IML Chicago Day One: 98 Photos of the Meet Market

International Mister Leather is a conference and contest of leather folk held annually in May since 1979 in Chicago. This year's contest and events will take place from Thursday through Monday at the Congress Plaza Hotel.

The photos in this gallery are from the events of the first day. There was much fun and frolic at the vendor booths, testing, touching, and trying out the products. Old friends were reunited and new friends were made fast. 

The event is inclusive and welcomes all genders, the rubber community, pups, and other fetish and kink groups.

Here, our man on the scene Matt Baume captures the excitement that has been building all year. See Matt's photos from IML Day Two here, and IML Final Day here.