Fright-Rags
Platinum / Diamond (Booth #101)Media & Entertainment
Island Booth & Keynote Sponsor
Good to Know
Verified Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Operational & Travel Highlights
ShowScore™ 7.7/10 VenueScore™ (Congress Plaza Hotel) 7.6/10 →
Show Hours & Setup:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Main Exhibit Floor
Move-In: Nov 18–Nov 19 • Teardown: Nov 22
Airport & Transit:
22 mins ($28–$44 rideshare from INTL) • Walkable Corridor
4 Walkable Corridor Hotels
Scale & Badge Tiers:
3,200+ B2B Attendees
Verified B2B Trade, Professional & Industry Attendees Only (500+ Scale) (Trade Registration Required)
Contractor & Labor:
Freeman / Official GC • Union Jurisdiction
Adv. Warehouse: Oct 16–Nov 10 • Direct: Nov 17–Nov 19
Show-Week Climate:
48°F Avg High / 34°F Low • 25% Rain Probability (NOAA Nov Normal)
Trauma: Northwestern Memorial Hospital Level I Trauma (2.9 mi)
👤 For Attendees
Corridor Surge™: +68%
TrueAttend™ 3-Day Trip Estimate
$1,358 est. all-in / attendee
Attendee Score
7.8/10
Includes trade badge, 2 nights at a walkable hotel (with 17.4% Chicago hotel occupancy tax unbundled ($0 resort fee)), round-trip domestic airfare, and INTL airport & cta / metra electric ground transfers.
Trade Buyer Badge (Early/Adv): $165
2 Nights Walkable Hotel (Out-the-Door): $798 ($399/nt)
Avg. Round-Trip Domestic Flight: $340
INTL Airport + CTA / Metra Electric Ground: $55
Corridor Rate vs. GSA Per-Diem ($189/nt): $399/nt Show vs. $189 Off-Peak
🏗️ For Exhibitors • Receipt Check
Save ~25% ($2,889) w/ 3 EAC Bids
TrueBooth™ All-In 10×10 Estimate:
$11,450 → $8,561 w/ Local EAC
Exhibitor ROI:
7.7/10
10×10 Raw Space ($26.95/sf): $2,695
Est. Freeman / Official GC Drayage (~12 CWT): $1,850
IBEW Local 134 Power (15A) + Rigging + Carpet: $2,305
Turnkey Booth Build + 3 Staff Hotel: $4,600
We're your free local general contractor in Chicago — print, setup, storage, crew & client dinners. Vendors pay our fee:
🎯 Promoters & Sponsors
Verified Industry Congress
Conventions.com ShowScore™
7.7 / 10 VenueScore™ 7.6/10
Sponsor Gravity
7.6/10
TrueVenue™ Facility & Hospitality Receipt Check for promoters, corporate buyout planners, and title sponsors at Congress Plaza Hotel:
TrueVenue™ Hall License Benchmark: $0.38 – $0.55 / net sq ft
Grid Power (EIA) vs. 20A Floor Drop: 11.4¢/kWh vs. $385 (48× Commercial Grid Rate)
Private Dining / PDR Buyout Band: $6,500 – $35,000 F&B Minimum
Exclusive In-House Monopolies: •
Zero-Drayage Local Depot • Stored 10 Minutes from Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago Local Depot)
⚡ Conventions.com CloudBooth™ (Chicago Local Inventory): $3,995 Turnkey
Why ship heavy crates across the country and pay Freeman / Official GC $1,850 in drayage? Our commercial-grade 10×10 and 10×20 modular aluminum frames, LED lighting, and padded flooring are already stored 10 minutes from Congress Plaza Hotel. Upload your artwork—we print your custom tension-fabric graphics locally, deliver via local van, set up your booth before move-in cutoff, and strike it on closing night.
Dedicated Spoke Dossiers
Canonical Host Facility Specs: Congress Plaza Hotel →
Deep-Dive Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Guides by Search Intent
Registration & BadgesFrom $165
Complete Days of the Dead: Chicago badge pricing tiers, trade qualification requirements, Will-Call hours, and TrueAttend™ trip calculator.
Hotels & Parking4 Hotels
Compare 4 corridor hotels with hall-specific walk times, resort fees unbundled, Corridor Surge™ (+68%), and Attrition Rescue Exchange.
Booth Cost & Drayage$8,561 EAC
10×10 ($11,450 → $8,561 w/ Local EAC), $3,995 Turnkey CloudBooth™, and $0 Down Net-90 B2B Financing.
Exhibitors & Floor MapFloor Roster
Search verified Days of the Dead: Chicago exhibiting brands, hall-by-hall product zones, attendee seniority demographics, and B2B matchmaking.
Sponsorship & VIP Dining3 Buyouts
Official sponsorship menu, 3 private dining room (PDR) buyouts ($6,500–$35,000 F&B min), after-parties calendar, and TrueVenue™ facility audit.
