If you plan to exhibit at CES, VMX or IPPE, know that January packs three major shows into less than a month, and each one has its own rulebook, its own discount deadlines and its own labor rules. If you miss a date, the surcharge lands on your show invoice. So this guide puts the January 2027 deadlines, labor rules and posted costs for CES, VMX and IPPE in one place. It is written by Blink Studio, a family-owned trade show exhibit house headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
By the Blink Studio team
For exhibit and event managers planning 20×20-plus booths or three or more shows a year.
The three January 2027 shows at a glance: exhibit at CES, VMX or IPPE
| Show | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| CES | Jan 6–9, 2027 | Las Vegas |
| VMX | Jan 16–20, 2027 (exhibit floor Jan 16–19) | Orange County Convention Center, Orlando |
| IPPE | Jan 26–28, 2027 | Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta |
Dates are from each show’s official announcements; confirm them on the show site before you book travel.
What are the deadlines to exhibit at CES, VMX and IPPE in January 2027?
Discount deadlines are the ones that add surcharges, so put them on your calendar first. Also, always confirm them on the official CES and IPPE sites. These are the dates we found:
CES 2027
- Dec 1: deadline for EACs to register with Freeman.
- Dec 4: hanging signs must reach the Freeman advance warehouse to get the advance rate.
- Discount deadlines for other show-service orders: see the CES exhibitor kit.
VMX 2027
- OCCC building services, Freeman discount orders and the EAC form each have their own deadline in the VMX 2027 exhibitor kit.
IPPE 2027
- Jan 5: advance order discount deadline for several show vendors.
- Jan 5: EAC form due to GES, with proof of insurance.
Sources for these dates: Freeman’s CES show information, the IPPE exhibitor resources page and the GES exhibitor planning calendar.
Can I set up my own booth when I exhibit at CES, VMX or IPPE?
The answer depends on the state and the venue, so check the exhibitor manual of each show to see what you can do yourself and what requires show labor.
Whatever the rule, the EAC form and its deadline decide who can work in your booth, so do not leave it for the last week. In addition, some shows charge an administrative fee on EAC jobs, ranging from $50 to $500 per job in exhibitor manuals (EACA column in Exhibit City News).
What does it cost to exhibit at CES, VMX and IPPE? The posted rates
Costs vary by show and venue. CES posts its material handling rate in the exhibitor manual: $0.71 per lb at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with a 100 lb minimum. VMX and IPPE publish their material handling, labor and booth space rates in their exhibitor kits, so check them before you budget.
Material handling is billed by weight, so a lighter booth pays less at every show. If you want more detail, we break the math down in our guide to trade show material handling. If you want the full picture of what a 20×20 costs per show, see what a 20×20 booth really costs in 2027.
Month by month: what to do before you exhibit at CES in January
- Now: confirm your shipping weight and carrier plan for each show.
- By Dec 1: register any EAC for CES with Freeman.
- By Dec 4: get CES hanging signs to the advance warehouse to keep the advance rate.
- December: place VMX orders and file the EAC form by the dates in the VMX exhibitor kit.
- By Jan 5: place IPPE discount orders and file the IPPE EAC form with GES.
- Jan 6–9: CES. Jan 16–20: VMX. Jan 26–28: IPPE.
Frequently asked questions
When is the deadline to exhibit at CES 2027?
For CES 2027, Freeman lists Dec 1 as the deadline for EACs to register and Dec 4 for hanging signs to reach the advance warehouse at the advance rate. Discount dates for other show-service orders are in the CES exhibitor kit.
When are the VMX 2027 exhibitor deadlines?
VMX 2027 lists its deadlines for OCCC building services, Freeman discount orders and the EAC form in the VMX exhibitor kit. Check it as soon as your space is confirmed.
When are the IPPE 2027 exhibitor deadlines?
For IPPE 2027, the advance order discount deadline for several show vendors and the GES deadline for EAC forms are both Jan 5, 2027.
How much does it cost to exhibit at CES?
Plan for show-site charges beyond booth space, such as material handling ($0.71 per lb at the Las Vegas Convention Center, per the CES exhibitor manual), I&D labor and electrical. Weight, labor hours and order timing drive most of the bill.
Next step
Planning a booth for CES, VMX or IPPE? Contact our team to talk through your deadlines and learn about our pricing.
Related reading: Trade show material handling in 2027 · What a 20×20 booth really costs in 2027 · Trade show checklist for custom and island booths · Get a quote.
Sources: CES exhibitor manuals; Freeman, CES general show information; IPPE exhibitor resources and the GES exhibitor planning calendar; EACA column on EAC fees, Exhibit City News.
