ICMA Annual Conference 2026 Exhibit Booth Builder — Everything You Need to Know (Long Beach, CA)

By Interior Today LLC | Your Trusted Trade Show Booth Builder for ICMA 2026

If you are an exhibitor planning to showcase your brand at the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, you have landed on the right page. Whether you are looking for a custom exhibit booth builder, a trade show display contractor, or a full-service exhibit house for the ICMA conference, Interior Today LLC has every solution you need — from design and fabrication to installation and dismantling.

This guide gives you the complete picture: official event details, booth rates, move-in timelines, what is and is not included in your booth fee, and exactly how Interior Today LLC helps government-sector exhibitors create award-worthy exhibit stands that convert attendees into customers.

What Is the ICMA Annual Conference 2026?

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference is the most prestigious gathering of local government leadership and management professionals in the world. The 2026 edition will take place October 17–21, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, California — with exhibit hall dates running October 18–20, 2026.

After an outstanding turnout in Tampa in 2025, the Long Beach conference is expected to bring together more than 5,000 local government professionals from across the globe, representing a marketplace valued at $300 billion. Nearly 50% of attendees are Chief Administrative Officers — the very decision-makers who control government procurement budgets.

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 98% of attendees visit the Exhibit Hall
• 85% of attendees network with peers in the Hall
• 80% of attendees spend one hour or more in the Hall
• 72% of attendees download the conference app
• Exhibitors collected over 7,500 qualified leads at the 2025 conference

For companies selling products, software, services, or solutions to city governments, county governments, and municipal agencies, there is simply no better place to be in October 2026 than the ICMA Exhibit Hall in Long Beach.

2026 ICMA Annual Conference — Official Event Details

Event Name: ICMA Annual Conference 2026

Dates: October 17–21, 2026 (Exhibit Dates: October 18–20, 2026)

Venue: Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, California

Website: conference.icma.org

Expected Attendance: 5,000+ local government professionals

Market Size: $300 billion local government marketplace

General Service Contractor: The Expo Group

Complete 2026 ICMA Exhibit Schedule

Understanding the full schedule is critical for planning your exhibit booth build, shipping, and setup. Here is every time window you need to know.

Move-In Hours

Date	Hours
October 16, 2026 (20×20 islands or larger only)	8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 17, 2026	8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 18, 2026	8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Important: Large island booths (20×20 and above) get early access on October 16. If you are building a large custom island exhibit, you must coordinate your installation crew and logistics around this window. Interior Today LLC manages all move-in coordination so you never miss a deadline.

Exhibit Hall Hours (Open to Attendees)

Date	Hours
Sunday, October 18, 2026	3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2026	11:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026	11:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST) and subject to change.

New for 2026: Extended Exhibit Hall hours on Monday and Tuesday afternoons give exhibitors more face time with decision-makers.

Move-Out Hours

Date	Hours
Tuesday, October 20, 2026	4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026	8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

2026 ICMA Exhibit Booth Rates — Official Pricing

The ICMA Exhibit Hall is already 80% sold as of January 1, 2026, and it is expected to sell out completely. If you have not yet reserved your booth space, do so immediately.

Booth Rental Rates

Booth Type	Rate
Commercial/Inline Booth	$3,700 per 10’×10′ (100 sq ft)
Government/Nonprofit Booth	$3,200 per 10’×10′ (100 sq ft)
Corner Charge	$250 per exposed corner

Payment Schedule

Timeline	Requirement
Before June 12, 2026	50% non-refundable deposit due with reservation
After June 12, 2026	100% full payment due with reservation

If you have not yet paid your deposit, you are past the 50% threshold — full payment is now due immediately upon reservation.

What Is Included in Your ICMA 2026 Booth Fee

Every booth rental at ICMA 2026 includes the following:

• Two full conference badges per 10’×10′ booth (additional badges available at $499 each)
• Sunday Exhibit Hall Grand Opening Reception (excellent first-impression networking opportunity)
• Complimentary lunch on Monday and Tuesday in the Exhibit Hall
• Company listing in the online floor plan and mobile app (72% of attendees use the app)
• Identification sign for in-line booths
• Complimentary afternoon beverage breaks on Monday and Tuesday in the Exhibit Hall
• 8′ draped back wall and 3′ draped side rails for in-line booths

What Is NOT Included in Your Booth Fee — Plan Ahead

This is where many first-time exhibitors get caught off guard. The following items are not included in the booth rental fee and must be ordered separately through the official Exhibitor Services Kit (provided by The Expo Group):

• Carpet — mandatory for ALL booths, no exceptions
• Furnishings — tables, chairs, counters, shelving
• Electricity — power for lighting, screens, demos
• Audiovisual equipment — monitors, LED walls, sound systems
• Shipping and freight — getting your materials to the venue
• Drayage — moving freight from the loading dock to your booth
• Individual booth security

This is exactly where Interior Today LLC adds critical value. We handle the complete exhibit design and build — including flooring, custom furniture, lighting, graphics, AV integration, and full I&D (installation and dismantling) — so you arrive at the venue with everything ready and leave without lifting a box.

