Aviation Expo made its debut July 8-11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, and it delivered exactly what organizers promised.
This gathering brought together enthusiasts, collectors, and spotters for four days, filled with tours and a marketplace selling everything from model airplanes to historic memorabilia.
I had the opportunity to experience the inaugural installment of Aviation Expo 2026, and it did not disappoint.
The Marketplace
The show floor featured over 175 tables of airline and aviation collectibles for sale and trade. Vendors filled the space with everything a serious collector could want. Vintage route maps, retired uniform pieces, scale models, and more lined the tables of the ballroom.
“One of our biggest goals with AE 2026 SEA was to establish a marketplace where avgeeks could find items and exhibitors that interested them. With more than 175 tables featuring diecast models, memorabilia, airline collectibles, and so much more, there was no shortage of variety at AE 2026 SEA,” said Connor McCauley, one of the event’s organizers.
Unique to this fair was the $5 shopping voucher included with registration, which could be used at any vendor table. This was a small touch that kept the energy moving and encouraged first-time buyers to make a deal. Between the marketplace, the seminars, and the model aircraft on display, there was rarely a quiet moment at the show.
The Team Behind the Show
Aviation Expo is a joint venture between three organizers who each brought something different to the table.
Steve Cosgrove, publisher of Airways Magazine, anchored the event with decades of airline and travel industry experience. Chris Slimmer brought his background running large-scale airliner events and a deep knowledge of airline history. Connor McCauley, an Aviation Management student at Oklahoma State and founder of CM Aviation, handled the show’s social media presence and connected with a younger generation of avgeeks online.
Tours & Welcome Party
Although I had not registered for tours, this is definitely something I’ll be participating in next year. The tours were the heart of the event, and they lived up to the hype.
Attendees toured the Boeing Everett Factory, the largest building in the world, and got a look at 777 production. They were also brought to the Boeing Future of Flight galley and the Skydeck overlooking Paine Field.
Alaska Airlines opened its headquarters to attendees as well, with tours through the hangars, the Network Operations Center, and the Global Training Center. Kenmore Air brought a different flavor entirely, with tours of its maintenance facility on Lake Union paired with scenic seaplane flights over the San Juan Islands. Multiple bus shuttles ran attendees out to the Museum of Flight, home to more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft including a Concorde and a Lockheed Constellation.
“We wanted Aviation Expo to be much more than just a collectible show experience. The tours gave attendees access to exclusive aviation facilities such as Alaska Airlines operations, Alaska Airlines Global Training Center, Kenmore Air Maintenance Operations, the Boeing 737 Configuration Studio / Customer Experience Center, Boeing Archive, and more. Featuring those behind-the-scenes aviation experiences is one of the foundational pillars of what Aviation Expo will be.” – Connor McCauley
Friday night’s plane spotting party gave everyone a chance to unwind with a view. The DoubleTree’s top floors overlook SeaTac directly, and with 36 airlines operating out of the airport, including 11 Asian carriers, the spotting alone was worth the trip.
During the party, a raffle was held, with the organizers giving away free model airplanes and vinyls. Although I didn’t win, everyone was given free safety cards, so I’m happy I walked home with something.
What’s Next for Aviation Expo
The 2027 edition of Aviation Expo will take place June 24-27 in Dallas-Fort Worth, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton DFW Airport North. If the DFW edition builds on what worked in Seattle, this show has a real chance to become a fixture on the aviation calendar.
Learn more about the show and offerings at https://aviationexpo.org.