Exhibit Builders for IPW 2027

Why IPW Exhibit Builders Need to Design for Appointments

IPW puts a strong emphasis on pre-scheduled business appointments, alongside media meetings and networking events. Much of your time is spent at a table, and that changes what you need from a builder:

• Seats come first. IPW allows up to four exhibitor registrations per 10×10 booth (including the Key Contact), 16 on a 20×20 island and 24 on a 20×30 island. A 10×10 linear booth gets up to 44 pre-scheduled buyer appointments in 2027 (IPW booth types). Plan a table for each person who will take appointments at the same time.
• Linear booths stop at 8 ft. IPW keeps an 8 ft height limit on linear booths so sightlines stay clear. Your back wall and side drape carry the branding, so the graphics have to work within that height.
• Show the destination fast. Buyers walk between back-to-back meetings. Strong imagery, a clear name and a screen with short video help them find you and remember you.
• Plan for partners. Destinations often share a booth with hotels or attractions. A shared booth needs a layout where each partner has a table and a visible spot.
• Teardown is quick. The 2027 schedule gives two hours for booth teardown after the Marketplace closes. A booth that packs down fast saves labor and stress.

IPW 2027 Dates and Schedule in New Orleans

The IPW 2027 dates are May 2–6, with move-in from April 30. Business appointments run May 4–6 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (IPW 2027 schedule). IPW calls this an early look, so check the IPW schedule again before you book travel and freight.

IPW 2027 Exhibitor Timeline and Deadlines

IPW has published most of its 2027 sales dates. Service-order and contractor deadlines come later in the exhibitor kit. The status column shows what's confirmed. Cancellations on or after February 17, 2027 get no refund.

IPW Booth Types, Inclusions and Rules

IPW offers three main booth types for 2027, plus an optional Turnkey Décor package (IPW booth types):

Two rules from IPW's 2025 Freeman guide are worth briefing your builder on now:

• Islands could be built to 16 ft and rigged to 20 ft in 2025.
• Exhibitors brought their own flooring. Every booth except Express needed flooring; the aisles are carpeted.

Confirm both in the 2027 exhibitor kit before you approve a design.

IPW Booth Cost: Space Rates and Who Bills What

An IPW budget has four parts, and they may be billed separately. Builders usually quote only the booth itself, so account for all four before comparing proposals.

What IPW booth space costs in 2027

IPW prices linear and island space per sq ft (IPW 2027 pricing):

For a U.S. exhibitor, that works out to:

Islands also pay a variance fee on top of the square-foot price: $6,000 for Engage members and $12,000 for Inform members and non-members. Express booths are a flat $5,700 (Inform member) or $6,300 (non-member). Engage-level Standard and Hybrid members may qualify for one complimentary 10×10, subject to IPW's membership terms. Confirm eligibility with IPW before you budget.

Badges: the Key Contact badge is free. Extra exhibitor badges cost $1,400 (Engage), $1,800 (Inform) or $2,000 (non-member) through November 20, 2026, then $200 more.

Additional IPW booth costs and options: Turnkey Décor costs $3,000 (10×10 basic), $5,000 (10×10 upgraded), $6,000 (10×20 basic) or $11,000 (10×20 upgraded), with a late graphics fee after March 19, 2027. The Shared Booth Option is $2,000 per 10×10, and island overhead space is $2,000. The triangle hanging banner is $4,000, for members only. Extra appointments cost $600 (Engage), $900 (Inform) or $1,000 (non-member) (IPW 2027 pricing).

What changes the rest of the budget

• Seating. Each extra appointment table adds furniture and space.
• Screens and power. Video walls and monitors add electrical and AV orders.
• Build or rent. A reusable custom booth can make sense if you exhibit at several travel shows a year and can adapt it to different spaces. A rental can lower the upfront cost for a one-off show, but compare the full cost of graphics, freight, installation, dismantle and storage.
• Timing. Booking by November 20 locks in early space and badge rates.

If you're weighing a full custom structure, see how custom trade show booths are usually priced and built, and use our trade show budget planning guide.

IPW Booth Builders, Labor and Move-In at the Morial Convention Center

IPW hasn't released its 2027 contractor rules. The 2025 rules below are for reference only; confirm the 2027 requirements in the exhibitor kit when it's published (Freeman and IPW 2025):

• Freeman was the official services contractor, for flooring, furniture, AV, electrical, material handling, rigging and display labor.
• Outside builders needed approval. An exhibitor-appointed contractor (EAC) filed an IPW form, with $1 million in general liability and $100,000 in workers' compensation insurance, a few weeks before the show.
• Your own staff could do light setup. Full-time employees could use hand tools and ladders up to 6 ft, but not forklifts, lifts or pallet jacks.
• Express booths couldn't add upgraded furniture or décor.

Ask your builder how it will handle the EAC form, insurance and the two-hour teardown window on May 6. Send shipping questions to the builder early too; see our guide to trade show shipping.

IPW Booth Design: Custom Build or Booth Rental

Whether an IPW booth rental or a custom build fits depends on your booth type, how many meetings you run and how often you exhibit.

More on how trade show booth rental works, when modular booths make sense, and what a turnkey trade show service covers.

IPW booth design ideas that work for appointments

• Make the destination the hero. One strong image and your name, readable from the aisle.
• Give every seat a view of your story. A screen behind the table lets you show video during a meeting.
• Hide the clutter. Brochures, bags and coats need storage that isn't the table.

IPW Floor Plan and Exhibitor List

IPW's interactive 2027 floor plan is live, and it also serves as the IPW exhibitor list as companies sign up. Booth assignments go out on February 3, 2027. A booth commitment by December 4, 2026 qualifies you for regional placement, which groups you with your region on the floor.

Once you have a booth number, send your builder the floor plan with your open sides, neighbors and nearest aisles marked.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an IPW Booth Builder

Send the same questions to every builder you're comparing. For a wider checklist, see our guide to hiring a trade show booth builder.

• Have you built appointment-led booths? Ask for photos of booths with several tables and how they handled seating.
• What's in your quote, and what isn't? Freight, flooring, installation labor, graphics, furniture and storage should each be a clear yes or no.
• Who arranges the show services? Confirm how flooring, electrical and furniture are ordered, and whether your builder or your team handles each order.
• How does the design meet IPW's rules? Ask them to mark the 8 ft linear limit, or island heights, on the drawing.
• Can you tear down in two hours? IPW's 2027 teardown window is 4:30–6:30 p.m. on May 6.
• Can we reuse this booth at other travel shows? Ask how it adapts to other sizes and what storage costs.

Start Planning Your IPW 2027 Booth

Tell us your booth type, how many appointment tables you need, your partners and your budget. Compare proposals from IPW 2027 exhibit builders to see how each design, build or rental option, installation plan and quoted cost fits your needs.

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