ALA Annual Conference 2026 Exhibitor Guide: Booth Builders, Rules, Costs & Exhibitor List
American Library Association Annual Conference. Everything exhibitors need to plan a booth at ALA Annual Conference 2026 in Chicago, IL — dates, venue, exhibitor list & floor plan, booth builders and EAC labor, show rules, material handling, union labor, electrical costs and key deadlines.
ALA Annual Conference 2026 overview
| Show | ALA Annual Conference |
|---|---|
| Industry | General Trade |
| Venue | McCormick Place |
| City | Chicago, IL |
| Next dates | Jun 25, 2026 – Jun 29, 2026 |
| Attendees | 13,500+ |
| Exhibitors | 510 |
| Official website | www.ala.org |
ALA Annual Conference 2026 dates and location
ALA Annual Conference 2026 is scheduled for Jun 25, 2026 – Jun 29, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Confirm the official dates and hall assignments on the ALA Annual Conference website before booking travel or freight.
ALA Annual Conference 2026 exhibitor list
The official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor directory and company listings are published by the show organizer. See the ALA Annual Conference website for the current exhibitor directory. Already on the list? BoothFlip helps you find a booth builder, designer or EAC to bring your stand to life.
ALA Annual Conference 2026 floor plan and booth planning
Pick your booth size and hall using the official ALA Annual Conference interactive floor plan, then plan the build with BoothFlip. Whether you need a 10×10 inline, a 20×20 island or a large custom stand at McCormick Place, our tools estimate weight, material handling and labor so you can budget accurately.
ALA Annual Conference booth builder & exhibit design help
Need a custom booth, a rental exhibit, or a fresh design for ALA Annual Conference? BoothFlip matches you with vetted booth builders and exhibit designers who compete for your project — for new custom builds, modular rentals and renovations.
ALA Annual Conference EAC contractors & I&D labor in Chicago
For install & dismantle (I&D) labor, supervision and on-site services, connect with exhibitor-appointed contractors (EACs) in Chicago. Find Chicago EAC contractors → or browse the full BoothFlip EAC network → for other cities.
ALA Annual Conference show rules & exhibitor manual
Booth-height limits, hanging-sign rules and line-of-sight requirements are set in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / display rules. Check the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual for the current rules. Always verify the latest rules with show management before finalizing your design.
ALA Annual Conference material handling, drayage & electrical costs
Services are ordered through the official show contractor. Typical exhibitor-paid costs:
| Material handling (drayage) | ~$200/cwt advance rate (floor/overtime rates run higher) |
|---|---|
| Electrical | from $205 (advance order) |
| Install/dismantle labor | ~$170/hr (ST; OT/DT higher on weekends/holidays) |
These are planning estimates — confirm current rates and forms in the official ALA Annual Conference service kit.
ALA Annual Conference union labor rules in Chicago
Chicago is a strong union market: electrical, freight and most booth install/dismantle labor generally go through union crews (e.g. IBEW electrical, Teamsters freight), and exhibitor self-build is usually limited. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift, material handling and venue jurisdictions at McCormick Place must be verified in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / service kit.
ALA Annual Conference exhibitor deadlines & move-in schedule
Exact ALA Annual Conference order deadlines and move-in / move-out times are published only in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / service kit. As a general planning guide, most U.S. shows follow this pattern:
- Discount / advance-order deadline: typically about 4–6 weeks before opening — ordering early usually saves ~25–40%.
- Advance warehouse / freight deadline: usually about 2–4 weeks before opening.
- Exhibitor move-in / setup: commonly begins 1–3 days before the show opens (large islands and hanging-sign booths earlier).
- Show dates: Jun 25, 2026 – Jun 29, 2026.
- Move-out / dismantle: starts right after the show closes.
These are general estimates, not official ALA Annual Conference dates. Verify every deadline and move-in/move-out time against the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / service kit.
