PACK EXPO International 2026
Exhibitors Know Before You Go

Exhibitors can register their team for FREE through September 18 and can choose to have badges mailed or picked up in-person. Registrations after this date will incur a $15 fee per badge and MUST be picked up in-person.

To pick up your badge in-person, bring your registration confirmation email (containing your QR code) to any Exhibitor Registration desk or satellite registration location. One team member may collect badges for all registered booth personnel.

Exhibitors who arrive before Thursday may retrieve show floor stickers at the door.

$5.00 for coats | $6.00 for bags

Colors on the tag will indicate the location:

If you require booth cleaning, vacuuming, or porter services, please visit the Exhibitor Service Center located in your hall, or text 972-521-3035. Please note that unless cleaning services are ordered, your booth will not be cleaned. (Note: This includes first night cleaning which must be ordered).

Employees of the exhibiting company are permitted to clean and vacuum their own booths however, Exhibitor Appointed Contractors (EACs) are not permitted to use vacuums or floor cleaning equipment in your booth; this must be provided by PACK EXPO Services.

Restaurants, cafes and concessions are available in each hall on move-in and show days. Click here to review the full retail schedule.
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Exhibitor Food Court:

During show days, booth personnel can enjoy access to an exclusive exhibitor’s dining area, located in the South Hall, S-100 from 11am-2pm. Skip the lines and connect with fellow exhibitors or relax and enjoy a moment away from the show floor. The Exhibitor Food Court will offer a variety of food for purchase with grab-and-go lunch options. Please note that an exhibitor badge is required for entry.

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West Hall Food Court:

The West Hall Food Court located on Level 2 also has ample seating and food options.

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Lakeside Backyard Bistro:

The Lakeside Backyard Bistro is available in the back of Lakeside Lower. Enjoy several dining options such as pizza, barbeque, burgers, and kosher meals. Lakeside Backyard Bistro will be open on show days from 10am-4pm.
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Discount Offer: Enjoy $5 off your meal at the Lakeside Backyard Bistro when you download the PACK EXPO International mobile app.
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Starbucks:

Starbucks concessions are located in the concourse of the West Building and the level 3 show floor of the North Building. Order ahead on the mobile app to save yourself time and avoid long wait times! There are also multiple other coffee shops located throughout the building and complimentary coffee available in the lobby of Lakeside Lower.

Member and Exhibitor Lounges

PMMI will host several lounge spaces, sponsored by IFS Ultimo Americas, Inc. Lounges are a great way to step away from the hustle and bustle of the show floor and relax or take care of business.

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PMMI Member Lounges are open to all PMMI members (must have a member pass). The Member Lounges are open Sun., October 18 - Tues., October 20 from 8:00AM-5:00PM and Wed., October 21 from 8:00AM-3:00PM. Refreshments will be served all day.

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PMMI Exhibitor Lounges are open to all exhibitors of the show. Exhibitor Lounges are open Sun., October 18 - Tues., October 20 from 9:00AM-5:00PM and Wed., October 21 from 9:00AM-3:00PM. Coffee service is available daily from 8:00AM-11:00AM.

Semi-private meeting space is also available in each of the lounges (except E-251). This space is ideal for informal client meetings or touch bases with your team. For more information, or to book a space, please email [email protected].

*Please note: to accommodate all member companies and exhibiting companies, meeting room reservations are based on availability and limited to no more than two hours per company per day. Food and beverage and AV equipment cannot be ordered for these meeting rooms.

During show days, booth personnel can enjoy access to an exclusive exhibitor’s dining area, located in the South Hall, S-100 from 11am-2pm. Skip the lines and connect with fellow exhibitors or relax and enjoy a moment away from the show floor. The Exhibitor Food Court will offer a variety of food for purchase with grab-and-go lunch options. Please note that an exhibitor badge is required for entry.

Find the full schedule of concessions available at McCormick Place here.

FedEx Offices are available in South, West, and Lakeside Lower Buildings offering printing and shipping services for exhibitors. Find a full list of available services can be found here. Note the FedEx Office is for outbound shipping only; they do not accept any inbound shipments or packages.

First Aid stations are located throughout McCormick Place:

Lead Retrieval pick-up and drop-off will be located near the Exhibitor Service Centers.

