One of the world’s largest enthusiast flight simulation conventions, FlightSimExpo, is looking to hear from the community to choose a location for their next event: FSExpo 2026. Produced by the Flight Simulation Association (FSA), FSExpo invites aviation enthusiasts worldwide to share the potential of home flight simulation for training, proficiency, and fun.
About FlightSimExpo
Hosted yearly, FSExpo has welcomed more than 7,500 attendees since 2018, offering a place where flight simulation enthusiasts, aspiring and professional aviators, and people interested in aviation, can share their passion and have fun. To be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI, and with a record-breaking initial interest, this year’s FSExpo will take place between June 27-29.
Location Options
Given the space required to host an event of this scale, the number of hotel rooms available at an affordable rate, and the need for a location with easy access from domestic and international destinations, the FSA has narrowed the number of locations to the following six:
- Minneapolis/Saint Paul: Downtown Saint Paul
- Expected Room Rate: $159-179
- Location: Downtown Saint Paul, 15 minutes from MSP and the Mall of America
- Host Venue: Convention Center
- Providence (2025 Venue)
- Expected Room Rate: $199
- Location: Downtown Providence, 10 minutes from PVD and about 60 minutes by car, bus, or train from Boston’s Logan International Airport
- Host Venue: Convention Center
- Raleigh
- Expected Room Rate: $199-$249
- Location: Downtown Raleigh, 20 minutes from RDU or 2.5 hours from CLT
- Host Venue: Convention Center
- Rio Las Vegas (2024 Venue)
- Expected Room Rate: $150
- Location: 1 block off the Las Vegas Strip, 15 minutes from LAS
- Host Venue: Hotel with attached convention/event space
- Salt Lake City
- Expected Room Rate: $199-$249
- Location: Downtown Salt Lake City, 10 minutes from SLC
- Host Venue: Dedicated Exhibit Hall within a larger Convention Center space
- St. Louis/St. Charles
- Expected Room Rate: $199-$249
- Location: 10 minutes from STL in historic downtown St. Charles. 25-minute drive from downtown St. Louis
- Venue: Convention Center
Dates Options
Just like in past events, FSExpo 2026 will follow a Friday-Sunday pattern, where exhibit hall access is granted over the weekend, along with community-inspired talks. The two available options are the following:
- June 12-14, 2026
- June 26-28, 2026
The Community’s Input
The community’s input for an event of this scale is crucial, as one of the event organizers and a volunteer air traffic controller on VATSIM, Evan Reiter, explains, “As North America’s community-driven flight sim convention, attendee and partner feedback is a key input to where and when we host the show.”
Additionally, he encourages the community to keep providing feedback. He says, “Three of the options on our survey were suggested to me in Discord DMs or comments from attendees at FSExpo—keep them coming!”
Closing Notes
As FSExpo 2025 approaches, the FSA is looking forward to hosting another successful event with the collaboration of the community’s vote, which can be done here. The FSExpo 2026 dates and location will be revealed at this year’s show, which will happen in June. If you would like to read more flight simulation news, check out our main page.
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