March 15-17, 2026 Exhibitor Manual

Welcome to National Bridal Market Chicago! 

This manual will guide you through the process of exhibiting at National Bridal Market Chicago. It outlines helpful hints about the show and associated special events as well as useful information about theMART. Reference this page for promotional information and ways to maximize your exposure at the Show, operational recommendations for smooth move in, run of show and move out details, and frequently asked questions.

We look forward to your arrival and working with you to ensure another great show!

Access Boomer

THE MART ADDRESS FOR DIRECT SHIPPING TO DOCK

National Bridal Market Chicago
[Exhibiting Company Name]
[Exhibiting Booth Number – 7th Floor]

c/o Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654

Shipping & Freight Delivery

SHIPPING WINDOW FOR FEDEX/UPS/SMALL PACKAGE SERVICES:

  • PACKAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 .

  • WE URGE YOU TO HAVE YOUR PACKAGES DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 OR THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026 TO ENSURE FRIDAY MORNING ARRIVAL IN YOUR BOOTH.

PACKAGES DELIVERED BEFORE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11th WILL INCUR AN STORAGE FEE OF $74.80/100LBS. 

Deliveries from both FedEx and UPS to the Mart (including priority shipments) tend to be random during high shipping periods prior to the show. FedEx and UPS deliveries received after Thursday, March 6th will be delivered to your booth as they are received and signed for. However, since FedEx and UPS deliveries to the Mart are inconsistent, please be advised that even priority shipments to your booth may be significantly delayed.

FREIGHT DELIVERY HOURS

Wednesday, March 11 8:00am - 3:00 pm - UPS and FedEx Deliveries only

Thursday, March 12 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Friday, March 13 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, March 14 8:00 am - 3:00 pm [POV’s -Personal Owned Vehicles Only]

SET-UP HOURS

Friday, March 13 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, March 14 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

SHOW HOURS

Sunday, March 15 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Monday, March 16 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 17 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

DISMANTLING HOURS

Tuesday, March 17 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, March 18      8:00 am – 12:00 pm

FREIGHT AND PERSONALLY OWNED VEHICLE (POV) LOAD OUT HOURS

Tuesday, March 17   1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (POV’s only)
Wednesday, March 18       8:00 am – 12:00 pm

POV’s will begin upon the completion of the return of empties. *All drivers need to be checked in by 10:00 am

Directions to the Loading Dock

  • Directions to The Merchandise Mart Loading Dock (Common Carrier/Large Trucks): From I-90/94, exit on Ohio Street. At the first light, turn right onto Orleans. Proceed for 3 blocks and turn right onto Hubbard. Proceed for 1 block and turn left onto Kingsbury. Continue for 1 block and turn left onto Kinzie. Continue on Kinzie for 1 block until you reach a stop sign. Turn right into the dock.

  • Directions to The Merchandise Mart Loading Dock (Cars and Small Trucks): From I-90/94, exit on Ohio Street. At second light, turn right onto Franklin. Continue four blocks south on Franklin to Kinzie. Turn right onto Kinzie. At the first stop sign, turn left into the dock.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

An L stop, appropriately called The Merchandise Mart, on the CTA’s brown line conveniently drops visitors on the 2nd floor of the building. Additionally, there is easy access to multiple CTA bus routes within 4 blocks of The Merchandise Mart.  Learn more here: https://www.transitchicago.com/ 

Outside Vendors & Services

AV Options

For all AV and IT equipment needed for your booth, you can order directly from SmartSource to place an order.

BOOTH STAFFING, DRESSERS & STEAMER HELP

For your temporary booth staffing needs, including dressers and steamer help, please refer to the GCJ Order Form.

  • GCJ Hospitality | Contact: Jennifer Hunter | 312-952-1000

CATERING

A number of food-service providers conveniently located within The Merchandise Mart are prepared to meet your catering requests. Please see most-used catering contacts below.

CUSTOM GRAPHICS/WALL OR PILLAR WRAPPING

DRESS FORMS/ MANNEQUINS

EMPTY CONTAINER STORAGE

Due to City of Chicago Fire Ordinances, packing materials may not remain on the show floor while the show is open. Flammable containers must be removed from the floor.

