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MERCHANDISE MART, CHICAGO, FLOORS 4&7

NEW BUYER REGISTRATION

BUYER OVERVIEW

  • The Chicago Collective is a to-the-trade-only Trade Show. To pre-register attendees must be an official buyer and comply with all credential requirements.

    PLEASE NOTE: Chicago Collective strictly prohibits solicitation by sourcing agents, manufacturers, marketing agencies, factories, shipping companies, textile mills, consultants, or any other third parties. The event is exclusively for industry professionals, as it is not open to the public. Show management reserves the right to deny entry to any individual or entity at its discretion.

    In an effort to provide a productive sales environment for exhibitors and buyers alike, we require each buyer to provide the following credentials:

    • Photo Identification

    One of the following pieces of business identification:

    • Current Retail Business License 

    • Store Commercial Lease

    • Current Tax ID #

    One of the following pieces of employment identification:

    • Copy of Payroll Check/Stub 

    • Personalized, Imprinted Business Card

    • Copy of W-2 Form

    • Company Credit Card With Employee and Store Name

  • If you have not attended Chicago Collective you are considered a NEW Buyer. Please pre-register below.

    Review the list of Buyer Credential Requirements above BEFORE registering for the Show.

    Once approved by our team, badges will be sent via email and should be printed before arriving to the show. 

    If you have attended the show in the past, you do NOT need to register again. See instructions for returning buyers below.

  • Buyers that have attended the Chicago Collective in the past, DO NOT need to register again. Badges will be sent via email a week prior to the show.

    Each Buyer is encouraged to print their badge before arriving at the show.   

    If you have attended the show prior, and do not receive your badge a week prior, please contact us. 

    Guests that attend the show do NOT automatically receive guest badges.

  • Each registered buyer is allowed (1) guest. Do not register store employees as guests. Guests do not receive complimentary buyer amenities such as lunch, happy hours, etc. 

    If you have received your badge and need to register a guest you will need to re-register and add a guest here. Guests from previous shows do not automatically roll over.

    Guests can also be registered on-site.

If you have not attended Chicago Collective, you are considered a NEW Buyer. Please pre-register by clicking the link at the top of the page.

  • Review the list of Buyer Credential Requirements above BEFORE registering for the show.

  • Once approved by our team, badges will be sent via email and should be printed before arriving to the show.

  • If you have attended the show in the past, you do NOT need to register again. See instructions above for RETURNING BUYERS.

NEW Buyers

PRESS CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Industry publications are invited to attend Chicago Collective as Press. Publications also have the ability to formally distribute copies of their magazine through our Media Partners section on the Show Floor.

  • Members of the press are required to pre-register online before arriving to the Show. 

    Please pre-register by clicking the link here: Press Registration

    Once pre-registered, instructions will be emailed on where to send required credentials for entry

    Once approved, a print-at-home badge will be emailed. Each member of the press will be required to print their badge, and bring it to the show. 

    *Bloggers, freelance photographers, and event planners will not be allowed entry.

BUYER FAQS

  • You will need to pre-register online using the link here. Once we review your store, we will send your approved buyer badge via email. Onsite registration will be available. Please plan to bring the required credentials to the show if you did not pre-register.

  • Buyers who attended the previous show will automatically have their badge emailed to them. If you did not attend before, please pre-register to receive your print-at-home badge via email. To pre-register, click here.

  • If you are looking to bring a non-employee (family, friend, consultant), please register them as your guest when completing the registration form. Guests can also be registered onsite.

  • Unfortunately, our show is only open to credentialed buyers and exhibitors who have a booth at the show. We do not allow the general public or non-retailers on the show floor. For information on exhibiting at Chicago Collective, please contact Caitlin Richman at crichman@themart.com.

  • Unfortunately, our show is only open to retailers that have the required credentials and have a retail store/website. Please obtain all proper documentation before attending the show.

  • As a buyer at Chicago Collective, you are eligible to receive $50 back per night for up to 3 nights (Saturday, Sunday and Monday ONLY), for up to $150 total. You must book your hotel through onPeak, our official travel partner, on our website or by calling 800-528-8700. Once at the show, you must fill out the buyer reimbursement form in the show office and then we will mail you a check following the show. You are not eligible for the reimbursement if you do not book your hotel through onPeak or if you do not fill out the form during the show. 

    • STEP 1: Book your hotel room through onPeak or call 1800.528.8700. Hotel rooms must be booked through onPeak to qualify for the Reimbursement Program. 

    • STEP 2: Fill out the REIMBURSEMENT FORM in the 7th Floor Show Office, before the last day of the Show. Hotel invoices are not required.

    • STEP 3: Reimbursement Checks will be MAILED within 2-3 weeks after the show!

  • The Merchandise Mart is bordered by Wells and Orleans Streets on the east and west, and Kinzie Street and the Chicago River on the north and south. From I-90/94, exit east at Ohio Street. Turn south on Wells Street and drive four blocks to The Mart. (The Chicago River is on The Mart's south side). For customized driving directions, click here to visit Google Maps.

  • Discounted parking is available for Registered Buyers for $15/day at the MartParc at Kinzie and Wells garage. Simply bring your parking ticket to the Registration desk for a discounted validation ticket.

    PLEASE NOTE: The MartParc Orleans Garage is no longer included in the validated discounted parking.