Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where will AHA 2026 take place?
  2. What are dates and hours of the AHA annual meeting Exhibits?
  3. What are the important deadlines to remember?
  4. What are the booth and tabletop space rental rates? What is included?
  5. What is the payment schedule for booth and tabletop spaces?
  6. How is booth and tabletop space assigned? When will I receive confirmation?
  7. What are the Exhibit Rules & Regulations?
  8. What is the Exhibitor Manual? How do I order exhibit services?
  9. How do I register for exhibitor badges?
  10. How do I make my hotel arrangements? What is the deadline?
  11. How do I update my company information for the online Exhibitor Listing?
  12. How can I maximize my presence on the Exhibit floor?
  13. How should I ship my exhibit materials? In advance to the warehouse or direct to the exhibit facility?
  14. Can I deliver my own exhibit materials to the exhibit facility?
  15. Is there security provided for MY booth or tabletop?
  16. Should I insure my exhibit materials?
  17. When can I install or dismantle my booth or tabletop?
  18. If I have a problem during installation, the exhibition, or dismantling, who do I see?

Take a moment to review the following information and contact us for answers to any additional questions:

Exhibit Sales, T: 630-434-7779, AHA@heiexpo.com 
Hall-Erickson, Inc.
AHA Annual Meeting Exhibits Management and Sales
T: 630-434-7779 | AHA@heiexpo.com

1. Where will AHA 2026 take place?

AHA 2026 will take place January 8–11 (exhibit hall open January 9–11), 2026.

The exhibit hall will be located in the Hilton Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 

2. What are dates and hours of AHA annual meeting exhibits?*

Friday, January 9, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 10, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
     Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

Sunday, January 11, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

3. What are the important deadlines to remember? 

  • Exhibitor housing and advance registration opens – mid-September, 2025
  • Last day to cancel exhibit booth or tabletop with full refund – October 1, 2025
  • Deadline to submit advertising order for the annual meeting Program – September 12, 2025.
    Artwork is due September 26, 2025.
  • Final balance of booth or tabletop payment due – November 18, 2025

4. What are the booth and tabletop space rental rates? What is included?

Booth rental rates are:

  • $2,410 per 10x10 Premium Space
  • $2,310 per 10x10 Standard Space

The tabletop rental rate is $750 per tabletop space. 

  • Tabletops are limited to one per exhibitor. If you need more space, please purchase one or more booths. The tabletop option is perfect for exhibitors who don't want or need the full space of a booth, but still want to share materials and meeting with annual meeting attendees. 

Floor plan

Each booth includes the following:

  • Five free annual meeting registrations per 10' x 10’ booth
  • Networking access to thousands of history professionals
  • Listing on AHA website
  • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities, including app push notifications.
  • 24-hour Exhibit Hall security
  • Booth identification sign
  • 8’ high back drape, 3’ high side rails
  • General Exhibit Hall cleaning
  • Assistance from the AHA’s official general service contractor, GES (www.ges.com). You can order GES products and services at a discount, including booth furniture, material handling, labor, and much more. 
  • New for 2026!
    • Complimentary promotion in the AHA's Exhibitor Preview email, sent to all attendees in the month before the meeting
    • An invitation to an optional exhibitor meet-and-greet session with high school history educators the afternoon of the first day of the conference/load-in day.

- Please note that furnishings, material handling (shipping/drayage), power, and Internet are not included with your booth rental fee. Tables, furniture, etc., can be obtained at an additional rental charge through the official service contractors. Information on ordering additional services is included in the Exhibitor Manual, available in September 2025.

Each tabletop includes the following:

  • Two free annual meeting registrations per tabletop
  • 6-foot-long by 2-foot-wide display table, skirted in show colors; two chairs; wastebasket (the tabletop space is all-inclusive--no other furniture may be ordered)
  • Networking access to thousands of history professionals
  • Listing in the AHA annual meeting Program and on the AHA website and annual meeting app
  • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities, including app push notifications
  • 24-hour Exhibit Hall security
  • Access to the Exhibitor Lounge
  • Identification sign
  • General Exhibit Hall cleaning
  • New for 2026!
    • Complimentary promotion in the AHA's Exhibitor Preview email, sent to all attendees in the month before the meeting
    • An invitation to an optional exhibitor meet-and-greet session with high school history educators the afternoon of the first day of the conference/load-in day

- Please note that while a skirted table, two chairs, and a wastebasket are included in your tabletop package, material handling (shipping/drayage), electricity, and Internet are not included in your fee. These can be obtained at an additional charge through the official service contractors. Information on ordering additional services will be shared in September 2025. 

