Looking for IMS 2027 exhibit builders? IMS, the IEEE IMS or International Microwave Symposium, runs May 23 to 28, 2027, in San Antonio, with the exhibition open May 25 to 27. It is the flagship RF and microwave show of the IEEE MTT-S. Exhibitorly helps you compare builders, review portfolios, and request proposals that fit your goals and budget.
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IMS 2027
Event datesMay 23 – 28, 2027Exhibition May 25–27
Attendees8,808+Registered attendees, latest figure on the IMS site
OrganizerMTT-SIEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society
Exhibitors525+Exhibiting companies, latest figure on the IMS site
VenueHenry B. González Convention Center900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Event details last updated
About IMS 2027
IMS 2027 is the next International Microwave Symposium. The show now bills itself as the IEEE International MTT Symposia. It is the flagship event of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society, which turns 75 in 2027. The theme is "Ride the Current." This is the first time the symposium has come to San Antonio.
Buyers on the floor look for active and passive components, chips, antennas and materials, test equipment, control and signal processing parts, and software.
These builders can design, build, or rent your booth. Compare their portfolios, then send each one the same brief.
Booth Builders for IMS 2027
Hand-picked, vetted exhibit builders with proven portfolios, ready to build your booth.
Metro Exhibits tops the list of custom trade show exhibit designers and provides the turnkey experience preferred by thousands of exhibitors. We design and fabricate custom displays in one of our three nationwide locations, for rent or purchase. Our wrap-around support includes every aspect of trade show exhibiting, including all show services, transportation, installation and dismantle and storage. Our MetroPlus division provides a comprehensive line of promotional items, cloud-based portal marketing inventory management, and event management.
At Pure Exhibits, we are passionate about helping businesses create memorable trade show experiences that leave a lasting impression. Our mission is to design and build custom trade show booths that perfectly align with each client's unique brand identity and requirements. We understand that navigating the trade show landscape can be overwhelming, which is why we strive to simplify the rental process for our clients.
Las Vegas’ Premier Turnkey Exhibit Partner Elevate your brand with custom booth design and local fabrication experts. We provide seamless, cost-effective solutions from 3D concept to on-site installation, ensuring your business stands out on the Las Vegas convention floor for any tradeshow event.
Booth size and type. Inline, corner, peninsula, or island, plus your booth number once you have it.
Your products. Chips, modules, connectors, antennas, materials, or test gear. Share sizes and how many pieces you show.
Demo needs. Live demos, screens, test benches, power, and data.
Meeting space. How many people you want to seat, and whether you need a closed or open area.
Hospitality plans. Say if you plan to host guests during the industry reception on Wednesday.
Graphics and budget. Send logos, brand colors, and a budget range.
Why IMS Booth Builders Need Technical-Show Experience
IMS is an engineering show. Attendees come to meet suppliers and judge parts, not to browse. The show's own survey says 82.4% of attendees rate setting up meetings with exhibitors as important or critical. About 45.9% buy the exhibit-only pass, so many visitors skip the technical sessions and go straight to the floor.
That changes what you need from a builder:
Products are small and costly. Chips, modules, and connectors need good lighting and secure display. Ask to see lit product cases.
Engineers ask detailed questions. The booth needs seats, a table, and a screen, so a talk can go deep.
Demos need power. Test gear and live demos need clean layout, cable paths, and enough outlets.
Meetings are the goal. Plan the booth around private chats, not just a front counter.
The show is short. The hall is open three days, and Thursday closes at 3:00 p.m.
A large custom island is not the only answer. A tidy inline booth with a demo wall and a small meeting table may fit better. Ask IMS booth builders which size they build best.
IMS San Antonio Dates, Hours and Venue
The symposia run May 23 to 28, 2027. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Thursday. All times are Central Time.
Day
Date
Exhibition hours
Tue
May 25, 2027
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wed
May 26, 2027
9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thu
May 27, 2027
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Industry Hosted Reception runs Wednesday, May 26, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The show's exhibitor prospectus lists these hours.
IMS is held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. The show site has a page on IMS 2027 in San Antonio and an official housing page with an exhibitor hotel link.
Many listings give the full May 23 to 28 span. Those dates cover the whole symposium week. The exhibit floor is open on May 25 to 27 only.
Exhibitor Timeline for the International Microwave Symposium
IMS has not published many 2027 deadlines yet. The status column shows what is confirmed and what is planning advice.
When
What to do
Now
Use the exhibit space application on the prospectus page. The floor plan and exhibitor list are already live
Not yet seen
2027 booth prices and payment due dates
Not yet seen
Exhibitor service kit, decorator forms and move-in schedule
Nov 2026 to Feb 2027
Choose a builder and agree on the brief
Before the show
Book exhibitor hotels through the official housing link
Sun, May 23, 2027
Symposia week begins
Tue, May 25 to Thu, May 27
Exhibition open. See hours above
Wed, May 26, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Industry Hosted Reception on the show floor
After Thu, May 27 close
Dismantle
Do not plan around 2026 dates or rules. IMS has not published a 2027 move-in or dismantle schedule.
What Comes With Booth Space at IEEE IMS
The 2027 inclusions are not yet published. The 2026 exhibition overview gave this list, so use it only as a guide.
Inline booths in 2026: 8 ft high back wall drape, 3 ft high side rails, and an ID sign with the company name and booth number.
Not included in 2026: carpet, utilities, furniture, and accessories. These could be rented through the official show decorator.
Floor covering in 2026: all exhibitors had to cover their full exhibit space.
Staff badges in 2026: the StartUp Pavilion package included 3 exhibitor staff badges. Check the 2027 badge count for your space.
