THE MART Chicago Floor Plans, Exhibit Hall Specs

Structural Engineering, Ceiling Clearances & Setup Capacities

THE MART Chicago Hall-by-Hall Specifications (2 Spaces)

4,200,000 gross sq. ft. (multi-floor showrooms)

Hall / Ballroom	Net Sq. Ft.	Clear Ceiling	Column Grid & Floor Boxes	Floor Load	Max 10×10s	Theater / Banquet
THE MART Chicago Primary Hall, Bowl & Main Event Space Primary flagship general-session, exhibition, and corporate buyout space at THE MART Chicago (4.2M Sq. Ft. Design, Tech & Showroom Trade Mart).	65,000 sq. ft. Riverfront Expo & Marshall's Landing	16' 0" – 24' 0"	Pillarless / unobstructed keynote & event sightlines	200–350 lbs/sq. ft.	~1,785 booths / sponsor activations	Up to 25,000 Theater/Reception (15,000 Seated)
THE MART Chicago Breakout Suites, VIP Lounges & Pre-Function Foyers Supports concurrent executive tracks, green rooms, and private sponsor hospitality.	185,000 sq. ft. Event & Conference Floors	16' 0" – 24' 0"	Configurable breakout, hospitality & sponsor zones	150–250 lbs/sq. ft.	Registration counters & tabletop sponsor demos	250+ permanent design & tech showrooms

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.

PDF

55 Pre-Screened Chicago Event & Booth Suppliers

Local Chicago Exhibitor Supplier Directory (THE MART Chicago)

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.

EAC Show-Floor Insured Only

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

Live Dossier-Grounded Logistics & Rate Concierge

Grounded on Verified Facility Tariffs, Union Rules & Walk Rings

Ask Anything About THE MART Chicago 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 (5)

Dates, credential pickup, exhibiting costs, labor rules, walkable hotels, and client dining.

THE MART (Merchandise Mart) Exhibition Campus operates under a Union Jurisdiction structure in Chicago, IL. THE MART (Merchandise Mart) Exhibition Campus operates in a Union Jurisdiction environment; exhibitors may hand-carry personal display items in one trip via main public doors while crated freight routes through marshaled convention docks. Per U.S. BLS OEWS data for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI MSA (BLS OEWS), prevailing mean hourly wages are $41.20/hr for carpenters, $44.85/hr for electricians, and $34.10/hr for AV technicians.

U.S. BLS OEWS + Venue Operations

In Chicago, IL (ZIP 60616), the combined retail sales tax rate is 10.25% (6.25% state + 4.0% local). Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026-08), the IL commercial electricity average is 12.4¢/kWh.

State Revenue + U.S. EIA