Chicago Exhibit Rentals · McCormick Place

Chicago Trade Show Exhibit Rentals Built for McCormick Place

Your Chicago exhibit should be designed around the result you need on the show floor—and planned around the rules, service deadlines, and move-in realities that determine whether it opens on time. Exhibit Experience coordinates custom rental exhibits from concept and graphics through freight planning, installation, on-site readiness, and dismantle.

  • Custom exhibit design
  • Graphics and rental structure
  • Freight and I&D coordination

A turnkey exhibit partner

Why Exhibit Experience

Founded in 2014, Exhibit Experience supports inline, island, peninsula, LED, and double-deck rental programs across major U.S. trade show markets. Our team combines exhibit design, graphics production, and turnkey project coordination in one workflow.

Venue-specific planning

Plan the Exhibit Around McCormick Place Requirements

Start With the Current Event Documents

McCormick Place is a multi-building convention campus, and event-specific documents—not a generic venue summary—control the job. Before production, the current exhibitor manual should be reviewed for exhibit rules, the official service contractor, Exhibitor Appointed Contractor requirements, target move-in, advance-warehouse deadlines, floor-plan submissions, and show-controlled services.

Coordinate Freight and Drayage Early

McCormick Place advises exhibitors to coordinate freight and drayage with the general service contractor; freight arriving before the licensed move-in is not accepted directly by the venue. The show manual remains the authority for the specific event.

Move-in readiness

Understand Chicago Labor Before Move-In

Chicago labor is not one undifferentiated line item. Depending on the task, carpenters, decorators, electricians, teamsters, riggers, plumbers, projectionists, stagehands, and venue technology technicians may have separate responsibilities. We map each required task to the appropriate provider, identify client approvals, and schedule work around the event’s permitted hours. The goal is clarity before move-in—not arguments or emergency orders on the floor.

Transparent project scope

Know What the Quote Includes

Exhibit Experience Scope

The exhibit proposal should state exactly what Exhibit Experience supplies: design development, rental structure, custom graphics, flooring, lighting, furniture, project management, coordinated freight, installation, and dismantle as applicable.

Show-Controlled Services

The proposal should also identify costs commonly controlled by the organizer, venue, or official contractors, such as exhibit space, material handling, electrical, internet, rigging, cleaning, plumbing, and lead retrieval. A transparent scope is more valuable than a low headline price with missing categories.

Audience-led design

Design for the Audience, Not a Template

Chicago’s major shows serve very different audiences—from manufacturing and packaging to healthcare, foodservice, and commercial interiors. The design should begin with the buyer journey: what must be understood from the aisle, what should be demonstrated, where qualified conversations happen, what needs secure storage, and how leads will be captured. That creates an exhibit that works, rather than a generic structure wearing new graphics.

Space that supports the objective

Choose the Footprint by Function

The right exhibit size is a functional decision. It should balance visibility, messaging, product interaction, staffing, meetings, and storage against the available floor space and event rules.

10×10 Inline

Best when one message and one conversation are the priority.

10×20 Inline

Supports a product story or demonstration while preserving aisle access.

20×20 Island

Creates multiple engagement zones and meetings with visibility from four sides.

Large Island or Double Deck

Supports stronger brand architecture, theaters, hospitality, and private rooms when permitted.

Double-deck structures can add meeting capacity where the show permits them, but engineering, approvals, fire-safety requirements, and lead time must be addressed early.

A practical, documented workflow

Our Chicago Exhibit Planning Process

  1. Brief: Show, venue, footprint, audience, objectives, products, meetings, technology, budget, and deadline.
  2. Requirements: Current manual, hall placement, open sides, height, services, and approvals.
  3. Design: Message hierarchy, circulation, functions, finishes, and technology.
  4. Scope: Inclusions, exclusions, responsibilities, assumptions, and schedule.
  5. Production: Artwork approval, graphics, preflight, and packing.
  6. Show services: Orders, drawings, EAC documents, and deadlines.
  7. Move-in: Freight coordination, installation, inspection, and punch list.
  8. Close: Dismantle, return handling, damage review, and reusable-asset plan.

Compare like for like

How to Compare Chicago Exhibit Rental Costs

Compare proposals using the same footprint and the same inclusion list. Confirm whether design, graphics, flooring, furniture, lighting, AV, freight, installation, dismantle, supervision, storage, change orders, and post-show handling are included or excluded. Ask for show-controlled estimates to be separated from provider-controlled pricing. Publish Exhibit Experience price ranges only after management approves current, supportable numbers and defines what each range includes.

Start with the project basics

Request Pricing for Your Chicago Trade Show Exhibit Rental

Speak with our exhibit team to review exhibit sizes, design options, timelines, and budget considerations.

Send the show name, venue, dates, exhibit number or dimensions, target budget, required functions, and artwork status. We will assess feasibility, identify the information still needed, and recommend the next step.

Prefer to speak now? Call (888) 475-3512.

