Thermoformed Food Packaging Blog | Lacerta Group

IDDBA 2026: A Complete Guide to the Trade Show

Written by Craig Muldrew | Apr 14, 2026 8:41:40 PM

Lacerta is heading to Orlando for IDDBA 2026.

For companies across dairy, deli, bakery, and prepared foods, the IDDBA (International Dairy Deli Bakery Association) Show is one of the year’s most important opportunities to learn about the industry from leading professionals.

We put together this guide to help attendees make the most of their trip.

Below, we’ll cover the key details you’ll want to know before you go, including IDDBA 2026 dates, location, show floor planning, travel logistics, sessions, and a few practical recommendations for navigating Orlando during the event.

When and Where Is IDDBA 2026?

IDDBA 2026 will take place June 7–9, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

More than 10,000 attendees, 1,000+ exhibiting companies, and participants from 40+ countries are expected to come together for three days of product discovery, networking, and education across the dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice industries.

The show will be held in Halls A and B of the Orange County Convention Center, where attendees will have access to the expo floor, general sessions, and feature areas (see below).

Show Hours

  • Sunday, June 7, 2026: 11 am – 5:30 pm
  • Monday, June 8, 2026: 11 am – 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday, June 9, 2026: 10 am – 2 pm

Address

Orange County Convention Center
Halls A & B
9800 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Google Maps Link

Who Attends the IDDBA Trade Show (and Why You Should Consider Going)

IDDBA draws a broad cross-section of professionals from across dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice. The show is built around the commercial side of food retail, so it’s relevant not just for brands bringing products to market, but also for the partners who help those products get packaged, positioned, and sold.

Attendees typically include:

  • Retail grocery buyers and category managers
  • Food processing professionals
  • Professionals from supporting industries, including co-packers, packaging suppliers, distributors, and merchandising/retail operations professionals

That mix is a big part of what makes this event such a tremendous opportunity:

  1. For buyers and category teams, IDDBA offers a chance to evaluate new products, compare suppliers, and get a clearer sense of what is gaining traction in the market.
  2. For manufacturers and processors, it creates space to dive into emerging trends, assess how competitors are showing up in the market, and have direct conversations with the retailers and partners who influence placement and purchasing decisions.
  3. The show also highlights merchandising, innovation, and retail execution, which helps attendees connect broad market trends to current products on the shelf.

What to Expect at IDDBA 2026

Attendees can expect to spend the day moving between exhibitors showcasing new food products, ingredient ideas, merchandising concepts, and retail-ready solutions. For visitors, the event is a chance to see what new products brands are bringing to market and how suppliers are helping support freshness, convenience, and shelf appeal at retail.

Beyond the booths, IDDBA also builds in feature areas and programs that give the show more personality.

  • Cake’d brings live cake decorating competition to the floor, with top decorators competing in front of attendees after being selected by a panel of industry judges.
  • Champions of Change adds another point of interest by recognizing standout leaders, including both emerging talent and senior-level executives.
  • What’s in Store Live rounds out the experience with a feature area focused on how products and presentation strategies come to life in-store.

Before the show, it is worth reviewing the IDDBA 2026 floor plan so you can map out the exhibitors, booths, and feature areas you want to prioritize once you arrive.

What’s New at IDDBA This Year?

After a record-setting 2025 show in New Orleans, IDDBA heads to Orlando for 2026, giving attendees a new host city with its own appeal as the conference welcomes 200+ new companies to this year’s show.

New Orleans brought the energy, food, and character you would expect from one of the country’s great cultural destinations, while Orlando offers a different kind of draw: a major event hub with easy travel access and no shortage of restaurants, entertainment, and things to do outside show hours.

Speakers and Sessions You Won’t Want to Miss

There is still limited information available about the full 2026 speaker lineup, so this is one part of the event we’ll be watching as more details are released.

In 2025, the show featured a mix of high-profile keynote personalities, including appearances from Kevin Costner, Michael Strahan, Carla Hall, and Claire Saffitz, alongside workshops, demonstrations, and other educational programming tied closely to the show floor experience.

For 2026, the first confirmed general session speaker is Mike Krzyzewski. Better known to most fans as Coach K, Krzyzewski is one of the most accomplished figures in college basketball history. Over the course of his career at Duke, he became synonymous with sustained excellence, leadership, and championship-level performance, and we’re excited to hear from him at this year’s event.

You can check the official speakers page for further details as the event gets closer.

Travel and Lodging for IDDBA 2026

For most attendees traveling to IDDBA 2026, the easiest arrival point is Orlando International Airport (MCO). From there, the Orange County Convention Center is a relatively short drive, about 12 to 14 miles, depending on traffic and route.

