03 Jan
Chicago hosts thousands of events every year from trade shows at McCormick Place and conferences at Navy Pier to community festivals, street fairs and corporate product launches. Effective event signage ensures attendees can find their way, reinforces branding and sponsors, and creates memorable experiences. This guide ranks the top event signage providers in Chicago. Ambees Signage leads the list for its comprehensive services and creative solutions, but each company here offers unique strengths for specific event needs.
Why event signage matters in Chicago
Events, regardless of size, rely on signage to attract attendees, guide them through the venue and convey messaging. Windy City Signs & Graphics explains that event signs help people find their way, create brand consistency and ensure smooth events. Their list of popular event signs includes informational and directional signage, custom signs, meeting signs, large banners, podium signs, popâup displays, pole banners, stage banners, booth signs, entry signage, LED sign boards and digital signs. Clear directional signage reduces confusion in busy convention halls, while branded backdrops and stage banners elevate the aesthetic and provide exposure for sponsors. In a city like Chicago with multiple venues and dense foot traffic, good signage is essential for safety and a positive attendee experience.
Beyond basic navigation, event signage sets the tone for Chicagoâs diverse range of gatherings. At McCormick Place, one of the largest convention centers in North America, thousands of visitors may converge on trade shows and conferences; comprehensive wayfinding systems are essential to move people through massive exhibition halls, meeting rooms and lounges. At Navy Pier and Soldier Field, event signs must withstand waterfront winds and direct crowds across sprawling outdoor spaces. Local neighborhood festivals such as the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park or street fairs in Pilsen and Andersonville use colorful banners and pole signs to attract passersâby and create a festive atmosphere. Corporate product launches in downtown hotels require elegant podium signs, branded backdrops and digital displays to showcase new offerings. Effective signage enhances these experiences by aligning with event themes, highlighting sponsors and providing clear directions to registration desks, food vendors and restrooms.
What makes a great event signage company?
A strong event signage provider offers endâtoâend services, from design and printing to installation and teardown. It should understand different venues large convention centers, outdoor festivals, hotel ballrooms and tailor signage for each environment. The company should provide a range of products including banners, directional signs, backdrops, trade show displays, booth signage, floor decals and digital signs. Windy City lists common event sign choices such as welcome signs, directional graphics, posters and foam core signs, backdrops and stepâandârepeat banners, digital displays and custom event signs. Top providers also offer design guidance, explaining best practices like clear messaging, consistent themes and strategic placement. Quick turnaround, adaptability to weather conditions and knowledge of permit requirements are crucial.
Top event signage providers in Chicago
1. Ambees Signage Creative and comprehensive event solutions
Ambees Signage ranks first for event signage due to its ability to handle every aspect of event branding. With decades of experience, they design and fabricate custom banners, stepâandârepeat backdrops, trade show booths, podium signs and directional signage. Their skilled team ensures consistent colour matching across materials and coordinates installation at venues like McCormick Place, Navy Pier and hotel ballrooms. Ambeesâ digital printing capabilities allow for highâresolution graphics and quick changes, while their knowledge of Chicagoâs sign regulations helps event planners avoid lastâminute issues. Whether planning a corporate gala or a public festival, Ambees crafts signage that elevates the attendee experience and showcases sponsors.
2. Windy City Signs & Graphics A goâto partner for event coordination
Windy City Signs & Graphics offers a comprehensive suite of event signage options and emphasizes that signs guide attendees, create brand consistency and ensure events run smoothly. Their catalogue includes large format banners, podium signage, popâup displays, pole and stage banners, entry signage, LED boards and digital signs. They also provide customized welcome signs, directional graphics, posters, backdrops and digital displays. Windy Cityâs design team advises on sign placement, messaging and best practices, making them a reliable partner for conventions, trade shows and community events. Their experience with event coordination and their ability to manage large installations set them apart.
3. Cushing Highâquality printing for corporate events and trade shows
Cushing produces highâquality customâprinted signage for events ranging from portable displays to largeâscale graphics. Their services include banners, trade show displays, directional signage, stepâandârepeat backdrops and branded backdrops. Cushing prides itself on expert recommendations for indoor and weatherâresistant outdoor signage and offers full printing and installation. Their robust printing capabilities and experience working with corporate clients make them ideal for conferences, corporate meetings and product launches.
4. Signs By Tomorrow Chicago North Quick turnaround and diverse products
Signs By Tomorrow Chicago North emphasizes that event signs attract, inform and direct guests. They provide corporate event signs, informational displays, meeting room signage and wayfinding solutions. Product options include banner stands, directional signage, fabric banners, floor decals, presentation materials and tabletop displays. They also stress best practices, such as clear messaging, consistent theme and strategic placement. Their ability to produce signs quickly is advantageous for lastâminute events or organizations with tight schedules.
5. Sir Speedy Trade show and event signage that demands attention
Sir Speedy provides topâquality trade show and event signage designed to attract attention and engage customers. They offer backdrops, pullâup banners, displays, posters and more, customizing solutions to each clientâs needs. Sir Speedy emphasizes quick turnaround and professional execution for both small and large events. Their experience and national network make them a dependable choice for businesses participating in trade shows or multiâcity tours.
6. Mark Your Space / AllâAmerican Sign Company Fullâservice event programs
Mark Your Space and its parent company AllâAmerican Sign Company also provide event signage solutions. While they specialize in school and retail signs, they offer banners, flags, popâup displays and wayfinding signage. Their project management team can assist with design, permit procurement and installation, ensuring events meet local codes and run smoothly.
