Chicago winters are brutal. But they serve one purpose: they give us time to plan for the best three months of the year. Whether you spend your weekends rafting up in The Playpen, cruising The Chain O' Lakes, or running across the lake to Michigan, you know that summer in the Midwest is short—so you have to make it count.
From January 28 – February 1, 2026, the Chicago Boat Show® is taking over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. This is your chance to escape the grey skies and get your setup dialed in before launch day.
Stop by Booth A600 to see how POP Board Co. and Rover Marine are changing the game for Lake Michigan boaters.
The Chicago Problem: "Where Does Everyone Sit?"
If you boat in Chicago, you know the drill. You head out to the Playpen or anchor out on Petite Lake, and suddenly your boat is the neighborhood hang-out. Rafting up is part of the culture here, but even the biggest cruisers and pontoons run out of deck space eventually.
The Solution: Your Own Private Island (Booth A600)
At the show, we are inflating our signature POP Up Docks. This is the ultimate upgrade for the "Playpen" lifestyle.
- The "Party Extension": Secure the dock to your cleats and you instantly add 50% more square footage to your swim platform. It gives your crew a place to lounge, tan, and jump in the water without crowding the cockpit.
- Lake Michigan Proof: We know the lake gets choppy. Our docks use high-pressure drop-stitch technology. They are rigid, stable, and built to handle the wake of a passing freighter without folding.
- Pontoon Ready: For our Chain O' Lakes riders, this is the perfect extension for your pontoon. It’s a safe, low-profile platform for kids and dogs to get back on the boat without struggling with a ladder.
The "SUV of SUPs": The El Capitan Bomber
Paddleboarding on Lake Michigan can be a challenge when the wind picks up. You need a board that fights back. That’s why we’re showcasing the 11'6" El Capitan Bomber.
At 36 inches wide, it offers the stability you need to handle the chop off Navy Pier. It holds up to 450 lbs, making it the perfect vessel for hauling a cooler to the beach or taking your dog for a cruise down the Chicago River (where allowed!).
Rover Marine: The Tender That Fits in a Condo
Space is tight in the city. If you keep your boat in Montrose or Burnham Harbor, you don't want a heavy fiberglass dinghy cluttering your deck. And if you live in a condo, you definitely can't store a trailer.
Check out the Rover Battle Boat at Booth A600. It’s a rigid inflatable skiff that rolls up into a bag. You can keep it in your hallway closet during the winter and throw it in the trunk of your car when summer hits. It’s the ultimate "City Tender."
Show Logistics: Don't Miss the Boat
Please note the NEW LOCATION for this year’s show! We are in Rosemont, not McCormick Place, which makes parking and access significantly easier.
- Dates: Wednesday, Jan 28 – Sunday, Feb 1, 2026
- Location: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL
- Booth: A600
Show Hours:
- Wed: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Thu: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Sat: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Sun: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Come Say Hi to the Team!
We know you're counting down the days until the covers come off the boats. Come visit us at Booth A600, stand on the boards, feel the quality of the drop-stitch docks, and grab some exclusive Show Specials.
Let’s make Summer 2026 the best one yet.
Questions about specs?
POP Board Co.
888-978-1503
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