PACK EXPO International 2026 Exhibitor Guide: Booth Builders, Rules, Costs & Exhibitor List
Everything exhibitors need to plan a booth at PACK EXPO International 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.
PACK EXPO International 2026 overview
| Show | PACK EXPO International |
|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging & Processing |
| Venue | McCormick Place |
| City | Chicago, IL |
| Next dates | Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 |
| Attendees | 47,000+ |
| Exhibitors | 2,696 |
| Official decorator | PACK EXPO Services |
| Official website | www.packexpointernational.com |
PACK EXPO International 2026 dates and location
PACK EXPO International 2026 is scheduled for Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Confirm the official dates and hall assignments on the PACK EXPO International website before booking travel or freight.
PACK EXPO International 2026 exhibitor list
The official PACK EXPO International exhibitor directory and company listings are published by the show organizer. View it here: PACK EXPO International exhibitor directory ↗. Already on the list? BoothFlip helps you find a booth builder, designer or EAC to bring your stand to life.
PACK EXPO International 2026 floor plan and booth planning
Pick your booth size and hall using the official PACK EXPO International 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.
PACK EXPO International booth builder & exhibit design help
Need a custom booth, a rental exhibit, or a fresh design for PACK EXPO International? BoothFlip matches you with vetted booth builders and exhibit designers who compete for your project — for new custom builds, modular rentals and renovations.
PACK EXPO International 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.
PACK EXPO International show rules & exhibitor manual
Booth-height limits, hanging-sign rules and line-of-sight requirements are set in the official PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / display rules. Open the official PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / service kit ↗. Always verify the latest rules with show management before finalizing your design.
PACK EXPO International material handling, drayage & electrical costs
Services are ordered through PACK EXPO Services. Typical exhibitor-paid costs:
| Material handling (drayage) | ~$0.25 / lb 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 PACK EXPO International service kit.
PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / service kit.
PACK EXPO International exhibitor deadlines & move-in schedule
Exact PACK EXPO International order deadlines and move-in / move-out times are published only in the official PACK EXPO International 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: Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026.
- Move-out / dismantle: starts right after the show closes.
These are general estimates, not official PACK EXPO International dates. Verify every deadline and move-in/move-out time against the official PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / service kit.
PACK EXPO International booth rental, custom booths & used booths
For PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International 2026?
PACK EXPO International 2026 runs Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 21, 2026 at McCormick Place. Always confirm the exact dates on the official PACK EXPO International website.
Where is PACK EXPO International 2026 held?
PACK EXPO International 2026 takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
How do I find the PACK EXPO International 2026 exhibitor list?
The official PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International 2026 floor plan?
The interactive floor plan is on the official PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International?
Most custom exhibitors hire a booth builder or EAC. BoothFlip matches you with vetted builders and designers who compete for your PACK EXPO International project.
Can exhibitors set up their own booth at PACK EXPO International?
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 PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / service kit. Also confirm any small-booth exceptions with show management.
What are the PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual.
Does PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual / service kit. Plan to budget union install/dismantle labor.
Who is the official contractor for PACK EXPO International?
The official general services contractor is PACK EXPO Services. Order services through their exhibitor service kit.
How much does it cost to exhibit at PACK EXPO International?
Beyond booth space, budget for booth build/rental, material handling (~$0.25 / lb advance), electrical (from $205), install/dismantle labor (~$170/hr) and freight. Get a tailored quote through BoothFlip.
How do I order electrical for a PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International exhibitor manual.
Can I use a used trade show booth at PACK EXPO International?
Yes — a pre-owned booth can be refurbished and rebranded for PACK EXPO International. Browse used booths on BoothFlip's marketplace.
How do I find an EAC contractor for PACK EXPO International?
Use BoothFlip's EAC network for Chicago to get matched with vetted exhibitor-appointed contractors for install & dismantle (I&D) and setup.
What are PACK EXPO International material handling or drayage costs?
Advance material handling runs about $0.25 / lb (per cwt/100 lbs or per lb); floor/overtime rates are higher. Confirm current drayage rates in the PACK EXPO Services service kit.
What are the PACK EXPO International 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 PACK EXPO International deadline and the move-in / move-out schedule in the official exhibitor manual / service kit.
Can I rent a booth for PACK EXPO International instead of buying?
Yes — modular rental exhibits and refurbished used booths are both cost-effective options for PACK EXPO International. BoothFlip's builders offer custom builds, rentals and used-booth refurbishment; request a quote to compare.