NACS Show 2026 Las Vegas: The Complete Guide for Exhibitors + Build Your Booth with Interior Today LLC
Event: NACS Show 2026
Dates: October 6–9, 2026
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Expo Dates: October 7–9, 2026
Expo Size: 435,000+ square feet
Expected Attendance: 24,000+ industry stakeholders from 60+ countries
Official Website: nacsshow.com
What Is the NACS Show?
The NACS Show is the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s single largest and most influential annual event. Organized by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), it brings together more than 24,000 industry stakeholders from over 60 countries for four days of education, business development, product discovery, and networking at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For suppliers, manufacturers, technology companies, foodservice brands, fuel equipment providers, and in-store merchandise companies, the NACS Show is the most important trade show on the annual calendar. More than 1,200 companies exhibit at the NACS Show, displaying thousands of the latest products, solutions, and services that convenience stores use and sell every day. The 435,000-plus square foot Expo is the commercial heart of the entire event — and in 2024, the show broke its own records with 26,124 attendees and a 437,500 square foot Expo, confirming that the NACS Show is still growing.
The 2026 edition returns to Las Vegas, a city with deep roots in NACS history stretching back to 1966. This year’s education sessions are built around the theme “Return on Insight,” making it one of the most curriculum-rich editions in the show’s history.
Why the NACS Show Is the Most Powerful Event in Convenience Retail
The convenience store industry in the United States alone generates over $900 billion in annual sales. The retailers and buyers who attend the NACS Show are responsible for deciding what products, technologies, equipment, and services stock the shelves, run the forecourts, and power the back office of over 150,000 convenience stores across the country.
When 24,000 of those decision-makers walk a 435,000 square foot show floor, the commercial opportunity for suppliers and exhibitors is enormous. Retailers come to the NACS Show specifically to discover proven ideas and strategies to increase sales, attract new customers, build their brand, and improve their bottom line. Suppliers exhibit to establish a presence in the convenience channel, generate sales leads, increase product exposure, and launch new products in front of a perfectly targeted audience.
This is not a general consumer event or a casual industry gathering. The NACS Show is a serious business event where buying decisions are made, contracts are initiated, and long-term supplier relationships are forged. If your company supplies anything to the convenience and fuel retailing industry, you need a professional presence at the NACS Show 2026.
NACS Show 2026 Las Vegas – Full Schedule of Events
Tuesday, October 6 (Conference Day)
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and runs through 5:30 p.m. The Hunter Club Lounge is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Cool New Products Preview Room opens for buyers only from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Education Sessions run from 12:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The General Session takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The NACS Show Kick-Off Party, a ticketed event for attendees 21 and older, runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7 (First Expo Day)
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Education Sessions run 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The General Session is 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Main Exhibit Hall opens at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 5:30 p.m. The New Exhibitor Area opens at 10:30 a.m. The Cool New Products Preview Room is open for retailers only from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., then open to all from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 8 (Second Expo Day)
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Education Sessions run 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. General Session is 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The Main Exhibit Hall and New Exhibitor Area are open 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Cool New Products Preview Room is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 9 (Final Expo Day)
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m. All exhibits open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 1:30 p.m. The Cool New Products Preview Room is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The NACS Show Expo – Five Industry Segments on One Floor
The 435,000 square foot Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center is organized into five primary product segments, each color-coded on signage and printed materials to help buyers navigate the floor efficiently. Understanding which segment your company belongs in is essential for booth placement strategy.
Facility Operations covers everything related to running, building, designing, and maintaining a convenience store facility. Foodservice is one of the fastest-growing segments in the convenience industry, covering prepared food programs, equipment, packaging, ingredients, and branded concepts. Fuel Equipment and Services covers forecourt technology, dispensers, fuel management systems, and related services. In-Store Merchandise covers the full range of products that stock the shelves of a convenience store, from snacks and beverages to health products and personal care. Technology covers the digital, software, payment, loyalty, and operational technology solutions that power modern convenience retail.
The New Exhibitor Area is also subdivided into these same five segments, making it easy for first-time exhibitors to be found by the buyers most relevant to their category.
NACS Show 2026 Booth Pricing and Availability
Booth space at the NACS Show is priced at $39.00 per square foot for NACS and PEI members. To qualify for the member rate, your company must be a current NACS supplier member or a member of the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), paid through at least the dates of the show.
