Beyond the Brand Name: Your Definitive Guide to PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show, USA!

In today’s competitive retail landscape, there’s a quiet revolution happening in every aisle of every store. Shoppers aren’t just reaching for national brands anymore; they’re actively seeking out, trusting, and often preferring “private label” or “store brand” products. From gourmet foods and organic personal care to innovative household cleaners and stylish apparel, private label has transcended its “value” image to become a powerhouse of quality, innovation, and profitability. For retailers looking to differentiate, manufacturers seeking new distribution channels, and anyone keen to understand the immense growth potential of this sector, the opportunities are boundless. This is precisely why PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show, USA, stands as the undisputed premier gathering, the very epicenter of the store brand industry in North America.

Imagine a colossal exhibition hall buzzing with innovation, where thousands of products, from everyday essentials to niche specialties, are ready to be branded with a retailer’s own identity. This isn’t just a trade show; it’s a dynamic marketplace, a hub for trend discovery, and an unparalleled networking platform designed to ignite powerful collaborations. If you’re a retailer eager to expand your private label offerings, a manufacturer looking to secure significant contracts, or a service provider seeking to tap into this booming market, attending PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show offers an unrivaled opportunity to connect, strategize, and propel your business to new heights.

The Powerhouse of Private Label: Venue and Time in Chicago, IL, USA

PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show consistently chooses a central and highly accessible location within the United States: Chicago, Illinois. Known as a major transportation hub and a critical market for consumer goods, Chicago provides an ideal backdrop for this influential industry gathering.

The premier venue for PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, located at 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA. This expansive and modern convention center, conveniently situated near Chicago O’Hare International Airport, is perfectly equipped to host the thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees who flock to this highly anticipated event. Its location in Rosemont offers excellent accessibility, placing attendees within easy reach of numerous hotels, diverse dining options, and straightforward connections to downtown Chicago, ensuring a convenient and productive experience for all participants.

PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is an annual event, a consistent cornerstone of the industry calendar, strategically timed in mid-November. This timing is crucial for retailers and manufacturers as they finalize plans for the upcoming year’s product lines, holiday promotions, and long-term private label strategies.

For 2025, PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is scheduled to take place from November 16-18, 2025.

The event typically spans three full days, with a meticulously designed schedule to maximize business interactions and discovery:

• Sunday, November 16, 2025: Often serves as an arrival day with registration opening and typically includes specialized pre-show seminars, educational workshops, or an opening reception, setting the stage for the intense business to come.
• Monday, November 17, 2025: The main exhibit halls open, buzzing with activity as buyers and manufacturers engage in direct meetings and product discovery. Educational sessions and special presentations often run concurrently throughout the day.
• Tuesday, November 18, 2025: A final full day dedicated to exploring the exhibit halls, continuing vital business discussions, and attending any remaining educational sessions. The show typically concludes in the afternoon.

This dynamic three-day format ensures ample time for every participant to maximize their experience, from in-depth product sourcing to invaluable strategic networking.

The Canvas of Your Brand: Key Product and Service Categories

PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show features an astounding array of products and services, reflecting the incredible breadth and depth of the private label industry. The show floor is divided into distinct sections, making it easy for buyers to navigate and find their specific product needs. The major categories showcased include:

• Food & Beverages:
  • Dry Grocery: Pasta, sauces, cereals, snacks, crackers, canned goods, baking mixes, spices, coffee, tea.
  • Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter), deli meats, prepared meals, frozen vegetables, fruits, seafood, ice cream, plant-based alternatives.
  • Fresh & Perishables: Produce, bakery items, meat, poultry, and specialty items.
  • Beverages: Juices, bottled water, sodas, spirits, beer, and wine (private label alcoholic beverages are a growing category).
• Non-Food Categories:
  • Health & Beauty: Skincare, cosmetics, haircare, oral care, bath and body products, personal hygiene items, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and supplements.
  • Household Products: Cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, paper products (paper towels, toilet paper), trash bags, air fresheners.
  • General Merchandise: Kitchenware, small appliances, textiles, home decor, pet care products (food, treats, accessories), garden supplies, automotive aftercare products, DIY tools.
  • Baby Care: Diapers, wipes, baby food, lotions, and other baby essentials.
• Services & Solutions:
  • Packaging & Design: Innovative packaging solutions, sustainable materials, labeling, graphic design services, contract packaging.
  • Ingredients & Raw Materials: Suppliers of specific ingredients for food, beverage, and non-food product formulations.
  • Logistics & Supply Chain: Warehousing, transportation, cold chain management, and distribution services.
  • Market Research & Consulting: Companies offering insights into consumer trends, product development, and market analysis.
  • Co-Packing & Contract Manufacturing: Factories capable of producing goods to a retailer’s specifications under their private label.
  • Certifications: Organic, Kosher, Halal, GFSI, and other quality and safety certifications.

The show often highlights emerging trends, with dedicated sections or features on areas like plant-based innovations, sustainable packaging, clean label products, and global flavors, reflecting the dynamic nature of private label growth.

The Gathering of Giants: Visitor Count and Demographics

PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is a colossal event, drawing an immense and highly influential audience, making it the definitive marketplace for the private label industry in North America.