Once you arrive, the simplest option is usually to stay near the convention center. Orlando’s convention district offers a wide range of hotel options within easy reach of the venue, which can make early mornings, late dinners, and full days on the show floor much easier to manage.

IDDBA has set up an official hotel block through onPeak, with discounted rates at a mix of Orlando properties.

  • The show’s hotel map includes several connected hotels near the convention center (Hilton Orlando, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Rosen Centre Hotel, and Rosen Plaza Hotel), as well as a wider range of nearby options across the International Drive and SeaWorld areas
  • Travelers who want the simplest commute may want to prioritize one of the connected or closest convention-center hotels, while others may prefer a lower nightly rate at a nearby property with shuttle access.
  • IDDBA’s official hotel page provides up-to-date details on remaining availability and shuttle eligibility.

As with most major trade shows, it is smart to book early. Hotels closest to the venue tend to fill first, and locking in a room ahead of time can give you better access to convenient locations and event rates.

Transportation in Orlando

Getting around Orlando during IDDBA is usually pretty manageable, especially if you stay near the convention district. For most attendees, the easiest options will be rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, rental cars, and whatever hotel shuttle service may be offered by your property. Orlando is built for visitors, so those basics tend to cover most needs.

One Orlando-specific option worth keeping in mind is the I-RIDE Trolley, which runs through the International Drive area and stops at many of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions around the convention district, including near the Orange County Convention Center. For attendees staying on or near International Drive, it can be a useful way to get around outside show hours without needing to drive everywhere. You can purchase unlimited rides across all three days of the conference for just $10. See the I-Ride Trolley route map here for details.

Rental cars can make sense if you want maximum flexibility, especially if you plan to extend the trip, visit clients, or move between different parts of Orlando during your stay.

Tip: Consider some of our recommended attractions below before you settle on your local transportation plans. A rental car may simplify a day trip, but it could be unnecessary with the great attractions nearby.

The simplest approach is usually to choose a hotel near the convention center, check whether it offers shuttle service (see below), and then use rideshare or the International Drive trolley for everything else. That gives you enough flexibility to move between your hotel, meetings, dinners, and other plans without overcomplicating the trip.

Getting to the Orange County Convention Center

From Orlando International Airport, the ride to the convention center is usually about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

The venue itself is spread across multiple concourses, but IDDBA 2026 is being held in Halls A & B at 9800 International Drive, so that is the address attendees will want to keep handy when planning airport transfers or morning rides to the show.

  1. If you are driving in, the convention center operates three parking lots, with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is cashless, and the center uses roadway message signs around the district to direct visitors to the closest available event parking.
  2. For attendees using rideshare or taxis, the convention center has designated pickup and drop-off areas. Uber and Lyft riders are directed to one of three rideshare pickup points based on where they are on campus.

Restaurants Near the IDDBA Venue

One advantage of attending a show in Orlando is that there is no shortage of places to eat once the day wraps up. The Orange County Convention Center sits in a part of the city with plenty of restaurant options nearby, whether you are planning a more formal client dinner, a relaxed team meal, or a quick bite between meetings.

1. A Classy Night Out for Steaks: Del Frisco’s

If you are planning a more polished client dinner, Del Frisco’s is an easy pick. The Orlando location on International Drive is known for its upscale steakhouse atmosphere, extensive wine list, private dining options, and classic business-dinner feel.

Google Maps Link

2. Fun Live Entertainment: Café Tu Tu Tango

For something livelier, Café Tu Tu Tango brings a more playful energy to dinner. The restaurant has long been an International Drive staple, pairing shareable small plates with an artsy, high-energy setting that works well for group meals and more casual networking.

Google Maps Link

3. A Taste of the Local Catch: Big Fin

Big Fin is an awesome option if seafood is on the agenda. It positions itself around a “boat-to-table” experience and offers a menu built around fresh seafood, alongside steaks and other dinner options, making it a good fit for a business meal that still feels distinctly Florida.

Google Maps Link

4. A Quick, Delicious Taco: Rocco’s Tacos

If you want something more casual, Rocco’s Tacos is a reliable choice for a faster, more relaxed meal. The Orlando location leans into Mexican staples, tableside guacamole, margaritas, and happy hour energy, which makes it a solid option for an easy post-show dinner.

