Trade Show News

Shows Label & Narrow Web Oct 13, 2026 📍 Chicago

PACK EXPO International 2026 brings packaging innovation to Chicago

PACK EXPO International 2026 is scheduled to take place from October 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, featuring over 2,700 exhibitors across 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space. Produced by PMMI, the biennial event will offer more than 150 free educational sessions and introduce new programs like SMB FastTrack and PACK EXPO Discovery Tours. The show will highlight innovations in packaging and processing, automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.

Business 20

$180M in Taxpayer Cash Funneled to Pritzker-Linked Hyatt Hotel, Including $59.5M Renovation

Subx.news (via Facebook) Oct 11 Chicago

Illinois taxpayers have invested over $180 million in the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place since 2011, including a $59.5 million renovation approved in December 2024 for all 1,258 guest rooms. These investments, which also cover infrastructure upgrades, are intended to boost occupancy, revenue, and profitability for the hotel, operated by Hyatt, which is controlled by the Pritzker family.

Dozens of hotel workers from 6 major Chicago hotels have walked off the job and gone on strike

Facebook (NBC 5 Chicago) Oct 10 Chicago

Dozens of hotel workers from six major Chicago hotels initiated a strike on Friday morning, coinciding with the Chicago Marathon weekend. The union, UNITE HERE Local 1, stated that negotiations impacting over 7,000 workers across 46 hotels are ongoing, with contracts at Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt having expired on August 31.

Soaring Fuel Prices Impact Tradeshow Shippers, Including Chicago-Based Logistics

Exhibit City News Oct 9 Chicago

Rising fuel prices continue to affect tradeshow shippers, with Joe Martillaro, managing director of Superior Logistics in Chicago, noting the ongoing impact despite some recession from peak prices. This affects the logistics and cost of exhibitions.

Midwest Hospitality Market Report – Q2 2026

Cornovus Capital Oct 9 Chicago

The Midwest Hospitality Market Report Q2 2026 highlights Chicago as the third-largest convention market in the United States, anchored by McCormick Place with approximately 2.6 million square feet. The report also details hospitality market performance across the Midwest.

Hotel workers on strike ahead of Chicago Marathon weekend

CBS News Oct 9 Chicago

Thousands of hotel workers at over 40 hotels in downtown Chicago and near McCormick Place went on strike, impacting operations during the Chicago Marathon weekend. The UNITE HERE Local 1 union initiated the strike after contract negotiations failed, with most contracts expiring on August 31.

Industry 27

CEIR Session to Provide Midyear Update on U.S. B2B Exhibitions Performance

IAEE Oct 13 Chicago

IAEE announced a CEIR session on October 21, 2026, offering a midyear update on U.S. B2B exhibitions performance, outlook, and economic trends. This session provides valuable insights for industry professionals.

IAEE Announces 2026 Award Winners

IAEE Oct 13 Chicago

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) has announced its 2026 Award Winners. This recognition highlights achievements within the exhibitions and events industry.

Rana Foroohar to Speak at PCMA Convening Leaders 2027 on Economic Resilience

PCMA (Facebook post) Oct 13 Chicago

Rana Foroohar, a Financial Times columnist and CNN global economic analyst, is slated to speak on the Main Stage at PCMA Convening Leaders 2027. She will discuss the shift from efficiency to resilience and its implications for business.

Orbus, a Chicago-Based Company, Earns 2026 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For Award

Exhibit City News Oct 9 Chicago

Orbus, a company with a presence in Chicago, has been recognized as one of the 2026 Best & Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation for the twelfth consecutive year. This award acknowledges their people-first culture.

In Memoriam: Mike Drobick, Longtime Chicago Tradeshow Industry Professional

Exhibit City News Oct 9 Chicago

Mike Drobick, a tradeshow industry professional with over four decades of experience in Chicago and Las Vegas, recently passed away. He was a respected figure in the industry.

Shows 47

SOCAP26, Global Impact Investing Conference, to be Held in Chicago

OneStop ESG Oct 12 Chicago

SOCAP26, a global impact investing and social capital conference, is scheduled for October 12-14, 2026, at Convene Willis Tower in Chicago. This flagship event brings together funders, founders, and leaders from various sectors to catalyze businesses addressing social and environmental challenges.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Announces First-Ever Illinois Product Expo in Chicago

Prairie Communications, LLC Oct 12 Chicago

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is launching its first-ever Illinois Product Expo in Chicago on October 16-17, 2026, at the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum. This event will feature over 70 Illinois vendors and is expected to attract more than 5,000 attendees, showcasing local agricultural products.

RSNA 2026 Set for McCormick Place Chicago from 29 November to 3 December

Executive Moves Oct 11 Chicago

RSNA 2026, the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, is scheduled to take place at McCormick Place in Chicago from November 29 to December 3, 2026.

PLMA's 2026 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago to Feature New Executive Education Insight Series

Global Retail Brands Oct 10 Chicago

PLMA's annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago will introduce a new Executive Education Insight Series, offering four courses with timely business insights and practical strategies. The event will also feature an industry-leading speaker lineup.

PLMA Unveils Industry-Leading Speaker Lineup for 2026 Store Brands Marketplace Private Label Trade Show

Global Retail Brands Oct 10 Chicago

PLMA has announced an impressive speaker lineup for its 2026 Store Brands Marketplace Private Label Trade Show, scheduled for November. The event will feature keynote addresses from prominent figures such as John Conlin of Target Corp. and Abby Cook of Ahold Delhaize USA.

Venues 5

Millennium Station elevator closure impacts McCormick Place access

Metra Oct 11 Chicago

The elevator at South Water Street, providing ADA access to Millennium Station, is closed for replacement until winter 2026-2027. This closure impacts access for customers traveling to McCormick Place. Customers needing an elevator are advised to use the Van Buren St. or 11th St./Museum Campus stations during this shutdown.

Chicago bird-friendly building ordinance to protect migrating warblers

Facebook (Chicago Bird Alliance) Oct 10 Chicago

A proposed Bird-Friendly Building Design Ordinance in Chicago, prompted by mass bird deaths at McCormick Place, would mandate bird-friendly glass for new commercial buildings and major renovations. This ordinance aims to protect migrating birds from collisions with large structures, directly impacting convention center design and construction practices.

Chicago's efforts to reduce bird deaths from glass building collisions

Facebook (McCormick Place) Oct 7 Chicago

McCormick Place in Chicago has installed bird-safe windows to prevent bird collisions, following a mass collision event in October 2023. This initiative involved partnering with Feather Friendly® to apply dot patterns on nearly two football fields of glass, demonstrating a commitment to protecting migrating birds.

New Venues and Experiences for Meetings in Chicago

Choose Chicago Oct 6 Chicago

Choose Chicago highlights new developments impacting meetings, including an expansion at 360 CHICAGO to create the city's first multi-story observation deck with new event space. The Obama Presidential Center has also opened, offering new event opportunities on the South Side.

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Expanding with New Event Space

Choose Chicago Oct 6 Chicago

360 CHICAGO is expanding to create the city's first multi-story observation deck, with the 96th floor being transformed into a new event space. This new venue will be available for corporate gatherings, weddings, and other celebrations, offering signature skyline views.

Trade Show News

PACK EXPO International 2026 brings packaging innovation to Chicago

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