Shipping Overview
The AHR Expo is a “targeted” show. This means all booth material needs to arrive according to a schedule based on where you choose to ship and your booth location.
2027 Target Move-In Plan will be available fall 2026
Exhibitors are free to use the carrier of their choice but Freeman is responsible for all freight moving in and out of the facility (coordinating move-in & move-out, material handling, etc).
Regardless of the shipping destination, all shipments must be accompanied by a certified weight ticket and bill of lading which will be used for material handling invoicing. Drivers should have these readily available.
Visit Freeman Online (coming soon) for complete shipping and material handling information.
Shipping Destination Options
Advanced (Warehouse) Shipments | Arrive by January 14
Starting December 22 through January 14, exhibitors may ship their freight in advance to the Freeman Chicago warehouse to be stored and brought to the convention center without any charge other than material handling. Freight arriving at the warehouse after January 14, will be received with an additional after deadline charge.
The warehouse does not accept uncrated freight (loose, pad-wrapped material and/or un-skidded machinery), COD shipments, hazardous materials, freight requiring refrigerated or frozen storage, a single piece of freight weighing more than 5,000 pounds or a single piece of freight beyond the dimensions of 108"H x 93"W.
Freeman will deliver warehouse freight to the designated booth no later than the time assigned on the target move-in plan (available fall 2026).
The warehouse accepts deliveries Monday - Friday, 8am - 3:30pm and is closed on weekends, December 24 + 25, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
Warehouse shipping address:
Exhibiting Company Name / Booth Number
2027 AHR Expo
C/O Freeman
2500 West 35th St
Chicago, IL 60632
USA
Download Warehouse Shipping Labels (coming soon)
Download Shipping Labels for Hanging Signs (coming soon)
Direct (Convention Center) Shipments | Arrive per target schedule
Shipments may go directly to McCormick Place scheduled to arrive on the “target” day and time as assigned on the target move-in plan. At the scheduled time, freight carriers must check in at the marshaling yard to be put in a queue for unloading. Drivers need to be aware there will be a wait time upon arrival.
DHL, FedEx, and UPS are not recommended for shipping directly to the convention center due to weekend delivery limitations and restrictive delivery procedures.
Target Move-In Plan (available fall 2026)
Marshalling Yard Information (coming soon)
Show site shipping address:
Exhibiting Company Name / Booth Number
2027 AHR Expo
McCormick Place
C/O Freeman
2301 South Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60616-1497
USA
Download Show Site Shipping Labels (coming soon)
Unloading a Personally Owned Vehicle (POV)
Exhibitors planning to load or unload from a personal vehicle should first refer to the Automobile and Small Utility Vehicle (ASUV) Program on the McCormick Place website.
The vehicles shown below are permitted vehicles to deliver and pick up trade show equipment at McCormick Place:
NOTE: Trailers and box trucks/step vans are not permitted.
The ASUV program hours tbd.
Learn more about McCormick’s ASUV Program
Freeman Assisted
POV cart service will be available for a fee from Freeman Exhibitor Services during move in and move out. During peak periods, wait time may exceed 2-3 hours. (more information coming late summer 2026)
Unassisted “Hand Carry”
Vehicle unloading is not permitted in driveways or entry ways of the McCormick Place campus. Personal vehicles not utilizing the ASUV Program, must be parked and unloaded in one of McCormick Place’s parking lots. You may hand carry your items or utilize a non-motorized, non-hydraulic hand truck or dolly to transport your items from your vehicle to the exhibit hall. There is no additional cost besides the daily parking fee to use this option.
Getting Materials to the Booth
Freeman is the only party permitted to unload trucks and move material to an exhibitor’s booth. This is called material handling, and the cost includes transport of materials from the shipping dock of the advance warehouse or event venue to the exhibit space, storage and return of empty containers, and transport of materials from the exhibit space to the outbound transportation vehicle.
General material handling rate = $2.50/lb.
Outbound Shipments
Regardless of their freight transportation provider, all exhibitors shipping freight out from McCormick Place after the show must fill out the Freeman Outbound Shipping Form (material handling agreement) (coming soon) to arrange for their freight to be returned to the docks for outbound pick-up. The material handling agreement will be delivered to the exhibitor’s booth during the show and must be returned to the Exhibitor Services Center with outbound shipping information in advance of move-out. All exhibitor materials must be removed from the exhibit facility by Saturday, January 30 at 11:00am. Please have your outbound carrier check-in at the marshaling yard by 8:00 am.
If no outbound carrier information is submitted, Freeman reserves the right to return the freight to the company address on file at the exhibitor's expense.
QUESTIONS? Contact Freeman at exhibitorsupport@freeman.com or 888-508-5054