New exhibitors have access to the dedicated New Exhibitor Area, a high-traffic area of the Expo Hall that serves as a focal point for retailers and buyers specifically looking for new products. The New Exhibitor Area offers booths limited to 100 square feet at $3,900 each, based on availability, membership status, and company eligibility.
Booth applications from NACS and PEI members during the advance selection period, which opens in January 2026, are assigned based on priority points earned since 2004. Open selection for non-members and other interested parties begins in June 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis.
A deposit of at least 50% of the total booth payment is required to reserve a booth if applying before June 26, 2026. After June 26, full payment must accompany the contract to reserve exhibit space.
What Is Included in the Booth Cost
Every NACS Show booth includes an 8-foot high draped back wall and 3-foot side rails for inline booths, a booth identification sign for inline booths, a complimentary company listing in the online, mobile, and printed Exhibitor Directory, and three badges for booth personnel per 100 square feet of space reserved. These badges provide access to the exhibit hall during setup, show hours, and dismantling.
One critical requirement all exhibitors must know: booth floor covering is mandatory and must be provided by the exhibitor. This is not optional. Every booth at the NACS Show must have flooring, whether that is carpet, hardwood, tile, or custom trade show flooring. This is a key consideration in your booth design and build planning.
The Cool New Products Preview Room
One of the most powerful exhibitor marketing tools at the NACS Show is the Cool New Products Preview Room. This exclusive area gives exhibiting companies the opportunity to showcase their newest, most innovative products to retailers before they hit the main show floor.
On Wednesday, October 7, the Cool New Products Preview Room is exclusively open to retailers from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — giving your new product a direct audience with the most qualified buyers at the show before the Expo even opens. After 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday and throughout Thursday and Friday, the room is open to all attendees.
Spaces in the Cool New Products Preview Room are sold through the Exhibitor Portal. Contact Nicole Walbe at nwalbe@convenience.org or (703) 518-4229 for questions about this program.
Education Sessions – Return on Insight
The 2026 NACS Show Education Sessions are built around the central theme “Return on Insight” — a curriculum created by retailers for retailers, designed to help convenience store operators extract measurable business value from every session they attend.
Topics this year span innovative foodservice execution, seamless technology integration, labor management strategies, category management, leadership development, and reimagining the convenience retail business model. Sessions are designed for every company size and every convenience retail role, from store-level managers to C-suite executives.
NACS recommends bringing a cross-functional team to the education sessions. Experienced attendees consistently describe these sessions as decision-accelerators — multiple departments attending and collaborating means new ideas can be executed immediately upon return to the business.
The full schedule of sessions, speakers, and times will be announced in early summer 2026. Register for the NACS mailing list at nacsshow.com to receive the announcement immediately when it goes live.
Meeting Space at the NACS Show 2026
The NACS Show offers two distinct types of private meeting space exclusively for exhibitors, both of which are important tools for deepening buyer relationships beyond the booth floor.
Business Appointment Centers are blocks of semi-private meeting rooms located directly in the Expo Hall, designed for exhibitors who want to schedule structured appointments with retailers and buyers during show hours. These are booked through the Exhibitor Portal. Contact Jaden Shemesh for questions.
Permanent Meeting Rooms are fully private meeting rooms available at the Las Vegas Convention Center itself, separate from the Expo Hall floor. These are ideal for confidential discussions, partnership presentations, or larger group meetings with key accounts.
Key Exhibitor Deadlines for NACS Show 2026
Staying on top of deadlines is critical to maximizing your investment at the NACS Show. Here are the most important dates every exhibitor needs to track:
June 26 is the date when the final balance on booth payment is due. July 28 is the advance rate deadline for Lead Retrieval and Badge Scanning. July 31 is the deadline to update your company listing details in the Exhibitor Directory. July 15 at 2 PM EDT is the Pre-Show Prep Experience virtual session — a live briefing from the NACS Expo team and official show vendors covering everything exhibitors need to know. Attending this session live earns your company two bonus priority points. September 4 is the Freeman advance rate deadline for the online store and booth security guard services. September 7 is the advance rate deadline for Internet and Wi-Fi services. September 22 is the equipment rental order form deadline. September 23 is when hotel reservations can be cancelled without penalty (72 hours prior to arrival at most hotels). The Exhibitor Service Kit becomes available in June 2026 and includes best practices, Freeman service orders, EAC details, shipping and material handling guides, facility forms, and marketing resources.