Chicago exhibit rental FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a Chicago exhibit rental? The written project scope can combine design, rental structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, furniture, logistics coordination, installation, and dismantle. Show- or venue-controlled services should be identified separately.
Do you coordinate exhibits at McCormick Place? Yes. The project workflow can include review of the current exhibitor manual, EAC requirements, service orders, floor plans, freight planning, and installation coordination. The official event documents control the final requirements.
How early should we start? Start as soon as exhibit space is confirmed. Larger islands, custom elements, hanging signs, double decks, complex demonstrations, and peak events require more time. Rush feasibility depends on inventory, approvals, artwork, labor, and shipping.
Can a rental exhibit look custom? Yes. Modular rental architecture can be configured with custom graphics, finishes, dimensional branding, lighting, digital displays, meeting rooms, and product zones.
Who pays for drayage, electrical, and internet? These services are commonly controlled by the show, venue, or official contractors. The proposal should identify who orders each service, who pays it, and whether the amount is fixed, estimated, or billed at actual cost.
Can the same exhibit be reused at other shows? Often. Modular components can be reconfigured for different footprints, but graphics, regulations, services, and freight requirements must be reviewed for each event.
What do you need to quote the project? Provide the show and venue, dates, footprint and open sides, objectives, product or demo needs, meeting and storage requirements, technology, budget range, and decision deadline.

About

Discover the Smart Way to Exhibit: Trade Show Exhibit Rentals

Why Rent a Trade Show Exhibit Instead of Purchasing One?

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Reduces costs by eliminating ownership, storage, and maintenance expenses.

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Offers flexibility with zero long-term commitment or design limitations.

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Delivers custom-branded displays tailored to your event objectives.

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Speeds up production timelines with ready-to-go modular systems.

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Scales easily to fit any exhibit size, venue, or show requirement.

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Provides access to modern designs and the latest exhibit technology.

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Simplifies logistics with turnkey setup, teardown, and support services.

Discover the Smart Way to Exhibit: Trade Show Exhibit Rentals

Trade show exhibits come in many forms to fit your unique needs. Renting a exhibit offers a flexible, convenient way to get a professional, customizable display that aligns perfectly with your event goals—without a long-term commitment. Whether you’re exploring options or looking for a scalable solution, rentals provide an excellent way to showcase your brand effectively.

Rethinking the Rental: Achieving a Custom Look with Modular bMatrix Architecture

You don't have to sacrifice brand identity for rental flexibility. Our cutting-edge trade show rentals leverage the precision-engineered beMatrix system to blur the line between custom builds and modular efficiency. By seamlessly integrating structural aluminum matrices with flawless tension fabric and hard-panel graphics, we design immersive brand environments. Whether you need an intimate 10×10 presentation space or a multi-story island configuration, our adaptable beMatrix inventory reconfigures to match your exact aesthetic demands.

Custom Exhibit Graphics: Mirroring Your Brand Identity

Generic displays fade into the background. Our custom-tailored trade show graphics pair precision color-matching with high-definition tension fabrics to ensure your marketing message commands the floor. From vivid fabric lightboxes to seamless wall murals, we translate your exact corporate identity into high-impact visual architecture that attracts high-value leads.

Scalable Exhibit Layouts & Services Engineered for ROI

Maximizing your trade show budget shouldn’t mean compromising on visual impact. Our modular exhibit systems provide the flexibility to adapt a single asset from a 10×10 inline to a 20×20 island, slashing asset costs across your event calendar. Backed by turnkey logistics, shipping, and I&D services, we eliminate hidden fees and logistical headaches to deliver a stress-free, cost-effective exhibit experience.

Special Offers

Rental Exhibits with All-Inclusive Packages

Our all-inclusive package gives you complete peace of mind by covering custom graphics, installation & dismantle, storage, and shipping—so you can focus on engaging your audience. With no hidden fees or extra charges, you save money while enjoying premium rental exhibit quality. Plus, dedicated support ensures your exhibit arrives on time, looks perfect, and performs flawlessly for your brand.

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Receive expert guidance to create stunning, branded graphics tailored to your exhibit.

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Experience seamless setup and teardown handled by a skilled labor team.

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Enjoy hassle-free shipping logistics for local trade shows.

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DEDICATED ON-SITE SUPPORT FOR YOUR EXHIBIT BEFORE AND DURING THE SHOW.

Custom trade show exhibit with hanging sign and branded exhibit displays
Custom exhibit environment designed for visibility, meetings and attendee engagement.
Exhibit Rental Insights

Why Exhibitors Choose Rental Exhibits

Rental exhibits give brands room to adapt their presence from one event to the next while reducing the long-term commitments that come with owning, storing and maintaining a exhibit.

Our Blogs

Experience-Driven Exhibits for Industry Leaders

What Is Included in a Trade Show Exhibit Rental

What Is Included in a Trade Show Exhibit Rental

Many exhibitors ask what is actually included in a trade show exhibit rental before making a decision. The answer depends on the provider and the level of service selected, but a strong rental program should include far more than just the physical exhibit structure....