Chicago exhibitor guide
GVC designs, builds, ships and supports exhibits for teams heading to McCormick Place—from the first concept through move-out.
Labelexpo AmericasNACAS C3XIFT FIRSTASCOAUTOMATE
IEEE
NACUBO Annual MeetingAAO Annual SessionGrace Hopper Celebration
GFOA Annual Conference
AACR Annual MeetingInternational Housewares Show
The Hospitality ShowA complete Chicago program
GVC can design, engineer and prepare a polished rental exhibit for your McCormick Place footprint, including graphics, technology integration, pre-show preview, freight coordination, installation and dismantle.
Send GVC the exhibitor manual and we can help manage the operational workload: show-service orders, required submissions, freight dates, labor planning, insurance documents and the details that determine whether move-in stays on track.
McCormick Place is a campus—not a single room
The building and hall assignment affect freight routing, labor timing, visitor flow and the distance between every moving part. The exhibit plan needs to account for the venue as carefully as it accounts for the brand.
Published and projected 2027 date ranges from the GVC trade show calendar. Use these for early planning, then confirm with the organizer before booking travel, freight or labor.
AHR Expo (AHR) is a major building gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together architects, contractors, builders and product specifiers. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists JAN 25–27, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
Chicago Auto Show (CAS) is a major automotive gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together buyers, manufacturers, distributors and automotive professionals. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists FEB 13–21, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
The Inspired Home Show (IHS) is a major consumer goods gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together retail buyers, product teams, licensors and consumer brands. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists MAR 9–11, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
HIMSS Global Health Conference + Exhibition (HIMSS) is a major medical gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together clinicians, researchers, health leaders and medical technology companies. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists APR 5–8, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
ProMat (PROMAT) is a major supply chain gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together logistics leaders, warehouse operators and automation providers. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists APR 19–22, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is a major entertainment gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together fans, creators, publishers, studios and entertainment brands. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists APR 30–MAY 2, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
National Restaurant Association Show (NRA SHOW) is a major food + beverage gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together buyers, operators, distributors and food-and-beverage brands. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists MAY 22–25, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
ASCO Annual Meeting (ASCO) is a major medical gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together clinicians, researchers, health leaders and medical technology companies. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists JUN 4–8, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
FABTECH (FABTECH) is a major manufacturing gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together manufacturers, engineers, plant leaders and technology suppliers. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists SEP 13–16, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
RSNA Annual Meeting (RSNA) is a major medical gathering at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, bringing together clinicians, researchers, health leaders and medical technology companies. For exhibitors, the show creates a concentrated opportunity to demonstrate products, hold face-to-face conversations and build visibility with a relevant live audience. The current planning calendar lists NOV 14–18, 2027; confirm final dates and exhibitor deadlines with the organizer before booking freight, labor or travel.
Before the truck rolls
North, South, West and Lakeside Center each create a different freight and visitor path. We begin with the building, hall, booth orientation, target move-in window and current floor plan.
Electrical, internet, rigging, material handling, labor and other show services carry separate order dates. GVC turns the current exhibitor manual into one working schedule.
Advance warehouse dates, direct-to-show windows, marshaling instructions and driver communication need to stay aligned. We coordinate the exhibit’s path from our shop to the correct McCormick Place dock.
Large Chicago events can span multiple halls and long travel distances. We prepare install information, service confirmations, graphics and on-site contacts before the first crate leaves Pennsylvania.
One team from shop to show floor
Our Southampton, Pennsylvania facility keeps design, production, graphics and program management connected while your exhibit travels to Chicago and onward to its next event.
See How GVC Works ↗McCormick Place exhibitor FAQ
Yes. GVC designs and fabricates custom, rental and hybrid exhibit programs, then coordinates freight, show services, installation, dismantle and post-show asset management for Chicago events.
For a new custom island or major exhibit program, four to six months is a comfortable starting point. High-demand Chicago events may require earlier decisions because approvals, service discounts, labor planning and freight schedules begin well before move-in.
Yes. We can coordinate the carrier, marshaling and material-handling requirements, installation and dismantle labor, show-service orders, and the return or onward shipment after the event.
Often, yes. We review the footprint, building and hall assignment, height restrictions and current event rules, then determine what can be reused, reconfigured, reprinted or supplemented for the Chicago floor.
Already have a show and booth size?
