ballroom. Her presentation is titled “From the Golden Age to the Jet Age: Boeing’s impact on commercial aviation”. This presentation will cover how the Boeing Company has influenced the field of commercial aviation from the early years of business to the 747. She will discuss how the innovations and concepts implemented by Boeing paved the way for the commercial aviation industry of today. The luncheon will be available for $25 and will include poster giveaways for attendees. Click here to reserve your spot at Anna Italiano’s luncheon.

AE 2026 SEA Trading Cards / Bag Tags / Custom Boarding Passes are all now available to collect:

AE 2026 SEA will feature an exciting lineup of collectible memorabilia, including logo flight bags and wings, exclusive trading cards, custom bag tags, and custom boarding passes! These limited-edition collectibles are available to purchase through our registration portal. Click here to grab your AE 2026 SEA Collector items! Attendees will also be able to purchase these items during the show as supplies last.

If you have questions before the show, please contact us at info@aviationexpo.org. During the event, the Aviation Expo registration desk will be your go-to place for attendee assistance. Be looking out for AE 2026 SEA volunteers in their logoed shirts.

Thank you again for your support of Aviation Expo 2026 SEA. We are excited to welcome everyone to Seattle for an awesome week of aviation, model aircraft, tours, the AE marketplace, speakers, and spotting!

Sincerely,

Your Aviation Expo 2026 SEA Team

Steve Cosgrove, Chris Slimmer, & Connor McCauley

Aviation Expo 2027 DFW:

We’re excited to announce that Aviation Expo 2027 will be held in the heart of Texas at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport! The host hotel is the Embassy Suites by Hilton DFW Airport North, and the show dates are June 24-27, 2027. Registration and table booking are available. Click here to book! The hotel booking link, tour opportunities, and more information will be available soon. Wall Tables are going FAST! Click here to register/book tables for AE 2027 DFW!

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About Your Aviation Expo 2026 Seattle Team:

Steve Cosgrove is the publisher and driving force behind Airways Magazine, one of the most respected and longest-running aviation publications in the United States. With a rich background that includes a career at Frontier Airlines and founding Dynamic Travel in 1982, Steve’s deep roots in the airline and travel industry span multiple decades. He also owns and operates various airline-related travel companies, giving him extensive industry knowledge and a broad network of contacts. Steve’s passion for aviation and media expertise play a central role in shaping the vision of Aviation Expo 2026 and helping connect enthusiasts, professionals, and collectors in a dynamic and engaging way.

Chris Slimmer is a highly knowledgeable aviation expert with deep insights into airline history, flight operations, and the evolving airline industry. His exceptional skills in organizing large-scale airliner events, combined with his passion for aviation heritage, form a crucial foundation for bringing Aviation Expo 2026 to life. Chris’s ability to blend thorough industry understanding with experienced event planning aims to create a distinctive and well-coordinated experience for all attendees.

Connor McCauley is an entrepreneurial aviation enthusiast and professional. He’s the Business Operations Coordinator at Tulsa International Airport, founder of CM Aviation, and an Oklahoma State University Alum with a B.S. in Aviation Management. Connor uses his knowledge and experience to share expert content and insights, along with helping others develop their aviation knowledge, experiences, and skills. This makes him a valuable resource for attendees looking to expand their reach within the aviation community.

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Airline Collectible Shows:

Aviation Expo 2026 – SEA
July 8-11, 2026

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188

Click here to register!
https://aviationexpo.org/