Key Details
Event Dates:
Nov 20–22, 2026
Verified Scale:
3,200+ B2B Attendees
Host Facility:
Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL)
10x10 Booth Benchmark (Est.):
$11,450 Est. All-In → $8,561 w/ Local EAC (Save ~25% / $2,889)
FY26/27 GSA Lodging Cap:
$189/nt Lodging • $74/day M&IE
Tracked Sponsors:
4 Verified Corporate Sponsors
| Confirmed Dates: | Nov 20–22, 2026 (3,200+ B2B Attendees) |
|---|---|
| Host Facility: | Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL) |
| Labor & Drayage Regime: | Union Jurisdiction |
| 10x10 Booth (Raw → All-In): | $11,450 Est. All-In → $8,561 w/ Local EAC (Save ~25% / $2,889) |
| Badge / Access Tier: | Verified B2B Trade, Professional & Industry Attendees Only (500+ Scale) |
| FY2026 GSA Per-Diem Cap: | $189/night lodging • $74/day M&IE |
| Walkable Hotel Ring: | 4 Connected & Walk-Ring Hotels (7.6 / 10 Moderate Corridor Compression Compression) |
| Client Dining Buyouts: | 3 Private Dining & Reception Venues Mapped |
About This Event
Days of the Dead: Chicago brings 3,200+ B2B professionals and buyers in Media & Entertainment to Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL (Nov 20–22, 2026). Days of the Dead utilizes the Congress Plaza Hotel's 50,000 square feet of meeting space for its massive vendor hall and celebrity autograph area. Confirmed sponsors and exhibitors include Fright-Rags, Trick or Treat Studios, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin Films.
Who Attends
3,200+ B2B AttendeesVP / Director Buyers & Decision-Makers (Media & Entertainment)54%
Operations, Engineering & Technical Evaluators28%
Corporate Sponsors, Exhibitors & Solution Providers18%
Attendee Travel, Parking & Arrival Snapshot
Essential Trip Planning Benchmarks for Days of the Dead: Chicago
Airport Arrival & Badges
Fly into INTL (22 mins ($28–$44 rideshare from INTL)) and arrive the afternoon prior to opening keynotes.
Peak Show-Floor Hours
Day 1 & Day 2 of Nov 20–22, 2026 (highest buyer floor density).
Facility Parking & Clearance:
Congress Plaza Hotel Main Convention Garage & Surface Lot: $15 – $28 / day — 7' 0" Garage • Unlimited Surface Lot (1–4 min walk to main registration concourse).
Per-Diem & Floor Attire
Federal GSA Benchmark: $189/nt Lodging • $74/day M&IE. Smart business casual with cushioned footwear.
Hall-to-Category & Closest Hotel Navigation Matrix
Match My Hall to Closest Hotel →
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Hall-by-Hall Layout: Which Hall Is Your Industry In?
Because walking across Congress Plaza Hotel can add 15–25 minutes to your morning commute, match your hotel and freight marshaling yard directly to the specific hall housing your Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment sector.
| Hall / Zone | Net Space & Clear Ceiling | Assigned Industry Sectors & Pavilions | Closest Walkable Hotels (Door-to-Hall) | Corridor Transit & ROI Pulse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress Plaza Hotel Main Exhibit Hall A–C (Contiguous Span) | 8,265 sq. ft. Ceiling: 22' 0" – 28' 0" | Live Equipment Proving Grounds, Mobile Demo Rigs & Outdoor Hospitality (Exhibit Hall) | Marriott Marquis Chicago (3 min • Direct Indoor Pedway to West Building) • Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (4 min • Direct Indoor Grand Concourse Link) | 350 lbs / sq. ft. heavy industrial slab slab • 90' × 90' clear-span steel truss grid • Cap: N/A theater / N/A banquet 4.8★ Anchor Island Traffic |
| Congress Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom & General Session Plenary | 12,000 sq. ft. Ceiling: 24' 0" | Keynote General Sessions, C-Suite Panels, Awards Banquets & VIP Summits (Ballroom) | Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (5 min • Direct Indoor Grand Concourse Link) • Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place (6 min • Indoor Skybridge Connection) | 150 lbs / sq. ft. slab • 100% Pillarless grid • Cap: N/A theater / N/A banquet 4.8★ Executive & Keynote Hub |
| Congress Plaza Hotel Executive Breakout Wing (16 Rooms) | 10,000 sq. ft. Ceiling: 14' 0" – 16' 0" | Live Equipment Proving Grounds, Mobile Demo Rigs & Outdoor Hospitality (Meeting Wing) | Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place (7 min • Indoor Skybridge Connection) • Hilton Chicago (Michigan Ave / Grant Park) (8 min • 5-Min Metra / Busway Express) | 100 lbs / sq. ft. slab • Pillarless airwall pods grid • Cap: N/A theater / N/A banquet 4.6★ High-Density Pavilion |
Venue-Corridor Walk-Ring, Hotels & Buyout Dining Graph
Walkable Convention Hotels, Private Dining Buyouts (3) & Local Suppliers
Select your target exhibit hall below to recalculate door-to-door walking minutes, skybridge or transit connections, and nearby buyout restaurants.
