PORTABLE
DISPLAYS
Productive Displays supplies portable trade show displays to Chicago-area exhibitors who need setups that pack light, ship easy, and go up in minutes.
Choose Your Portable Display Type
Every category below is built for exhibitors who value low shipping weight and quick setup over a permanent, fabricated structure.
Why Chicago Exhibitors Choose Portable
Venues like McCormick Place operate under union labor jurisdiction and drayage fees that scale with the size and weight of what you ship. A display that fits in a single wheeled case avoids drayage entirely in most cases and sidesteps union material-handling costs that a large fabricated exhibit cannot. Read our McCormick Place exhibitor guide for the full breakdown of drayage and union rules before you decide how to ship your next booth.
Frequently Asked
Portable Trade Show Displays — Common Questions
What counts as a "portable" trade show display?
Any display that a single person can transport and set up without freight or a install crew — pop-ups, tabletop systems, banner stands, fabric panel backwalls, and table throws all qualify. Custom fabricated island exhibits and truss systems generally do not.
How much do portable trade show displays weigh?
Most portable categories run well under 100 pounds per case. Banner stands and tabletop units are typically 10 to 55 pounds; pop-up and fabric panel backwalls run heavier at 100 to 250 pounds depending on size, but still ship in one or two cases rather than freight.
Can I check a portable display as luggage or does it need freight?
Tabletop displays and banner stands generally fit within standard checked-baggage size and weight limits on most airlines. Full 10-foot backwalls are usually better shipped as ground freight or through a show's advance-warehouse service, even though they are still "portable" compared to a custom exhibit.
What's the most portable option for a 10x10 booth?
A retractable banner stand paired with a tabletop unit is the lightest possible setup, but for a full backwall presence in a 10x10, a 10-foot pop-up or fabric panel system is the standard choice — both pack into a single wheeled case.
Still have a question about your show?
Talk To UsNot Sure Which Fits Your Booth?
Tell us your booth size and show schedule and we will recommend the lightest setup that still makes the impression you need.