Ask exhibit management to confirm each item for 2027 before your builder prices flooring, power, and furniture.
IMS Booth Cost: What You Pay and Who Bills It
Your budget has three parts. They may be billed by different parties.
Bill
Who bills you
What to budget for
Booth space
IEEE MTT-S exhibit management
Space by size, plus corner fees and any pavilion or package
Show services
The official show decorator
Carpet, furniture, power, material handling and labor
Your exhibit
Your builder and other suppliers
Design, build or rental, graphics, freight, install and dismantle
Builders usually quote only the exhibit. Ask each one to show what is included and what you pay for separately.
What booth space costs at IMS in 2026
IMS has not published 2027 booth prices on the pages we reviewed. The 2026 exhibition overview listed exhibit space at $4,600 per 10 × 10 booth, with a $460 fee for each corner. The table below multiplies that 2026 rate by area, for inline space only. It is a budgeting guide, not a 2027 price.
Booth size
Area
2026 rate × area
10 × 10
100 sq ft
$4,600
10 × 20
200 sq ft
$9,200
20 × 20
400 sq ft
$18,400
20 × 30
600 sq ft
$27,600
30 × 30
900 sq ft
$41,400
These totals are our math. They do not include corner fees, carpet, power, or furniture. Confirm the 2027 rate with the show before you set a budget.
The pages we could review do not list 2027 booth height limits, hanging sign rules, or multi-level rules. We will not borrow another show's numbers.
Before design starts, ask exhibit management for:
Height limits for inline, peninsula, and island booths.
Hanging sign rules and any approval steps.
Multi-level booth rules.
Flooring and power rules for demo gear.
The exhibitor manual and its order deadlines.
Share the answers with your builder in writing. A design that breaks a rule can cost you days on the floor.
Outside Builders, Labor and Move-In at IMS 2027
The 2026 overview said carpet and other items are rented through the official show decorator. It did not name the 2027 decorator, and the 2027 service kit is not yet public.
Things to confirm with the show:
Who the 2027 decorator is and when its order forms open.
Whether outside builders must register and send an insurance certificate.
Light your products. Small parts need good lighting and a closer look.
Make a meeting corner. A small table and two or three seats work well.
Plan your demo. Put power, screens, and cables where they cannot trip a visitor.
IMS 2027 Floor Plan and Exhibitor List
The show has an interactive IMS 2027 floor plan and a searchable IMS exhibitor list. Both are updated as new companies sign up, so check them often. The list shows each company name and booth number. Some entries also show product tags.
Once you have a booth number, send your builder a marked-up floor plan. Include:
Open sides. Which sides face main aisles decides where your best graphics go.
Neighbors. A big neighbor can draw traffic or crowd your front.
Competitors nearby. Plan your signage and demo timing with them in mind.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire an IMS Booth Builder
Send the same questions to every builder. The answers tell you more than renders do.
Have you built for technical or engineering shows? Ask for photos of product cases, demo walls, and meeting areas.
What is in your quote, and what is not? Freight, install labor, graphics, flooring, power, and furniture should each be a clear yes or no.
How will you handle rules that are not yet published? A good builder will design with room to adjust.
Can you work with the official decorator? Ask who orders power, flooring, and handling.
Have you worked at the Henry B. González Convention Center? Local experience helps with load-in and labor.
Who is on site during setup? Ask for a named project manager.
The symposia run May 23 to 28, 2027. The exhibition is open May 25 to 27. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Where is IMS 2027 held?
It is held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The show site calls it the first IMS in San Antonio.
What does IMS stand for?
IMS is the International Microwave Symposium. The show is run by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society and now bills itself as the IEEE International MTT Symposia. People also search for it as IEEE IMS.
How much does a booth cost at IMS 2027?
IMS has not published 2027 booth prices on the pages we reviewed. In 2026, space was $4,600 per 10 × 10 booth, plus $460 per corner. Confirm the 2027 rate with exhibit management.
What is included with a booth?
The 2027 list is not yet published. In 2026, inline booths got an 8 ft back wall drape, 3 ft side rails, and an ID sign. Carpet, power, and furniture were extra.
Who is the official contractor, and can I use my own builder?
The 2027 decorator is not named on the pages we reviewed. Ask exhibit management who it is and whether outside builders must register. Check this before you sign a build contract.
How tall can my booth be?
IMS has not published 2027 height limits on the pages we reviewed. Ask exhibit management for the exhibitor manual. Do not use another show's limits.
How many people attend, and how many exhibit?
The show site lists 8,808 registered attendees from 53 countries and more than 525 exhibiting companies, including 101 first-timers. It does not state which year those figures are from, and other pages on the site give higher country counts.
Should I rent or build a custom booth?
Rent if this is your first IMS or your one big show this year. Build custom if you exhibit often and can reuse the structure. A small team may do best with an inline booth and a meeting table.
How do I find exhibit builders for this show?
Look for builders with technical-show experience and San Antonio installs. Send each one the same brief so you can compare layout, services, and cost. Exhibitorly lists builders, portfolios, and a proposal request form.
Where can I find the floor plan and exhibitor list?
Both are on the show's website. The interactive floor plan and the searchable exhibitor list update as booths sell. Each entry shows a booth number.
Is there an industry reception on the show floor?
Yes. The show lists an Industry Hosted Reception on Wednesday, May 26, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The show site does not say how it is set up for 2027.
Where was IMS in 2026?
IMS2026 was in Boston, with the exhibit floor at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The show site lists 2027 as its first year in San Antonio.
This guide is independent. Exhibitorly is not affiliated with IMS or the IEEE. Event details come from the organizer's latest published information and can change. Check the official event website before you book.
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