Who Attends the ICMA Annual Conference? Know Your Audience Before You Build Your Booth

The most effective exhibit booths at ICMA are designed with the audience in mind. Here is the breakdown of who will walk your aisle:

Attendee Job Titles

• Chief Administrative Officers / City & County Managers: 40% of attendees
• Department Heads / Directors: 24%
• Assistant Chief Administrative Officers: 11%
• Chief Financial Officers: 8%
• Assistant to the Manager / CAO: 7%
• Clerks / Directors of Planning / Directors of Public Works: 3%
• Mid-Level Managers / Analysts: 2%

Half of all attendees are senior executives with direct budget authority. Your booth needs to communicate trust, credibility, and ROI — not just look attractive.

Community Sizes Represented

The largest group of attendees (20%) comes from communities of 10,000–24,999 residents, followed by communities of 25,000–49,999 (18%), and communities of 100,000–249,999 (14%). This tells you that your booth messaging should speak to mid-sized municipalities as the primary audience.

Career Stage of Attendees

• Executive: 49%
• Mid-Career: 22%
• Early Career: 10%
• Encore (experienced/returning professionals): 7%

2026 ICMA Sponsorship Packages — Go Beyond a Booth

For companies that want maximum visibility, ICMA offers tiered sponsorship packages that work alongside your exhibit booth. Interior Today LLC can design your booth to align visually with your sponsorship activations.

Conference Champion — Starting at $35,000

The highest exhibitor-level package. Includes:

• 6 full conference registrations
• Access to pre- and post-show attendee mailing lists (one-time use)
• Exclusive General Session Sponsorship (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday)
• Invitation to ICMA Leadership Networking Event (Saturday, October 17)
• Registration bag insert
• Ad in the September issue of Public Management (PM Magazine)
• Logo recognition on the conference app, email communications, website, and on-site signage
• One additional benefit (Education Session, Attendee Breakfast/Lunch, Opening Party or Closing Event support, or Sunday Grand Opening Reception support)

Conference Sponsor — Starting at $24,000

Includes:

• 4 full conference registrations
• Attendee mailing list access
• Logo placement across all conference materials
• ICMA Leadership Networking Event invitation
• Choice of one activation (Product Theater Session, Game Changer Speaker Sponsorship, Nook Meeting Pod, branded water bottles, customized attendee break, or branded vending machine)
• Choice of one promotional benefit (app push notification, bag insert, meal sponsorship, event support)

Conference Supporter — $15,000

Includes:

• 2 full conference registrations
• Attendee mailing list access
• Logo placement across conference materials
• Choice of one activation (Product Theater, Grand Opening Reception support, meal sponsorship, Pawsitivity Park, Relaxation Lounge, Headshot Lounge, or Sporting Events sponsorship)

Note: Several high-demand sponsorships are already sold out, including branded conference bags, hotel key cards, name badge lanyards, WiFi, and the Relaxation Lounge. Act quickly on remaining opportunities.

Sponsorship Activation Options — Branding and Networking

The 2026 ICMA conference offers a wide range of sponsorship activations that extend your brand visibility beyond the booth:

Networking & Event Sponsorships: Sunday Grand Opening Reception, Headshot Lounge, Attendee Breakfasts and Lunches, Expo Eats Lunch Buyout, Meditation Lounge, Barista Coffee Bar, Saturday Night Opening Party, Tuesday Night Closing Event, Pawsitivity Park (exclusive), photo booth, ice cream social, 5K / Soccer / Pickleball headline sponsorship

Education Sponsorships: General Session Speaker (exclusive per day), Product Theater Sessions (limited), Game Changer Speaker Series

Branding Sponsorships: On-site signage / banners / wraps, shuttle buses, water bottles, vending machines, branded Nook Pods, exhibit hall aisle signs, registration bag inserts

Promotional Opportunities: Conference app push notifications, on-site program guide ad space, conference website ad space

Why Your Exhibit Booth Design Matters More at ICMA Than Almost Any Other Show

The ICMA audience is sophisticated, data-driven, and pressed for time. They are not browsing — they are evaluating. When 98% of attendees visit the Exhibit Hall and 80% spend over an hour there, you need a booth that:

1. Stops traffic with professional, distinctive design that reflects government-sector credibility
2. Communicates your value proposition in under 5 seconds — because that is how long a passing CAO will glance at your display
3. Creates natural conversation zones — open layouts with demo stations, seating, and interactive elements that invite engagement
4. Reinforces your sponsorship presence — if you are a Champion or Sponsor, your booth should visually match your brand activations across the hall
5. Handles high foot traffic — with durable materials, proper lighting, and enough space for multiple simultaneous conversations

This is not a show for a pop-up banner and a folding table. With 5,000+ professionals and a $300 billion marketplace walking the floor, every square foot of your booth is premium real estate.

