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™ 7.6/10 VenueScore™ (McCormick Place) 7.4/10 →
Show Hours & Setup:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Main Exhibit Floor
Targeted Move-In 2–4 Days Prior to Opening
Airport & Transit:
18 mins ($24–$38 rideshare from ORD) • 1.4 min to Transit
6 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: Sep 24–Oct 22 • Direct: Oct 29–Nov 2
Show-Week Climate:
71°F Avg High / 49°F Low • 4% Rain Probability (NOAA Historical)
Trauma: University Medical Center / Sunrise Hospital Trauma Center (2.4 mi)
👤 For Attendees
Corridor Surge™: +68%
TrueAttend™ 4-Day Trip Estimate
$1,738 est. all-in / attendee
Attendee Score
7.7/10
Includes trade badge, 3 nights at a walkable hotel (with $32/nt resort fee & 13.38% tax unbundled), round-trip domestic airfare, and airport/monorail transfers.
Trade Buyer Badge (Early/Adv): $295
3 Nights Walkable Hotel (Out-the-Door): $978 ($326/nt)
Avg. Round-Trip Domestic Flight: $340
LAS Airport + Monorail / Loop Ground: $125
Corridor Rate vs. GSA Per-Diem ($232/nt): $326/nt Show vs. $159 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 357 Power (15A) + Labor + 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™
7.6 / 10 VenueScore™ 7.4/10
Sponsor Gravity
7.4/10
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:
Sodexo Live! • Cox • FedEx
Zero-Drayage Local Depot • Stored 10 Minutes from McCormick Place (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 McCormick Place. 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: McCormick Place →
Deep-Dive Days of the Dead: Chicago2026 Guides by Search Intent
Registration & BadgesFrom $295
Complete Days of the Dead: Chicago badge pricing tiers, trade qualification requirements, Will-Call hours, and TrueAttend™ trip calculator.
Hotels & Parking6 Hotels
Compare 6 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:
$236/nt Lodging • $79/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: | $232/night lodging • $92/day M&IE |
| Walkable Hotel Ring: | 6 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 (Food, Beverage & Hospitality)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 ORD (18 mins ($24–$38 rideshare from ORD)) 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:
McCormick Place 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: $232/nt Lodging • $92/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) | Loop / Monorail & ROI Pulse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCormick Place Main Exhibit Hall A–C (Contiguous Span) | 470,000 sq. ft. Ceiling: 32' 0" – 40' 0" | Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Main Exhibits & Keynote Sessions (Exhibit Hall) | Hyatt Regency Chicago (undefined) • Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (undefined) | McCormick Place Main Concourse & Shuttle Plazas Verified Main Floor |
| McCormick Place Grand Ballroom & General Session Plenary | 468,000 sq. ft. Ceiling: 24' 0" | Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Main Exhibits & Keynote Sessions (Ballroom) | Hyatt Regency Chicago (undefined) • Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (undefined) | McCormick Place Main Concourse & Shuttle Plazas Verified Main Floor |
| McCormick Place Executive Breakout Wing (173 Rooms) | 390,000 sq. ft. Ceiling: 14' 0" – 16' 0" | Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Main Exhibits & Keynote Sessions (Meeting Wing) | Hyatt Regency Chicago (undefined) • Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (undefined) | McCormick Place Main Concourse & Shuttle Plazas Verified Main Floor |
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
$232/nt Lodging • $92/day M&IE
Target Hall:
Map Layers:
5-Min Walk (420m)12-Min Walk (950m)McCormick Place Walk Corridor
Interactive OpenStreetMap Walk-Ring & Transit Explorer
| Hotel Property & Transit Access | Commute to McCormick Place Main Exhib | Show Rate vs. Off-Peak | Block Status | Room & Block Inquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyatt Regency ChicagoConnected HQ Anchor Features 240,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 2 min (~160m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$375/nt Off-peak: $281/nt | Available | |
 Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk4-Min Corridor Walk Features 152,250 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 4 min (~320m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$355/nt Off-peak: $261/nt | Available | |
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel9-Min Corridor WalkPer-Diem Friendly Features 129,569 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 9 min (~720m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$325/nt Off-peak: $236/nt | Available | |
Marriott Marquis Chicago11-Min Corridor WalkPer-Diem Friendly Features 93,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 11 min (~880m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$325/nt Off-peak: $236/nt | Available | |
Chicago Marriott Dtwn Magnificent Mile13-Min Corridor WalkPer-Diem Friendly Features 66,490 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 13 min (~1040m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$325/nt Off-peak: $236/nt | Available | |
Swissotel Chicago15-Min Corridor WalkPer-Diem Friendly Features 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; resort/destination fees waived via Conventions.com Housing Desk (Sara Chaval · (702) 576-1312). | 15 min (~1200m) to McCormick Place Main Exhib | ~$325/nt Off-peak: $236/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 (McCormick Place) →
Exclusive Building Services vs. Open-Market Supplier Rules (Days of the Dead: Chicago)
McCormick Place Exhibitor Carry-In Policy (Union Jurisdiction): One exhibitor badge-holder may hand-carry personal display materials or a single rolling luggage case in one trip through main public/hotel entrances without drayage charges; two-wheel dollies, pushcarts, and crated dock deliveries route through official material-handling labor.