Important Exhibitor Rules and Policies
Exhibitor-Appointed Contractors (EAC)
If you plan to use a third-party contractor — such as a custom booth builder — for installation and dismantling of your booth, NACS requires that your contractor be registered as an Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC). This involves submitting the NACS EAC Registration form and the LVCC EAC Registration form, along with a Certificate of Insurance meeting NACS’s COI requirements. Both registrations must be completed before your contractor can work at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Interior Today LLC handles all EAC registration documentation as part of our booth build service.
Flooring Is Mandatory
Every booth at the NACS Show must have floor covering. This is a non-negotiable requirement enforced by show management. Carpet, custom flooring, hardwood, or any other compliant material must be provided by the exhibitor. This must be budgeted into your booth build from the start.
Cancellation Policy
Any change to contracted booth size or cancellation must be submitted in writing to NACS. Financial penalties apply based on the cancellation date as specified in Section 6 of the NACS Show Exhibit Space Terms and Conditions.
Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the exhibit hall at any time. Smoking is allowed outside the building at least 25 feet from any entrance doors.
Children Policy
Attendees 16 and over must register and pay to attend. Children 15 and under may attend but must register for a badge onsite with a signed waiver. No one under 18 is permitted in the exhibit hall during move-in and move-out. No one under 21 may attend the NACS Show Kick-Off Party.
Catering and Sampling
Sodexo Live! is the exclusive catering and foodservice provider at the Las Vegas Convention Center. All food, beverage, and sampling activities must go through Sodexo Live! Exhibitors planning to offer food or beverage samples must complete the appropriate sampling approval forms and sanitation requirements (including the required SNHD Sanitation Hand Wash Kit).
General Service Contractor
Freeman is the official general service contractor for the NACS Show 2026, handling audio visual, carpet, cleaning, furnishings, labor, signs, booth accessories, electrical, hanging signs, material handling, and shipping. Freeman Exhibitor Support can be reached at (888) 508-5054.
Official Hotel Booking for NACS Show 2026
The NACS Show has over 30 official hotels offering discounted rates exclusively for NACS Show guests, managed through the official housing partner Connections Housing. All hotel bookings must be made through Connections Housing — official NACS hotels will not honor direct reservations.
The NACS Headquarter Hotel is the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, open to all attendees with no room limits. Convention Center Hotels including the Courtyard Convention Center, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Hampton Inn and Suites Las Vegas Convention Center, Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Resorts World, Las Vegas Marriott Convention Center, Renaissance Hotel, Residence Inn Convention Center, and SpringHill Suites Convention Center are reserved exclusively for NACS Show Retailer attendees and Hunter Club members. PEI members’ headquarter hotel is the MGM Grand and Hilton Resorts World, with additional options at the Bellagio, Paris, and Westgate. EMA members’ headquarter hotel is the Encore at Wynn.
Reservations may be cancelled without penalty up to 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival at most hotels. The cancellation deadline for reservations is September 19, 2026, subject to change. Book through Connections Housing at 404-371-3394 or through the NACS Show official housing website. Be aware of fraudulent third-party companies claiming to offer NACS Show hotel rates — NACS does not endorse any housing source other than Connections Housing.
Our Exhibition Stand Design Portfolio In Las Vegas, Nevada.
At Interior Today we are offering flawless services for the exhibition and trade shows. We are working with brands and businesses of all sizes, designing and installing amazing stands. We believe in combining excellent design and superior project management to deliver high quality custom built exhibition stands. Just take a glance at some of our recent work given below.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NACS Show 2026
Q.1 What is the NACS Show?
Ans.1 The NACS Show is the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s largest annual trade show and conference, organized by the National Association of Convenience Stores. It is held each year in October and features a 435,000-plus square foot Expo, education sessions, general sessions, and networking events. The 2026 edition takes place October 6–9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Q.2 When and where is the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.2 The NACS Show 2026 runs October 6–9, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. The Expo opens October 7 and runs through October 9.
