Automate 2027 in Las Vegas: Booth Planning From the 2026 Chicago Rules

A booth built by Methodex for Kontron at SCTE TechExpo 2025.

Photo: Methodex

Automate 2027 key facts

The height, sign, multi-level, and EAC rules come from the Automate 2026 exhibitor manual for McCormick Place in Chicago, not from LVCC rules. Ceiling heights are building measurements, not build limits. Confirm the rules in the Automate exhibitor manual before you design.

Last checked: October 2026

Automate moved from Detroit in 2025 to Chicago in 2026, and 2027 is its first year in Las Vegas. From then on, the organizer plans to alternate: Las Vegas in odd years, Chicago in even years. The 2026 show ran June 22 to 25 in the North and South Halls of McCormick Place. Automate 2027 runs May 10 to 13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). At the 2026 Chicago show, the island cap for an Automate trade show booth was 20 feet, product included.

Height, sign, and sound rules at the 2026 Chicago show

The 2026 exhibitor manual for McCormick Place capped linear back walls at 8 feet. In booths of 10×20 or smaller, that height applied only to the back half, with all materials in the front half held to 4 feet. In 10×30 and larger booths, and in corners of 10×20 or more, the lower limit applied only within 10 feet of a neighbor.

A split island (peninsula) could take its common back wall to 20 feet. Any back above 8 feet that faced a neighbor had to be finished in white, with no logos, graphics, or branding.

On an island, an 18-foot machine would leave 2 feet for anything mounted above it. Multi-level booths topped out at 20 feet, with drawings stamped by an Illinois-licensed engineer. Hanging signs were limited to booths of 20×20 or larger and hung with the bottom of the sign at 18 feet from the floor. Canopies within 5 feet of an aisle had to be at least 7 feet above the floor.

Automate exhibitors show robotics, motion control, and vision systems to engineering and manufacturing buyers. The 2026 manual also asked exhibitors to set a minimum setback or install hazard barriers around robot demonstrations. Barriers were to be at least 36 inches high, and drapes, chains, or rope could not serve as barriers. Non-collaborative robots running in automatic mode or faster than reduced speed (250 mm per second) needed direct staff supervision. They also needed light curtains or sensors set at the proper safety distance. A full perimeter barrier could take their place if its bottom sat no higher than 12 inches and its top at least 60 inches above the floor. A booth plan gives each running demonstration its own space and sets aside a quieter area for technical meetings. Sound was not to exceed 85 decibels, measured from the aisle immediately in front of the booth, and exhibitors with autonomous mobile robots were asked to turn down or mute their beeping if they could. Exhibitors had to cover the full booth floor, except in AMR demonstration areas.

LVCC ceilings and contractor rules

The official 2027 floor plan shows Central Hall and South Hall Lower. Building figures put LVCC hall ceilings at 25 feet in parts of Central and South Halls, rising to 42 feet in West Hall.

GES was the general service contractor (GSC) for the 2026 show, and any other contractor setting up booths had to register with GES and show management. The exhibitor-appointed contractor (EAC) form and certificate of insurance were due to GES May 19, 2026. An EAC doing installation and dismantle (I&D) at the LVCC needs an annual LVCC EAC permit ($250), a Clark County business license, and insurance meeting the LVCVA’s current minimums: $1,000,000 each for general liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation.

Methodex, based in Los Angeles with a warehouse in North Las Vegas, designs, rents, and installs booths for LVCC shows. When your space is assigned, request an Automate booth quote. For crating and freight to Las Vegas, read our guide to planning trade show shipping. Our overview of exhibitor rules across U.S. shows covers safety and insurance basics.