ABCA 2027 Convention: Booth Furniture and the December 18 Outside Vendor Deadline

The American Baseball Coaches Association brings its 2027 convention to McCormick Place from January 7 to 10, with the trade show running January 7 to 9. If you’re exhibiting and want booth furniture from your own vendor instead of the show’s official contractor, the date that matters is Friday, December 18, 2026. That’s ABCA’s deadline for telling the show you’re using an exhibitor appointed contractor (EAC).

This guide covers the key ABCA 2027 dates, how the outside vendor process works, and what furniture tends to work in coaching-industry booths. For the general rules on bringing your own vendor into the building, see our McCormick Place EAC guide.

ABCA 2027 key dates

• December 18, 2026: deadline for exhibitors to submit ABCA’s EAC form if they’re using any contractor other than Freeman.
• January 6–7, 2027: exhibitor check-in.
• January 7–9, 2027: trade show. ABCA lists the hours as tentative, so check the exhibitor resources page before you set staffing.
• January 7–10, 2027: full convention at McCormick Place.

Sources: ABCA’s trade show information and exhibitor resources pages.

How to use your own furniture vendor at ABCA

Freeman is ABCA’s general service contractor, and booth furniture ordered through the show goes through Freeman. You’re free to rent from another company instead, but ABCA has to hear about it from you, the exhibitor, before the deadline.

1. Pick your vendor and confirm the order. Agree on pieces, quantities, branding and delivery timing first, so the EAC form matches what will actually show up.
2. Submit ABCA’s EAC form by December 18. It’s linked from ABCA’s exhibitor resources page. You’ll need your vendor’s company name and contact details.
3. Make sure your vendor is set up with McCormick Place. The building has its own requirements for outside contractors, including insurance. An experienced vendor handles this on its side.
4. Coordinate delivery with move-in. Your vendor should know your booth number, hall and move-in window.

Miss the deadline and ABCA’s rules say Freeman does the work, with your outside contractor limited to supervising. For furniture, that usually means falling back to the show’s catalog.

Booth furniture that works for coaching-industry exhibitors

ABCA’s floor is full of equipment, training and technology companies talking to coaches who stop by between sessions. Booths that do well usually give those conversations somewhere to happen:

• A branded counter at the front. A registration counter with your logo gives staff a place to scan badges, demo an app or hand out samples.
• Bar-height tables and stools. Cocktail tables and bar stools suit short conversations and video demos without taking much floor.
• Charging furniture. Coaches spend long days on their phones. A charging table or kiosk keeps people in your booth for a few extra minutes.
• A small lounge for bigger booths. In island booths, a few lounge chairs and a coffee table create a quieter spot for team and program-level conversations.
• Display pedestals. Pedestals lift gloves, bats, sensors and other products to eye level.

Our full trade show range is on our trade show furniture rental in Chicago page.

A working timeline for ABCA 2027

• Now through early December: settle your booth layout and furniture list, and confirm any logo branding so it can be produced in time.
• By December 18: submit ABCA’s EAC form.
• Late December: confirm delivery details with your vendor. Holiday weeks are short, so don’t leave this until January.
• January 6–7: check in, receive furniture and set the booth before the show floor opens.

ABCA booth furniture with Modern Event Rental

We work at McCormick Place throughout the year from our warehouse and fabrication shop in Elk Grove Village. Many of our counters, bars and pedestals are built in-house, and most can carry your logo in vinyl. Send us your booth number and size, and we’ll put together a furniture plan and handle delivery, setup and pickup. All you file is ABCA’s EAC form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the ABCA 2027 convention?

The ABCA 2027 convention runs January 7 to 10, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The trade show runs January 7 to 9.

What is the ABCA 2027 EAC deadline?

Exhibitors using any contractor other than Freeman must submit ABCA’s EAC form by Friday, December 18, 2026.

Who is the official contractor for ABCA 2027?

Freeman is ABCA’s general service contractor, and furniture ordered through the show goes through Freeman.

What happens if I miss the ABCA EAC deadline?

ABCA’s rules say that without the authorization by December 18, Freeman performs the work and your outside contractor can only supervise. Contact ABCA right away if you’ve missed it.

Can Modern Event Rental brand furniture for an ABCA booth?

Yes. Most of our counters, bars and pedestals can carry your logo in vinyl. Confirm artwork early so branding is ready before move-in.