May 17–20, 2025
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
Exhibitor FAQs
All your questions, answered.
Planning for the 2025 Show is Underway!
*Beware of communications from fraudulent vendors who do NOT have a 2025 Official Service Provider Seal in any communications you receive. We do not sell our database information; any company not listed here should be considered as possibly fraudulent.
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.
Bookmark this page today to find important updates and links throughout the Show planning cycle.
Have questions?
Basic Show Information
What are the dates, location, and hours of the National Restaurant Association Show?
The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois from Saturday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
2025 Show Exhibit Hall Hours:
Saturday (May 17) to Monday (May 19): 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 20: 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, and LinkedIn. Use #2025RestaurantShow.
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 2025 Show To Go begins in September 2024 with the launch of attendee registration and will continue through the 2025 Show.
Where can I check my coat/bag at the Show?
South Building:
Level 1: Near Gate 4 (South entrance)/entrance to Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Level 1: S105
Lakeside Center:
Level 2: E256
Daily Schedule:
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*Attendees are not permitted to bring luggage on to the Show floor at any time.
*Please note coat/bag check is at your own cost.
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.
When our 2025 Attendee Registration launches in September, we will switch to 2025 Show To Go promotions.
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 2025 The Show To Go (Official Online Directory of the Show)
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 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 [email protected] to request the update.
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.
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
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 [email protected].
How can I request a copy of your W-9?
Please contact your Exhibitor Services team at [email protected] to request a copy of our W9.
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.
Click here to view the utility ports. 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.
Scheduled Appointments
The Scheduled Appointments tool is a way for exhibitors to set up and manage appointments with attendees through the Exhibitor Dashboard. This tool allows exhibitors to post available appointment times to their Show To Go profile, and attendees can reserve these appointments while logged into their Show To Go planner accounts, allowing them to easily connect with exhibitors onsite.
Utilizing the Scheduled Appointments tool will allow you to:
- Control your appointment schedule.
- Assign staff members to specific appointment times to allocate resources appropriately.
- View overall meeting schedule to see onsite booth visits.
To setup appointment times go to the “Services for the Show” tile and click into the “Manage Scheduled Appointments” tile from your Exhibitor Dashboard.
How can I register my personnel for badges?
Register, edit, and purchase over allotment badges in the "Badge Registration" tile of your Exhibitor Dashboard. This can be found in the "Services for the Show" homepage tile.
How many complimentary exhibitor badges do I receive with my booth?
Each exhibitor receives five (5) complimentary badges for the first 100 square feet of space purchased, and three (3) badges for each additional 100 square feet of space [e.g., up to 200 square feet equals eight (8) badges, up to 300 square feet equals (11) badges, etc.].
Login to your Exhibitor Dashboard, click the “Services for the Show” homepage tile then "Badge Registration" to begin registering your booth personnel.
Can I sample food and beverage at my booth?
If you are sampling food or beverage on the Show floor you must complete the required form found in your Exhibitor Dashboard.
Login to your Exhibitor Dashboard, click the “Exhibitor Forms” tile to complete the sampling forms.
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. Find their forms in the Official Service Provider page here.
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 are located in the Exhibitor Dashboard.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Insurance?
General commercial liability insurance is required of all exhibitors. Exhibitor are required to email a copy of their COI to [email protected].
Are you worried about lost, stolen, or damaged merchandise? Rainprotection also offers Equipment/Merchandise/Display Insurance. All exhibitors are strongly urged to obtain full-coverage temporary insurance for their merchandise and displays while in transit and while at the exposition.
See the information sheet here.
Liability and Insurance – All property of the Exhibitor is understood to remain under its custody and control in transit to and from the Show and while it is in the confines of McCormick Place. Neither Show Management, the Official Show contractor, the management of McCormick Place nor any of the officers, staff members or directors of any of the same are responsible for the safety of the property of Exhibitor’s from theft, damage by fire, accident, vandalism or other causes, and the Exhibitor expressly waives and releases any claim or demand it may have against any of them by reason of any damage to or loss of any property of the Exhibitor.