*All lead retrieval devices must be returned by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21

Lost & Found will be located in the Show Management Office, S-401ABC (South Hall). If you need to report a lost item, please complete the Lost & Found Form and a member of Show Management will reach out if your item is turned in.

Mon., October 28 – Fri., November 8 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

All vehicles delivering booth materials, freight and products to McCormick Place must first check in at the Marshalling Yard, located at 3050 Moe Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.

All exhibitors must adhere to their target move-in and move-out dates. Inbound target dates and times are for check-in to the Marshalling Yard only and actual unloading could take hours. Target dates apply to machinery and display materials only.
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TRAVEL ALERT

For exhibitors with an Inbound Target Date of Sunday, October 11:

The Bank of America Marathon is taking place in Chicago on October 11. Due to road closures, it's highly recommended to allow additional travel time for trucks to arrive at the Marshalling Yard. Exhibitors flying into Chicago that day are advised to use public transportation when possible.

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For exhibitors with Outbound Target date of Thursday, October 22:

DUE TO A CHICAGO BEARS HOME GAME THAT WILL IMPACT TRAFFIC, ALL DRIVERS MUST BE CHECKED IN BY 12:00 pm (noon) ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026.

Mamava nursing pods are available onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Download the Mamava App for access.

Start planning your outbound processes now. PACK EXPO Services uses Exhibitor and Exhibitor Appointed Contractor entered information to generate your outbound Material Handling Agreements (MHAs).  If the outbound carrier and destination information is entered by you prior to the last day of show, your MHA and pre-printed shipping labels will be delivered to your booth on the last day of the show, if you have a zero balance. Once this data is entered by you, we will update any paperwork and print additional labels at the service centers. Avoid delays, don’t wait to submit this information until the show closes. Contact a CSM if you need help completing this process.
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‍Provide the required information for your outbound MHA paperwork through the Exhibitor Service Manual (accessible via the Exhibitor Resource Center). On the homepage of the Exhibitor Service Manual, select ‘Fill Out Your MHA’ under the Material Handling tile.

Reminder – an MHA is required for each truckload and each final destination (including any overflow trailers). Many booths will need multiple MHAs. Piece counts must be on all MHA’s and the name of the carrier must match the name of the carrier checking in at the Marshalling Yard.

‍If your outbound information is not captured in advance, or you have an outstanding balance, you will need to come to the Exhibitor Service Center in your hall to receive your outbound packet.

Do not leave your material handling agreement in your booth. It must be completed and returned to the Exhibitor Service Center in your hall once your materials are packed and ready to go.

‍Need help with your MHA or want to place a new order? Please visit the Exhibitor Resource Center and select Exhibitor Service Manual, visit the Exhibitor Service Center onsite, email [email protected], ask a Floor Service Representative, or text EXPO to 972-521-3035.

New Return to Warehouse Option: New this year, exhibitors can select to return to warehouse on their MHA and schedule pick-up within established deadlines after the show.

Exhibitor Service Centers are located in each hall. Coffee service will be provided in the Exhibitor Service Center on move-in days from 8:00am-11:00am.

*Hours may be extended the day before the show opens and the day of show close to assist with additional exhibitor needs.

Customer Service Managers (CSMs) are stationed at the Exhibitor Service Center and can assist you with placing orders for all show services. You may also reach the Exhibitor Service Center by calling 972-751-9400 and selecting option 4 or by texting EXPO to 972-521-3035.

Parking

‍Parking is available at McCormick Place for a fee. For a map showing the parking lots and their locations relative to each hall, please click here.

The prepaid parking rate is $40 per day. Exhibitors can prepay for parking through the McCormick Place parking information page. For current parking availability and updates, please visit the McCormick Place Parking Linktree page.

Note: Exhibitors are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to utilize Metra and the complimentary show shuttle buses on show days as most lots will fill by 9am.

Shuttle Buses

Free shuttle buses will run between official PACK EXPO International hotels and the McCormick Place Campus during the show. Be sure to look for signate at your hotel directing you to the boarding points. Shuttle bus schedules and pickup points are subject to change.

Shuttle buses drop off in all McCormick Place buildings each morning of the show and pick-up in South, Lakeside and West buildings in the afternoon.