When your containers are empty, obtain "EMPTY" labels from the Exhibitor Service Desk. Use the labels to mark your crates, boxes and containers with your company name and booth number. Leave the containers in the aisle; for your convenience, these empty labeled containers will be picked up by MMPI staff and returned to you at the end of the Show. Please remember that you will not have access to these containers during the show.   

LABOR REGULATIONS:

  • Union labor will be required for certain aspects of your exhibit handling, including installation and dismantling of all flooring and systems furniture. Any installation that requires the use of power tools may not be done by exhibitors and must instead be done by our in-house Carpenters. Labor can be requested and scheduled through the Boomer portal. If you are using manual tools for your installation, please keep in mind that the walls are only 1 inch thick, so you may only use ½ inch screws. Personal branding, signage, décor, shelving, and products can be hung on the walls using fasteners that will not result in damage. Good options include small nails, small screws, 3M removable hooks, etc.

  • All painting, wallpaper, decal adhesives, and vinyl must be done by our in-house Painters. Labor can be requested and scheduled through the Exhibitor Ordering portal. If any such items are done by exhibitors, they will be subject to restoration and/or labor fees.

  • Any electrical installations that include chandeliers, light fixtures, light boxes, tv’s, etc. must be done by our in-house Electricians. Labor can be requested and scheduled through the Exhibitor Ordering portal. If any such items are done by exhibitors, they will be subject to additional labor fees.

  • Exhibitors may hand-carry small items, however the use of handcarts, flatbeds, or dollies by exhibitors is prohibited. Material Handling labor is available onsite to facilitate such moves. Labor fees will apply.

  • You may set up your exhibit display if one person can accomplish the task in less than ½ hour, without the use of tools and the booth is 100 sq ft (10x10) or smaller. The use of power tools, including battery operated tools, and step stools / ladders are strictly prohibited. Any such tasks must be completed by union labor.

    You may address questions regarding the specific union regulations that apply to carpentry, painting, signage, electrical installation, or materials handling for your display to (312) 820-1192 or email at tradeshowoperations@themart.com.

FURNITURE RENTAL

FLORAL and PLANTS

INSURANCE

All companies are required to carry your own Show Insurance to cover any incidentals that occur prior to, during, or after the show. Insurance should cover shipping, labor, loss and damage to any goods or property. It is not necessary to send the insurance paperwork to Show Management.

INSURANCE CERTIFICATE HOLDER

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Suite 470
Chicago, IL 60654

MODELS

If you are interested in hiring models or dressers for your booth space, we suggest the following agencies:

Model Registration is located in the 1st Floor Lobby. Any models you employ must be registered. They will need a model badge to enter the show floor. Any model registered at your booth is your companies’ responsibility and you must make them aware of show rules. MODELS MUST REMAIN IN THE BOOTH AND NOT WALK THE AISLES. MODELS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CHANGE IN THE RESTROOMS OR MOTHER’S ROOM. All models must change into their street clothes/robes before they leave the booth for any reason.

  1. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW MODELS TO WEAR GOWNS TO THE REST ROOM—THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ALLOWED ON THE SHOW FLOOR.

  2. EATING AT THE CAFÉ—Complimentary lunch is for retailers only. Please provide food for your models in your booth.

  3. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS & SPONSORED EVENTS ARE FOR RETAILERS, NOT MODELS. They should not be attending events that are intended as buyer amenities. Please speak to your models about attending events and arguing with staff about receiving cocktails at events.

  4. WALKING INTO OTHER CLIENTS BOOTH, WALKING THE AISLE (WITH CARDS) This will not be tolerated on the show floor.

PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOTAPING & BROADCASTING

Photographing, videotaping, filming, or sound recording is prohibited without the prior written consent of Show Management.

PEDESTAL PURCHASE

TABLE DRAPES / LINENS

WATER SERVICES

  • Hinckley Springs | 773-586-8600

Note: Please mention The National Bridal Market™ when placing your order. These companies are provided solely as a resource.  Please follow delivery and return instructions they may have, as additional fees may be charged if all materials are not returned.  In some cases you may need to file a Bill of Lading with the freight desk for outbound shipments. Inform the rental company when materials need to be delivered and picked up. theMART is not responsible for loss or theft of materials after they have been delivered to your Market Suite or after they have been picked up for loading out of the dock. 

Questions about your booth?