For security reasons, annual meeting badges must be worn by exhibitors and attendees at all times in the Exhibit Hall.

5. What is the payment schedule for booth and tabletop space?

Booth and tabletop requests will be accepted at www.historians.org/boothorders and require a minimum payment of 50% of the booth or tabletop cost. Credit cards are accepted online. Failure to abide by this payment schedule can result in reassignment of booth or tabletop space. 

The balance of the fee is due November 18, 2025. After October 1, 2025, no cancellations will be accepted. Deposits will be refunded on cancellations made prior to this date, and must be made in writing. Cancellations received after October 1, 2025, obligate the exhibitor to full payment and forfeiture of all monies paid.

6. How is booth and tabletop space assigned? When will I receive confirmation?

All reservations will be made online according to the following procedures:

  1. Booth and tabletop requests will be accepted at http://historians.org/2026booths. You will need an AHA login; contact helpdesk@historians.org if you have one and need a reminder, or create a free new account at www.historians.org/createaccount. Booth and tabletop orders require a minimum deposit of 50% payable online by credit card. 

  2. For booths: Examine the floor plan carefully before making your booth selection(s). Please include booth locations throughout the hall on your booth request to ensure a booth of your choice. 

  3. For tabletops: Tabletops are located in a designated part of the exhibit hall (see the floor plan). The AHA may extend tabletop space if demand exceeds what is currently available.

  4. Each exhibiting company agrees to abide by all the terms and conditions of the contract. Changes to the contract by exhibitors are not allowed. Any changes to the terms and conditions by the AHA will be communicated to exhibitors.

  5. Assignment of booth and tabletop space will be made on a first come, first served basis with completed booth or tabletop request and inclusion of proper deposit. Companies that exhibited at the 2025 AHA annual meeting will be given location preference.

  6. Once your booth(s) or tabletop has been assigned, you will receive a confirmation email. A separate email will detail the process for obtaining badges for your representatives.

  7. The balance of the exhibitor fee is due November 18, 2025. After October 1, 2025, no cancellations will be accepted. Deposits will be refunded on cancellations made prior to this date and must be made in writing. Cancellations received after October 1, 2025, obligate the exhibitor to full payment and forfeiture of all monies paid.

For questions on your booth assignment, contact Hall-Erickson, Inc., T: 630-434-7779, AHA@heiexpo.com.

7. What are the Exhibit Rules & Regulations?

AHA annual meeting Exhibitor Terms and Conditions are part of the Application for Exhibit Space.

Exhibitors must abide by all AHA annual meeting Display Rules when designing and installing their exhibit fixtures. These display rules must be adhered to on-site, or your display may be required to go through costly alterations before the Show opens. The display rules are not meant to limit your ability to showcase your product, but rather to ensure each exhibitor an equal opportunity, within reason, to present their product or service most effectively to the audience. The exhibitor's responsibility can be summed up simply as "Be a Good Neighbor."

Note: All demonstration equipment including the operator's position must be located at least two feet back from the aisle line of the exhibit area. Each exhibitor warrants and agrees that the exhibitor is solely responsible for assuming that its exhibit, demonstration(s), and all related materials, are accessible to persons with disabilities and comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Your agreement to abide by these display rules is a part of the exhibit space contract and they will be strictly enforced by our Floor Managers.

For questions on the Display Rules & Regulations, contact Hall-Erickson, Inc., T: 630-434-7779, AHA@heiexpo.com.

8. What is the Exhibitor Manual? How do I order exhibit services?

The Exhibitor Manual will be available in September 2025. It is your resource guide to all you need to know to successfully organize and implement your exhibit plan. It includes rules & regulations, general information, the official contractor list, shipping and handling instructions, rental display options, labor services, and order forms for every service available to exhibitors during AHA 2026. There is also information on the correct procedure for requesting the use of an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) for your exhibit program. Exhibit services can be ordered online, and there are numerous discounts offered and deadlines, so be sure to review the Exhibitor Manual in detail well before the annual meeting exhibits.

9. How do I register for exhibitor badges? 

Registration will open mid-September. For exhibiting companies with booths, the primary contact for each company can register up to 5 staff members per booth. For exhibiting companies with tabletops, the primary contact for each company can register up to 2 staff members per tabletop. Exhibitors will log in at historians.org/myaha and select Manage My Booth Staff in the 2026 Annual Meeting, Chicago section.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact Liz Townsend at exhibits@historians.org.

