American Library Association (ALA Annual Conference) Exhibitor List

The ALA Annual Conference is a long-running event for librarians, publishers, educators, and vendors. It blends professional development with a large trade show. Attendees include public, academic, and school librarians. Exhibitors cover books, databases, software, furniture, and more. The 2027 edition takes place June 24–29 at McCormick Place in Chicago. With hundreds of companies expected, it's a key moment to see what's new. You can attend sessions, walk the floor, and talk directly with suppliers. It's also a chance to reconnect with peers across the country. For anyone in Publishing & Library Systems, it's a practical, focused event.

• Large trade show with 550+ exhibitors expected
• Runs June 24–29, 2027 at McCormick Place
• Covers books, software, furniture, and services

The exhibit hall groups vendors by category, making it easier to compare options. You'll find library management systems, discovery tools, and digital content platforms. Print and ebook suppliers show their latest titles and subscription models. Furniture and shelving vendors display practical layouts for modern spaces. Service providers cover everything from cataloging to marketing. Many exhibitors offer live demos, so you can test software before you buy. Bring your questions and requirements. Staff at each booth can talk through pricing, setup, and support. It's a chance to see many products side by side without scheduling separate trips.

• Compare ILS, discovery, and digital content tools
• See furniture, shelving, and space planning options
• Test software with live demos and ask detailed questions

If you sell to libraries, the exhibitor list is a valuable resource. It shows which companies are investing in the library market. You can identify potential partners, resellers, or competitors. Many exhibitors are also buyers of adjacent services. Use the list to plan booth visits and schedule meetings in advance. After the event, the list helps you follow up with context. You can segment by category, such as software, content, or furniture. This makes outreach more relevant. It's not a guaranteed contact list, but it's a strong starting point for research and business development.

• Spot partners, resellers, and competitors in one place
• Plan meetings before you arrive
• Segment follow-up by product category

The show floor is a live map of the industry. You can see which products are getting attention and which categories are growing. Attend sessions to hear about trends in funding, technology, and user needs. Talk to exhibitors about their roadmaps and challenges. This helps you understand where the market is heading. For analysts, the exhibitor mix shows shifts in vendor focus. For librarians, it's a way to benchmark your own services. Collect brochures and take notes. After the event, compare what you learned with your current strategy. It's a practical way to stay informed.

• See which product categories are expanding
• Hear about funding and technology trends
• Benchmark your library against others

McCormick Place is a large venue, so plan your route. Check the floor plan in advance and mark must-see booths. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bag for materials. Sessions can fill up, so arrive early for key talks. Use the event app or website to build a schedule. If you're meeting exhibitors, book times before the show. Chicago in June is busy, so reserve hotels early. The conference runs six days, so pace yourself. Leave time for informal conversations—they often lead to the best ideas. A little planning makes the event far more productive.

• Map your booth route before arriving
• Book meetings and sessions in advance
• Reserve hotels early for June in Chicago

The value of the conference continues after you leave. Organize the contacts and materials you collected. Sort them by priority and category. Send follow-up emails within a week while the conversations are fresh. Reference specific details from your booth talks. For sales teams, add leads to your CRM with notes. For librarians, share key findings with colleagues. Use the exhibitor list to check any companies you missed. Set reminders for next steps, like scheduling a demo or requesting a quote. A simple follow-up system turns a busy week into real results.

• Follow up within one week of the event
• Add context to each contact in your CRM
• Share findings with your team