May 16–19, 2026
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
Exhibitor FAQs
All your questions, answered.
Disclaimer*
*Beware of communications from vendors who do NOT have a 2026 Official Service Provider Seal in any communications you receive. We do not sell our database information; any company not listed here should used at your own risk. Restaurant Show does not sell an attendee list and we can only safely vouch for our Official Service Providers.
Should you choose to engage in a business relationship with a company that is NOT an Official National Restaurant Service Provider, the National Restaurant Association Show and Informa cannot vouch for their legitimacy, nor endorse their services.
Planning for the 2026 Show is Underway!
Basic Show Information
What are the dates, location, and hours of the National Restaurant Association Show?
The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois from Saturday, May 16 - Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
2026 Show Exhibit Hall Hours:
Saturday (May 16) to Monday (May 18): 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Who may attend the Show?
The National Restaurant Association Show is open to professionals involved in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry.
Does the Show have a policy about age requirements?
No one under 16 years of age, including infants and toddlers, will be permitted on the Show floor at any time regardless of affiliation or circumstances. No one under 18 is allowed during move-in or move-out periods. Children 16 to 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The National Restaurant Association Show reserves the right to request proof of age. No children, no infants, no strollers, no backpack carriers are allowed. No exceptions. This rule applies to exhibitors and attendees.
How do I join the online conversation about the National Restaurant Association Show?
Join us online at Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Use #2026RestaurantShow.
What is The Show To Go?
The Show To Go is our 365-day interactive digital marketplace and directory. It's a chance for our audience to interact with the education and exhibitors they need year-round to succeed in the fast-changing hospitality industry. Promotion of the 2026 Show To Go begins in September 2025 with the launch of attendee registration and will continue through the 2026 Show.
About Your Booth
Manage your Show profile in your Exhibitor Dashboard
One of the benefits of exhibiting in our Show is access to our year round “Show To Go” interactive website and directory.
Included in your Basic, Silver, and Gold Branding package:
- Company Info
- Company Description
- Product Categories
- Collateral
- Lead Insights
Included in your Silver, and Gold Branding package:
- Company Logo
- Featured Products/Videos
- Online Business Cards
- Operator Leads*
- Scheduled Events
- Special Offers
*Leads includes Name, Email, Title & Company Name of Operators who viewed your Profile and added you to their Show To Go.
What is included in my booth?
Included in your booth:
- 8' back draping plus two 33” high draped side rails (except islands & peninsulas)
- Peninsulas set with 5’ of 33” drape, 10’ of 8’ drape and 5’ of 33” drape
- Sign with company name and booth number for 100 sq ft exhibitors.
- Larger booths must submit request through Freeman Service Kit.
- General overhead lighting
- Sanitary dishwashing facilities
- Customer Invites: Allotment based on total square feet.
- Badges: Each exhibitor receives five complimentary badges for the first 100 square feet of space purchased, and three badges for each additional 100 square feet of space
- Listings in the 2026 The Show To Go (Official Online Directory of the Show)
How do I change my company name?
Per our terms and conditions, we allow one (1) company name per 100 square feet. The company name cannot include a product, company description, DBA, or ‘presented by’. If your name change requests meets these guidelines, please email restaurantshowexhibitorservices@informa.com to request the update.
What utility ports are in my booth?
Utility ports are located in the floors of the North, South, and Lakeside Center exhibit halls. These ports provide access to electrical, plumbing (water & drain), and natural gas. If your booth is not equipped with a utility port, access will be drawn from a neighboring exhibit or, if necessary, dropped from overhead. No port access will be allowed from the aisles.
Use legend on right side of floorplan PDFs to identify port symbols within your booth.
Payment Information
Where can I manage my account?
Current exhibitors may view/print the most up-to-date invoices, download their contract, and pay their deposit/balance via credit card in the Exhibitor Dashboard.
NOTE: The balance due reflects booth space and branding package only and does not include outstanding balances with any other contractors.
Primary contacts can add other team members as ‘Users’, granting them access to the Exhibitor Dashboard. Once logged in, grant team members access to the site by adding them under the 'Users' section on the left side toolbar. *Each user will have their own log-in account; instead of sharing a password among team members.
Can I use a credit card to pay for my booth space?
Yes, we accept all major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card). All credit card transactions are subject to a 3% credit card processing fee. There will be no exceptions.
