McCormick Place Internet for Exhibitors
McCormick Place Technology Services, the venue’s in-house department, is the exclusive provider of wired and Wi-Fi internet at McCormick Place. Its FY27 organizer rate sheet lists wired internet from $496 to $8,240 plus 16.15% tax; exhibitors pay more, and advance rates need a paid order typically 14 days before the first move-in day. MR·NET customers have deployed here.
Last verified October 8, 2026. Prices and rules change by show; confirm with the provider and your exhibitor manual.
Photo: Patrick Bray, US Army Corps of Engineers, public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
Sold by
Technology Services
McCormick Place’s in-house department. Exclusive provider.
Printed prices
$496 to $8,240
FY27 organizer rates, plus 16.15% tax. Exhibitors pay more.
Order by
14 days ahead
Complete, paid order, typically before the first move-in day.
MR·NET
Deployed here
MR·NET customers have deployed at McCormick Place.
What venue internet costs here
Printed rates, per show.
From the venue’s FY27 McCormick Place Rate Sheet for event organizers, effective June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027. These are organizer rates and exhibitors pay more; flat rates per event, plus 16.15% tax.
Basic wired and VIP Wi-Fi
Entry wired service, or venue Wi-Fi for one device.
Associate Class, 1 IP
$496
Executive Class, 2 IPs
$1,072
VIP Wireless, up to 1.5 Mbps
Call for quote
VIP Plus, up to 10 Mbps
Call for quote
VIP Ultimate
Call for quote
Dedicated wired lines
Dedicated bandwidth with 5 to 15 IP addresses.
3.0 Mbps, 5 IPs
$3,296
6.0 Mbps, 10 IPs
$6,592
12.0 Mbps, 15 IPs
$8,240
Organizer rates are discounted from exhibitor rates; an expired 2024 exhibitor guide printed 6.0 Mbps at $8,000 advance and $10,000 standard. Late, partial, on-site and changed orders pay standard rates. Executive and dedicated lines exclude labor to fan out from the main drop.
Bring MR·NET to McCormick Place
Deployed here by our customers.
What the rules cover, and how exhibitors set it up.
What the rule covers
McCormick Place “does not allow the transmission of IEEE standard 802.11(Wi-Fi) signals from self-contained portable Wi-Fi systems,” per its Event Organizer Internet Information (05/2026). It’s a Wi-Fi rule, and it doesn’t mention cellular gateways.
Set it up wired
McCormick’s rule is about 802.11 transmission, so switch MR·NET’s Wi-Fi off and plug payment terminals, laptops and demo screens into its four Ethernet ports. You add no Wi-Fi to the hall and never touch the venue’s network.
Federal law protects you
The FCC says no convention center or its network operator may block or disrupt personal Wi-Fi hot spots, and jamming Wi-Fi or cellular signals is illegal.
What you’d save at McCormick Place
Own it once, use it at every show.
Compared with a 6.0 Mbps dedicated line at McCormick Place at the FY27 organizer rate ($6,592, McCormick Place Rate Sheet, effective June 1, 2026). Organizer rates are discounted from exhibitor rates, so exhibitors pay more. Data: 25 GB a show day (our customers use 10 to 40 GB) for a 3-day show at $8/GB. Excludes shipping and tax.
Before the show
Five things to do.
Need a venue line too? Order and pay typically 14 days before first move-in.
Late, partial, on-site or changed orders pay the higher standard rates.
Pack a switch and Ethernet cables for your booth devices.
Run MR·NET with Wi-Fi off and test it at your office first.
Complimentary Wi-Fi “is not available in the Exhibit Hall unless the event has optioned to buyout.”
Questions exhibitors ask
About McCormick Place.
Who provides internet at McCormick Place?
McCormick Place Technology Services, the venue's in-house department. A May 2026 venue document calls McCormick Place “the exclusive provider of wired and IEEE Standard 802.11 Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet Services” in its facilities, apart from two hotels. Orders and questions go to Technology Services at 312-791-6113 or technology@mccormickplace.com.
How much does internet cost at McCormick Place?
Exhibitor prices are not published. The FY27 organizer rate sheet (June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027) lists wired internet from $496 for Associate Class to $8,240 for a 12.0 Mbps dedicated line, plus 16.15% tax; VIP wireless is “Call For Quote.” The venue says organizer rates are discounted from exhibitor rates, so exhibitors pay more. An expired 2024 exhibitor guide printed 6.0 Mbps at $8,000 advance.
When should I order internet at McCormick Place?
Per the venue's FAQ, advance rates need your complete order and payment by a deadline “typically 14 days prior to the first move-in day.” Each show sets its own date; a show-hosted copy for one May 16 to 19, 2026 show gave April 27, 2026. Late, partial, on-site and changed orders pay standard rates. Check your exhibitor manual for your show's date.
Can I bring my own internet to McCormick Place?
Yes. MR·NET customers have deployed at McCormick Place. The venue's Event Organizer Internet Information (05/2026) says McCormick Place “does not allow the transmission of IEEE standard 802.11(Wi-Fi) signals from self-contained portable Wi-Fi systems,” a Wi-Fi rule that doesn't mention cellular gateways. Run MR·NET with its Wi-Fi off and your devices on Ethernet, so you add no Wi-Fi to the hall. Your own Wi-Fi access point needs a waiver.
Can the venue block or jam my hotspot or cellular gateway?
No. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau says no convention center or network operator providing service there may intentionally block or disrupt personal Wi-Fi hot spots, and federal law prohibits jamming Wi-Fi or cellular signals. The FCC has fined a convention center internet provider $750,000 and a hotel operator $600,000 for blocking hotspots. If you suspect blocking, file a complaint at fcc.gov/complaints. This is not legal advice.
Is there cellular coverage inside McCormick Place?
McCormick Place publishes no cellular coverage statement. We found nothing on mccormickplace.com about a distributed antenna system or carrier coverage, so signal strength across its 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space is not documented. MR·NET bonds Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, so your booth doesn't rely on any single one. Test your setup before you ship.
How do I order venue internet at McCormick Place?
Use the venue's Technology Services Online Ordering page, or contact Technology Services at 312-791-6113 or technology@mccormickplace.com. Send the complete order, full payment and a floor plan by your show's advance deadline; partial orders pay standard rates. Only organizer rates are published, so request your show's exhibitor prices before you budget.
Sources and dates (checked October 8, 2026)
McCormick Place, Internet Services, services, speeds and contacts, © 2025.
McCormick Place, Wireless Internet, VIP wireless service, © 2025.
McCormick Place, Internet Services FAQ, deadlines, rates and exhibit hall Wi-Fi, © 2025.
McCormick Place, Technology Services Online Ordering, ordering and tax, © 2025.
McCormick Place, Event Organizer Internet Information, including the outside Wi-Fi equipment rule and waiver, marked 05/2026.
McCormick Place Rate Sheet, FY27, event organizer rates, effective June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.
McCormick Place, Event Management, © 2025.
McCormick Place, Planners, exhibit space, © 2025.
Exhibitor Ordering Guide and Facility Information, McCormick Place Technology Services, show-hosted, rates effective June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 (expired).
Internet Services at McCormick Place, show-hosted, for a May 16 to 19, 2026 show.
FCC Enforcement Advisory DA 15-113, January 27, 2015, and FCC news release on Wi-Fi blocking at convention centers, August 18, 2015.
MR·NET pricing. Prices and rules change by show; confirm with the provider and your exhibitor manual.
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MR·NET is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by McCormick Place or McCormick Place Technology Services. Nothing here is legal advice.