Exhibitor & Sponsor FAQs

GFOA's 120th Annual Conference takes place in person in Chicago, Illinois, June 28–July 1, 2026, at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building, located at 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60616. 

Exhibits take place in Hall D1 at the McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building.

Exhibitor Load-In

• Friday, June 26: 12:00 pm–5:00 pm (by appointment only, tentative)
• Saturday, June 27, 2026: 8:00 am–5:00 pm

Exhibit Hall Show Days

• Sunday, June 28, 2026:
  • Ribbon Cutting: 9:30 am
  • Hall Hours: 9:30 am–1:00 pm
  • Exhibit Hall Happy Hour: 4:50 pm–6:00 pm
• Monday, June 29, 2026: 10:00 am–4:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 30, 2026: 10:00 am–2:00 pm

Exhibit staff may access the hall starting at 8:00 am on Sunday and 9:00 am Monday and Tuesday. 

Exhibitor Load-Out

• Tuesday, June 30, 2026: 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 1, 2026: 8:00 am–12:00 pm

Hours are subject to change.  

• Each booth include three exhibit hall badges per 10' x 10' of space
• Company listing on the conference website and mobile app with a hyperlink
• Discounted conference registration
• Back drape and side rails in show colors *
• 7” x 44” two-line identification sign *

*Island booths do not have pipe and drape or identification sign.

The Freeman Exhibitor Service Kit and all ancillary services will become available in Spring 2026. Watch for an email when the web portal launches.

No, floor covering can be ordered through the show's general services contractor, Freeman. GFOA requires all booths be carpeted or have floor covering. Booths without floor covering two hours prior to the show opening will have carpet installed at the exhibitor’s expense.

Public spaces in the McCormick Place Convention Center have basic WiFi. 

Dedicated wired internet and booth Wi-Fi can be ordered through the convention center when ancillary services become available in Spring 2026.

Details and ordering will be available for all service contractors Spring 2026.

Decorator, Shipping, and Audio/Visual Rentals: Freeman

Electric & Rigging: Coming soon

Internet: McCormick Place Technology Services

Food and Beverage: OVG Hospitality

Booth Cleaning Services: Coming soon

Lead Retrieval: ExpoLogic/Momentive

Hotel Booking: Connections Housing

McCormick Place requires all contractors to register staff in advance under its Building Entry-Exit Procedure (B.E.E.P.). Registered workers will receive a one-day wristband for access. Registration details coming soon.

B.E.E.P. terminals for Lakeside Center are at the Lakeside Garage Ramps (West & East sides, Level 1).

GFOA does not provide attendee contact information. Beware of unauthorized companies claiming to sell attendee lists, they are not affiliated with GFOA.

Exhibitors may purchase lead retrieval from ExpoLogic/Momentive.

An early attendee list (name, title, organization, city, state/province) will be provided to exhibitors and sponsors on May 29, 2026.

Exhibitor and Sponsor badge registration will open in Spring 2026. Watch for an email when the portal launches.

Important: Outstanding balances must be paid in full to receive your badge. Only credit cards will be accepted onsite.

Exhibiting Companies:

Receive 3 Exhibitor badges per 10' x 10' booth. Exhibitor badges grant exhibit hall access only (no sessions).

Sponsoring Companies:

Receive Exhibitor/Delegate badges, which include exhibit hall access plus full session programming and attendee lunches on Monday and Tuesday.
Quantity depends on sponsorship level. Some levels include discounts, refer to your contract for details.

Additional Badge Fees:

• Exhibitor Badge: $350 before May 29; $550 after May 29
• Exhibitor/Delegate Badge: $670

Optional Add-On:

• Tuesday Finale Event Tickets:
  • $54 per person (before June 24, 2026); $75 per person (after June 24, 2026)
    Includes $4 facility charge for venue maintenance.
    
    Deadline: Sales close at noon on Sunday, June 28, 2026 (subject to availability).
    
    Finale Event tickets are not included in registration unless specified in your sponsorship contract.

Yes. Use the Badge Manager portal (launching Spring 2026) to assign all badges included in your exhibit or sponsor package. Details will be emailed when the portal opens.

Yes, you can pay by check. 

Make checks payable to: Government Finance Officers Association.

Mail your check along with a copy of your invoice to:

GFOA
203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60601

Outstanding balances must be paid in full to receive your badge. Only credit cards will be accepted once onsite. 

Yes, a confirmation and invoice will be emailed to the registrant as a PDF attachment.

Badges can be picked up onsite at self-check-in kiosks in McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building.

For help with balances or changes, visit the staffed exhibitor registration desk.

Exhibitor Badge Pick Up:

• Saturday, June 27: 7:30 am–4:30 pm
• Sunday, June 28: 8:00 am–5:30 pm
• Monday, June 29: 8:00 am–4:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 30: 8:00 am–2:00 pm

Badge Replacement: Lost badges can be reprinted for $25 at the staffed registration desk.

Hours are subject to change.  

Connections Housing is the ONLY official housing provider. Book here. Booking through GFOA’s authorized housing partner ensures discounted rates, shuttle service, and secure reservations. 

Connections Housing will not contact attendees directly to make reservations, you must book through the housing portal.

Need additional assistance? Contact Connections Housing at 725-246-0649, Monday–Friday, 6:00 am–3:00 pm PST.

Visit the housing portal and click Manage Existing Reservation. 

For assistance, call Connections Housing at 725-246-0649., Monday–Friday, 6:00 am–3:00 pm PST.

Yes, all official conference block hotels will have shuttle service to and from McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building.

Yes, parking is available in Lot C, which provides direct access to the Lakeside Center. 

Daily Rate: $27 (up to 16 hours; no overnight parking). For more details, click here.

Address: Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 606016.

Hospitality events cannot conflict with any GFOA session or conference-related event. (Please note that GFOA’s Evening Exhibit Hall Happy Hour will take place on Sunday from 4:50 pm to 6:00 pm and GFOA’s Tuesday Finale Event will take place on June 30 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.)

Open nights  are:

Saturday, June 27, 2026, after 5:00 pm.

Sunday, June 28 2026, after 6:00 pm.

Monday, June 29, 2025, after 5:30 pm.

Yes! Join us at the Chicago Theatre on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 7:00 pm–10:00 pm. Learn more about the Tuesday Finale Event here.

Tickets: $54 before June 24; $75 after June 24.

Sales close noon, Sunday, June 28 (subject to availability).

Tickets are not included in registration unless specified in your sponsorship contract.

Exhibitor badges do not include meals. 

Exhibitor/Delegate badges include attendee lunches on Monday and Tuesday.

Grab-and-go food and drink options for purchase will be available in Exhibit Hall D1.

Business casual attire is recommended, along with comfortable shoes.

Yes, by attending the conference, you agree that your photo or video may be taken and used for promotional purposes, including social media posts during the event.

Stay up to date by visiting gfoa.org/conference.

We’re happy to help with any additional questions about this year’s event. Please contact exhibit@gfoa.org