Before you pack your bags for Chicago, here’s what you need to know about the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show), from badge pickup and floor navigation to what’s worth your time once you’re there.
May 16 – 19, 2026
McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, May 16 – Monday, May 18:
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19:
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Badges are picked up onsite (not mailed).
Registration is at South Building (Room S102 or S103) or Lakeside Center (Level 2 Lobby).
If you’re arriving before the show opens, remote badge printing is available on Friday 5/15 and Saturday 5/16 (8am – 4pm) at the Hilton Chicago, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Chicago Sheraton Grand, and Chicago Marriott Mag Mile. Skip the morning line if you can.
The standard Expo badge covers all three halls — North, South, and Lakeside Center — plus the TECH Pavilion, Beverage Room, Global Food Expo, Kitchen Innovations Showroom, the Keynote, and all on-floor programming.
The Expo + Education upgrade adds 30+ operator-led sessions across tracks like Workforce Management, Technology Strategies, and Operations Solutions, plus recordings you can share with your team afterward.
Wear comfortable shoes. The floor is massive and you will feel it by end of day.
The scale catches most first-timers off guard. Multiple halls, demos running simultaneously, sessions all over the floor… it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind before you’ve even started. Come in with a plan.
Download the Show To Go app before you get there. Build your schedule, bookmark exhibitors, map your route.
Know why you’re there. Technology? Equipment? Supplier relationships? Education? Pick two or three priorities and let those drive your schedule.
Understand the floor layout. The show spans three halls, each with a different focus:
If you only have one day, pick the hall most relevant to what you came for. If you have two, you can cover more ground, but don’t try to do all three thoroughly in a single visit.
Plan for at least two days on the floor. One day isn’t enough to do it all.
Go to the New Attendees Meetup on Day 1. It’s a quick session built specifically for first-timers and worth your time before you start walking.
Bring more business cards than you think you need — or have your digital contact info ready. You’ll talk to more people than you planned.
What to pack:
The trap for repeat attendees is routine: same halls, same booths, same conversations. Push against that this year.
Spend real time in the TECH Pavilion in the North Hall. Restaurant technology is moving fast, and the gap between operators who’ve adopted modern tools and those still running on spreadsheets and gut feel is getting wider. If labor, scheduling, or cost control are on your radar, this is where you need to be.
If you’re bringing a team, split up. Divide the floor by hall or category, regroup at the end of each day. You’ll cover more ground and catch things you’d have otherwise missed.
Take advantage of the networking events. The NRA Show runs several official evening events, including an Industry Night Out and a Young Professionals Networking Party that are worth adding to your schedule, if you’re looking to connect outside of the show floor. Some require separate registration, so check the show’s event listings ahead of time.
Leave some time open. The best conversations at this show tend to be the ones you didn’t plan for.
Shuttles: Free shuttle service runs between McCormick Place and official partner hotels. Check the shuttle flyer for your hotel’s schedule before you go.
Coat and bag check: South Building (Level 1, near Gate 4 and Room S105) and Lakeside Center (Level 2, E256). There’s a fee, but useful if you’re accumulating materials throughout the day.
Luggage: Not allowed on the show floor.
ADA and mobility: Call or text 312-634-6030 for accessible shuttle assistance — request at least 30 minutes ahead. Mobility scooters are available through Scootaround at (888) 441-7575.
If you’re flying in, stay an extra night. Chicago in May is worth it.
The Riverwalk is walkable from most partner hotels and good for dinner after a long day on the floor. The Art Institute is one of the best museums in the country if you have a free morning. Navy Pier is right on the lake. And Chicago has a serious restaurant scene — deep dish is the obvious answer, but the city’s neighborhoods have a lot more going on. Ask around — people in this industry tend to have strong opinions about where to eat.
One practical note: Chicago in May can be unpredictable. Pack a layer for cooler evenings, especially if you’re planning to spend time outside.
We’ll be in the North Hall TECH Pavilion at booth #6678. Look for the magenta sign.
HotSchedules by Fourth is built for multi-unit restaurant operators who are serious about controlling labor costs, simplifying scheduling, managing payroll, and getting real visibility into what’s happening across their locations.
Margins are tight and labor is expensive — guessing doesn’t cut it anymore. Stop by for a live demo and see what the platform looks like in practice.
Already have time on the calendar with us? We’ll see you there.
Haven’t set up a meeting yet? Book time with our team ahead of the show, so we can make the most of your visit.
The NRA Show is one of the best opportunities all year to see what’s new, reconnect with people in the industry, and come back with ideas worth acting on.
Come prepared, give yourself enough time on the floor, and make room for the conversations you didn’t plan for. We’ll see you in Chicago.
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