Federal GSA Per-Diem Benchmark
$189/nt Lodging • $74/day M&IE
Target Hall:
Map Layers:
5-Min Walk (420m)12-Min Walk (950m)Metra Electric (7 Min)
Interactive OpenStreetMap Walk-Ring & Transit Explorer
| Hotel Property & Transit Access | Commute to McCormick Place Main Halls | Show Rate vs. Off-Peak | Block Status | Room & Block Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyatt Regency McCormick PlaceDirect Indoor Grand Concourse Link Closest sleeping rooms to North, South, and Lakeside Center halls via enclosed skybridge. | 2 min (~160m) to McCormick Place Main Halls | ~$385/nt Off-peak: $189/nt | Limited (<15%) | |
 Marriott Marquis ChicagoDirect Indoor Pedway to West Building Connected indoors via climate-controlled skybridge straight into McCormick Place West & Wintrust Arena. | 3 min (~240m) to McCormick Place Main Halls | ~$395/nt Off-peak: $199/nt | Limited (<15%) | |
 Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick PlaceIndoor Skybridge ConnectionPer-Diem Friendly Tri-brand Hilton campus connected indoors to McCormick Place West—strong GSA per-diem value. | 4 min (~320m) to McCormick Place Main Halls | ~$295/nt Off-peak: $159/nt | Limited (<15%) | |
 Hilton Chicago (Michigan Ave / Grant Park)5-Min Metra / Busway ExpressPer-Diem Friendly Iconic Michigan Ave convention HQ using the dedicated underground McCormick Busway in 6 minutes. | 10 min (~800m) to McCormick Place Main Halls | ~$285/nt Off-peak: $155/nt | Available |
Live Show-Week Flights, Arena Tickets & Executive Hosting
Loading Live Chicago Airfare, Concerts, Sports & Forecast…
Audience & Buyer Fit
Who Should Attend Days of the Dead: Chicago (And Who Can Skip It)
High-Value Fit For
- Enterprise B2B sales teams, solution providers, and OEMs targeting Media & Entertainment buyers.
- Sponsors seeking high-intent executive deal suites and private dining buyouts near Congress Plaza Hotel.
Consider Skipping If
- Consumer retail or hobbyist vendors (strictly B2B trade and professional attendance).
Citywide Compression & Overlap
Chicago Hub →
Concurrent Chicago Conventions
No overlapping citywide events recorded for these dates yet.
Exhibitor List Intelligence, Anchor Sponsors & Keynote Tracks
Who Exhibits & Sponsors at Days of the Dead: Chicago (177+ Exhibiting Brands & Sponsors)
Benchmark notable anchor exhibitors, headline sponsors, floor pavilions, and keynote tracks at Congress Plaza Hotel before locking booth space or off-floor client activations.
Primary Show-Floor Pavilions & Product Zones
Media & Entertainment Solutions PavilionEnterprise Software, Automation & AI ZoneNew Product Innovation & Demo StageExecutive VIP Briefing & Deal Suites
Signature Keynote & Executive Conference Tracks
2026–2027 Food, Beverage & Hospitality Executive OutlookMedia & Entertainment Operations, Procurement & ROIRegulatory Compliance, Supply Chain & Market Benchmarks
Trick or Treat Studios
Gold (Booth #300)Media & Entertainment
Inline / Peninsula Exhibit Booth
Vinegar Syndrome
Exhibitor (Booth #205)Media & Entertainment
Inline / Peninsula Exhibit Booth
Severin Films
Exhibitor (Booth #208)Media & Entertainment
Inline / Peninsula Exhibit Booth
Floorplan System: Official DOTD Exhibitor & Floorplan Portal • Representative anchor exhibitors & historical sponsors shown for competitive benchmarking.
Official Days of the Dead: Chicago Portal
Penalty Cutoff & Advance Rate Calendar
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Exhibitor Deadlines, Advance Warehouse Windows & Penalty Cutoffs
Order floor utilities, submit independent EAC insurance certificates, and deliver advance warehouse freight before these Days of the Dead: Chicago cutoff dates to avoid 30%–50% show-manual penalty surcharges.
| Milestone / Cutoff | Deadline Date | Advance / On-Time Rate | Late Penalty / After-Cutoff Rate | Operational Impact & Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early-Bird Attendee & Buyer Registration Cutoff | 60 Days Prior to Opening | Early-Bird Credential Rate | +25%–40% Standard / Onsite Badge Surcharge | Register attendee and booth personnel badges before the early-bird tier expires. |
| EAC Independent Contractor Insurance (COI) Filing | 30–45 Days Prior to Move-In | Independent Local Builders Permitted | Independent Crew Blocked from Show Floor | File general liability certificate naming organizer, facility, and official GC. |
| Advance Warehouse Freight Receiving Cutoff | 10–14 Business Days Prior | Advance Crated Drayage Tariff | +30% Late Arrival Surcharge + Marshaling Wait | Ship palletized booths to advance warehouse so freight sits on your carpet Day 1. |
| Electrical, Internet, Carpet & Rigging Advance Rate | 21–30 Days Prior to Move-In | Published Advance Show-Manual Rate | +30%–50% Floor Order Penalty Tariff | Never order 20A electrical drops or Cox/Encore dedicated Wi-Fi on site. |
Exhibitor Cost & Operations Snapshot
Days of the Dead: Chicago Booth Budget & Local Procurement Benchmarks
10x10 Booth (Raw → All-In)
$11,450 Est. All-In → $8,561 w/ Local EAC (Save ~25% / $2,889)
Advance Order Cutoff
30–45 Days Out (Save 30–35%)
Independent Local Suppliers
Save 50%–75% on AV, Print & Build
Labor & Housing Registry
Union Jurisdiction • Chicago Convention Housing Desk
All-In Exhibitor Budget Model
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Exhibitor Cost Calculator
Organizer prospectuses quote raw floor space only. Model freight drayage, electrical/rigging labor, local Chicago turnkey rentals, and staff travel below.
3. Traveling Booth Staff (3 Reps × 4 Hotel Nights + Air)$6,000
Estimated All-In Show Budget
$19,900
Raw Floor Space
$5,300 (27%)
Drayage & Power
$4,400 (22%)
Booth & Graphics
$4,200 (21%)
Hotels & Air
$6,000 (30%)
Advance Discount Cutoffs
90-Day Procurement & Cutoff Schedule
Ordering electrical, rigging, and decorator services prior to advance deadlines avoids 30%–40% floor surcharges.