| Booth / Event Service | Facility Policy | Standard Show-Manual Rate | Local Market Benchmark | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical, Compressed Air & Ceiling Rigging Electrical distribution and ceiling rigging at McCormick Place are provided only by the facility's authorized contractors (Union Jurisdiction). Advance-order pricing is published in each show's exhibitor kit. | Exclusive Facility Service | Per official exhibitor service kit | Exclusive McCormick Place authorized contractor Order before advance deadline | Order Before Advance Cutoff |
Dock-to-Booth Freight Handling (Drayage) Crated freight moves through the show's official material-handling contractor (Union Jurisdiction). Check your show's exhibitor kit for hand-carry limits. | Exclusive Facility Service | Per show decorator rate sheet | Hand-carry rules vary by show | |
Booth AV, Monitors & Exhibit Builds (EAC) Most shows allow an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) with a Certificate of Insurance filed before move-in. Confirm the deadline in your show's exhibitor kit. | Independent Suppliers Permitted | Official contractor show kit | Independent Chicago EAC quotes |
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:
Piero's Italian Cuisine: Flagship walkable power-dining institution across from LVCC (8–20 min walk) • Cleaver Steakhouse: Paradise Rd butchered steaks & group tables • Golden Steer Steakhouse Las Vegas: Historic VIP private dining rooms.
Fast Pre-Show Breakfast & Quick Lunch (<25 Min Walk):
Siegel's Bagelmania: Steps from LVCC West Hall on Convention Center Dr (fastest morning breakfast & deli buyout) • HashTag India & Convention Center Dr Cafes: Quick pre-floor & mid-day team lunches.
Group Capacity:
USDA Prime Steakhouse & Raw Bar • $$$$
AV ReadyChicago Prime Steakhouse & Private Boardrooms
3-min walk from Main Registration
Rooms & Buyout: 18–140 Seated PDR • 280 Full Buyout
F&B Benchmark: $4,500 – $22,000 F&B Min
Soundproof executive boardrooms with built-in 85" 4K displays for C-suite closing dinners.
Lead Time: 30–60 days prior to show week
New American & Craft Cocktails • $$$
AV ReadyThe Chicago Social Club & Rooftop Terrace
4-min walk across Convention Plaza
Rooms & Buyout: 40–220 Reception • 350 Full Buyout
F&B Benchmark: $6,000 – $28,000 F&B Min
High-energy indoor/outdoor reception terrace ideal for opening-night sponsor mixers.
Lead Time: 45 days prior to show week
Coastal Italian & Sommelier Cellar • $$$
AV ReadyOsteria & Wine Vault (Chicago Convention District)
5-min walk
Rooms & Buyout: 14–65 Wine Cellar PDR
F&B Benchmark: $3,200 – $12,000 F&B Min
Glass-enclosed private wine vault tailored for quiet investor and enterprise buyer dinners.
Lead Time: 21–45 days out
Enterprise Sponsor Hospitality & Campus Branding (McCormick Place)
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 ORD corridors.
Off-Floor Deal Suite (No Badge Req.)Quote on request
Connected Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Suites (McCormick Place)
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
McCormick Place Concourse Digital Screens & Airport Arrival Media
Location & Walk:Main Registration Escalators & ORD 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 McCormick Place Promoter Dossier →
McCormick Place — Hall-by-Hall Specs, Clear Heights & Floor Loads
2,600,000 sq. ft. total exhibit space • 173 configurable breakout rooms meeting rooms • 85 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
McCormick Place Main Exhibit Hall A–C (Contiguous Span) Exhibit Hall • 90' × 90' clear-span steel truss | 470,000 sq. ft. | 32' 0" – 40' 0" | 350 lbs / sq. ft. heavy industrial slab | 2,541 | 49,474 Theater / 34,815 Banquet |
McCormick Place Grand Ballroom & General Session Plenary Ballroom • 100% Pillarless | 468,000 sq. ft. | 24' 0" | 150 lbs / sq. ft. | 2340 | 49,263 Theater / 34,667 Banquet |
McCormick Place Executive Breakout Wing (173 Rooms) Meeting Wing • Pillarless airwall pods | 390,000 sq. ft. | 14' 0" – 16' 0" | 100 lbs / sq. ft. | Tabletop Sponsors | 30–350 per room |
Published Building Utility & Drayage Tariffs
McCormick Place 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
McCormick Place Official Hall, Ballroom & Breakout Capacity Guide
2,600,000 sq. ft. total exhibit/event footprint, 470,000 sq. ft. largest contiguous span, 173 configurable breakout rooms, max clear height 32' 0" – 40' 0".
Layout Note: Verify airwall subdivisions, 32' 0" – 40' 0" rigging clearances, and 30-day advance utility cutoffs prior to finalizing booth or general-session CAD plots.
