PLMA Chicago 2026 runs from November 15 to 17, 2026, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) organizes the show, and buyers, importers, and distributors use it to meet store-brand suppliers face to face.
This guide covers who should attend PLMA Chicago 2026, what you can source there, how to plan your days, how to evaluate beverage suppliers at their booths, and what to do after you fly home.
PLMA Chicago 2026 Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
| Official name | PLMA’s U.S. Private Label Trade Show (PLMA Chicago 2026) |
| Dates | November 15–17, 2026 |
| Venue | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center |
| Address | 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA |
| Show hours | Monday, Nov. 16: 9:00 AM–6:00 PMTuesday, Nov. 17: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| Sunday, Nov. 15 | Registration, education sessions, and opening seminars |
| Access | Trade only. Visitors must register through the organizer |
| Organizer | Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) |
| Official registration | Official PLMA visitor registration page |
The organizer can change event details. Confirm every date, hour, and requirement on the official PLMA website before you book your trip.
What Is PLMA Chicago 2026?
PLMA Chicago 2026 is the U.S. edition of PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show, themed “Store Brands Marketplace.” The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is the trade association for the store-brand industry. It connects private label manufacturers with retailers, wholesalers, and importers.
This is a business show, not a trend fair. Buyers arrive with volume targets, and conversations quickly turn to price, capacity, packaging, and documentation. PLMA reports that store brands reached a record $282.8 billion in U.S. retail outlets, and buyers use the show to compare suppliers face to face.
How does PLMA Chicago differ from PLMA Amsterdam?
PLMA runs both shows, but they serve different markets. PLMA Chicago 2026 gives access to the U.S. and Canadian private label market, while the Amsterdam show serves Europe. When you search “plma,” check the city and the year before you book travel.
Who Should Attend PLMA Chicago 2026?
The show draws buyers from supermarkets, supercenters, drug chains, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, dollar stores, e-commerce platforms, and importers and exporters. For beverage sourcing, these visitors gain the most:
- Importers and distributors from the U.S., Canada, and Türkiye who build private label or OEM beverage ranges.
- Wholesalers and club-store buyers who need container-scale supply with consistent specifications.
- Retail buyers and category managers who run store-brand beverage programs.
- Procurement teams who want to consolidate suppliers or add a second source.
- Brand owners who plan to launch a private label line.
The show fits buyers who plan repeat volume. If you need only a single test pallet, a smaller sourcing channel may suit you better.
What You Can Source at PLMA Chicago 2026
The show hosts exhibitors from more than 60 countries across three exhibit halls. PLMA organizes the floor into clear areas, so you can go straight to the ones that match your range.
| Area | What you find | Why it matters to a beverage buyer |
| Food & Beverages Section | Store-brand food and beverage exhibitors | The main area for drink suppliers and new formulations |
| Country Pavilions & International Exhibitors | Suppliers grouped by country | Compare overseas manufacturers side by side |
| World of Ideas and New Product Expo | Private label branding, packaging, and trending products | A quick first stop to spot trends before you walk the floor |
| Home, Health & Self-Care Section | Non-food store brands | Useful only if your range goes beyond food and drink |
Beverage buyers should start in the Food & Beverages Section. PLMA reports that store brand beverage sales grew 4.8% to $15.1 billion, and that dollar sales rose 5% in the first quarter of 2026. PLMA lists functional drinks, energy drinks, premium ready-to-drink coffee, infused waters, probiotic drinks, and alcohol-free options among the growth areas on the show floor. Read PLMA’s Food & Beverages Section page for the full details.
How to Plan Your PLMA Chicago 2026 Visit
The show gives you two exhibition days, Monday and Tuesday, so preparation decides your results.
Before the show
- Write a one-page sourcing brief. List one or two beverage categories, your annual volume, target price, and launch date.
- Register and open Show Navigator. PLMA says pre-registered visitors can search products and exhibitors in this tool from 30 days before the show.
- Shortlist 8 to 12 exhibitors. Mark each one as a manufacturer or a trader, and rank them by priority.
- Book your meetings. Use PLMA’s Matchmaker tool to schedule appointments, or email exhibitors a two-sentence brief with a proposed Monday or Tuesday time.
- Pack the basics. Bring your ID, business cards, and a notes template for each supplier.
On the show floor
This is a suggested plan, not PLMA’s official programme.
| Day | Suggested focus |
| Sunday | Complete registration, attend one opening seminar, and confirm your meetings |
| Monday | Visit the New Product Expo first. Then hold your priority meetings and walk the Food & Beverages Section |
| Tuesday | Revisit your top three suppliers, request quotations, and collect documents. Finish before the 4:00 PM close |
How to Meet and Evaluate Beverage Suppliers at PLMA Chicago 2026
The show lets you compare many beverage suppliers in two days. A fixed routine turns each booth conversation into data you can compare side by side.