How Interior Today LLC Builds Winning Exhibit Booths for ICMA

Interior Today LLC is a full-service exhibit booth builder and trade show display company serving exhibitors at government, technology, and professional association conferences across the United States. We handle the complete project from concept to completion — including design, fabrication, logistics, installation, on-site support, and dismantling.

Here is what working with Interior Today LLC looks like for ICMA 2026:

Step 1: Discovery and Space Planning

We start by understanding your booth size (10×10, 10×20, 20×20, or larger island), your goals (lead generation, product demos, brand awareness, relationship-building), your target message for the ICMA audience, and your budget. We review the official floor plan with you to ensure your assigned space is maximized.

Step 2: Custom Design Concept

Our designers create a 3D rendered exhibit concept tailored to your space and the Long Beach Convention Center layout. We account for the venue’s ceiling height, aisle configurations, lighting conditions, and ICMA-specific rules (including carpet requirements and the 8′ back wall / 3′ side rail standard for inline booths).

Step 3: Fabrication

We build your exhibit components in our facility — custom counters, towers, backwalls, modular panels, hanging signs, branded furniture, and integrated AV mounting — using professional-grade materials built for repeated trade show use.

Step 4: Shipping and Logistics Coordination

We coordinate all freight shipping to the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and handle communication with The Expo Group (the official general service contractor) for drayage and material handling.

Step 5: Installation (Move-In)

Our installation crew arrives during your assigned move-in window and builds your complete exhibit. For island booths (20×20 and above), we schedule for the early October 16 move-in. For inline booths, we schedule October 17–18 move-in. We handle flooring (carpet installation), structure build, graphics mounting, lighting, AV setup, and furniture placement. You can walk in on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. and start talking to attendees.

Step 6: On-Site Support

Interior Today LLC provides on-site support during the exhibit days in case any adjustments are needed.

Step 7: Dismantling and Return Shipping

After the hall closes at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, our crew handles complete dismantle during the move-out window (4:00–8:00 p.m. October 20 and 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. October 21). We pack, label, and coordinate return freight so nothing gets lost or damaged.

Types of Exhibit Booths Interior Today LLC Builds for ICMA

10×10 Inline Booth (100 sq ft)

The entry-level ICMA booth. At $3,700 for commercial exhibitors, this is the most common booth size. A well-designed 10×10 can still make a powerful impression with a custom backwall graphic, branded counter, monitor arm, and professional lighting. Interior Today LLC designs 10×10 booths that look like 20×20 booths — tight, intentional, and memorable.

10×20 Inline Booth (200 sq ft)

Double the footprint, double the conversation space. Ideal for companies with multiple product lines or services to demonstrate. We typically design these with a demo station on one end, a private consultation area on the other, and a commanding backwall display across the full 20 feet.

20×20 Island Booth (400 sq ft)

The first “island” configuration — open on all four sides. This is where brands come to make a statement. At ICMA, the 20×20 is favored by larger vendors in the local government tech space. Interior Today LLC designs these with hanging signs (for visibility from across the hall), multiple demo stations, branded charging areas, and meeting pod configurations.

20×30, 20×40, and Larger Custom Islands

For conference champions and major sponsors, a large custom island exhibit signals market leadership. We design and build large-format islands with structural towers, LED video walls, custom ceilings, double-deck structures (where permitted), and full branded environments that serve as a destination within the exhibit hall.

Modular and Rental Exhibits

Need a professional exhibit without the full capital investment? Interior Today LLC offers modular exhibit systems and rental display packages that can be customized with your graphics and brand identity — at a fraction of the cost of a fully custom build.

Booth Design Tips Specifically for the ICMA Audience

After years of building exhibits for government-sector conferences, Interior Today LLC knows what works with this audience:

Lead with your mission, not just your product. Local government managers are motivated by community impact. Your booth messaging should answer “How does this help my city serve its residents better?” before it talks features and pricing.

Use clean, institutional design language. Avoid overly trendy or flashy aesthetics. The ICMA audience respects professionalism, clarity, and substance. Clean layouts with strong typography and credible photography outperform cluttered, busy designs.

Make demos central to your layout. Government buyers need to see how things work. Build demo stations into your floor plan from day one — not as an afterthought.

Use data and case studies visibly. A poster or digital display showing “City of X saved $2.3M using our platform” is more persuasive to a CAO than any marketing headline.

Create a reason to stay. Whether it is a comfortable seating area, a demonstration running on a loop, or a small give-away activity, give attendees a reason to linger. The longer they stay, the better your conversations become.

Plan for the Sunday reception crowd. The Sunday Grand Opening Reception (3:00–5:30 p.m.) typically draws the highest traffic of any exhibit session. Make sure your booth is 100% ready by 3:00 p.m. sharp — staff, demos, giveaways, and everything operational.