IFT FIRST 2026 Exhibitor Guide: Booth Builders, Rules, Costs & Exhibitor List
IFT FIRST — Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo. Everything exhibitors need to plan a booth at IFT FIRST 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.
IFT FIRST 2026 overview
| Show | IFT FIRST |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food & Beverage / Health |
| Venue | McCormick Place |
| City | Chicago, IL |
| Next dates | Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026 |
| Attendees | 15,500+ |
| Exhibitors | 1,054 |
| Official website | www.iftevent.org |
IFT FIRST 2026 dates and location
IFT FIRST 2026 is scheduled for Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Confirm the official dates and hall assignments on the IFT FIRST website before booking travel or freight.
IFT FIRST 2026 exhibitor list
The official IFT FIRST exhibitor directory and company listings are published by the show organizer. View it here: IFT FIRST exhibitor directory ↗. Already on the list? BoothFlip helps you find a booth builder, designer or EAC to bring your stand to life.
IFT FIRST 2026 floor plan and booth planning
Pick your booth size and hall using the official IFT FIRST 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.
IFT FIRST booth builder & exhibit design help
Need a custom booth, a rental exhibit, or a fresh design for IFT FIRST? BoothFlip matches you with vetted booth builders and exhibit designers who compete for your project — for new custom builds, modular rentals and renovations.
IFT FIRST 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.
IFT FIRST show rules & exhibitor manual
Booth-height limits, hanging-sign rules and line-of-sight requirements are set in the official IFT FIRST exhibitor manual / display rules. Check the official IFT FIRST exhibitor manual for the current rules. Always verify the latest rules with show management before finalizing your design.
IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST service kit.
IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST exhibitor manual / service kit.
IFT FIRST exhibitor deadlines & move-in schedule
Exact IFT FIRST order deadlines and move-in / move-out times are published only in the official IFT FIRST 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: Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026.
- Move-out / dismantle: starts right after the show closes.
These are general estimates, not official IFT FIRST dates. Verify every deadline and move-in/move-out time against the official IFT FIRST exhibitor manual / service kit.
IFT FIRST booth rental, custom booths & used booths
For IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST 2026?
IFT FIRST 2026 runs Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026 at McCormick Place. Always confirm the exact dates on the official IFT FIRST website.
Where is IFT FIRST 2026 held?
IFT FIRST 2026 takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
How do I find the IFT FIRST 2026 exhibitor list?
The official IFT FIRST exhibitor directory / floor plan is published by the show. BoothFlip links to it and can help you find a booth builder or EAC to exhibit.
Where can I find the IFT FIRST 2026 floor plan?
The interactive floor plan is on the official IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST?
Most custom exhibitors hire a booth builder or EAC. BoothFlip matches you with vetted builders and designers who compete for your IFT FIRST project.
Can exhibitors set up their own booth at IFT FIRST?
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 IFT FIRST exhibitor manual / service kit. Also confirm any small-booth exceptions with show management.
What are the IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST exhibitor manual.
Does IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST exhibitor manual / service kit. Plan to budget union install/dismantle labor.
Who is the official contractor for IFT FIRST?
The official general services contractor is named in the IFT FIRST exhibitor service kit (commonly Freeman or GES).
How much does it cost to exhibit at IFT FIRST?
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 IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST exhibitor manual.
Can I use a used trade show booth at IFT FIRST?
Yes — a pre-owned booth can be refurbished and rebranded for IFT FIRST. Browse used booths on BoothFlip's marketplace.
How do I find an EAC contractor for IFT FIRST?
Use BoothFlip's EAC network for Chicago to get matched with vetted exhibitor-appointed contractors for install & dismantle (I&D) and setup.
What are IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST 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 IFT FIRST deadline and the move-in / move-out schedule in the official exhibitor manual / service kit.
Can I rent a booth for IFT FIRST instead of buying?
Yes — modular rental exhibits and refurbished used booths are both cost-effective options for IFT FIRST. BoothFlip's builders offer custom builds, rentals and used-booth refurbishment; request a quote to compare.