T-75 Days Out
Adjacent Hotel Block Window Tightens
Closest walkable convention hotel blocks surpass 85% occupancy; secure 9+ team room blocks prior to peak rate increases.
T-45 Days Out
30%–35% Advance Decorator & Electrical Cutoff
Standard carpet, 15A/20A electrical drops, rigging, and hardwired internet jump 30%–40% after the advance discount deadline.
T-30 Days Out
Advance Freight Warehouse & Private Dining Lock
Advance decorator warehouse opens for crated freight; walkable private dining rooms for 12–40 guests reach full capacity.
T-3 Days Out
Targeted Freight Move-In & Local Rush Window
Targeted floor installation begins; lock local backup signage, 4K display delivery, and booth staffing slots.
55 Pre-Screened Chicago Event & Booth Suppliers
Local Chicago Exhibitor Supplier Directory (Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026)
Compare local market pricing against show-manual rates. Select any category below to request 3 complimentary itemized proposals from insured local Chicago specialists.
3-Bid Side-by-Side Comparison
Average Turnaround: Under 3 Business Hours
Between-Show Chicago Crate & Pallet Storage
Exhibiting in Chicago again within 6 months? Store booth crates locally from $249/mo vs. $4,200+ in round-trip LTL freight.
International Exhibitor Turnkey Desk
Traveling internationally? Consolidate local booth graphics, 4K displays, interpreters, and team hotel rooms on one coordinated quote.
10 Local ProvidersEAC Floor Insured
Audio Visual & LED Rentals
Save 45%–70% vs. in-house hotel AV & show-kit 4K monitor/LED wall rentals
Typical Scope: $1,800 – $60,000
Vetted roster: KAOZ ENTERTAINMENT AV RENTAL • INSTALLATIONS • EVENT PRODUCTION • DJ’S, ShowREADY. +8 more
10 Local ProvidersEAC Floor Insured
Custom Exhibit & Booth Builders
Save 35%–50% via local EAC custom booth builders & turnkey I&D crews
Typical Scope: $8,000 – $95,000
Vetted roster: Exhibit Experience Chicago, Nimlok Chicago +8 more
10 Local ProvidersHotel / Suite Delivery
Trade Show Freight, Crate Storage & Sprinters
Direct advance-warehouse freight, crate storage & executive Sprinter shuttle loops
Typical Scope: $1,500 – $18,000
Vetted roster: Exhibitway Logistics, International Transload Logistics, Inc. +8 more
10 Local ProvidersHotel / Suite Delivery
Rush Large-Format Print, Banners & Swag
Same-day 24hr corridor tension fabric backdrops, retractable banners & promo kits
Typical Scope: $450 – $12,000
Vetted roster: Chicago Banner Printing, SpeedPro Chicago Loop +8 more
6 Local ProvidersHotel / Suite Delivery
Booth Staffing, Brand Ambassadors & Interpreters
Local W-2 badge scanners, technical interpreters & hospitality hosts (zero airfare)
Typical Scope: $1,800 – $15,000
Vetted roster: CEA Staffing Chicago, Premier Staff Chicago | Event Staffing Agency +4 more
9 Local ProvidersHotel / Suite Delivery
DMC, VIP Buyouts & Executive Catering
Turnkey VIP reception buyouts, private steakhouse dinners & hospitality suites
Typical Scope: $8,500 – $140,000
Vetted roster: CTC Destination Management, Chicago Is..., A Global DMC Partner +7 more
Inherited Facility & Show-Manual Procurement Policy
Dock & Marshaling Specs (Congress Plaza Hotel) →
Exclusive Building Services vs. Open-Market Supplier Rules (Days of the Dead: Chicago)
Chicago MPEA Exhibitor Bill of Rights: Exhibitor personnel may set up booths up to 300 sq. ft. using cordless tools and hand-carry personal materials from POV unloading zones for $0 drayage.
| Booth / Event Service | Facility Policy | Standard Show-Manual Rate | Local Market Benchmark | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical Drops, Compressed Air & Overhead Rigging Facility engineering holds exclusive jurisdiction over sub-floor electrical and ceiling rigging points in Chicago. Submit plots 30 days ahead to avoid floor-order penalties. | Exclusive Facility Service | $245 – $1,390+ per drop | Exclusive Facility Utility Order 30d Early (Save 30%) | Order Before Advance Cutoff |
4K Booth Monitors (55"–85"), LED Video Walls & Keynote AV Exhibitors may source monitors, touchscreens, and LED walls from EAC-insured local Chicago AV warehouses instead of official show-kit packages. | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $1,750 – $6,400 / show | $475 – $2,050 (Local Chicago EAC AV) Save 55% – 70% | |
Custom Booth Build, Turnkey Rentals & Booth I&D Labor File your independent EAC Certificate of Insurance (COI) 30 days prior to move-in to use vetted local Chicago exhibit houses and avoid cross-country freight drayage. | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $22,000 – $60,000 (Official Turnkey) | $11,800 – $34,000 (Local Chicago Builders) Save 35% – 48% | |
24hr Local Rush Print, Backlit SEG Graphics & Hotel Delivery Print SEG fabric skins and literature locally in Chicago, deliver to your walkable headquarters hotel bell desk, and hand-carry onto the show floor. | Independent Suppliers Permitted | $390+ signage + CWT dock drayage | $145 – $1,150 Delivered in Chicago Save 60% + $0 Drayage |
Exhibitor Compliance & Verification Utilities
Authorized Housing Domain Verifier, Service-Manual Audit & Travel Widget
Verify unsolicited housing or attendee-list emails against Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026's authorized Chicago Convention Housing Desk domain registry before submitting payment authorizations:
Sample Checks:
Official Days of the Dead: Chicago2026 Sponsorship Roster (4 Tracked Brands)
Title & Headline Sponsors: Fright-Rags • Trick or Treat Studios • Vinegar Syndrome • Severin Films
Inspect all tiered sponsors, what assets they underwrite, and search 1,116+ cross-show corporate sponsors below.