• Visitor Count: The show consistently welcomes a record number of attendees. The 2024 show, for example, welcomed around 14,000 retailers, visitors, exhibitors, and others from the store brand and retailing industries. This includes a significant international presence, with visitors from dozens of countries.
• Exhibitors: You’ll navigate an immense show floor featuring over 1,800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries, with a substantial portion (hundreds) being first-time exhibitors, underscoring the continuous influx of innovation.
• Attendee Demographics: The audience is incredibly targeted and comprises key decision-makers and influencers from across the retail and manufacturing spectrum:
  • Retail Buyers & Category Managers: From supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drugstores, convenience stores, club stores, department stores, discounters, e-commerce platforms, and specialty retailers – all seeking new private label products.
  • Wholesalers & Distributors: Looking for products to offer their retail clients.
  • Manufacturers (existing private label and those new to it): Seeking new retail partners and contract manufacturing opportunities.
  • Brokers & Sales Agents: Connecting manufacturers with buyers.
  • Product Development & R&D Teams: Identifying new ingredients, formulations, and packaging.
  • Brand Managers & Marketing Professionals: Studying trends and competitive landscapes.
  • Packaging & Design Specialists: Exploring new solutions for private label branding.
  • Media & Industry Analysts: Covering the latest trends and developments in store brands.

This concentrated gathering of qualified buyers, innovative manufacturers, and strategic partners creates an unparalleled environment for significant business development and collaborative opportunities.

The Undeniable Value: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is more than just a business trip; it’s a strategic imperative for anyone serious about leveraging the power of private label. The benefits are profound:

• Unrivaled Product Sourcing: Discover thousands of private label products across every conceivable category, all under one roof. This direct exposure allows for efficient product evaluation, tasting, and comparison.
• Direct Access to Manufacturers: Engage in face-to-face conversations with private label manufacturers and contract packagers. Discuss customization, production capabilities, minimum order quantities, and potential partnerships directly with decision-makers.
• Identify Emerging Trends: Be among the first to spot the next big thing in consumer goods, from innovative ingredients and sustainable packaging to burgeoning product categories and changing consumer demands. The Idea Supermarket and special displays often highlight these trends.
• Competitive Advantage: Staying updated on the latest private label offerings and industry shifts allows retailers to differentiate their stores and manufacturers to identify new market needs.
• Powerful Networking: Connect with thousands of industry peers, including top retail executives, leading private label manufacturers, and solution providers. These connections are invaluable for sharing insights, fostering collaborations, and solving business challenges.
• Educational Opportunities: The show often features informative seminars and keynote speakers addressing critical topics like market trends, consumer insights, supply chain management, and regulatory issues, providing actionable intelligence.
• Cost Efficiency & Profitability: Private label products often offer higher margins for retailers, and manufacturers can secure stable, high-volume contracts. The show is designed to facilitate these mutually beneficial relationships.
• Global Perspective: With exhibitors and visitors from dozens of countries, the show provides a truly international perspective on private label trends and sourcing opportunities.

Your Chicago Comfort Zone: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

Given the PLMA show’s consistent venue at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, attendees have excellent accommodation options nearby. Rosemont is designed as a convention hub, offering a variety of hotels directly connected or within very close proximity to the convention center, often via enclosed skywalks. This greatly enhances convenience, especially during Chicago’s potentially chilly November weather.

Some popular nearby hotels directly connected or within short walking distance include:

• Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago: Often a primary hotel for the event, directly connected to the Convention Center via a skywalk.
• Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare: Another key hotel offering direct access or very close proximity.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont: Offers spacious suites and is typically within comfortable walking distance.
• Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel: A luxury option known for its amenities and proximity.

Beyond these, numerous other hotel brands are located within a very short drive or shuttle ride in the Rosemont area. Many offer airport shuttle services as well, given their proximity to O’Hare International Airport.

Booking accommodation well in advance is highly recommended, as the PLMA show is a major event that attracts thousands of attendees, and preferred hotels can fill up quickly. Utilizing any official PLMA housing services or hotel blocks, if available, can often provide competitive rates and streamlined booking.

The Investment in Your Brand’s Future: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show is a strategic investment that yields significant returns in terms of business connections, market insights, and sourcing opportunities. The registration fees reflect the high value and targeted nature of this event.

While specific pricing for the 2025 show will be released by PLMA, based on previous years, here’s a general understanding of the cost to attend:

• PLMA Member Registration: For representatives of PLMA member companies (manufacturers, brokers, suppliers, etc.), there is a tiered fee structure:
  • First registrant from a company: Approximately $375 USD (pre-registration).
  • Second registrant: Approximately $325 USD.
  • Third (and subsequent) registrant: Approximately $275 USD.
• PLMA Member Broker Registration: A special rate for brokers, often around $175 USD (pre-registration and on-site).
• Non-Member Pre-Registration: For non-members (manufacturers, suppliers, service providers not yet members), the fee is significantly higher, typically around $495 USD. This fee structure strongly incentivizes membership, as the annual membership fee plus the member conference rate is often less than the non-member rate alone.
• Retailer/Wholesaler/Importer/Exporter Registration: For bona fide retail buyers, wholesalers, importers, and exporters, registration is often complimentary, as the show’s primary goal is to bring these crucial buyers to the event. PLMA has specific criteria to qualify for this complimentary status.
• On-site Registration: Prices typically increase significantly for on-site registration compared to pre-registration rates.

These fees generally cover access to the entire exhibit hall for both show days, as well as access to any general sessions or keynote speakers. Any specialized workshops or events may have additional fees. Given the unparalleled access to potential partners and the wealth of market intelligence, the cost of attendance is a highly justified business expense for those serious about the private label industry.

Your Brand, Your Future: Don’t Miss Out!

PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show in Chicago, USA, is more than just an exhibition; it’s the annual convergence point for the entire private label ecosystem. It’s where retailers discover their next best-selling store brand, where manufacturers secure pivotal contracts, and where the trends shaping the future of consumer goods are unveiled. Whether you’re a seasoned retail executive, an innovative manufacturer, or an aspiring entrepreneur eager to tap into the immense potential of private label, attending this show is a strategic imperative that will empower your decisions, ignite your creativity, and propel your business towards unparalleled success. Don’t just follow the brands; build your own!

To learn more and register for PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show, visit: plma.com