Much of what 2026 midways will look, feel, and taste like for millions of North American fairgoers will likely be determined February 9–11, 2026, at the annual co-conference of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) and the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA). Sometimes dubbed Florida Week by industry members, the meeting combines the annual board meetings of OABA and NICA's Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show, showcasing new, classic, and innovative fair cuisine along with food service technology.

As one of the first high-level meetings of the year for midway provider professionals, the 2026 gathering reveals an industry that is ready, willing, and able, but also under noticeable strain. Attendance remained strong last year, though year-over-year gains were modest. The affordability concerns that dominated economic news towards the end of 2025 were evident on midways, with inconsistent attendance, spending declines, and at some events, viral criticism on social media regarding the rising cost of attending fairs.

For midway providers, carnival companies, and concessionaires, affordability pressures were compounded by persistent inflation. Even costs that did not spike continued to edge upward, most notably labor.

OABA Board Meeting

Representatives from carnival companies, concessionaires, decision-makers, stakeholders, and professionals are expected to attend this year's conclave. The OABA board meeting, a crucial behind-the-scenes gathering where decisions shape the near-term agenda for the world's largest organization representing carnival companies, is highly anticipated and closely scrutinized. The 2026 OABA/NICA event will again be held in tandem with the annual Gibtown Trade Show hosted by the International Independent Showmen's Association. Most carnival companies and midway providers attend both events, and the realignment of dates has strengthened participation across these dual, essential industry gatherings.

Despite the disruption caused by a fourth-quarter government shutdown, last year's performance was comparable to 2024, according to Greg Chiecko, President and CEO of OABA. The upside was stable attendance and revenue, while the downside remained continued uncertainty surrounding labor. Without significant federal action, the labor outlook for 2026 remains bleak. “Overall, 2025 was about the same,” said Chiecko. “We continue to struggle with foreign guest worker labor. Weather, especially in the spring on the East Coast, caused a tough start to the season. Summer brought heat, and fall conditions were inconsistent.”

There were, however, some encouraging developments on the labor front in 2025. OABA's proposed P4 Visa, a new designation that would allow additional foreign guest workers into the fair industry, has gained some legislative support. OABA representatives engaged lawmakers regarding the Care and Ride Act bills, which would expand access to much-needed labor.

As reported at press time, “While we are optimistic about P4 legislation, we are not there yet,” Chiecko said, noting that the Care and Ride Act has shown more tangible progress. “We are in the House Appropriations budget for Homeland Security and are working on the Senate version. We will also continue building support for our authorizing bill.”

At the same time, the industry continues to navigate evolving immigration policies under the Trump administration. A recurring challenge for H-2B proponents is disentangling the legal foreign guest worker program from the broader debate over illegal immigration. Recent mass deportations and ICE enforcement have intensified national divisions on the issue. Chiecko acknowledged that it remains unclear how stricter immigration policies will affect H-2B workers. “This is a complex issue,” he said. “On the surface, it appears that legal entry through programs like H-2B is preferred over illegal immigration. How this ultimately plays out remains to be seen. We will continue advocating for legal access to foreign guest workers.”

Compared with last year, the near-term labor situation is particularly dire. “Many of our members do not have their labor,” Chiecko said bluntly, adding that the allocation process remains unpredictable. “Some will get workers and some won't. You are dealing with a lottery system, and it is a gamble.”

Lobbying efforts addressing both short-term and long-term objectives will continue, along with OABA's collaboration with the Seasonal Employer Alliance (SEA), a coalition of H-2B users. “SEA's Executive Director remains Gray Delany,” Chiecko noted. “Peter Petrina of the Petrina Group International is the new board chair. Together, we are pushing for the release of an additional 35,000 visas. SEA is also focused on the Certified Seasonal Employee designation, while OABA continues to advance the P4 visa.”

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Despite ongoing labor uncertainty, Chiecko remains cautiously optimistic about 2026. “Economically, conditions should be stable,” he said. “Weather is always the wild card.”

Making Connections

On the food side of the midway, a similarly qualified optimism prevails. Rey O'Day, Executive Director of NICA, offered a more nuanced assessment of the 2025 season. “For the first eight months of 2025, most fairs operated normally, with weather as the primary challenge,” O'Day said. “Then the tone shifted. Attendees became more cautious with spending, media coverage grew more critical of pricing, and unfavorable weather persisted. As always, some concessionaires experienced growth, others losses, and some plateaued.”

“Making Connections” was selected as the theme for the 2026 NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show, highlighting both the networking opportunities the convention provides and the importance of collaboration in navigating the season ahead. “NICA's mission is rooted in strengthening relationships,” O'Day explained. “Even as the country remains divided, fairs, fair businesses, and associations continue to work together. When IAFE, OABA, NICA, SLA, fairs, and vendors stay connected, the entire fair and event industry is stronger and more successful. That is what Florida Week represents.”

The 2026 expo will feature seminars, educational sessions, discussion groups, and networking events designed to keep concessionaires informed and competitive. Topics for NICA's popular Chat and Chew roundtables include changing tastes, marketing collaborations, the use of AI, pricing strategy, and becoming your own influencer.

This year will also see increased participation from fair professionals. New IAFE President and CEO David Grindle will make his first NICA appearance, presenting findings from the 2025 IAFE Economic Impact Study. “The report highlights the economic and civic value of fairs and their partners,” O'Day said. “It left me inspired and proud to be part of this industry.” Another highlight will be a panel discussion led by Pam Simon of the Minnesota State Fair, featuring Ray Allison of the Indiana State Fair, Eddie Cora of the Miami-Dade County Fair, and Cheryl Flood of the Florida State Fair.

While optimism remains essential, inflation continues to challenge concessionaires. “Food chain inflation is in the double digits,” O'Day said. “Operators are carefully balancing when to pass along costs and when to absorb them. We are all experiencing pricing shock. To keep fairs and businesses viable and customers returning, we must advocate for one another and for our guests.”

2026 Food Trends

The Fare Foods Food Show remains the industry's premier showcase for emerging trends. According to O'Day, familiar favorites persist alongside new ideas. Bacon and Flaming Hot Cheetos continue to appear, while pickle-themed items are widespread. Hot honey, sweet and spicy profiles, beverage experimentation, and layered toppings on familiar foods all remain popular. Visual appeal continues to matter as guests share food images on social media.
Additional trends include smaller portions, sample tastes, and value meals, as well as nostalgia-driven menu items. Crispy chicken may challenge burgers in popularity, while globally inspired Asian and Hispanic fusion dishes continue to gain traction. Dipping sauces allow guests to explore new flavors with minimal risk.
Despite innovation, many of the same challenges are expected to persist. “Labor, cost of goods, rent, customer confidence, economic conditions, regulations, and weather will continue to test fairs and vendors,” O'Day said. “Our role is to operate successfully under any circumstances.”

Looking ahead to 2026, fairs and concessionaires appear aligned in purpose. “We cannot operate with a ‘my way or the highway' mindset,” O'Day concluded. “We share the same road and the same customer. The fair experience is a high-touch, sensory-driven environment that creates lasting memories. Vendors are essential because they deliver much of what guests see, taste, and experience. Fairs must be financially successful, and vendors help make that possible. Fairs are fun, and fairs are our business.”