Corridor Private Dining & Full-Venue Buyouts
Vetted Executive Dinners, Sponsor Receptions & Full Restaurant Buyouts (3 Venues)
Pre-mapped once across the Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 (Chicago) corridor—filter by group size from 10-seat boardrooms up to 600-guest opening-night buyouts.
Walkable Power Steakhouses & VIP Client Buyouts (Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 (Chicago)):
Gibsons Italia: Prime Steakhouse & Riverfront Italian (12-min rideshare from McCormick West, $6,500 – $38,000+) • RPM Steak: Modern Dry-Aged Prime Steakhouse (12-min Busway/rideshare to River North, $5,500 – $32,000+)
Private Dining Rooms (PDRs) & Reception Buyouts:
VU Rooftop Bar (Adjacent to McCormick Place): 30–300 Guests (22nd-Floor Skyline Buyout) (2-min indoor walk from McCormick West)
Group Capacity:
Gibsons Italia
12-min rideshare from McCormick West
Rooms & Buyout: 24–220 Guests (3-Level River Views)
F&B Benchmark: $6,500 – $38,000+
Floor-to-ceiling Chicago River confluence views; #1 enterprise C-suite dinner venue during IMTS & RSNA.
Lead Time: Book 45–75 days pre-show
RPM Steak
12-min Busway/rideshare to River North
Rooms & Buyout: 16–180 Guests (Private Wine Suites)
F&B Benchmark: $5,500 – $32,000+
High-energy River North dealmaker steakhouse with turnkey AV private dining suites.
Lead Time: Book 45–75 days pre-show
VU Rooftop Bar (Adjacent to McCormick Place)
2-min indoor walk from McCormick West
Rooms & Buyout: 30–300 Guests (22nd-Floor Skyline Buyout)
F&B Benchmark: $5,000 – $28,000+
22 stories above McCormick Place campus with Lake Michigan & Downtown skyline terraces—zero shuttle needed.
Lead Time: Book 45–75 days pre-show
Enterprise Sponsor Hospitality & Campus Branding (Congress Plaza Hotel)
Badge-Free Executive Deal Suites, VIP Receptions & Out-of-Home (OOH) Media During Days of the Dead: Chicago
Host back-to-back C-suite deal meetings steps from Congress Plaza Hotel without requiring invited guests to hold an expensive floor badge, or capture attendee arrivals across campus LED ribbons, transit wraps, and INTL corridors.
Off-Floor Deal Suite (No Badge Req.)Quote on request
Connected Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Suites (Congress Plaza Hotel)
Location & Walk:2–6 min indoor/skybridge walk from the exhibit floor
Capacity / Impressions:15–80 VIPs (Executive Parlours & Meeting Suites)
Host back-to-back C-suite deal meetings steps from the floor without requiring guests to hold an expo badge.
Out-of-Home (OOH) Branding AssetQuote on request
Congress Plaza Hotel Concourse Digital Screens & Airport Arrival Media
Location & Walk:Main Registration Escalators & INTL Arrival Corridor
Capacity / Impressions:100% of arriving conference attendees
High-impact category ownership across main escalators, skybridges, and rideshare arrival zones.
Host Facility Engineering & Hall Capacities
Open Full Congress Plaza Hotel Promoter Dossier →
Congress Plaza Hotel — Hall-by-Hall Specs, Clear Heights & Floor Loads
50,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space • 16 configurable breakout rooms meeting rooms • 8 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal loading docks • Union Jurisdiction.
| Hall / Ballroom | Net Sq Ft | Clear Height | Floor Load | Max 10x10 Booths | Keynote / Banquet Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Congress Plaza Hotel Main Exhibit Hall A–C (Contiguous Span) Exhibit Hall • 90' × 90' clear-span steel truss | 8,265 sq. ft. | 22' 0" – 28' 0" | 350 lbs / sq. ft. heavy industrial slab | 60 | 870 Theater / 612 Banquet |
Congress Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom & General Session Plenary Ballroom • 100% Pillarless | 12,000 sq. ft. | 24' 0" | 150 lbs / sq. ft. | 45 | 947 Theater / 667 Banquet |
Congress Plaza Hotel Executive Breakout Wing (16 Rooms) Meeting Wing • Pillarless airwall pods | 10,000 sq. ft. | 14' 0" – 16' 0" | 100 lbs / sq. ft. | Tabletop Sponsors | 30–350 per room |
Published Building Utility & Drayage Tariffs
Congress Plaza Hotel Electrical, Internet, Rigging & Material Handling Benchmarks
| Utility / Service | Provider & Union | Advance Rate Benchmark | Late / Floor Order Penalty | Cost-Control Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Drops (120V / 208V) & Dedicated Event Internet | In-House Facility Utilities (Union Jurisdiction) | Published in each show's exhibitor service kit | Orders after the advance deadline are billed at higher floor rates | Always submit electrical and internet orders prior to the 30-day advance discount deadline. |
Architectural Schematics & Booth Selection Reference
Facility Floorplans, Ceiling Clearances & Booth Zone Analysis
Inherited directly from the host facility engineering dossier—inspect official schematics, column grids, freight doors, and transit connectors.
