AHR Expo 2027 · Budget & deadline sheet
January 25–27, 2027 · McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
January 25–27, 2027 · McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Booth price tiers (all-in, 2026 ranges)
| Footprint | Rental with your graphics | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| 10×20 inline | $7,500 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $45,000 |
| 10×30 inline | $12,000 – $22,000 | $25,000 – $65,000 |
| 20×20 island | $16,000 – $40,000 | $50,000 – $120,000 |
| 20×30+ island | $25,000 – $55,000 | $75,000 – $175,000 |
Includes design, structure, graphics, installation and dismantle. A custom-built booth runs roughly $100 to $250 per square foot depending on finish level. A rental of the same footprint usually lands at 35 to 50 percent of the purchase price for one show.
Billed by the show
- Booth space, paid to International Exposition Company
- Material handling (drayage) at McCormick Place, where the space rate does not include it
- Electrical service, internet and rigging at McCormick Place
- Booth cleaning and any union labor McCormick Place requires
Published rates:
- Drayage: About $210 per cwt, 200 lb minimum, 2026–2027 planning figure
Key dates
- Booth layout approval form due to AHR Expo show management: November 20, 2026
- Design sign-off with Purple: Early November 2026
- Now to early November 2026: Request space through the new exhibitor inquiry form or your rebooking; we draw layouts against the 2027 Chicago sales floor plan.
- November 20, 2026: Booth layout approval form filed, with hanging signs, suspended equipment and any multi-level deck included.
- December 2026: Production in Fishkill, NY over 30 to 45 days; Freeman early-order discounts taken; EAC notice and insurance filed before December 28.
- Early January 2027: Crates and units ship to Freeman's advance warehouse; open-flame demos approved; forklift and rigging labor booked.
- January 21–24, 2027: Move-in, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 3:30 p.m. Sunday; our project manager sets units, lighting and graphics.
- January 25–27, 2027: Show days; dismantle starts at the 4 p.m. close on January 27 and runs to January 30, then the booth ships to storage or your next show.
Purple planning timeline; confirm official dates against your exhibitor kit.
Checklist
- Send us your booth number and check it against the North Hall low-headroom rows
- List every unit with weight, footprint, height and power so we plan plinths and forklift labor
- Approve the layout early enough for the November 20, 2026 approval form
- Name Purple as your EAC before December 28, 2026
- Flag any brazing, burner or heat-producing demo for advance approval
- Book rooms through the AHR Expo show hotels page
- Order lead retrieval through Maritz and plan staff for the 4 p.m. close on January 27
- Tell us whether the booth moves on to Orlando in February 2028
No fee left off: every AHR Expo cost is listed upfront, on paper. Questions or a fixed proposal: (800) 994-8030 · info@purpleexhibits.com · purpleexhibits.com/shows/ahr-expo/