Google Maps Link

Coffee Shops Near the Convention Center

If you need a coffee before the show, a place to reset between meetings, or somewhere a little quieter for a quick conversation, you will have options near the convention center. The area around the venue has a mix of local cafés and familiar chains, so it is usually easy to find a convenient stop for a morning pickup or an informal meet-up. Here are a few spots worth considering:

1. A Convenient Local Option: Moma’s Cafe

Moma’s Cafe is a nearby local option with a casual, neighborhood feel that makes it a good pick for a quick breakfast or coffee run before the show. Its Universal Boulevard location keeps it close to the convention district without feeling quite as generic as a chain stop.

Google Maps Link

2. An Easy Grab-and-Go Choice: Smoooth Java Coffee Bar at Rosen Centre

Located in the Rosen Centre lobby just across the street from the convention center, Smoooth Java is a convenient hotel coffee bar that works well when you want something quick and familiar. It serves Starbucks coffee drinks along with pastries and other light options.

Google Maps Link

3. A Patio Pick for Crepes and Coffee: iCafe de Paris

If you have a little more time, iCafe de Paris offers a more polished café setting with coffee, breakfast, and a full crepe menu. Its patio at ICON Park gives it a slightly more relaxed feel, making it a nice option for a casual meeting or a slower start before a full day at the show.

Google Maps Link

Tourist Attractions in Orlando

If you are building in extra time before or after the show, Orlando gives you plenty of options beyond the convention center. Here are a few Orlando attractions attendees may want to keep on their radar.

Theme Parks: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando

If you are turning the trip into a longer stay, the obvious headliners are Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Both are major day-trip options rather than casual evening stops, but for attendees adding an extra day or traveling with family, these two internationally renowned theme parks are the two biggest draws in the area.

Walt Disney World is about a 20-minute drive from the convention center, and Universal Orlando is about a 10-minute drive.

Official visiting information for Walt Disney World

Official visiting information for Universal Orlando

International Drive Attractions: ICON Park and Pointe Orlando

For something easier to fit around the show, International Drive has plenty to offer close to the convention district. ICON Park is an entertainment complex that combines restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions anchored by The Orlando Eye Ferris wheel (which offers a 400-foot view of the Orlando skyline).

Pointe Orlando is another nearby option for dining and entertainment without committing to a full day out.

Both destinations are located close to the convention center, drivable in less than 10 minutes.

Official visiting information for ICON Park

Official visiting information for Pointe Orlando

Shopping and Dining: Disney Springs

Think of it as a mini-Disney World with no ticket required; Disney Springs is a good option for attendees who want an evening out built around shopping, restaurants, and entertainment rather than theme park rides. It is a great way to spend a free night in Orlando, especially for groups looking for something lively but easy to navigate. Located about a 20-minute drive from the convention center.

Official visiting information

Outdoor Sightseeing: Lake Eola Park

If you want a break from the convention corridor, Lake Eola is an easy downtown option that is still less than a 15-minute drive from the convention center. It is a real Orlando landmark, with a 0.9-mile path around the lake, skyline views, swan boats, and a more relaxed change of pace than the theme-park side of the city.

Official visiting information

A Day-Trip Alternative: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

For attendees adding an extra morning or afternoon, Winter Park is a good choice. The Scenic Boat Tour runs hour-long guided rides through the area’s lakes and canals, and it pairs well with time on Park Avenue if you want something distinctly Central Florida that feels more local. Located about 30 minutes north of the convention center.

Winter Park information form VisitFlorida.com

Scenic Boat Tour information

FAQs About the IDDBA Trade Show

What is IDDBA?

IDDBA stands for the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, and its annual show is a trade event for professionals across dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice. It is designed around product discovery, networking, education, and buyer-supplier connections.

How much does it cost to attend IDDBA?

It depends on your attendee type. For 2026, pricing ranges from free for retail members to $1,500 for non-member “all other” attendees after May 5, with lower rates available for early registration, members, and some one-day passes.

How many people attend IDDBA?

IDDBA typically attracts 10,000+ attendees, including professionals from across dairy, deli, bakery, foodservice, and related categories.

Can you get into the IDDBA show without a pass?

No. Attendees need to register and obtain the appropriate badge or pass to access the event. The show’s registration page provides separate badge links for retail, attendees, exhibitors, and press.

Visit Lacerta at Booth #5050

If you are attending IDDBA 2026, be sure to stop by Booth #5050 to meet the Lacerta team and see what we will be showcasing at this year’s show.

It is a great opportunity to talk through packaging needs, explore solutions for fresh and prepared foods, and get a closer look at the kinds of products designed to support merchandising, convenience, and shelf appeal.

If you would like to connect during the event, you can also reach out ahead of time to schedule a conversation with the team.