Find more information on the List of Hotel Maps and the Shuttle Bus Schedule page.
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Metra Rail

Located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the South Building, the METRA Electric Commuter railroad provides direct service to and from downtown Chicago. Access to ride the Metra Electric line (only) is free to all visitors of PACK EXPO International. Be sure to download the mobile app to access your complimentary Metra Electric Line ticket.
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Trains will depart the McCormick Place station on:

Sunday: 4:17pm, 4:47pm, 5:27pm & 6:17pm

Monday – Wednesday: Every 10-20min. from 3:12-6:10pm

For more information, see the METRA Map or Get Your Free Metra Pass.

Rigging crews with forklifts or cranes should be ordered in advance to uncrate, unskid, position and re-skid  heavy machinery. All rigging/fork lift labor must be confirmed at the rigging desk. If you have requested 8:00 am labor, this must be confirmed at the rigging desk by 2:00 pm the day prior. Crews do not need to be ordered to unload and reload inbound and outbound freight carriers.
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Rigging Crews will place special rigging empty stickers on your crates and skids after completing the work.  Do not put general empty stickers on your rigging crates and skids.
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Machinery skids will not be returned automatically to your booth with the empties. You must use your forklift crew to retrieve your machinery skids from storage. Please make sure your machinery crates and skids have the appropriate rigging empty sticker.
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TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SAVINGS: Forklift crews on night of show close from 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm are billed at straight time. Wednesday night labor is subject to availability and must be confirmed when you confirm your inbound crew on-site.

Exhibits must be installed according to the specifications outlined in the Rules & Regulations. Please ensure you follow all rules specific to your booth type when building your exhibit.

McCormick Place Security personnel patrol and monitor facility public areas, parking lots and perimeters. Security staff is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Personnel respond to all incidents and, when requested, will assist persons with disabilities.
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Emergency Response

For Emergency Services (fire, medical, or police), or to report a civil disturbance, please contact the McCormick Place Security team at 312-791-6060 on your cell phone or extension 6060 from a house phone. Please refrain from calling 911. If you do call 911, please also call the Security team at the numbers above.
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Automated External Defibrillators

McCormick Place has 92 AEDs mounted in highly visible cabinets throughout the buildings and in each security vehicle. When needed, anyone who has taken a CPR/AED course can utilize them, as can our own certified personnel. More than 150 security and fire safety officers and managers have been certified in CPR and are trained to use AEDs.

AED Locations (List)

AED Locations (Map)
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Show Security

Badges are required for entry into all exhibit halls. Show Management works with an independent security firm, United Security, to provide perimeter hall security during move-in, the show and move-out days. With an event the size and scope of PACK EXPO International, attendees and exhibitors should make every effort to secure small and/or easily removable items. Please always monitor your belongings and do not leave any valuables such as phones, wallets, etc. unattended.

All booths must be completely set up by Saturday, October 17 at 1:00pm. Once any crate is empty and ready to be taken out of the hall, place an EMPTY label on the crate and make sure your booth number is clearly visible.
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‍EMPTY labels are available for pick up in the Exhibitor Service Center or from Floor Service Reps (FSR) and Floor Managers.  
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Keeping your empty containers until the end of move-in WILL NOT ensure that you receive your crates first during move-out and delays the move-in process preventing service providers from being able to access your booth and others around you. All cartons and crates must have EMPTY labels attached and be ready for pick up by Saturday, October 17 at 1:00pm. No crates will be allowed in the aisles.

‍VISQUEEN REMOVAL (protective covering for carpet) It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to remove any visqueen and place it in the aisles by Saturday, October 17 at 1:00pm. Any visqueen not removed by 1:00pm will be removed by the cleaning crew, and this cost will be billed to the exhibiting company. You can order visqueen removal at the Exhibitor Service Center.

Please review the Shipping and Material Handling Checklist in advance of shipping your display materials.

PES Floor Service Reps (FSRs): Patrol the show floor, confirming delivery of PACK EXPO Services (PES) provided items and can also assist with questions or concerns regarding orders.  The FSRs can also be contacted through the text program.  They will wear black jackets with a PES logo.

PMMI Floor Managers: Show Management has assigned Floor Managers to assist exhibitors and to ensure that all exhibitors follow the rules and regulations of the show. During set-up and tear-down, they will be throughout the exhibit hall, wearing red PMMI jackets for identification.