McCormick Place Operations
McCormick Place Freight Dock, Loading & Exhibitor Access Overview
85 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal • Union Jurisdiction. Independent EAC AV and booth suppliers permitted with 30-day advance COI.
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: 4.8 / 5.0 (9.4/10) — 70,000+ qualified retail, wholesale & fleet buyers.
- Hall Foot Traffic by Zone: West Hall (4.8★) · Central Hall (4.7★) · North Hall (4.5★) · South Hall (4.4★).
- Freeman Drayage & IBEW Local 357 Electrical Speed: 4.3 / 5.0 when shipped to Advance Warehouse before Oct 22.
- Will You Exhibit Again in 2027?: 86% Yes (Verified Renewal Intent).
Tab B — Verified Attendee Experience Scorecard (Days of the Dead: Chicago 2026):
- Vegas Loop & Monorail Transit Speed: 4.8 / 5.0 — 2-to-4 min underground Tesla Loop transfers across all 4 halls.
- Badge Pickup & Registration Wait Time: 4.6 / 5.0 — Fastest pickup at Westgate Monorail & South Hall Lower before 8:30 AM.
- New Products Showcase & Feature Builds Quality: 4.9 / 5.0 — 2,400+ exhibitors & 1,500+ feature builds.
- SEMA Fest & Friday Cruise Rollout Experience: 4.9 / 5.0 — Unmatched live drift, Burnyard & Friday 4:00 PM parade rollout.
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 & McCormick Place 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 McCormick Place 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 7.6/10 ShowScore™ based on verified Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment buyer scale (3,200+ B2B Attendees), Congress Plaza Hotel infrastructure (7.4/10 VenueScore™), and corridor hotel/vendor economics.
ShowScore™
7.6/10
Verified Industry Congress
Host VenueScore™
7.4/10
McCormick Place →
👤 Attendee Verdict
Attendee Value & Access
7.7/10
High concentration of Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment decision-makers at Congress Plaza Hotel, with 6 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.
- • 6 corridor hotels mapped with transparent resort-fee and walk-time comparisons.
- • Fly into ORD (18 mins ($24–$38 rideshare from ORD)) 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.
- • McCormick Place Exhibitor Carry-In Policy (Union Jurisdiction): One exhibitor badge-holder may hand-carry personal display materials or a single rolling luggage case in one trip through main public/hotel entrances without drayage charges; two-wheel dollies, pushcarts, and crated dock deliveries route through official material-handling labor.
★ 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
7.4/10
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 $236/night lodging and $79/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 McCormick Place Promoter Dossier →
Planning Your Own Trade Show or User Conference at McCormick Place?
Inspect hall-by-hall capacities (2,600,000 sq. ft.), union jurisdiction rules, headquarters hotel room-block capacities, show decorator RFPs, and 3 corridor buyout venues.
Connected Convention & Corridor Graph (Chicago, IL)
Explore Related Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Shows, Upcoming Chicago Conventions & Nearby Venues
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 Same Facility
DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar 2026
Nov 11–13, 2026 • Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
+7d After Same Facility
RSNA Annual Meeting 2026
Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2026 • McCormick Place
+7d After Same Facility
RSNA Chicago 2026
November 29 – December 3, 2026 • McCormick Place (North, South & Lakeside Center)
-9d Prior Same Facility
PERE America Summit 2026
Nov 10–11, 2026 • JW Marriott Chicago
Related Food, Beverage & Hospitality • Media & Entertainment Shows
Sector Hub →- Houston Horror Film Fest 2026Mar 27–29, 2026 • Houston, TX
- Days of the Dead Los Angeles 2027Feb 5–7, 2027 • Universal City, CA
- Dayton Home & Lifestyle Expo 2026Nov 6–8, 2026 • Dayton, OH
- DBIA Mid-America Region Annual Conference 2026Apr 22–24, 2026 • Kansas City, MO
- DEF CON Hacking Conference 2027Thu Aug 12 – Sun Aug 15, 2027 • Las Vegas, NV
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 → Orlando (OCCC) Booth & Drayage Calculator → Chicago Expo Halls & VIP Buyout Venues
Chicago Venues →- Navy Pier Festival Hall & Aon Grand Ballroom170,100 sq. ft. Festival Hall A & B • 36 lakefront meeting rooms rooms
- Palmer House a Hilton Hotel Conference Center38,000 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall & Grand Ballrooms • 77 breakout suites (1,641 guest rooms) rooms
- Sheraton Grand Chicago85,000 sq. ft. • 16 configurable breakout rooms rooms
- Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk Conference Hotel40,000 sq. ft. Sheraton Chicago Ballroom • 43 breakout suites (1,218 guest rooms) rooms
- Swissotel Chicago Riverfront Event Centre14,000 sq. ft. Zurich Ballroom • 26 breakout rooms (662 guest rooms) rooms
- THE MART (Merchandise Mart) Exhibition Campus4,200,000 gross sq. ft. (multi-floor showrooms) • 250+ permanent design & tech showrooms 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 →