National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth cost estimate
National Restaurant Association Show 2027 runs May 22–25, 2027 at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Exhibiting there with a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth typically costs $48.4k – $87.5k all-in, and with a 20×20 island $81.6k – $145k, based on McCormick Place's published rates. These are market estimates, not Purple Exhibits prices.
- DatesMay 22–25, 2027
- VenueMcCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- ContractorFreeman
- Labor$138–$220/hr
- Drayage$150–$250 per 100 lb
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain
What exhibiting at National Restaurant Association Show 2027 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 | $19.7k – $39.9k | $30.2k – $55k | Adjust |
| 10×20 inline | $34.6k – $63.3k | $48.4k – $87.5k | Adjust |
| 20×20 island | $57.9k – $101k | $81.6k – $145k | Adjust |
| 20×30 island | $85.2k – $146k | $119k – $210k | 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.
Planning for National Restaurant Association Show 2027
National Restaurant Association Show 2027 (foodservice) runs 4 days, May 22–25, 2027, at McCormick Place. The general service contractor is Freeman, which sets drayage, labor and electrical prices in its exhibitor kit.
- Audience
- Restaurant, foodservice and hospitality professionals: owners, operators, chefs and buyers
- Included with the booth
- Floor utility ports, general overhead lighting and sanitary dishwashing facilities
The National Restaurant Association Show is the foodservice industry's biggest gathering, covering food and beverage, kitchen equipment, technology and packaging. Attendees are restaurant owners, operators, chefs and buyers.
What drives the cost at National Restaurant Association Show 2027
- Cooking and sampling booths usually need water, drain, extra electrical and sometimes gas or exhaust. Each is a separate service order, so price them early.
- Food handling rules and sampling permits apply. Check the show's food safety requirements before you plan a menu.
- The show publishes its space price, with a charge per exposed corner, so floor space is predictable. Corner and peninsula spots cost more.
Dates and travel
- Discount deadlines. Most exhibitor kits close the lower prices for labor, electrical and advance-warehouse freight three to four weeks before move-in. For National Restaurant Association Show 2027 that means around April 24, 2027 to May 1, 2027. Your kit has the exact dates.
- Hotel nights. 4 exhibit days plus a day each for move-in and move-out is about 6 nights per person. The estimate budgets $1,500–$3,000 per traveler.
- Also in Chicago around the same dates: ASCO Annual Meeting (Jun 4–8, 2027). Book hotels early when large events overlap.
Purple's National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth page · Official show website
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 $49/sq ft | $9.8k | Official |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $4.4k – $8k | Industry guide |
| Total | $48.4k – $87.5k | |
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 $49/sq ft | $19.6k | Official |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $7.4k – $13.2k | Industry guide |
| Total | $81.6k – $145k | |
Show services at McCormick Place
The rates this estimate uses. Electrical, internet, sales tax and the venue's work rules are on the McCormick Place cost page.
- 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
- Floor space
- $49/sq ft under 800 sq ft, $48 at 800+. Plus $375 per exposed corner. Official
How McCormick Place compares
Published rates at the 28 US venues that publish their own.
National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth cost questions
How much does a booth at National Restaurant Association Show 2027 cost?
Plan on $19.7k – $39.9k for a 10×10 rental booth and $48.4k – $87.5k for a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth. A 20×20 island runs $81.6k – $145k. 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 National Restaurant Association Show 2027?
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. The show's general contractor is Freeman; the exact rate is in the exhibitor kit.
When should I order show services for National Restaurant Association Show 2027?
National Restaurant Association Show 2027 opens May 22–25. Most exhibitor kits close the lower prices for labor, electrical and advance-warehouse freight three to four weeks before move-in, which for National Restaurant Association Show 2027 is around April 24, 2027 to May 1, 2027. Ordering after the deadline usually costs 20–50% more. The show's exhibitor kit has the exact dates.
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 National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth, ask for a quote.
More booth cost pages
- All booth costs at McCormick Place
- National Restaurant Association Show 2027 booth design and rentals
- McCormick Place exhibitor guide
- ProMat 2027 booth cost
- HIMSS 2027 booth cost
- RSNA 2026 booth cost
- AHR Expo 2027 booth cost
- ASCO Annual Meeting 2027 booth cost
- NAB Show 2027 booth cost
- TISE 2027 booth cost
- NRF Big Show 2027 booth cost
- AWS re:Invent 2026 booth cost
- 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 for National Restaurant Association Show 2027?
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.