Do you accept wire transfers or ACH payments?
Yes, we accept payments by wire transfer or ACH. If you would like to pay using this method, please email restaurantshowexhibitorservices@informa.com.
How can I request a copy of your W-9?
Please contact your Exhibitor Services team at restaurantshowexhibitorservices@informa.com to request a copy of our W9.
Where do I mail my payment?
We accept credit card, check, and wire/ACH payments. If you are sending a check please send to one of the addresses below:
via United States Postal Service:
Winsight, LLC / Restaurant Show
P.O. Box 844604
Boston, MA 02284-4604
via FedEx, UPS, or Overnight Carrier:
FIS - Lockbox Operations
C/O Winsight, LLC
10 Dan Road - Dock #2
Canton, MA 02021
Logistics
What utility ports are in my booth?
Utility ports are located in the floors of the North, South, and Lakeside Center exhibit halls. These ports provide access to electrical, plumbing (water & drain), and natural gas. If your booth is not equipped with a utility port, access will be drawn from a neighboring exhibit or, if necessary, dropped from overhead. No port access will be allowed from the aisles.
Use legend on right side of floorplan PDFs to identify port symbols within your booth.
How do I become an association member?
To become an Allied Member visit Restaurant.org/Membership.
Allied Membership benefits include access to our annual Restaurant Industry Forecast and Restaurant TrendMapper® report, invitation-only webinars and newsletters, access to our Knowledge Center’s Information Specialists, as well as Allied member logo usage for your website and other marketing materials.
Can I sample food and beverage at my booth?
The sampling forms will become available when the service kit launches January 2026.
Cooking Appliances:
If cooking or heating appliances will be used, they must be powered electrically or by natural gas. Stoves and heaters for booth usage must be UL listed/approved and also be adequately ventilated. Nothing combustible may be placed near any heat-producing appliance. A UL listed/approved, 2 – A :10 – B: C ABC-type fire extinguisher is required in such exhibits.
Prohibited Cooking Materials:
The following items are fire-hazardous and prohibited in McCormick Place:
- All flammable compressed gases, such as propane and butane
- Explosives and live ammunition
- Untreated Christmas trees, cut evergreens or similar trees
- Fireplace logs and similar materials
- Charcoal
- Untreated mulch, Hay, Straw, Bamboo and Spanish moss
You may only supply your own products. Anything else must be purchased from OVG Hospitality. Details regarding this will become available January 2026.
Can I sample alcohol at my booth?
A form to request permission to sample alcoholic beverages must be filled out by all exhibitors who wish to sample alcohol in their booth and then approved by Show Management. The sampling forms will become available when the service kit launches January 2026.
How can I book a meeting room?
Meeting room reservations launch with the Service Kit at the beginning of January. Please note that Meeting space will only be granted to exhibiting companies.
How much does it cost to rent a meeting room?
- Rental Fee $300- $500 (cost is based on size and availability)
- Exhibitor will also be responsible for all ancillary services inside the meeting room (AV, F&B, floral, etc.)
- What is included in the meeting room rental fee:
- A one-time standard set-up (conference, hollow square, U-shape, theatre, banquet, or classroom)
- One (1) non-lit lectern (standing or table)
- One (1) wired microphone (lectern, lavaliere, standing or table)
- Three (3) 6'x8' risers (available in 16/24/32 inch heights)
- Water service for the lectern/head table
- Four (4) six-foot covered and skirted tables upon request
How can I utilize my meeting room?
- Meeting rooms may not be used as an “extension” of an exhibit booth (i.e., in which products or services are displayed or marketed). Hospitality Suites can be purchased for this reason by emailing restaurantshowsales@informa.com.
- A company may not reserve a room for a non-exhibiting supplier company, nor may they reserve a room for a function in which a non-exhibiting supplier company is also participating.
- A Show badge is required for all participants in a meeting room.
When and for how long can the meeting rooms be rented?
- A company may not hold an event, function or seminar which would draw attendees off the exhibit floor during official Show hours (9:30am – 5:00pm).
- A room may not be reserved for more than one day for any given function and functions must be limited to three hours during official Show hours unless otherwise approved by Show management. If you are interested in a longer time period, please contact restaurantshowsales@informa.com to discuss purchasing a hospitality suite.
