Logo for "Ion Exhibits," a leading trade show supplier, with "ion" in large white letters and "exhibits" below. A red curved line and dot above the "i" form a stylized figure on a light gray background, reflecting expert booth design. - Ion Exhibits
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Ion Exhibits logo featuring the word "ion" in large white letters with a red curved line and dot above, followed by "exhibits" in smaller white lowercase letters—perfect for making your next tradeshow booth stand out. - Ion Exhibits
Logo for "Ion Exhibits," a leading trade show supplier, with "ion" in large white letters and "exhibits" below. A red curved line and dot above the "i" form a stylized figure on a light gray background, reflecting expert booth design. - Ion Exhibits
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Stand Out at IFT FIRST 2026: Custom & Rental Trade Show Exhibits in Chicago

IFT FIRST isn’t just about food science and innovation, it’s about standing out in a room full of people who’ve seen a hundred booths before yours. With the food industry’s top minds converging on McCormick Place this July, a pop-up banner and a tablecloth won’t cut it. That’s where Ion Exhibits comes in.

July 12–15

2026 Show Dates

McCormick Place

Chicago, IL

15,500+

Attendees, 80+ countries

1,000+

Exhibitors on the floor

Smart Ideas Deserve Smarter Booths

Most booths don’t do your innovation justice. You’ve spent years developing a solution that could change the industry, and you’re going to trust that story to a folding table? At Ion, we design exhibits that feel as forward-thinking as your tech or formulation. Whether you’re launching a new ingredient, scaling a startup, or getting your R&D team comfortable talking to strangers, we build spaces that help you connect, explain, and impress.

See It In Action: MGP Ingredients at IFT FIRST

MGP Ingredients needed a booth that could carry their full ingredient portfolio and turn product education into real conversations on the floor. We built a custom exhibit with interactive product stations, dedicated meeting areas, and bold lighting that pulled people in from across the aisle. The result: more booth traffic than their previous years and stronger engagement with the prospects who mattered.

Read the full MGP case study

Chicago's Our Backyard, and McCormick Place Is Our Playbook

We know the ins and outs of McCormick Place the way we know our own shop. Labor rules, shipping timing, power placement, you name it, we’ve dealt with it. Our team has helped IFT exhibitors look sharp and stay on schedule for years. Tight timeline? Complex product? We’ve got custom and rental options that flex with your budget and your bandwidth.

A modern glass and steel convention center with a curved roof, large windows, and red bushes in front, set against a clear blue sky and a well-manicured green lawn. - Ion Exhibits
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IFT First EXHIBIT FAQS

How early should I start planning my IFT FIRST 2026 booth?

Most exhibitors start the design process 4–6 months out. Custom builds need more lead time for fabrication, rental exhibits give you more flexibility if you’re starting later. Reach out as soon as you know your booth size and budget.

Custom exhibits are built specifically for your brand and stay yours after the show. Rental exhibits use existing inventory styled to your brand, which costs less upfront and works well if your booth size or message changes year to year.

Yes. We manage full I&D, shipping, and logistics for McCormick Place, including labor rules and union requirements specific to the venue.

We’ve built everything from 10×10 inline booths to large island exhibits for IFT exhibitors. Tell us your space and we’ll design within it.

Let's Make Your Booth the One They Remember

You’re not just exhibiting, you’re educating, marketing, and telling a story. Whether it’s your first time at IFT or your fifteenth, we’ll help you hit the floor with confidence and something attendees can’t walk past.

Get Your IFT FIRST Quote