PACK EXPO International 2026 Private Events
PACK EXPO Private Dining, Customer Dinners & Exhibitor Parties at NIA
Bring the people behind your PACK EXPO trip together at NIA Restaurant & Wine Bar. Host the customers visiting your booth, reconnect with distribution partners or celebrate the team that made your exhibition possible.
After a day of equipment demonstrations, supplier meetings and conversations on the show floor, NIA gives your guests an evening with a different pace: Mediterranean-inspired food, a shared table and time to get to know one another away from McCormick Place.
NIA welcomes private-event inquiries at 803 W. Randolph Street in Chicago’s West Loop. Start with your guest count, preferred evening and the kind of gathering you want to host.
Planning during the show? Ask about Tuesday, October 20 or Wednesday, October 21. Both dates fall within NIA’s regular dinner schedule. Private-event availability must be confirmed.
Thank the customers who came to see you, reconnect with the partners supporting your business and celebrate the team behind your PACK EXPO presence around one West Loop table.
PACK EXPO International 2026
October 18–21, 2026 at McCormick Place
PACK EXPO International brings packaging and processing professionals from a wide range of industries to Chicago. For NIA gatherings during the show, Tuesday October 20 and Wednesday October 21 align with the restaurant’s current regular dinner schedule.
Show Dates
October 18–21
PACK EXPO International runs Sunday through Wednesday.
Venue
McCormick Place
NIA is a separate West Loop destination for off-site company gatherings.
NIA Dinner Nights
October 20–21
Tuesday and Wednesday align with NIA’s regular opening schedule.
After the Show Floor
Host the People You Came to Chicago to Meet
PACK EXPO brings together packaging engineers, plant managers, operations leaders, procurement professionals, corporate leadership, suppliers and other people responsible for packaging and processing decisions.
For an exhibiting company, several of those roles may be involved in one customer relationship. The engineer evaluating your equipment may be attending alongside an operations manager, while your own sales, service and technical teams have different responsibilities throughout the visit.
A hosted dinner gives that group one clear occasion to spend meaningful time together. You can introduce the people who will support the account, thank a long-standing customer or welcome a distribution partner visiting from another region.
Build the evening around a guest list with a shared purpose. NIA can discuss the restaurant arrangements for a customer dinner, distributor gathering, exhibitor celebration or private company event.
Customer Appreciation
PACK EXPO Customer Dinners
A customer dinner begins with a clear invitation. Tell guests why you would like them to join you, who else is attending and what time the evening is expected to finish.
You might bring one customer’s visiting team together with the colleagues who support their account, or invite several established customers for an appreciation evening. Those are different kinds of events. The first can support a more focused conversation, while the second requires thoughtful introductions and seating.
Consider including the people beyond the direct sales relationship. If your guests already work with your engineering, installation or service teams, bringing those colleagues into the evening can make the relationship feel more personal and complete.
For a seated customer dinner, tell NIA whether you need privacy for a smaller group, room for several tables or time for brief welcome remarks before dinner.
Channel Partners
Distributor and Partner Gatherings
PACK EXPO can bring your manufacturer team, independent representatives and regional distributors into the same city. Use that opportunity to organise an evening for the people who help customers find, install and support your products.
A distributor dinner might welcome a new territory partner, recognise an established relationship or introduce colleagues who usually work across different regions.
For a group spanning several markets, ask each partner to confirm their attendees and keep one central guest list. This helps prevent duplicate invitations and makes dietary planning easier.
Think about seating as part of your hosting plan. You may want a regional representative beside the service colleague they work with regularly or a newer partner near someone who can introduce them to the broader team.
Exhibitor Teams
Celebrate the People Behind Your PACK EXPO Presence
Your booth represents the work of more people than those leading product demonstrations. Technical staff, account managers, marketers, service teams and operations colleagues may all contribute to the exhibition.
A company dinner creates one moment to recognise that work together. Welcome colleagues visiting from another office, thank the people who helped prepare equipment for the show or simply mark the end of several demanding days.
Decide early whether customers will be included. An internal team celebration has a different guest list and tone from a hosted client dinner, even when both happen during the same conference week.
For a closing-night event, check who is staying in Chicago and which colleagues still have move-out responsibilities. Give NIA a realistic arrival window for the people handling those tasks rather than assuming everyone can leave the exhibition floor at the same moment.
Ways to Gather
PACK EXPO Events You Can Plan at NIA
NIA can work for several kinds of professional gatherings depending on your guest count, the purpose of the evening and the event arrangement confirmed with the restaurant.
