Installation and Dismantle
Online Exhibitor Service Manual
The Online Exhibitor Service Manual containing a complete set of service forms.
Installation Dates and Hours
| Day | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 2 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CDT | Targeted Move-in, Island booths only, 400 sq. ft. and above. |
| Thursday, October 3 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CDT | |
| Friday, October 4 | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CDT |
All wooden crates and empties must be tagged and ready for removal by 6:00 p.m. CDT |
| Saturday, October 5 | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. CDT | Product set up only may continue until 6 p.m. If you have a popup booth and will arrive for set up after 10 a.m., you must be completely set by 6 p.m. CDT |
Dismantle Dates and Hours
| Day | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 9 | 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. CDT | |
| Thursday, October 10 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. CDT |
Service Desk
The Exhibitor Service Desk will be open during installation to assist exhibitors with verification and adjustments of their orders for labor, furniture, and other auxiliary services. The Service Desk will be staffed throughout the meeting.
Worker Passes
All pre-approved exhibitor-designated contractors must obtain work passes for all personnel at the exhibitor registration desk during the hours of registration. Work passes must be visible at all times while on the premises of the convention center. Work passes are valid during installation and dismantle only.
In the interest of safety, only those individuals directly responsible for the installation and the dismantling of the booth will be permitted in the exhibit hall during move-in and move-out times. Under no circumstances will children or guests be allowed within the exhibit area until the official opening of the exhibits at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday, October 6.
Small Exhibits Only
Pop-Ups and Vinyl Case Booths
A labor crew will be available for the set-up and dismantling of exhibits in accordance with advance orders. Exhibitors are urged to order all services in advance. Booth structures must be set, and empty containers tagged by Friday, October 4, at 6 p.m. CDT. Crates and containers that are not emptied and tagged will be removed from the floor and will not be returned until after the show ends and the hall has been cleared on Sunday after 5 p.m., therefore missing the first day of exhibits. Exhibitors will be charged overtime, per hour, on Sunday, for any containers that need to be returned to the booth, to unpack, and returned to storage.
No refuse, such as empty cartons, may be placed in the aisles after the final sweeping in the exhibit area on Friday, October 4, beginning at 6 p.m. CDT. Exhibitors are urged not to leave or place litter on the floor in the booths or aisles after the final cleaning because time will not permit a sweeping of booths or aisles on opening day.
Only small exhibits that do not require a forklift can set up on Saturday, October 5, from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. CDT. Freight doors will close at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Exhibitors wishing to remain in the exhibit hall for light set up (unpacking literature/books, calibrating instruments, etc.) may do so as long as their noise level does not have an adverse effect on the ongoing poster presentations.
Poster session entrances open at noon on Saturday and at 7 a.m. CDT Sunday to Wednesday for presenter setup only. Poster sessions are open for all attendees on Saturday at 1 p.m. CDT and Sunday through Wednesday at 8 a.m. CDT.
Convention Center Rules and Regulations
Exhibitor compliance with the McCormick Place Convention Center is mandatory.
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Floor Load and General Lighting
The exhibit floor load of McCormick Place is 350 lbs. per square foot. For heavy machinery or displays, contact The Expo Group.
25% of lighting is provided during move-in and move-out.
Lighting one (1) hour prior to show opening each day will be 100%. At the close of the show each day, lighting will be reduced to 50%.
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Fire Regulations
No volatile or flammable fluids, substances, or materials of any nature prohibited by local ordinances, the City of Chicago Fire Marshal, McCormick Place Fire Safety Manager or insurance carriers, may be used in any booth.
The use of any type of crepe or corrugated paper is prohibited. Details will also be included in the Online Exhibitor Service Manual.
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Electricity-Air-Water-Drain
Order forms will be available in the Online Exhibitor Service Manual.
Electrical service is 120, 208, 227, 480 volt (single and three-phase).
Cleaning/Porter Service
McCormick Place Convention Center is the exclusive cleaning contractor. No other cleaning services, including exhibitor appointed contractors are allowed to perform these services.
Additional Information
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Safety
Standing on chairs, tables, or other rental furniture is prohibited. This furniture is not engineered to support your standing weight. The Expo Group cannot be responsible for injuries or falls caused by the improper use of rental furniture. Please assist in our efforts to provide a SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT for everyone.
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Gratuities/Tips
The Expo Group
The Expo Group requests that exhibitors do not tip our employees. They are paid at an excellent wage scale denoting a professional status, and we feel that tipping is not necessary. This applies to all The Expo Group employees.
Labor
Tipping is expressly prohibited. This includes such practices as giving money, merchandise, or other special consideration for service rendered. Do not give coffee breaks other than mid-morning and mid-afternoon when the union has 15-minute paid breaks. Meal breaks are one half hour. Any attempt to solicit a gratuity by an employee for any service should be reported immediately to The Expo Group’s show-site manager.
Please refer to the Online Exhibitor Service Manual for complete guidelines.
Crate Storage
Empty crates, boxes, and cartons must be ready for removal from the exhibit area by 6 p.m., Friday, October 4. These materials should be nested as much as possible. “Empty” stickers, which must be placed on all containers to be stored and returned at the close of the exhibit, will be available at the exhibit service desk.
Containers or skids without the “empty” stickers will be considered refuse and disposed of accordingly. Crates, boxes, and cartons may not be stored behind booth backgrounds.
Note: Nothing may be stored behind booths. All packing containers, wrapping materials, carrying cases, etc., must be stored off the exhibit floor. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center inspects all exhibits to ensure compliance.
