Show Tips

Visit the McCormick Place website for more maps and information about the convention center.

Chicago is at the very center of the nation's transportation system. It's a world-class destination, easy to get to and from anywhere in the country or world. You'll find McCormick Place at the heart of Chicago, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and just minutes away from downtown hotels, shops, restaurants and attractions.

Directions to McCormick Place Parking Lot A (Best place to park for ABS exhibits)
McCormick Place West Building Area map
View Transportation Gates - pick up and drop off areas
Visit the McCormick Place website for more directions, maps and information.

Building Entrances / Transportation to West Building

Gate 40 (City Gate) Taxi and Ride Share Programs loading/unloading
Gate 41 Valet
Gate 42 Charter buses
Gate 43 and 44 (transportation Center) Shuttle buses
METRA train South Building, Level 2.5
CTA City Buses South and West Buildings
Chicago is a world-class city with a variety of transit options that make getting to and from the convention center a breeze!

Getting Around Chicago

Chicago is a walking city with an easy-to-navigate downtown grid. Madison Street divides the city north and south, while State Street divides it east and west. The State/Madison intersection marks the origin of Chicago's address grid system. Addresses are relative to the distance from that mark, with eight blocks to every mile. So an address of 3600 North Clark means that it is 36 blocks north of Madison.

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation's second largest public transportation system – serving the City of Chicago and 40 neighboring communities by rail and bus. Pay cash for single trip rides or purchase a reloadable Ventra Transit Card or Unlimited Ride Pass for added savings.

For full fare information, transit card retailers and maps, visit the Chicago Transit Authority website at www.transitchicago.com. Also look to their site for the latest updates to train schedules and routes that may affect your travel plans.

See fares here: https://www.transitchicago.com/fares/

The high-speed Metra commuter rail train connects outlying suburbs to downtown and is an easy way to get into the heart of the city fast. For exact fares and route maps, visit the Metra website at metrarail.com.

Tell the driver, "McCormick Place West" and you'll be there in no time. All our partner hotels are a short cab ride from the convention center. Don't forget to tip!

Taxis are plentiful and easy to hail downtown, at the airports and throughout many Chicago neighborhoods. You can also electronically hail (E-Hail) a taxicab through a mobile app. CHICABS offers safe and secure options for a Chicago taxicab ride. CHICABS approved apps ARRO and CURB also let passengers electronically pay (E-Pay) for the taxicab fare through the app.

Credit cards are accepted in all taxi cabs by city mandate. It is standard to tip the driver about 15-20% of the fare, plus $1-2 per bag if the driver helps you with luggage. Please note that all fares and taxes are subject to change; visit the City of Chicago website for additional taxicab passenger information.

For cyclists, information on Chicago's bike sharing program Divvy, local bike lanes and bicycle rack parking is available at chicagocompletestreets.org.

Click here to access an interactive parking map of downtown Chicago to search for public parking lots and garages by address and points of interest.

Want to pay for parking in advance? Find the perfect Chicago parking spot by comparing price, location, and amenities. Reserve your spot now.

Purchase Your Transportation Pass here for a 3-Day Pass, now only $25!
1-day pass, now only $10.
See below for Red, Blue & Gold Shuttle Schedule and Boarding locations

Go Airport Express will provide shuttle service from America's Beauty Show at McCormick Place to and from preferred ABS hotels. Shuttle passes may be pre-purchased online at each hotel stop and at McCormick Place at the transportation desk located inside the bus drop-off area. (Please note this is not a service to or from the airport. One day pass and three day pass are valid for unlimited rides during the scheduled hours. One day passes can only be used for the date of travel.
Please make reservations below. For questions and assistance please call us at 1-800-654-7871.

Airport Shuttle

You may also choose to use Go Airport Express for transport to and from Chicago airports.

If you pre-purchase your transportation pass online, please remember to bring your confirmation printout with you to your hotel pickup location. Passes will be distributed at McCormick Place, but you will need your confirmation printout for your first ride to McCormick Place.

McCormick Place Shuttle

To / From McCormick Place - West Building


DATES
 

MORNING

AFTERNOON

FREQUENCY

SAT, April 18

TBD

TBD

Every 15 to 20 minutes

SUN, April 19

TBD

TBD

Every 15 to 20 minutes

MON, April 20

TBD

TBD

Every 15 to 20 minutes

PRICING: 1-Day Pass TBD  OR   3-Day Pass TBD

Save more with us! We are an economical option compared to metered taxis and rideshare companies who will surge their rates during rush hour traffic.