Show Management does not maintain insurance covering Exhibitor’s property. It is required that Exhibitor maintain general public liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage incident to, arising out of or in any way connected with the Exhibitor’s participation in the National Restaurant Association Show, in an amount no less than $250,000 for personal injury, death or property damage in any one occurrence. Such insurance shall name the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Show as additional insureds on the general liability policy. Each Exhibitor is required to carry workers' compensation insurance protecting employees in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. Exhibitor acknowledges that it is responsible for obtaining, for its protection and entirely at its expense, such property insurance for its exhibit and display materials as the Exhibitor deems appropriate.
This insurance must be in force during the lease dates of the event naming Winsight LLC (300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60606) as the certificate holder. The following must be named as additional insured: Winsight LLC, McCormick Place, and Freeman.
Where can I find more information for exhibitors?
Visit our Current Exhibitors page where you can find our Marketing Resources Center, Exhibitor Training Series, and links to other important resources for preparing for the Show.
What is my target check-in date?
Your booth has a specific date that your materials must arrive by direct shipping. This date is also the date you can arrive onsite if you are hand-carrying your material.
Find out more information on our Shipping Information page of the service kit.
Your Target Check-in Date
You must check the Target Check-In Schedule to find out what date/time your materials must arrive at McCormick Place. If you are shipping your materials to McCormick all materials must arrive on this date or you will be charged extra for arriving off date.
If you are hand-carrying your materials, you can arrive on the date of your target check-in. You cannot arrive before your date.
How do I reserve Housing?
Hotel arrangements for National Restaurant Association Show 2025 can be made through onPeak official housing.
Where can I order utilities, booth furnishings, and labor?
These services and more can be ordered through Freeman, our official services contractor for Show 2025.
Access the complete Service Kit at the button below.
When should my booth materials arrive?
Review the Shipping Information page for all shipping information.
Will Wi-Fi be available at the Show?
Yes, McCormick Place offers Wi-Fi at a cost. The internet order form is available in the Official Service Provider page of the Service Kit.
Where can I pick up my lead retrieval scanners?
If you ordered lead retrieval from our official lead retrieval vendor Maritz, you must pick up your lead retrieval machines in your specific Hall's pick-up location. For example, if you are an exhibitor in North Hall, you can pick up your lead retrieval machine in the North Hall pick-up location only
- South Hall Exhibitors (Aisles 100-5400)
- Service Center / Lead Retrieval: Under the Food Pods
- North Hall Exhibitors (Aisles 5500-9200)
- Service Center / Lead Retrieval: Rm N227
- Lakeside Hall Exhibitors (Aisles 9300-13700)
- Service Center / Lead Retrieval: Rm E253
Is shuttle service provided?
Complimentary shuttle service is provided to and from McCormick Place if you stay at our partner hotels. A few exceptions apply. More information to come.
Where can I park during the Show? How much does it cost?
Due to planned construction on South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, we recommend allowing for extra travel time. Find more info here.
Purchase parking passes directly from McCormick Place ahead of the Show with Exhibitor Guaranteed Parking. Lots can fill up on Show days, so purchasing ahead of time gives you peace of mind that you will have a spot. Visit McCormick Place's website and search “Restaurant".
How can I send customer invites?
Through Maritz, our registration provider, you can invite customers to the Show free-of-charge. Make sure your most important customers are at your booth by giving them a complimentary badge! These are sent from the "Send FREE Customer Invites" tile of your Exhibitor Dashboard, within the "Services for the Show" homepage tile. You can find instructions on sending customer invites here.
How can I send Attendee Marketing Emails?
Attendee Email Marketing is available in your Exhibitor Dashboard within the "Services for the Show" homepage tile. You must be a current exhibitor in order to send Attendee Email Marketing.
The National Restaurant Association Show, like many other tradeshows, is increasingly battling fraudulent companies attempting to prey on exhibitors by “selling” exhibitor contact information and/or attendee lists. Please be extremely cautious of any email claiming to sell you services regarding attendee communication, exhibitor contact information, and hotel rates. We are actively working to have these companies cease and desist their practices.
The National Restaurant Association Show is partnered with Maritz, and Maritz is the sole distributor of the attendee list. Please know that only Maritz is authorized to sell our attendee list. If in doubt, always look for the official service provider seal in any communication where you may purchase services.
For more info email [email protected].