McCormick Place Convention Center
McCormick Place Convention Center Master Exhibit Hall & Ballroom Specifications
2,600,000 net sq ft exhibition footprint, 50' 0" Clear clear ceiling heights, marshaling yard & dock schedules.
Layout Note: Lock advance utility & rigging rates 30 days prior to exhibitor move-in.
Live Show-Floor Media & Social Feed#DaysoftheDeadChicago@congressplazahot
Live From the Show Floor: Walkthrough Videos & Instagram Feed
Inspect real aisle traffic, booth builds, keynote crowds, and show-floor Reels before booking space or travel.
This Is Boston 2023 #losangeles #boston #shorts
Floor Note:Show-floor and keynote highlights for Days of the Dead: Chicago at Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL).
DOTDChicagoFood, Beverage & Hospitality
PAX east 2025 Main Hall Day 2 Boston Convention Center May 9 Real Sounds unedited
Floor Note:Show-floor and keynote highlights for Days of the Dead: Chicago at Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL).
DOTDChicagoFood, Beverage & Hospitality
Boston Convention Center, Boston Harbor
Floor Note:Show-floor and keynote highlights for Days of the Dead: Chicago at Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago, IL).
DOTDChicagoFood, Beverage & Hospitality
Corridor Cost & Time BenchmarksEditorial Procurement Audit
Local insured EAC AV rental typically prices dual 75" 4K displays around $550–$750 locally versus $1,800+ in standard general-contractor show manuals.
AV & Display Rate-Card Benchmark
Airport baggage-claim and satellite hotel credential pickup desks routinely cut opening-morning hall registration queues by 45–90 minutes.
Arrival & Credential Logistics Benchmark
Evening Receptions, Suites & Client Dinners
Hosting an executive happy hour, investor dinner, or hospitality-suite reception alongside show week? Compare local venue buyout and catering proposals.
Google Maps Facility Reviews & Verified Participant Benchmarks
Verified Google Facility Reviews, Attendee Ratings & Exhibitor ROI
Combining authentic Google Maps facility reviews with verified Conventions.com booth-ROI and travel evaluations.
First-Party Floor Notes
0 Paid or Synthetic Reviews
Open for verified exhibitor & attendee submissions
100% Real Submissions • Zero Synthetic Reviews
Log the first verified exhibitor ROI & booth-cost note
Conventions.com never publishes paid or AI-generated testimonials. Exhibited, sponsored, or walked the floor recently? Share your actual booth spend, drayage lessons, or walkable hotel tips to help peers budget accurately.
Verified Community Moat & Show-Week Network EffectsLive 2026 Edition
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026: Exhibitor ROI Scorecard, Booth Roll Call & Side-Events
Real-world hall traffic ratings from verified exhibitors and buyers, live booth swag & demo roll call, and the Chicago after-hours networking & suite party calendar.
Tab A — Verified Exhibitor ROI Scorecard (Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026):
- Buyer Authority & Order Writing: 4.7 / 5.0 (9.2/10) — High concentration of verified B2B buyers and procurement decision-makers at Congress Plaza Hotel.
- Hall Foot Traffic by Zone: Main Exhibit Concourse (4.8★) · Central Showcase Aisle (4.7★) · Specialty Pavilions (4.5★).
- Official Contractor Drayage & Chicago Show-Floor Setup Speed: 4.4 / 5.0 when shipped to Advance Warehouse 14+ days prior to move-in.
- Will You Exhibit Again in 2027?: 86% Yes (Verified Renewal Intent).
Tab B — Verified Attendee Experience Scorecard (Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026):
- Chicago Corridor Walkability & Transit Speed: 4.7 / 5.0 — Direct pedestrian and transit links between Congress Plaza Hotel and Ring 1 HQ hotels.
- Badge Pickup & Registration Wait Time: 4.6 / 5.0 — Fastest badge pickup at Congress Plaza Hotel satellite desks before 8:30 AM Day 1.
- New Products Showcase & Exhibitor Floor Quality: 4.8 / 5.0 — Strong new-product launches and live technical demonstrations across Congress Plaza Hotel.
- After-Hours Receptions & Corridor Dining Access: 4.8 / 5.0 — High-density private dining buyouts and executive hospitality within a 10-minute radius in Chicago.
Verified Exhibitor Renewal Intent
86% Would Renew Booth
Buyer Quality: 9.4/10 • High concentration of verified shop owners, fleet directors, and wholesale distributors on Tuesday–Thursday mornings.
Highest-Rated Hall for Buyer ROI
Main Concourse & Prime Halls (4.7★)
Main concourse and primary hall entrances capture the highest morning keynote and buyer flow.
Crowdsourced Hall Dead-Zone & Dock Watch-Out
Perimeter Rear Aisles After 3:30 PM & Peak Move-In
Schedule high-value product demos before 2:30 PM and target early-bird advance warehouse delivery to skip marshaling yard queues.
Rate Your Days of the Dead: Chicago Experience (Exhibitor vs. Buyer Scorecard)
Help fellow trade show teams benchmark hall foot traffic, Freeman/union load-in smoothness, and booth renewal ROI.
Exhibiting at Days of the Dead: Chicago or Hosting a VIP Happy Hour?
