Chicago Collective 2027 · Budget & deadline sheet
January 30–February 2, 2027 · THE MART, Chicago, IL
January 30–February 2, 2027 · THE MART, 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 Merchandise Mart Properties
- Drayage, or material handling, when it is not in the Chicago Collective space rate
- Electrical, internet and rigging orders for Chicago Collective
- Booth cleaning and any union labor the THE MART requires
Published rates:
- Drayage allowance: 7,500 lbs per booth included; overage $74.80 per 100 lbs (January 2027 manual)
- Oversize freight handling: $74.80 per item, per trip, for pieces beyond 5 x 10 x 5 ft 8 in (January 2027 manual)
- Outbound parcels: $15 per item through the Airways Freight desk (January 2027 manual)
- Steamer rental: $38.50 per hour at the Exhibitor Service Desk (January 2027 manual)
Key dates
- Discounted rate deadline for labor, material handling, electric and housekeeping orders: January 3, 2027
- Design sign-off with Purple: Mid-November 2026
- Mid-November 2026: Design sign-off: rail plan, fixture list, graphics sized to THE MART's hard walls and the lighting you add to the four included spotlights.
- Late November to December 2026: Production over 30 to 45 days; graphics printed for the in-house painters and freight packed in pieces under 5 feet 8 inches high.
- By January 3, 2027: Service orders placed at the discounted rate: labor, material handling, electric and housekeeping through the Exhibitor Ordering portal.
- January 26–29, 2027: Freight delivered to the Kinzie dock between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; set-up begins Thursday, January 28 at 8 a.m.
- January 30, 2027: Booth finished by 11 a.m.; Preview Day opens at noon and the market runs through 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 2.
- February 2–3, 2027: Dismantle 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday; we ship through Airways Freight or our own carrier to storage.
Purple planning timeline; confirm official dates against your exhibitor kit.
Checklist
- Confirm your booth number and floor (4th or 7th) from the contract; it is also your registration passcode
- List rails, shelves and tables needed, with garment counts per wall
- Choose graphics for THE MART's in-house painters to install
- Order labor, electric and housekeeping before the January 3, 2027 discount deadline
- Book staff rooms through onPeak, the show's only travel partner
- Register fit models and plan in-booth changing space
- Request written consent for any photography or video in the booth
Every Chicago Collective fee listed upfront, in full, on paper. Questions or a fixed proposal: (800) 994-8030 · info@purpleexhibits.com · purpleexhibits.com/shows/chicago-collective/