Q.3 What are the NACS Show 2026 Expo hours?
Ans.3 On Wednesday, October 7, the New Exhibitor Area opens at 10:30 a.m. and the Main Exhibit Area opens at 11:30 a.m., both closing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 has the same hours. On Friday, October 9, all exhibits open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 1:30 p.m.
Q.4 How many people attend the NACS Show?
Ans.4 Historically over 23,000 people attend the NACS Show from more than 70 countries. The 2024 edition set a record with 26,124 attendees. The 2026 show is expected to maintain or surpass that level.
Q.5 How much does a booth cost at the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.5 Booth space is priced at $39.00 per square foot for NACS and PEI members. New exhibitors can access the New Exhibitor Area for $3,900 for a 100 square foot booth, based on availability. Non-member rates apply for companies that are not current NACS supplier or PEI members.
Q.6 What is included in a NACS Show booth?
Ans.6 Each booth includes an 8-foot high draped back wall and 3-foot side rails for inline booths, a booth identification sign, a complimentary listing in the online, mobile, and printed Exhibitor Directory, and three exhibitor badges per 100 square feet. Booth floor covering is NOT included and is mandatory — exhibitors must provide their own flooring.
Q.7 Is flooring mandatory at the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.7 Yes. Booth floor covering is mandatory and must be provided by the exhibitor. This applies to every booth on the Expo floor. Interior Today LLC provides custom flooring solutions as part of our full booth build service.
Q.8 How do I apply for a booth at the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.8 NACS and PEI members can apply through the online floor plan and application portal starting January 2026. Non-members and other companies can apply starting June 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis. The online application is available at nacsshow.com. A deposit of at least 50% is required at time of application before June 26, 2026. After June 26, full payment is required.
Q.9 What is the New Exhibitor Area at the NACS Show?
Ans.9 The New Exhibitor Area is a dedicated high-traffic section of the Expo Hall designed specifically for companies exhibiting at the NACS Show for the first time. It features extended exhibit hall hours, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. (one hour before the main hall), and is a focal point for retailers actively seeking new products and suppliers. Booths are limited to 100 square feet at $3,900 each.
Q.10 What are the five Expo segments at the NACS Show?
Ans.10 The NACS Show Expo is organized into five segments: Facility Operations, Foodservice, Fuel Equipment and Services, In-Store Merchandise, and Technology. Each area is color-coded on signage and materials throughout the show floor.
Q.11 Can I use my own booth builder at the NACS Show?
Ans.11 Yes. Exhibitors can use their own Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC) for booth installation and dismantling. Your EAC must complete both the NACS EAC Registration and the LVCC EAC Registration and provide certificates of insurance meeting NACS requirements. Interior Today LLC is a registered EAC and handles all required documentation as part of our service.
Q.12 What is the Cool New Products Preview Room?
Ans.12 The Cool New Products Preview Room is an exclusive pre-show showcase area where exhibitors can display their newest and most innovative products. On Wednesday morning, the room is open exclusively to retailers before the main Expo opens, giving new products direct access to qualified buyer-only traffic. Spaces are purchased through the NACS Exhibitor Portal. Contact Nicole Walbe at nwalbe@convenience.org for information.
Q.13 What is the NACS Show education theme for 2026?
Ans.13 The 2026 NACS Show education sessions are built around the theme “Return on Insight.” The curriculum covers innovative foodservice execution, technology integration, labor management, category management, leadership development, and reimagining the convenience business model. Sessions are designed for companies of every size and every role in convenience retail.
Q.14 Where should I stay for the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.14 The NACS Headquarter Hotel is the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. All reservations must be made through Connections Housing, the official and only NACS Show housing partner. Call 404-371-3394 or visit the NACS housing website. Do not book through third parties claiming NACS affiliation — these are frequently fraudulent.
Q.15 What is the cancellation policy for NACS Show booth space?
Ans.15 Any cancellation or reduction in contracted booth size must be submitted in writing to NACS. Financial penalties apply based on the date of cancellation as specified in the NACS Show Exhibit Space Terms and Conditions.
Q.16 When is the 2027 NACS Show?
Ans.16 The 2027 NACS Show will be held October 5–8, 2027 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.
Q.17 How do I build a custom trade show booth for the NACS Show 2026?