Run a 15-minute booth meeting
- Introduce your company, your market, and your expected volume (2 minutes).
- Confirm that the supplier makes the product in its own facility (2 minutes).
- Taste and inspect the samples (5 minutes).
- Ask the scorecard questions below (4 minutes).
- Agree on the next step and a deadline (2 minutes).
Test samples on the spot
Judge taste, aroma, and appearance. Check closures, packaging quality, and label print. Compare what you taste with the supplier’s specification sheet, and write your notes right away, because details blur after the tenth booth.
Score every supplier with the same questions
Ask each exhibitor the same questions and score the answers from 1 to 5. Neutral questions give you comparable results.
| Criterion | Ask at the booth | A strong answer | Score (1-5) |
| MOQ | What is your MOQ per product and per order? | A clear figure per product and per container | |
| Lead time | How many weeks pass from order confirmation to shipment? | A number of weeks, confirmed in writing | |
| Shelf life | What shelf life do you guarantee, and under which storage conditions? | Months stated per product and packaging format | |
| Certifications | Which certifications does your facility hold? | Current certificates with scope and expiry date | |
| Packaging | Which formats can you customize, and at what MOQ? | Named formats, per-format MOQ, label support | |
| Samples and quotation | Do you send samples and a written quotation, and when? | A sample policy and a quotation date |
Request four documents at the booth: the specification sheet, current certificates, a price range, and packaging specifications.
Green flags and red flags
Green flags: The supplier explains its production process clearly, shows current certificates, quotes realistic lead times, and names a contact person.
Red flags: The supplier avoids questions about who makes the product, refuses to share documents, promises unusually short lead times, or answers MOQ questions vaguely.
Want to see how Interfresh answers these questions? Book a meeting with Interfresh at Booth F5214 | World of Private Label Pavilion, located in the Food & Beverages Section in North Hall. You can also read our answers on the Interfresh at PLMA Chicago 2026 page.
What to Do After PLMA Chicago 2026
The real work starts after the show. Follow these steps within the first week.
- Organize and score. Sort your contacts by product category and finish your scorecard for each supplier.
- Request samples and quotations. Ask your top three suppliers for written quotations and sample shipments.
- Follow up with a decision date. Send each supplier a short email with a clear deadline.
- Verify before you commit. Check certificates and references before you place an order.
Meet Interfresh at PLMA Chicago 2026
Interfresh exhibits at PLMA Chicago 2026 at Booth F5214, in the World of Private Label Pavilion, Food & Beverages Section, North Hall. Interfresh is a Vietnamese beverage manufacturer that produces and exports for private label and OEM partners. At the booth, you can taste samples and discuss orders from one 20ft container. Book a meeting or see the full booth details on our Interfresh at PLMA Chicago 2026 page.
PLMA Chicago 2026 FAQ
When is PLMA Chicago 2026?
The show takes place from November 15 to 17, 2026. Sunday covers registration and seminars. The exhibition runs on Monday and Tuesday.
Where is PLMA Chicago 2026 held?
The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, hosts PLMA Chicago 2026. The venue sits near Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
What does PLMA stand for?
PLMA stands for Private Label Manufacturers Association. The association organizes PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show in Chicago and runs a second show in Amsterdam.
Who can attend PLMA Chicago 2026?
Industry professionals such as retail buyers, importers, wholesalers, and distributors can attend. The show is not open to the general public, and the organizer decides eligibility.
How do I register for PLMA Chicago 2026?
Submit a visitor request through the official PLMA registration page. A submitted request is not an official registration, so wait for the organizer’s confirmation. Check the same page for fees, deadlines, and ID requirements.
Where can I find the exhibitor list and floor plan?
PLMA publishes show floor details on its official website. Pre-registered visitors can also search exhibitors in Show Navigator.
Conclusion: Prepare for PLMA Chicago 2026
The show gives you two exhibition days to compare suppliers and open sourcing conversations. Take three steps now: confirm your registration, shortlist exhibitors in Show Navigator, and book your meetings, including a visit to Interfresh at Booth F5214.
Sources
- PLMA, 2026 Private Label Trade Show
- PLMA, Why Visit (attendee types, 60+ countries, Show Navigator, Matchmaker, New Product Expo)
- PLMA, Food & Beverages Section (store brand beverage sales data)
- PLMA, Show Floor Details