RED ROUTE

Hotel / Hotel Address / Boarding Location

 TBD

BLUE ROUTE

 Hotel / Hotel Address / Boarding Location

 TBD

GOLD ROUTE

  Hotel / Hotel Address / Boarding Location

 TBD

Attendee FAQ

America's Beauty Show® is one of the largest professional events in the global beauty industry today, and consistently among the Top Ten trade shows in Chicago. Cosmetologists Chicago, a 107-year, non-for-profit organization of beauty industry members, owns and produces America’s Beauty Show.

America’s Beauty Show is ONLY for licensed salon professionals and students, NOT the general public. Some 60,000 hairdressers, nail technicians, estheticians, salon owners, beauty school instructors and students, plus manufacturer and distributor personnel attend each year.

America's Beauty Show will be April 18 - 20, 2020.

Show floor hours are:
Saturday, April, 18 11am - 5pm
Sunday, April 19, 9am - 5pm
Monday, April 20, 9am - 4pm

America's Beauty Show is held at McCormick Place (West Building) in downtown Chicago.

Our ABS 2020 Advance Program will be available online in December/January.

You may register for the show online. Registration for ABS 2020 will open August 2019.  Click Here for ticket pricing and sales information. Online registration is open up to and including all show days.

Bring the email confirmation with the barcode you received upon completing registration to the show. (We can look you up too!) Scan the barcode at the main entrance OR, to pick up a badge, scan at a registration kiosk in the ABS Registration area, level 1 of McCormick West.

In addition to a photo ID, you will be asked to provide proof of professional licensure or other industry-related identification. Any non-licensed professionals need to produce a business card, letterhead, student ID, or other document that proves their involvement in the professional beauty industry.

America's Beauty Show's partner hotels and rates are listed on our hotel booking page when housing opens late summer 2019. Many hotels offer online booking options so make sure to check back soon to receive the best rates.

For info about air travel and other options for getting to Chicago, visit our Hotel & Travel page.

Only members of the professional beauty industry may attend the show. Proof of licensure is required. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances that would require a spouse or friend to attend, please contact the registration department at 800.883.7808 to offer an explanation.

America's Beauty Show is open to licensed salon professionals only. Proof of license will be required. Children under the age of 14 will be denied access to the show floor. Thanks for your understanding as we keep our event safe and professional.

America's Beauty Show does not hire models for exhibiting companies. If you are interested in modeling for an exhibitor, please contact the exhibiting company directly or contact one of the many professional modeling agencies in Chicago. You may also wish to check listings on http://chicago.craigslist.org/. ABS does not have a model call before or during the show.

All workshop classes and events offering continuing education credit at America's Beauty Show must be purchased separately from admission tickets. You may purchase classes in advance or onsite. To be sure you get a spot in the class you wish to attend, we strongly encourage pre-registration.

Go to the registration area and one of our representatives will be happy to print you a new badge. There is a charge for reprints.

Unfortunately, all sales are final. There are no refunds.

For your convenience coat and bag check services will be available during America’s Beauty Show during show hours.

Yes. McCormick Place has been designed to make your visit as productive and comfortable as possible. Please click here to learn more about ADA Accessibility during America’s Beauty Show. https://www.mccormickplace.com/attendees/ada/

For Wheelchairs, scooters, information booths, designated parking, TDD telephones and other services are available for visitors with disabilities. For wheelchair/electric scooter rental contact our service partner Scootaround, Inc. Scootaround Mobility Solutions at 888-441-7575 or by visiting their website at www.scootaround.com/rentals/m/mccormickplace to reserve in advance. Onsite rental may be available, depending on event schedules. www.scootaround.com/rentals/m/mccormickplace

Attendee Policies

Proof of license is required for admission. Professionals purchasing admission on site must be prepared to show licenses or business credentials to registration personnel. This will be strictly enforced.

All attendees, including young people 14 years of age or older must pay full fees. No children under the age of 14 will be permitted on the show floor of Americas Beauty Show. This will be strictly enforced.

Thanks for understanding so that we can keep our professional event just that...for salon professionals only.

All Sales Are Final, No Refunds.

  • Complete all information.
  • You must provide a professional license number.
  • Note: Workshops have limited availability, so register early and secure your space.
  • Only one person may register per purchase. Please complete the online registration for each additional registrant.
  • Lost badges must be replaced at a cost of $85.