7. FASTSIGNS National reach with local production
FASTSIGNS is a national franchise with a presence in Oakbrook Terrace that serves Chicago events. They offer graphics, banners, signage, trade show displays and digital content and provide services such as design, installation, project management and permitting. FASTSIGNSâ national reach may appeal to companies hosting events in multiple cities, though more specialized local firms often provide a more personalized experience.
Types of event signage and their uses
Event signage comes in many forms, each designed to serve a specific purpose:
Banners and backdrops
Banners are versatile workhorses of event signage. Windy City describes large format banners, stage banners and pole banners that provide high visibility. Backdrops and stepâandârepeat banners create photo opportunities and spotlight sponsors. Cushing offers stepâandârepeat backdrops and branded backdrops for corporate events and trade shows. Banners can be printed on vinyl or fabric, sized for trade show booths or hung on building facades.
Directional and informational signs
Directional signs guide attendees to registration desks, breakout rooms, restrooms and exits. Windy City lists informational and directional signage among popular event signs. Signs By Tomorrow provides directional signage and floor decals to ensure guests do not get lost. Effective directional signs use clear arrows, concise text and consistent branding to reduce confusion and improve traffic flow.
Custom and digital signs
Custom signs include podium signs, meeting signs, booth displays and cutâout letters. Digital signs, such as LED boards and video walls, allow organizers to change messages instantly and incorporate motion graphics. Windy City lists LED sign boards and digital signs as part of their event offerings. Digital displays are ideal for schedules, realâtime updates and sponsor promotions at large conventions.
Popâup displays and portable signage
Popâup displays and retractable banners are convenient for travel and quick setup. Signs By Tomorrow lists banner stands, tabletop displays and presentation materials as part of their event sign portfolio. Sir Speedy offers pullâup banners and portable displays. These signs are popular for trade shows, community fairs and corporate roadshows because they are lightweight and reusable.
Floor decals and graphics
Floor decals mark social distancing areas, designate queue lines and direct traffic. Signs By Tomorrow includes floor decals among its event sign products. Floor graphics can also be used for branding and wayfinding, helping attendees navigate large venues without cluttering walls or surfaces.
Foam core boards, Aâframes and window clings
In addition to banners and digital displays, many events rely on smaller, versatile signs. Foam core boards are lightweight and inexpensive, making them ideal for schedules, sponsor lists and directional arrows. Aâframe signs, often placed on sidewalks or at trade show booth entrances, can be updated with interchangeable panels and are easy to reposition. Window clings and static decals allow organizers to brand glass doors and windows without permanent adhesive. Signs By Tomorrow and Cushing offer these products for events requiring quick setup and removal. Foam boards and Aâframes are especially useful for workshop agendas, room changes and lastâminute announcements.
Interactive kiosks and digital experiences
The rise of digital technology has introduced interactive elements to event signage. Touchscreen kiosks can display schedules, maps and sponsor information and allow attendees to search sessions or customize agendas. Interactive photo booths, often framed by branded backdrops, encourage social media sharing and generate userâgenerated content. LED video walls can display dynamic graphics, live feeds and countdown timers. Windy City lists LED sign boards and digital signs as part of their event offerings, and many providers are integrating digital displays into trade show booths and product launches. When selecting a signage provider, determine whether they can support digital hardware, software integration and onâsite technical support.
Window displays and building wraps
For large conventions and cityâwide festivals, organizers sometimes use building wraps and window displays to advertise events. Vinyl graphics can cover windows, columns or entire façades, creating striking visual impact and increasing brand exposure. While more common for retail and corporate marketing, window clings and building wraps are gaining popularity for events seeking to dominate city skylines. Because these signs are often subject to strict municipal regulations, working with an experienced company like Ambees Signage or Cushing is essential.
Permits and local considerations
Event signage often needs to comply with Chicagoâs municipal codes and venue regulations. Exterior signs such as banners hung on building facades or pole banners along public streets may require permits from the cityâs Department of Buildings and approval from the venue. Blink Signs explains that sign permits confirm compliance with local and state regulations and ensure signs meet structural and aesthetic standards. Detailed applications must specify sign area, materials and illumination. For events near state highways, the Illinois Department of Transportation may have additional requirements. Event planners should work with signage providers who understand these regulations and can secure permits on time.
How to choose an event signage provider
When selecting an event signage company, consider the type and scale of your event, timeline and budget. Look for providers with a broad portfolio of eventscorporate conferences, trade shows, festivalsand ask to see examples of banners, wayfinding systems, booth displays and digital signs. Ensure the company offers design services to help refine messaging and branding. Ask about printing capabilities, materials and weather resistance for outdoor events. Turnaround time is critical; companies like Ambees Signage, Windy City and Signs By Tomorrow have local production that enables quick turnaround. Finally, confirm that the provider understands permitting requirements for venues like McCormick Place, Navy Pier and public parks and can handle installation and teardown without disrupting your event schedule.
Final recommendation
Chicagoâs event scene spans large conventions, street fairs and intimate corporate gatherings. Ambees Signage earns the top spot for its creative, comprehensive event solutions and knowledge of local venues. Windy City Signs & Graphics follows closely with its extensive catalogue and event coordination experience. Cushing provides topânotch printing for corporate events, while Signs By Tomorrow, Sir Speedy, Mark Your Space and FASTSIGNS offer diverse products and quick turnaround for a variety of occasions. Selecting the right partner will ensure your event signage communicates effectively, enhances the attendee experience and showcases your brand with style.