ALA Annual Conference booth rental, custom booths & used booths
For ALA Annual Conference you can commission a new custom booth, rent a modular exhibit, or buy a used / pre-owned trade show booth and have it refurbished and rebranded — often at a fraction of a new custom build. Browse used trade show booths →. Have a booth to sell after the show? List it on BoothFlip →.
Frequently asked questions
When is ALA Annual Conference 2026?
ALA Annual Conference 2026 runs Jun 25, 2026 – Jun 29, 2026 at McCormick Place. Always confirm the exact dates on the official ALA Annual Conference website.
Where is ALA Annual Conference 2026 held?
ALA Annual Conference 2026 takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
How do I find the ALA Annual Conference 2026 exhibitor list?
Check the official ALA Annual Conference website for its exhibitor directory. BoothFlip can help you find a booth builder or EAC once you're on the list.
Where can I find the ALA Annual Conference 2026 floor plan?
The interactive floor plan is on the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor site. Use it to pick your booth size and hall; BoothFlip helps you plan and build the booth itself.
Do I need a booth builder for ALA Annual Conference?
Most custom exhibitors hire a booth builder or EAC. BoothFlip matches you with vetted builders and designers who compete for your ALA Annual Conference project.
Can exhibitors set up their own booth at ALA Annual Conference?
Chicago is a strong union market: electrical, freight and most booth install/dismantle labor generally go through union crews (e.g. IBEW electrical, Teamsters freight), and exhibitor self-build is usually limited. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift, material handling and venue jurisdictions at McCormick Place must be verified in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / service kit. Also confirm any small-booth exceptions with show management.
What are the ALA Annual Conference booth height rules?
Standard U.S. display rules usually cap linear/inline booths around 8–12 ft and islands higher, but limits vary by show. Verify booth-height and hanging-sign rules in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual.
Does ALA Annual Conference require union labor?
Chicago is a strong union market: electrical, freight and most booth install/dismantle labor generally go through union crews (e.g. IBEW electrical, Teamsters freight), and exhibitor self-build is usually limited. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift, material handling and venue jurisdictions at McCormick Place must be verified in the official ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual / service kit. Plan to budget union install/dismantle labor.
Who is the official contractor for ALA Annual Conference?
The official general services contractor is named in the ALA Annual Conference exhibitor service kit (commonly Freeman or GES).
How much does it cost to exhibit at ALA Annual Conference?
Beyond booth space, budget for booth build/rental, material handling (~$200/cwt advance), electrical (from $205), install/dismantle labor (~$170/hr) and freight. Get a tailored quote through BoothFlip.
How do I order electrical for a ALA Annual Conference booth?
Electrical is ordered through the official service kit; advance orders (from $205) are cheaper than floor rates. Confirm the current form and deadline in the ALA Annual Conference exhibitor manual.
Can I use a used trade show booth at ALA Annual Conference?
Yes — a pre-owned booth can be refurbished and rebranded for ALA Annual Conference. Browse used booths on BoothFlip's marketplace.
How do I find an EAC contractor for ALA Annual Conference?
Use BoothFlip's EAC network for Chicago to get matched with vetted exhibitor-appointed contractors for install & dismantle (I&D) and setup.
What are ALA Annual Conference material handling or drayage costs?
Advance material handling runs about $200/cwt (per cwt/100 lbs or per lb); floor/overtime rates are higher. Confirm current drayage rates in the the official show contractor service kit.
What are the ALA Annual Conference 2026 exhibitor deadlines?
As a planning guide, the discount / advance-order deadline is usually ~4–6 weeks before opening, the advance-warehouse freight deadline ~2–4 weeks before, and move-in typically starts 1–3 days before the show opens. Verify every ALA Annual Conference deadline and the move-in / move-out schedule in the official exhibitor manual / service kit.
Can I rent a booth for ALA Annual Conference instead of buying?
Yes — modular rental exhibits and refurbished used booths are both cost-effective options for ALA Annual Conference. BoothFlip's builders offer custom builds, rentals and used-booth refurbishment; request a quote to compare.