There are many reasons to visit this year’s IFSA Global EXPO, which is taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, from September 8-10.
The show will provide a dynamic space for the inflight services sector to convene and collaborate in response to the most pressing issues it faces today.
Furthermore, airline buyers will be granted access to two further co-located shows which, along with the IFSA Global EXPO, are expected to have a combined attendance of approximately 1,500 delegates. This means they can use their precious time out of the office to speak to a broad range of airline suppliers in one convenient setting.
New Location to Reinvigorate Attendees
The event is in a new location for the first time in years, having now moved away from Long Beach, California, in a shift that has already generated a renewed sense of excitement among organizers and the 70 confirmed exhibitors alike.
The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center is conveniently located just minutes from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) which, according to Airports Council International (ACI), is the world’s fourth busiest airport in the world after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dubai, and Tokyo Haneda.
As well as being a hub for aviation innovation, the area offers some fantastic venues for events outside of the conference and exhibition itself. For example, the official networking event on Tuesday evening will be held at Glass Cactus, the only lakefront venue of its kind in DFW, known for its ultramodern live entertainment offerings.
Popular IFSA Global EXPO Highlights Return
This year’s conference and exhibition promise to be as insightful as ever, with thought leadership sessions covering evolving food safety standards – which will spotlight the launch of IFSA’s latest World Food Safety Guidelines – as well as digital catering and the evolving definition of premium offerings for passengers.
On the final evening of the event, delegates will gather to celebrate the winners of the 2027 IFSA Awards in the following categories: Best Food & Beverage (Meal Service); Best Food & Beverage (Buy Onboard); Best Food & Beverage (Beverage Program) sponsored by Bottega; Best Onboard Amenity (Business Class); Best Onboard Amenity (Specialty); and Best Tableware Presentation.
Also back by popular demand are two chef demos. The first, from American Airlines, will showcase its new inflight Texas barbecue offerings created in partnership with Pecan Lodge, allowing attendees to sample the same dishes currently flying out of DFW to major destinations including New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.
This activation highlights how American is elevating regional culinary experiences by partnering with one of Texas’ most beloved barbecue institutions. Guests will be able to enjoy brisket, smoked sausage, signature sides, and Pecan Lodge’s famous barbecue sauce – all inspired by the onboard menu – while learning how American integrates iconic local flavors into its premium cabin dining program.
The second chef’s demo will be delivered by Aeroméxico, wherein Director of Gastronomic Innovation and Quality at Mexico City-based fine dining restaurant Les Croissants Banquetes, Adriana Noriega, will present some of the dishes she has created in collaboration with the airline.
With more than 40 years of experience, Noriega’s career spans state dinners, diplomatic receptions and international events across Japan, the Vatican and North Africa. Trained at renowned institutions including Le Cordon Bleu, École Lenôtre, Ritz Escoffier and the Institute of Culinary Education in New York, Adriana brings together Mexican culinary heritage and global influences to create memorable dining experiences rooted in culture, creativity and hospitality.
There is also a special breakfast hosted for airline delegates on September 9 between 07:45 AM and 08:45 AM.
Co-Location with Two Exciting Aviation Events: FTE Global & PCIAW
IFSA Global EXPO attendees will have access to two concurrent events during their time in Dallas. The first is Future Travel Experience’s flagship event, FTE Global, which focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), customer experience (CX) and trends in aviation innovation.
As well as a busy exhibition floor, FTE Global offers delegates access to three conference tracks: the Digital and Innovation Conference, covering topics such as digital transformation, AI, Robotics, and digital twins; the Future Airports Conference; which looks at digital transformation, identity, biometrics, security, planning, design, energy & sustainability, and baggage, and ramp innovations; and Future Trends and Customer Journeys, which will address how technology will facilitate the end-to-end passenger experience from booking, airport terminal processes, inflight, and seamless immigration.
Additionally, the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) is hosting the third iteration of its Airline Clothing Show, the definitive educational destination for uniform buyers, alongside IFSA Global EXPO.
Excitingly, the show will feature a catwalk show that the organizers say “showcases how luxury tailoring survives the ‘real world’ of a cabin crew’s 14-hour shift, from spilled coffee to emergency drills.”
With both Delta and Land’s end as headline sponsors, the event will also celebrate the global debut of ‘Distinctly Delta,’ a uniform collection created by the airline in collaboration with the American workwear retailer.
2026 marks the first time PCIAW will also host its own thought leadership sessions, including a report on the technical journey of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) – an incoming regulatory obligation that requires a scannable digital record on workwear that tracks the piece of clothing’s lifecycle, material origins, and environmental footprint – from start to finish.
The Continued Growth of a Successful Event
In 2025, IFSA Global EXPO welcomed hundreds of airline representatives and nearly 1,000 industry professionals.
2026 will build on that forward momentum, giving exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest products and innovations to a global audience; network with decision-makers including airline buyers, caterers and suppliers face‑to‑face; and to forge strategic partnerships that reach beyond the show floor.
There is still time to register to attend the IFSA Global EXPO. To sign up, click here.
