Booth cost estimates at McCormick Place
McCormick Place in Chicago, IL: installation labor runs $138–$220 an hour and drayage $150–$250 per 100 lb at published rates. Exhibiting with a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth typically costs $42.9k – $91k all-in. These are market estimates, not Purple Exhibits prices.
- CityChicago, IL
- Labor$138–$220/hr
- Drayage$150–$250 per 100 lb
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain
What exhibiting at McCormick Place costs
Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
| Booth size | Rental exhibit | Custom or hybrid | Open in calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 inline | $16.9k – $41.6k | $27.5k – $56.8k | Adjust |
| 10×20 inline | $29.1k – $66.8k | $42.9k – $91k | Adjust |
| 20×20 island | $46.9k – $108k | $70.6k – $152k | Adjust |
| 20×30 island | $68.7k – $156k | $102k – $221k | Adjust |
These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They cover everything it takes to exhibit, and much of the total is paid to the show organizer, its contractors, airlines and hotels: floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel. In a 10×20 custom or hybrid budget, the exhibit itself is about $21.6k – $43.2k. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your booth, ask for a quote.
Where the money goes
Each line links to the document the number comes from. Official means published by the venue or show.
10×20 custom or hybrid
| Exhibit10×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $21.6k – $43.2k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)1,800 lb at $150–$250 per 100 lb | $2.7k – $4.5k | Industry guide |
| Installation & dismantle16–28 crew hours at $138–$220/hr | $2.2k – $6.2k | Official |
| Electrical2–3 500-watt outlets at $99–$160 each | $198 – $480 | Industry guide |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $2.7k – $5.7k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space200 sq ft at $24–$65/sq ft | $4.8k – $13k | Industry guide |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $3.9k – $8.3k | Industry guide |
| Total | $42.9k – $91k | |
20×20 custom or hybrid island
| Exhibit20×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $36k – $72k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)3,600 lb at $150–$250 per 100 lb | $5.4k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Installation & dismantle32–56 crew hours at $138–$220/hr | $4.4k – $12.3k | Official |
| Electrical2–4 20-amp drops at $173–$350 each | $346 – $1.4k | Industry guide |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $3.6k – $7.8k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space400 sq ft at $24–$65/sq ft | $9.6k – $26k | Industry guide |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $6.4k – $13.8k | Industry guide |
| Total | $70.6k – $152k | |
Rates at McCormick Place
Published labor (2025) for The Inspired Home Show 2025: $138.37/hr straight time, $207.56 overtime.
- Installation & dismantle labor
- $138–$220 per hour, straight time Official
- Drayage (material handling)
- $150–$250 per 100 lb, round trip, 200 lb minimum Industry guide
- Sales tax
- 10.25% (Illinois generally doesn't tax services)
- Setting up your own booth
- Exhibitors (full-time employees for at least six months) can set up and dismantle exhibits in a booth of ANY size using ladders, hand tools and power tools deemed safe by McCormick Place; assemble machinery, install signs/graphics/drapery, plug in and interconnect electrical/computer/AV equipment. ASUV program lets exhibitors unload autos/small vehicles at docks without union labor (20-minute limit, bring own carts). Official
How McCormick Place compares
Published rates at the 28 US venues that publish their own.
Shows at McCormick Place
Pick a show to see its estimate.
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness ExpoOct 8–10, 2026
- PACK EXPO InternationalOct 18–21, 2026
- The Cooperator Expo ChicagolandOct 22, 2026
- Chicago Build ExpoOct 28–29, 2026
- ANCC Magnet & Pathway ConferenceOct 29–31, 2026
- RSNA Annual MeetingNov 29 – Dec 3, 2026
- AHR ExpoJan 25–27, 2027
- HIMSS Global Health Conference & ExhibitionApr 5–8, 2027
- ProMatApr 19–21, 2027
- National Restaurant Association ShowMay 22–25, 2027
- ASCO Annual MeetingJun 4–8, 2027
- FABTECHSep 13–16, 2027
Exhibiting at McCormick Place
How much does a booth at McCormick Place cost?
Plan on $16.9k – $41.6k for a 10×10 rental booth and $42.9k – $91k for a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth. A 20×20 island runs $70.6k – $152k. Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
How much is drayage at McCormick Place?
Drayage at McCormick Place runs $150–$250 per 100 lb, round trip, with a 200 lb minimum. A 10×20 custom booth ships about 1,800 lb, so drayage comes to about $2.7k – $4.5k. Your show's exhibitor kit has the exact rate.
What does installation labor cost at McCormick Place?
Published installation and dismantle rates run $138–$220 per hour at straight time. Overtime is usually 1.5 times that. A 10×20 custom booth takes about 16–28 crew hours, so labor comes to $2.2k – $6.2k.
Are these Purple Exhibits prices?
No. These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They include floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel, which are paid to the show and its contractors, not to the booth builder. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your booth, ask for a quote.
Can I set up my own booth at McCormick Place?
Exhibitors (full-time employees for at least six months) can set up and dismantle exhibits in a booth of ANY size using ladders, hand tools and power tools deemed safe by McCormick Place; assemble machinery, install signs/graphics/drapery, plug in and interconnect electrical/computer/AV equipment. ASUV program lets exhibitors unload autos/small vehicles at docks without union labor (20-minute limit, bring own carts).
More booth cost pages
- McCormick Place exhibitor guide
- National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth cost
- ProMat 2027 booth cost
- HIMSS 2027 booth cost
- RSNA 2026 booth cost
- AHR Expo 2027 booth cost
- ASCO Annual Meeting 2027 booth cost
- Booth costs at Javits Center
- Booth costs at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- Booth costs at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
- Booth costs at San Diego Convention Center
- Booth costs at Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- Booth costs at Las Vegas Convention Center
- Booth costs at Anaheim Convention Center
- Booth costs at Kentucky Exposition Center
- Trade show booth costs in Chicago
- Drayage and labor rates by venue
- Booth cost calculator: all 2,300 US shows
Numbers updated October 2026 from published exhibitor kits and price lists. Rates are set per show, so your exhibitor kit has the final prices.
Want Purple's price at McCormick Place?
The numbers on this page are market estimates. Send us your booth size and we'll quote our own price, line by line, within 24 hours.