Customer Appreciation Dinner
Thank customers who visited your booth with a seated West Loop dinner away from the pace of McCormick Place.
Distributor Gathering
Bring regional partners, independent representatives and manufacturer colleagues together around one shared table.
Exhibitor Team Party
Recognise the sales, engineering, marketing and operations teams responsible for your PACK EXPO presence.
Partner Dinner
Reconnect with suppliers, service partners and professional contacts visiting Chicago for the show.
Closing-Night Celebration
Use Wednesday evening to celebrate the end of the show with colleagues who are staying in Chicago after exhibit responsibilities are complete.
Private Company Event
For larger or more structured gatherings, contact NIA in advance to discuss current private-event arrangements.
Choose the Right Night
Tuesday or Wednesday: Which Evening Fits Your PACK EXPO Group?
NIA’s regular hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with regular closures Sunday and Monday. During PACK EXPO International, that makes Tuesday October 20 and Wednesday October 21 the two show dates that align naturally with NIA’s current dinner schedule.
Sunday, October 18
The PACK EXPO show floor runs during the day, but NIA is normally closed Sunday. Do not advertise a Sunday event unless special service is directly confirmed.
Monday, October 19
NIA is normally closed Monday. The official PACK gives BACK event is also scheduled Monday evening, which may affect guest availability.
Tuesday, October 20
The show floor is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday can work well for customer or distributor dinners after booth responsibilities and travel to West Loop.
Wednesday, October 21
The final show day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday can work for a farewell dinner or team celebration after move-out responsibilities are considered.
Planning guidance: Tuesday can be especially useful for customers or partners leaving after Wednesday’s final show day. Wednesday may work well as a closing celebration for colleagues staying overnight, but exhibitors should confirm move-out responsibilities before setting the arrival time.
Mediterranean Group Dining
A Shared Dinner for Customers, Partners and Your Team
NIA’s group dining menu includes a six-course shared tasting format and a vegetarian version. Shared dishes give guests something to experience together while conversation develops naturally around the table.
For a distributor gathering, the meal can help people settle into the evening after introductions. For a customer dinner, shared food creates a more relaxed atmosphere after a day of meetings. For an internal team celebration, dinner can become the main event with a short thank-you from the host and plenty of time for colleagues to talk.
Collect dietary requirements when guests accept the invitation and send them to the restaurant together. Specific allergies or restrictions should be discussed before confirming the food plan.
If your guests need to leave at a particular time, include that when discussing the menu. The number of courses, expected arrival window and any planned remarks should fit the evening you have promised.
Private Event Planning
Choose the Right Room and Event Format
NIA’s private-dining options include the main dining room and wine cellar. The right space depends on your guest count, privacy requirements and how the evening is expected to work.
A small customer dinner has different needs from a larger distributor gathering or an internal company celebration. Ask NIA which room and seating arrangement can support the specific event you are planning.
If exclusive use of a room matters, state that directly when making the inquiry and have it confirmed in the proposal. A group reservation by itself should not be treated as confirmation of a private room.
Menus & Beverages
Build the Evening Around Your Budget
NIA lists private-event tasting menus and beverage options that include beer-and-wine and premium-bar packages. The right plan should reflect both the guest experience you want and the budget your company has approved.
For a customer dinner, explain whether the company is hosting the complete evening and what spending limit you need to work within. Ask for an estimate that includes applicable taxes, gratuity and other charges so your team can review the full cost rather than only the menu price.
If the event includes brief remarks or recognition, discuss any equipment needs and room setup during the planning stage instead of adding them after the event has already been configured.
McCormick Place to West Loop
Make the Journey to NIA Clear for Every Guest
PACK EXPO occupies multiple buildings across the McCormick Place campus, which means your guests may finish the exhibition day in different locations. That makes a clear arrival plan especially important.
If the group intends to travel together, choose a specific meeting point and name the person coordinating departure. A general instruction to meet outside McCormick Place can leave people waiting at different exits.
Include NIA Restaurant & Wine Bar, 803 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607 in every invitation. NIA is a separate West Loop destination, so allow for the journey and any hotel stop your guests plan to make.
Use live directions when arranging transportation instead of relying on a fixed drive-time estimate. For groups involving several companies, one clear dinner time and one arrival contact can make the evening much easier to coordinate.
