DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo 2027Exhibitor guide to booth costs, dates and deadlines

DBIA has not set its 2027 conference dates, so they are not confirmed yet. Its most recent published meeting is Cleveland, November 4–6, 2026, and DBIA's 2027 calendar so far lists its Denver transportation and water conferences in April and the Federal Design-Build Symposium in Washington, D.C. in August. We plan your 2027 build as soon as DBIA posts the city and dates.

DBIA rotates its national meeting between cities, and the 2027 city is not confirmed yet: the MGM Grand in Las Vegas hosted 2025, and the 2026 edition was set for November 4–6 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland. Our planning on this page follows the Cleveland schedule and DBIA's standing exhibit rules.

DBIA reported a record 2,600 professionals at the 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Its 2026 prospectus describes more than 2,200 AEC professionals attending each year, and says 49% of attendees were new to the meeting, averaged over the past three years.

In 2026 DBIA charged members $4,900 for a 10×10 inline, $9,500 for a 10×20 and $16,400 for a 20×20 at the regular rate, with non-members paying $400 more. Space includes an 8-foot backwall and badges. Your booth itself is separate: our 10×20 rental runs $7,500 to $15,000.

Each 10×10 in 2026 includes one full conference registration, two booth personnel registrations, an 8-foot draped backwall, 3-foot draped side rails, a company ID sign and pre- and post-show registration lists with opt-in emails. Floor covering, furniture, AV, electrical, lead retrieval and rigging are extra.

DBIA publishes Expo Hall hours city by city, and the 2027 schedule is not confirmed yet. The 2026 Cleveland schedule set the hall for November 4 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. (opening reception), November 5 for lunch and a 4:15 p.m. networking reception, and November 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. for lunch.

DBIA's rules allow 8 feet only in the rear half of an inline space, with 4 feet in the half toward the aisle, and cap island exhibits at 16 feet. Sound or lighting may not project beyond your space, so we aim speakers and screens into the booth.

DBIA accepts independent service contractors such as installers and AV firms, but the exhibitor must request one in writing with the company's name, address, phone and the services it will perform, and supply written authorization if it will order services for you. We send that request for you.

DBIA prohibits direct sales of goods or services unless it approves an exception in writing, and it bans lotteries, contests and games of chance on the floor. Giveaways need DBIA's approval. Sponsors can join the Prize Aisle Destination Passport, which sends attendees to their booths.

DBIA accepts exhibits related to the construction industry: design-build contractors, architecture and engineering firms, building product makers, construction software and reality-capture companies, insurers, sureties and consultants. Its 2026 VDC & Technology Pavilion groups the technology exhibitors.

Every 2026 sponsorship level, from Bronze at $8,500 to Diamond at $50,000, includes priority point ranking for 2027 space selection. Diamond and Platinum include a 20×20 booth, Gold a 10×20 and Silver and Bronze a 10×10, so sponsors pick 2027 space ahead of other exhibitors.

We rent complete DBIA booths: a project-story back wall sized to the 8-foot limit, a counter, a monitor stand for BIM or drone footage, lighting and flooring, shipped and installed by our project manager. The same kit returns for Greenbuild, AIA or a state design-build event.

DBIA's rules ask for at least 50% within 30 days of the contract and the full balance 180 days before the event, with no refund after a cancellation. Our design sign-off comes about 10 weeks before move-in, so the space is paid long before we build.

DBIA is worth it for companies selling to design-build teams on public and institutional work, because it puts owners and practitioners in one room: DBIA reported a record 2,600 professionals in 2025 and brings owners on scholarships. Exhibit time is short, so the booth must work in reception and lunch blocks.