Ans.17 Contact Interior Today LLC at interiortoday.us. We specialize in custom exhibit stand design and construction for major US trade shows including the NACS Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. We handle EAC registration, mandatory flooring, custom design, fabrication, graphics, on-site setup, and dismantling — everything your team needs for a successful show.
Q.18 How early should I start planning my NACS Show 2026 booth?
Ans.18 Given that island booth configurations and large exhibit builds require design lead time, fabrication, freight, and Las Vegas logistics coordination, we recommend beginning the planning process no later than May or June 2026. For companies planning larger or more complex builds, starting in early spring gives you the most flexibility and the best pricing. Contact Interior Today LLC at interiortoday.us today to get started.
Build Your NACS Show 2026 Las Vegas Booth with Interior Today LLC
The NACS Show Expo puts your brand in front of more than 24,000 convenience retail professionals on a 435,000 square foot show floor at one of the world’s great convention centers. More than 1,200 companies are fighting for the attention of the same buyers. In that environment, how your booth looks, functions, and feels is one of the most important business decisions you will make all year.
A poorly designed booth at the NACS Show is not just a missed opportunity — it actively signals to buyers that your brand is not serious. Retailers and buyers at this event are sophisticated, experienced trade show attendees who walk hundreds of booths across four days. They know the difference between a company that invested in their presence and one that did not.
Interior Today LLC is a professional trade show exhibit stand contractor and custom booth builder serving companies exhibiting at major US trade shows and conventions, including the NACS Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. We design and build custom exhibit stands that are engineered to attract buyer traffic, showcase your products and services effectively, reinforce your brand identity, and give your sales team the professional environment they need to have productive conversations and generate real leads.
Why Choose Interior Today LLC for Your NACS Show 2026 Booth
We understand the scale and competitive intensity of the NACS Show Expo. A 435,000 square foot hall with 1,200-plus exhibiting companies demands a booth that stands out structurally and visually — not just a table and a backdrop. Whether you are displaying in-store merchandise, foodservice equipment, fuel technology, convenience store operations solutions, or software and digital platforms, we design booths that communicate your specific value proposition to the right buyers at first glance.
Our NACS Show booth build services include full custom exhibit stand design and fabrication for inline, corner, peninsula, and large island booth configurations at the Las Vegas Convention Center, mandatory flooring solutions in any material including carpet, hardwood, and custom trade show flooring, large-format custom graphics and branding, modular and reusable booth systems for companies that exhibit at multiple convenience industry events throughout the year, EAC registration documentation handled on your behalf, on-site setup and professional dismantling within the NACS Show move-in and move-out schedule, and complete project management from initial design brief through installation.
Interior Today LLC operates as a registered Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC), which means we handle all required NACS EAC Registration and LVCC EAC Registration paperwork so your booth build is fully compliant with show management requirements. You focus on your business — we handle the paperwork and the build.
Las Vegas is one of our strongest markets. We know the Las Vegas Convention Center inside and out, including the North Hall booth ranges, the Central Hall configurations, the labor union jurisdictions, the Freeman coordination process, and the logistics timelines that make or break a Las Vegas trade show booth build.
Visit interiortoday.us or contact our team today to start planning your NACS Show 2026 Las Vegas booth. For an October event at the Las Vegas Convention Center, we strongly recommend beginning your booth planning conversation no later than May or June 2026.
NACS Show History in Las Vegas
The NACS Show has a rich history with Las Vegas that stretches back six decades. NACS first held its Annual Meeting in Las Vegas in 1966 with over 700 attendees. In 1975, future U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivered the opening keynote. The Expo became a permanent annual feature in 1993, and the event was rebranded as the NACS Show. By 2004 attendance had topped 24,000 for the first time. In 2018 the show set an all-time attendance record of 25,159 with a record 431,800 square foot Expo. In 2024 the show broke both records again with 26,124 attendees and a 437,500 square foot Expo.
In 30 years, the NACS Show Expo has grown from 171,000 net square feet to over 435,000 net square feet — and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Interior Today LLC is a professional trade show exhibit stand contractor and custom booth builder serving exhibitors at major conventions and trade shows across the United States, including the NACS Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit interiortoday.us to start planning your NACS Show 2026 booth today.
