Move-Out Bulletin
Thank You for participating in IMTS 2026!
Reminder: Exhibitor Move-Out Meeting is 9/17/2026 at 4PM in Room E350
Property Passes
Exhibitors are responsible for safeguarding their valuables. To ensure that people taking products off the floor are the owners of those products, property passes are required. Exhibitors can obtain these passes at the Security Office located in each building – North: N132, South: S101a, East/Lakeside: E251, and West: W182. Passes will be issued to exhibitors after showing their exhibitor badge along with a personal ID. The property pass will be valid for that day. Security will allow you to leave the building with your item(s).
Booth Dismantling
Exhibitor personnel should remain in their booth until all display material is secured. The move-out and dismantle period is a critical time for losses and theft. Make sure your small tools, gauges, and similar items are securely packed and out of sight.
Drayage
All exhibitors have been assigned an outbound target date and time. If you do not have this information, it is available in each of the GES ServiCenters. In order to avoid additional charges, be sure that your carrier is checked into the marshalling yard during the specified time window on your assigned target date.
All Shipments
All shipments must have a Bill of Lading showing the correct count of pieces, weight, destination, and correct billing address. Bills of Lading are available at the GES ServiCenter in each building – North: N230, East/Lakeside: E253, South: Show Floor Under Food Pods & West: Show Floor Under Food Pods.
Bills of Lading are to be turned in at the GES ServiCenter in your building only when the shipment is packed, labeled, and ready for pickup. This should be done by 3:30 p.m. the day prior to your move-out target date.
If you wish to ship via a specific carrier, you must name the carrier on the Bill of Lading and you must arrange to have the carrier pick up your shipment. If your carrier is not available, GES will ship via the best means possible. All carriers must check into the Marshalling Yard no later than 2:00 p.m. on your specified target move-out date. We suggest you notify your carrier to check in during your assigned window of time to avoid off-target charges.
If you have any questions about dismantling or shipping, please resolve them at the Exhibitor ServiCenter during the show. The Exhibitor ServiCenters are located in each building – North: N230, South: under food pods, East/Lakeside: E253, and West: under food pods.
Secured Freight
When the show ends, exhibitors need to pay close attention to packing up their booth. This can be the most confusing and vulnerable time at IMTS. Do not leave your exhibit unattended at any time. If you have valuables or prototypes, be sure to get them out of the building as soon as possible. IMTS is a large show; it will take up to eight hours for crates to be returned to your booth – be prepared to wait or hire a security guard to relieve you.
To ensure that your crates will be picked up on time, make your shipping arrangements prior to the end of the show. Complete all Bills of Lading and keep a copy for your records. Be sure to have an itemized packing list for the outbound shipments. Stay with your crates and boxes until the freight carrier comes to load them for shipping. When your shipments arrive back at your plant or office, check all containers immediately. If there is anything missing, contact your freight carrier promptly. It is difficult to trace shipments when considerable time has elapsed.
Small, valuable items can be held in the 24-hour security rooms for pickup by your freight carrier or representative. Your Bill of Lading should indicate that you have materials in the 24-hour security rooms which are to be included in your shipment.
The security contractor for IMTS can answer any questions you have on securing your booth material for the move-out, including secured freight and other security options. This can help to reduce or eliminate losses and missing products after the show. They will be glad to inform you of the many options you have in making the move-out period both safe and successful. Security offices are located in each building – North: N132, South: S101a, East: E251, and West: W182. You may also contact security at:
- South Security 312-791-6725
- East Security 312-949-3205
- North Security 312-808-2211
- West Security 312-949-8730
Freeman Electrical Service
Power will be turned off two hours after the published show closing times as follows: 7:00 PM in the East and West Buildings and 8:00 PM in the North and South Buildings on September 19. Please be sure your machines are in the proper dismantling position. For disconnections at the close of the show, electricians will automatically come to your booth to disconnect the service. Please do not attempt to disconnect the power yourself. This is a violation of the City of Chicago Electrical and Fire Department rules. If specific arrangements need to be made for disconnecting equipment in your booth, or if you need power on in your booth beyond the times listed above, please visit the Freeman Service Desk in your building no later than 12pm on September 19. Additional charges may apply.
Display Material and Machinery
Charges for tearing down and packing of display materials, reskidding of machines, covering machines in booth and electrical work will be subject to the rates in your e-Kit. If you have further questions, please visit one of the GES ServiCenters: East, E253; North, N230; West, Show Floor – Under Food Pods; South, Show Floor – Under Food Pods.
Overseas Exhibitors
Be sure you coordinate with your freight forwarder or DSV Air & Sea, Inc on the move-out. DSV Air & Sea, Inc has been contacting each exhibitor regarding outbound shipment overseas. If you have any questions regarding the return of your freight, please contact:
DSV Air & Sea, Inc.
400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 300
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Tel: 1-650-869 5880 – Ext. 1226
Herbert.kaltschmid@us.dsv.com
events@us.dsv.com
www.us.dsv.com
- North & South Buildings
Herbert Kaltschmid | Cell: (650) 455-8215 - East Building:
Leonardo Moura | Cell: (224) 660-3271 - West Building & China Support:
Amy Bow | Cell: (650) 866-9148
Questions on Billing
If you have questions about charges from an IMTS vendor, it is recommended that you resolve these issues at the show.
Lead Retrieval Return
Lead Retrieval Units are available for return through Saturday, September 19, 2026, and all units must be returned within two hours of the building closing. They should be returned to the Martiz Lead Retrieval Location in your building:
- North Building: N231
- South Building: S102
- East Building: E255
- West Building: under Food Pod in the ServiCenter
PLEASE RETURN UNITS AND SUPPLIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER SHOW CLOSING
Early Dismantling of Exhibits Prohibited
In compliance with the City of Chicago Fire Regulations and the Chicago Electrical Code, dismantling of exhibits on Sept. 19, 2026, is prohibited before 5:00 pm in East & West Buildings and 6:00 pm in the North & South Buildings. Show Management and representatives of the city will monitor all exhibit floors to deter exhibitors from dismantling their exhibits early. Any exhibits breaking this rule are subject to a safety violation citation.
IMTS Move-out Work Hours
Exhibitors & EACs will have access to the exhibit halls from 8:00am – 4:30pm, September 20-25 for the East, North, West and South buildings. If you need to be in the hall before or after standard hours, please visit the IMTS Show Office in your building for approval. Labor work hours will be from 8:00am – 4:30pm weekdays unless special arrangements are made with GES.
IMTS 2028 Exhibit Space Applications due Oct. 30, 2026
Priority in assignment of IMTS 2028 exhibit space will be given to companies who submit their application and 10% deposit by October 30, 2026.
Apply in person. Electronic kiosks are available in the IMTS North/South Show & Sales Office, N427bc; a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AMEX) may be used to pay your deposit. Payments must accompany applications for them to be processed.
You may also apply online via your e-Kit using your booking code. Don't know your code? Reach out to us at info@imts.com or 800-828-7469.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING IMTS 2026 A SUCCESS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION!
IMTS SHOW MANAGEMENT