Request Your Proposal
What to Send NIA for Your PACK EXPO Gathering
Send the main event details together so NIA can discuss a suitable arrangement. You do not need every RSVP confirmed before you inquire, but the estimate should be realistic.
Preferred Date
Share Tuesday October 20 or Wednesday October 21 as your preferred date and include an alternative if possible.
Estimated Attendance
Include both company hosts and invited customers, distributors, partners or other guests.
Occasion
Explain whether you are planning customer appreciation, a distributor gathering, exhibitor celebration or another event.
Arrival & Finish Time
Give the expected arrival window and the time guests need the evening to conclude.
Food & Beverage Budget
Share your target budget and clarify whether it needs to include drinks, taxes and gratuity.
Special Requirements
Mention dietary needs, room access, exclusive-space requests, welcome remarks or presentation requirements.
Before sending final invitations, confirm the space, menu, beverage arrangement, full event estimate, deposit requirements, final-headcount deadline and cancellation terms.
NIA Restaurant & Wine Bar
Plan Your PACK EXPO Dinner or Company Party
NIA gives PACK EXPO exhibitors, customers, distributors and visiting business teams a West Loop destination for private dining and professional hospitality. Ask about Tuesday October 20 or Wednesday October 21 and tell the events team what kind of gathering you want to host.
PACK EXPO International 2026
Host the Customers, Partners and Colleagues Behind Your Chicago Trip
Thank the customers who made time to visit your booth, bring your distribution partners together and celebrate the colleagues behind your exhibition. Share your plans with NIA and ask about a private dinner or company gathering during PACK EXPO International 2026.
FAQs
PACK EXPO Private-Dining Questions
When is PACK EXPO International 2026?
PACK EXPO International 2026 takes place October 18–21 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Can NIA host a dinner for exhibitors and their customers?
Yes. NIA accepts private-event inquiries for corporate gatherings. Include both company hosts and customers in the estimated guest count and explain whether you need a private room or another group arrangement.
What PACK EXPO dates work with NIA’s regular hours?
Tuesday October 20 and Wednesday October 21 fall within NIA’s regular Tuesday-through-Thursday dinner schedule. Private-event availability still needs to be confirmed.
Can we book NIA on Sunday or Monday during PACK EXPO?
NIA’s regular schedule lists Sunday and Monday as closed. Contact the restaurant directly if either date is essential and only advertise the event after special service is confirmed.
Can we organize a Wednesday closing-night party?
Yes, subject to restaurant availability. Check which colleagues will remain in Chicago and account for exhibitor move-out responsibilities before choosing the arrival time.
Can distributors and channel partners gather at NIA?
Yes. NIA can work for distributor dinners, manufacturer-partner gatherings and other professional group events, subject to the restaurant arrangement available for your date.
Can we host a customer appreciation dinner?
Yes. Share the expected guest count, preferred date, desired level of privacy and whether the dinner includes brief welcome remarks or other hosting requirements.
Does NIA offer group dining?
Yes. NIA offers shared group dining and tasting-menu options. Review the current group menu when planning the event.
Can NIA accommodate vegetarian guests or dietary restrictions?
NIA currently lists a vegetarian shared tasting menu, and dietary requirements should be discussed with the restaurant before the event so suitable arrangements can be confirmed.
Can our company event include wine and cocktails?
Yes. NIA offers beverage options for private events. Tell the events team what you want included so the proposal can reflect your guest list and budget.
How much does a private PACK EXPO dinner cost?
Pricing depends on the date, guest count, food, beverages and event setup. Request a complete proposal and confirm taxes, gratuity, deposit requirements and other charges before booking.
Does booking a group dinner guarantee a private room?
No. If exclusive room use is required, request it directly and make sure the proposal identifies the confirmed space and arrangement.
Can we include a short welcome or presentation?
Share any presentation, recognition or equipment needs when requesting the event. The restaurant can then confirm the appropriate setup and any related requirements.
How should guests get from McCormick Place to NIA?
NIA is located at 803 W. Randolph Street in Chicago’s West Loop rather than at McCormick Place. Guests should use live navigation and allow enough time for travel based on traffic and convention activity.
Does submitting an inquiry reserve our event date?
No. An inquiry begins the planning process. The event is not confirmed until the restaurant accepts the booking and any required agreement, deposit or other booking conditions are completed.
Is NIA an official PACK EXPO event venue?
No. NIA offers independently arranged restaurant gatherings for people visiting Chicago during PACK EXPO International. This page does not represent a PMMI-sponsored event or official PACK EXPO endorsement.