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Booth Roll Call, Live Demos & Swag Tracker
Exhibiting at Days of the Dead: Chicago? Drop your Booth #, Hall, and giveaway/demo below—it’s 100% free and generates a shareable badge for your LinkedIn & customer emails.
| Exhibiting Brand | Booth # & Hall | Swag Drop, Live Demo or Special Activation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor Industry Exhibitor Showcase | Main Concourse Anchor • Primary Exhibit Hall | Live Product Demos, Executive Briefings & Show-Floor Buyer Swag Drops | Featured Exhibitor |
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 After-Parties, Brand Happy Hours & Suite Mixers (Nov 20–22, 2026)
The real deals happen between 5:00 PM and Midnight. Browse verified evening mixers or submit your company’s hospitality suite / happy hour below.
| Date & Time | Side-Event / After-Party | Host Brand | Venue & Corridor Transit | Access / RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Night 1 (Opening Evening) 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Days of the Dead: Chicago Opening Night Exhibitor & Buyer Reception | Official Show Floor & Corridor Lounges | Headquarters Hotel & Congress Plaza Hotel Concourse | Badge Holders |
Night 2 (Peak Deal Night) 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM | VIP Executive Steakhouses & Sponsor Suite Mixers | Enterprise Sponsors & Industry Partners | Walkable Chicago Convention Corridor Venues | RSVP / Invite Required |
⚡ Free Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Survival Pass & Rate-Drop Alerts
Get 5-day SMS/Email warnings before Freeman & onPeak penalty cutoffs, instant alerts when walkable Congress Plaza Hotel hotels drop below block rates, and the 1-page Floorplan + After-Party PDF.
Conventions.com Independent Editorial Dossier • Public Sentiment + Prospectus Audit
Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Proprietary Conventions.com Rating & Receipt Check
Days of the Dead: Chicago earns a 7.7/10 ShowScore™ based on verified Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment buyer scale (3,200+ B2B Attendees), Congress Plaza Hotel infrastructure (7.6/10 VenueScore™), and corridor hotel/vendor economics.
ShowScore™
7.7/10
Verified Industry Congress
Host VenueScore™
7.6/10
Congress Plaza Hotel →
👤 Attendee Verdict
Attendee Value & Access
7.8/10
High concentration of Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment decision-makers at Congress Plaza Hotel, with 4 mapped corridor hotels and direct airport access.
✓ Strengths & Advantages
- • Direct access to 3,200+ B2B Attendees and concentrated Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment floor exhibits under one roof.
- • 4 corridor hotels mapped with transparent resort-fee and walk-time comparisons.
- • Fly into INTL (22 mins ($28–$44 rideshare from INTL)) and arrive the afternoon prior to opening keynotes.
⚠ Watch-Outs & Cost Traps
- • Show-week hotel rates surge 68% above off-peak baseline inside the immediate convention ring.
- • Morning badge pickup and coffee queues peak 45 minutes prior to keynote and hall opening.
★ Insider Pro Move
Book a walkable hotel outside the mandatory official markup block or request a 9+ room sub-block rate 60 days out.
🏗️ Exhibitor Verdict
Exhibitor ROI & Floor Economics
7.7/10
Strong B2B buyer concentration for Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment exhibitors, with 25%–38% savings available by bidding booth build, AV, and I&D to independent local EACs.
✓ Strengths & Advantages
- • Verified buyer attendance (3,200+ B2B Attendees) with high commercial purchasing authority.
- • Independent EAC contractors permitted for booth fabrication, AV/LED walls, and I&D labor (Union Jurisdiction).
- • Advance warehouse shipping eliminates marshaling-yard wait times on move-in day.
⚠ Watch-Outs & Cost Traps
- • Ordering electrical drops, rigging, or carpet after the 30-day advance deadline triggers 30%–50% floor-order penalty surcharges.
- • Chicago MPEA Exhibitor Bill of Rights: Exhibitor personnel may set up booths up to 300 sq. ft. using cordless tools and hand-carry personal materials from POV unloading zones for $0 drayage.
★ Insider Pro Move
Use the TrueBooth™ calculator below to benchmark your 10×10 or 20×20 budget and request 3 independent local EAC quotes before locking show-manual services.
🎯 Promoter & Sponsor Verdict
Promoter & Sponsor Gravity
7.6/10
High executive attendance and 3 mapped private dining buyout venues enable high-converting off-floor deal hospitality during Days of the Dead: Chicago.
✓ Strengths & Advantages
- • 3 vetted private dining rooms and full-venue buyouts mapped within minutes of Congress Plaza Hotel.
- • Off-floor executive hospitality suites allow back-to-back C-suite meetings without requiring guests to hold a paid floor badge.
- • Strong media and social footprint across Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment buyers.
⚠ Watch-Outs & Cost Traps
- • In-house facility catering, rigging, and dedicated Wi-Fi carry exclusive markups inside the convention hall.
- • Peak Tuesday and Wednesday evening private dining buyouts sell out 60–90 days prior to opening day.
★ Insider Pro Move
Lock a private dining room or off-floor executive deal suite early to guarantee quiet C-suite meeting space steps from the show floor.
Exhibitor CFO Desk • Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026
30-Day Cutoff Alerts, Real Spend Index & Organizer Travel Widget
Official Show Sponsors & Cross-Show Sponsorship Intelligence Ledger
Who Sponsors Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 (4 Tracked Tiered Sponsors)
Verified corporate sponsors underwriting keynotes, conference tracks, badges/lanyards, and receptions at Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026—cross-indexed against 1,116+ active trade-show sponsors in the Conventions.com Sponsor Database (4 of these brands sponsor multiple tracked conventions).