Note: for security reasons, annual meeting badges must be worn by attendees and exhibitors at all times in the Exhibit Hall. 

10. How do I make my hotel arrangements? What is the deadline?

Hotel accommodations for the 2026 annual meeting should be made through the annual meeting housing website beginning in mid-September.

Note: Maritz is the Official Housing Provider for the American Historical Association's 139th Annual Meeting. Improper solicitation of hotel reservations from any company other than Maritz is not approved. Reservations made by unaffiliated organizations may appear to have lower rates. However, they may be illegitimate, not have the rooms to sell, have unreasonable cancellation or change penalties, or be completely non-refundable. Please be aware of and report any unauthorized solicitation to your organization or Maritz. Information about housing prices and procedures will be posted on the AHA Housing Site.

11. How do I update my company information for the online Exhibitor Listing?

Your company will be listed in the online Exhibitor List as soon as your booth or tabletop space is confirmed. The information from your Application will be used for your initial listing. 

Do you have another company co-located with you in your booth or tabletop? If you wish to have additional company listings with your space number, please complete the Additional Listing Form. Questions? Contact AHA Exhibits Management, AHA@heiexpo.com. 

For questions about your company listing, contact AHA Exhibits Management, AHA@heiexpo.com.

12. How can I maximize my presence on the exhibit floor?

Maximize your organization’s exposure with a sponsorship at the AHA annual meeting. AHA offers a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities and is happy to work with you to develop a promotional package suited to your needs. For more information on these options please  contact advertising@historians.org. 

13. How should I ship my exhibit materials? In advance to the warehouse or direct to the exhibit facility?

Shipping details are included in the Exhibitor Manual, which will be available in September 2025. 

We strongly suggest that exhibitors consolidate their shipments as much as possible. Plan ahead and put as much into one shipment as possible to save money.

14. Can I deliver my own exhibit materials to the exhibit facility?

Details on labor rules are included in the Exhibitor Manual, which will be available in September 2025.

Exhibitors who wish to hand-carry exhibit materials will need to park in the garage and hand-carry their items into the exhibit facility.  

15. Is there security provided for MY booth or tabletop?

From the first day of move-in through the last day of move-out, there will be 24-hour perimeter badge checkers for the exhibit floor. This level of security is intended to control the access of people and materials to and from the exhibits in a safe and organized manner. It is not intended as individual security for your booth and materials. Please remember that the Hilton Chicago is a public building to which hundreds of individuals have access – let alone the number of individuals involved in the shipping of your materials to and from the exhibition, and the installation and dismantling of displays. Be security conscious at all times during your stay in Chicago. Do not leave items of value in your booth or tabletop overnight during the installation period or exhibition days without taking security precautions. Remember that the security of your product is your responsibility—don't take chances! 

16. Should I insure my exhibit materials?

Exhibitors are required to provide their own floater insurance coverage, protecting against damage, loss, or theft. Please remember that the drayage contractor cannot be held responsible for the disappearance of an exhibitor's materials after delivery to the booth, or before the materials are picked up for loading out after the exhibition.

Remember that it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to insure their property. The American Historical Association, their agents, Hall-Erickson, Inc., the Hilton Chicago, and their respective agents will not be responsible in any way against theft, fire, or accident.

17. When can I install or dismantle my booth or tabletop?

Exhibitors may install their booth or set up their tabletop display on Thursday, January 8, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All installation must be completed by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, January 8, to allow for a final cleaning of the exhibit hall.

Exhibitors may dismantle their booth on Sunday, January 11, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. No packing of exhibit materials or equipment may begin before 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11. Exhibitors who violate this rule are subject to exclusion from future exhibits.

For questions about the schedule, Contact Exhibition Management, Hall-Erickson, Inc., T: 630-434-7779, AHA@heiexpo.com.

18. If I have a problem during installation, the exhibition, or dismantling, who do I see?

The first place to go is the Exhibits Management Desk, which will be in operation from the start of installation through the end of dismantling. We are there to assist you by answering questions about display rules, help with labor questions, and general information about the exhibition and facility. Another option is to visit the customer service staff at the General Contractor Service Center who will help you by answering questions about your shipment, your orders, or other service needs that you may have. The entire AHA annual meeting exhibits staff will be ready and willing to assist you in any way possible – please don’t hesitate to contact us.