- Where will PACK EXPO International 2026 take place?
McCormick Place
2301 S. King Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616 USA
mccormickplace.com
- What are the 2026 show dates and exhibit hours?
Sunday, October 18
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, October 19
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, October 20
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 21
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- How do I book a hotel in the show’s official hotel block?
Visit the Travel & Hotel page of this website, where you can book your room(s) online with the official PACK EXPO International Hotel Reservation Office, Expovision. Please beware of third-party hotel brokers that may demand pre-payment and then oversell rooms. Many such scams have been reported. Note that Expovision requires a credit card to guarantee the reservation, but no deposits are charged at the time of booking.
- Will there be shuttle bus service from the hotels to McCormick Place?
Yes. Complimentary shuttle bus service will run from hotels to McCormick Place during morning hours and return to hotels in the afternoon. A detailed route map and schedule will be posted in the Travel & Hotel section of this website a few months before the show. You will also have the option to ride the Metra commuter train from Millenium Park Station to McCormick Place for free.
- How can I become an exhibitor at PACK EXPO International 2026?
After reviewing the floor plans and Rules and Regulations, complete and submit your exhibit space application with your non-refundable/non-transferrable deposit. To apply, go to Reserve My Booth .
- What is the cost per square foot to exhibit?
The base rate is $34.25 per square foot including drayage/material handling. PMMI member space rates vary. If you are a PMMI Member and would like to know your space rate, please contact us at 571-612-3200 or email us at [email protected].
Drayage/material handling is included in your space rate provided your shipment/truck checks in at McCormick Place by 2:00 pm on your assigned target move-in date. See the Rules & Regulations and the Exhibitor Services Manual (available by May 2026) for additional information and special assessment pricing.
- What is drayage?
Drayage is the moving of the exhibitor’s machinery, etc., off the exhibitor’s truck at the dock to the exhibitor’s booth and back to the dock to be loaded back onto the truck. This is included in the price of the exhibitor’s booth space—a benefit not seen for other packaging and processing trade shows.
- What is the payment schedule for booth space?
A nonrefundable 25% deposit should accompany your Exhibit Space Application. An additional 50% of the total booth price will be due by March 23, 2026. The final 25% will be due by June 22, 2026. For any booths booked after June 22, 2026, full payment is due with the space application.
If you have any questions about payment for your booth space, you can contact Gisella Zapata at [email protected] or 571.612.3200.
- How can I improve my priority point standing?
Each exhibitor is assigned a priority point for space selection. PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO Southeast and PACK EXPO East hold separate priority standings. By exhibiting continuously, and by those ahead of you in priority not exhibiting, an exhibitor begins to move up the priority point system. Choosing not to exhibit at other PACK EXPO shows does not affect your PACK EXPO International priority. For more information, please review the Priority Point Process.
- What are the height regulations?
Booths under 599 sq. ft. are allowed a maximum height of 12’ for all display material, including logos and graphics. Hanging signs are NOT permitted. Booths 600 – 1,499 sq. ft. are allowed a maximum height of 14’ for all display material including logos, graphics and hanging signs, and booths 1,500 sq. ft. and over are allowed a maximum height of 18’ for all display material including logos, graphics and hanging signs. All display material and machinery must be set back at least 1’ from all aisles.
For more information, please consult the complete Rules & Regulations.
- How do I populate my company information for inclusion in the online directory?
Login to the Exhibitor Resource Center and complete all items in the “Complete Profile” section to populate your Online Listing. This includes a company description, product categories, vertical markets, any applicable upgrade items and more. The Show Contact for your company must create a new password the first time they log into the Exhibitor Resource Center for PACK EXPO International 2026. The Show Contact can then invite other company contacts to create logins if additional staff members need access.
If you have any questions about your Exhibitor Resource Center, contact the PMMI Show Department at [email protected] or 571.612.3200.
- What is included in the basic online exhibitor directory listing?
All exhibiting companies are provided a complimentary online directory listing that includes:- Company Description and Contact Information
- Link to Company Website
- Social Media Links
- Product Categories
- Sustainability Description
- Vertical Markets Served
- Press Releases
- How can I upgrade and improve my online directory listing?
Contact your exhibit sales representative about upgrading your complimentary online directory listing. Package upgrades help you increase visibility and make a stronger impression on buyers. You’ll find package details on the Package Upgrades page.
- What is the cancellation policy?
Your 25% deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable. For cancellations received after March 23, 2026 and prior to June 22, 2026, the exhibitor will forfeit any monies paid to date, up to 75% of the total booth price. Any cancellations received after the final payment deadline (June 22, 2026) will forfeit 100% or all monies paid to date. For details, see the Rules & Regulations.
- Who is the official service contractor for PACK EXPO International?
The official move-in/move-out and freight services contractor for PACK EXPO International is PACK EXPO Services. More information can be found in the Exhibitor Service Manual, which will be available in May 2026. - Move In/Move out – Freight Services
PACK EXPO Services
Phone: 972.751.9400
Email: [email protected] - Booth Services
PACK EXPO Services
Phone: 972.751.9400
Email: [email protected]
- Move In/Move out – Freight Services
- Whom should I contact regarding speaking opportunities?
If you are interested in speaking at PACK EXPO International, please contact Kendall Schulte, Trade Show Operations Coordinator, at [email protected].
- Whom do I contact regarding sponsorships and advertising opportunities?
For PACK EXPO International sponsorships, Show Daily and packexpointernational.com opportunities, contact:
Daniel Smith
Phone: 312.205.7935
Email: [email protected]
Patrick Bradley
Phone: 571.266.4413
Email: [email protected]
For show-related advertising opportunities from PMMI Media Group, visit pmmimediagroup.com or call 800.355.5595.
- Can I rent or buy the PACK EXPO 2026 International attendee e-mail list?
PMMI does not sell or rent attendee email lists due to our strict adherence to data protection and privacy laws. Any solicitation claiming to have the email list of PACK EXPO International attendees, or attendee lists from any PACK EXPO show, is fraudulent. If you are contacted by third-party companies via email, phone, or fax, offering email lists, please be aware that the information they offer should be considered entirely suspect as we do not allow access to the contact information of show attendees. We encourage you to block the sender, delete the email, and report scams to the U.S.FTC fraud division. When reporting, select “An Impersonator”, followed by “Well-Known or Trusted Business”. If you receive a solicitation and are unsure of the vendor’s affiliation with PMMI or PACK EXPO International, please contact the PMMI Show Department at 571.612.3200 or [email protected].
To learn more about reliable lead generation and show attendee targeting opportunities, including the option to purchase a one-time use of the Attendee Mailing List (through a third-party mail house) contact your PMMI Media Group sales consultant.
- When will registration open and how much does it cost?
Registration will open in February 2026. Sign up to receive more information and we will notify you. Early bird registration is $30; regular rate is $130. Registration includes free educational sessions taking place on the show floor.
- Will my badge be mailed to me?
If your mailing address is in the U.S. and you register on or before September 25, 2026, you will receive your badge in the mail. International registrants must pick up their badges onsite at the Attendee Registration desks. Please remember to pack your badge for your trip—this will save you time on arrival and help us minimize the lines onsite.
- What are the age restrictions at PACK EXPO International?
No person under the age of 14 is allowed on the show floor before, during or after the show. Neither strollers nor carried infants are allowed on the show floor.