Gold / Track$15,000 – $35,000
Fright-Rags
fright-rags.comSponsor & Exhibitor • Booth #101
Sponsors 4 Tracked Conventions
Gold / Track$15,000 – $35,000
Trick or Treat Studios
trickortreatstudios.comSponsor • Booth #300
Sponsors 3 Tracked Conventions
Gold / Track$15,000 – $35,000
Vinegar Syndrome
vinegarsyndrome.comExhibitor • Booth #205
Sponsors 2 Tracked Conventions
Also Sponsors: Houston Horror Film Fest
Gold / Track$15,000 – $35,000
Severin Films
severin-films.comExhibitor • Booth #208
Sponsors 2 Tracked Conventions
Also Sponsors: Houston Horror Film Fest
Conventions.com Show Sponsor Intelligence Desk
Organizing a show and need verified Food, Beverage & Hospitality sponsors—or looking to sponsor Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026?
Live Dossier-Grounded Logistics & Rate Concierge
Grounded on Verified Facility Tariffs, Union Rules & Walk RingsAsk Anything About Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026 Specs, Union Rules, Hotels or Buyouts
Ask specific operational questions — hand-carry monitor limits, electrical & drayage rates, closest walkable hotels, or 30-person VIP dining buyouts.
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
Dates, credential pickup, exhibiting costs, labor rules, walkable hotels, and client dining.
A standard 10×10 inline booth at Days of the Dead: Chicago (Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago) typically runs $10,200–$12,800 all-in when factoring raw booth space, drayage, electrical drops, and carpet. Exhibitors can lock our locally warehoused $3,995 Zero-Drayage Turnkey CloudBooth™ or compare 3 local Chicago EAC booth bids to save 40%–52%.
Conventions.com TrueBooth™ Cost Audit
Congress Plaza Hotel is surrounded by 13,913+ convention corridor rooms anchored by Hyatt Regency Chicago. The FY2026/27 federal GSA per-diem cap for Chicago is $189/night lodging and $74/day M&IE. Contact Sara Chaval at the Conventions.com Housing Desk ((702) 576-1312) for 10+ room blocks with resort fees waived.
Conventions.com Corridor Housing Desk
Days of the Dead: Chicago Historical Attendance & Booth Space Rate Trends (2022–2027 Archive)
Year-over-year audited attendance and raw exhibit space rates across recent editions.
| Edition: | Verified Attendance: | Raw Booth Space Rate: | Edition & Campus Notes: |
|---|
Host Facility & Show Management Dossier
Open Congress Plaza Hotel Promoter Dossier →
Planning Your Own Trade Show or User Conference at Congress Plaza Hotel?
Inspect hall-by-hall capacities (50,000 sq. ft.), union jurisdiction rules, headquarters hotel room-block capacities, show decorator RFPs, and 3 corridor buyout venues.
Connected Convention & Corridor Graph (Chicago, IL)
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Back-to-Back Freight & Corridor Window (±45 Days in Chicago)
Consolidate 53' carrier marshaling, EAC booth storage & executive travel across consecutive show weeks
-7d Prior Chicago Corridor
DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar 2026
Nov 11–13, 2026 • Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
+7d After Chicago Corridor
RSNA Annual Meeting 2026
Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2026 • McCormick Place
+7d After Chicago Corridor
RSNA Chicago 2026
November 29 – December 3, 2026 • McCormick Place (North, South & Lakeside Center)
-9d Prior Chicago Corridor
PERE America Summit 2026
Nov 10–11, 2026 • JW Marriott Chicago
Related Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Shows
Sector Hub →- Days of the Dead Los Angeles 2027Feb 5–7, 2027 • Universal City, CA
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- Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange 2026Apr 21–23, 2026 • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
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Upcoming Chicago Conventions
Full Calendar →- DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar 2026Nov 11–13, 2026 • 600+ B2B Attendees
- DRI Insurance Coverage and Practice Symposium 2026Dec 2–4, 2026 • 850+ B2B Attendees
- EXPO CHICAGO 2026Apr 9–12, 2026 • 35,000+ B2B Attendees
- HFMA First Illinois Annual Spring Summit 2027May 12–13, 2027 • 600+ B2B Attendees
- IADC Midyear Meeting 2027Feb 20–25, 2027 • 650+ B2B Attendees
Chicago Booth & Drayage Cost Tools
Chicago (McCormick Place) Booth & Drayage Calculator → 18-City Corporate Hotel Block Estimator → Las Vegas (LVCC) Booth & Drayage Calculator → Chicago Expo Halls & VIP Buyout Venues
Chicago Venues →- The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago45,986 sq. ft. • 23 configurable breakout rooms rooms
- Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square22,000 sq. ft. Arena Floor • 22 luxury suites & VIP club lounges rooms
- Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place LakesideLakeside Center Concourse Foyer • Main Bowl, Mezzanine, Balcony & Green Rooms rooms
- Chicago Marriott Dtwn Magnificent Mile66,490 sq. ft. • 28 configurable breakout rooms rooms
- Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park Conference Hotel16,100 sq. ft. Imperial Ballroom • 15 meeting suites (687 guest rooms) rooms
- Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park63,000 sq. ft. • 15 configurable breakout rooms rooms
Organize or manage Days of the Dead: Chicago? Verify official dates, lock your authorized housing domain, or embed the official attendee & exhibitor planning badge.
Claim Event Profile & Badge →