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Hickory Metro Convention Center
Hickory, North Carolina
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Furniture Manufacturing Expo
July 19- 20, 2023
Hickory Metro Convention Center
Furniture Manufacturing Expo and all of our official suppliers for the event are eager to assist you in your planning and preparations.
If you have any questions about the information that is provided below or need assistance in completing a form, please contact Penny Everett, Operations Manager, at Penny.Everett@ExpoDevCo.com
| Forms | Deadline Dates | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite Full Listing | ASAP | Exhibitor Zone |
| Booth Variance Request Form | June 2 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Form | June 2 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Advance Warehouse Shipment | June 19 - July 13 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Lead Retrieval Discount Order Forms | June 19 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Hotel Room Reservation Deadline | June 25 | Book Hotel Room |
| Certificate of Insurance for Exhibitor Appointed Contractor | June 28 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Fern Furniture and Accessories Order Form | June 28 for discounted rate | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Fern Installation and / or Dismantle Labor | June 28 for discounted rate | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Fern Labor Deadlines | June 28 for discounted rate | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Utilities Order Form (Electric, Compressed Air, Water, Rigging) | June 30 for discounted rate | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Audio Visual | July 1 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| First Day of Onsite Shipment | Cannot arrive before July 17 | Exhibitor Service Manual |
| Pre-Registration for Booth Personnel Badges | July 18 |
The Exhibitor Service Manual is where you can: order carpet, furniture, lead retrieval, catering, and electrical, find schedules, checklists, shipping details, labels, and everything you need to ensure your booth is set up for the event.
Remember, your booth already includes:
Island booths do not include any pipe & drape unless requested in advance.
Click Here To Log In
Please note that the login information for the Exhibitor Service Manual was sent to your company's primary contact, but if you have misplaced the information, please contact our Operations Manager, Pennie Everett at Penny.Everett@ExpoDevCo.com
This year our registration company has rolled out a new platform so there are some process changes. For Exhibitor Registration your company's main contact should already have received an email titled “Furniture Manufacturing Expo 2022 Exhibitor Registration” with a direct link to your company’s customized registration portal. No login/password is required. The email may be forwarded, but the link within is the only access to register your staff. The portal is programmed with the allotted number of exhibitor staff registrations included based on your booth size. Also, you will find the Lead Retrieval order form. Deadline to order Lead Retrieval for discounted rate is June 19th. Deadline to register all staff is July 18th.
If you go over your allotment, or need this email resent, please contact Penny Everett at Penny.Everett@ExpoDevCo.com
Furniture Manufacturing Expo has partnered with the Hampton Inn By Hilton and Courtyard By Hickory, both offering special group rates through June 25th.
*Please note that other agencies may solicit you to book with these hotels, but to ensure you have a legitimate reservation, use the below link for the only official block.
Click Here To Select Your Hotel
| Exhibitor Move-In: | |
| Sunday, July 16: | 8:00am - 6:00pm |
| Monday, July 17: | 8:00am - 6:00pm |
| Tuesday, July 18: | 8:00am - 6:00pm |
| Show Hours: | |
| Wednesday, July 19: | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Thursday, July 20: | 10:00am - 4:00pm |
| Exhibitor Move-Out: | |
| Thursday, July 20: | 4:01pm - 10:00pm |
| Friday, July 21: | 8:00am - 6:00pm |
EXHIBITOR ZONE
The Exhibitor Zone is the website where you enter your company's information. This information will be used for the searchable Online Exhibitor List, the Onsite Full Listing, and your onsite ID Sign. We recommend you complete this ASAP.
Once on the website, it is important for you to enter your company profile information, including:
MARKETING PLATFORM
We are excited to offer our exhibitors a Marketing Platform where you can access and share your custom landing page, download web banners, and send an easy-to-use invitation email to your contacts inviting them to join you in Hickory, NC, for the 2023 show.
Please note that the login information for the Marketing Platform was sent to your company's primary contact, but if you have misplaced the information, please contact our Marketing Manager, Michelle Brice at Michelle.Brice@ExpoDevCo.com.
ADMITTANCE
Admittance to the exhibit floor during installation will only be permitted to those persons with a temporary work pass, wristband, or an exhibitor badge. On show days an exhibitor badge will be required to enter the show including two hours prior to opening and one-half hour after closing. Should you require additional time, please see Show Management. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the show floor at any time. The exhibit floor is available to all qualified attendees wearing an identification badge during show hours. Qualified trade-show attendees must wear an official badge. Please report any unauthorized attendees to the security personnel or show management staff immediately.
ATTENDEES WITH DISABILITIES
Furniture Manufacturing Expo will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who make their situation known to Furniture Manufacturing Expo personnel. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to be aware of, and be in compliance with, the rules set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Exhibitors are encouraged to provide exhibits that are accessible to all and barriers to none. In the absence of accessibility, each exhibitor must assume the responsibility for making alternative arrangements to serve the needs of persons with disabilities.
BOOTH PAYMENTS
All exhibitors will be required to settle their accounts in full prior to booth installation.
BOOTH RESPONSIBILITY
It will be the responsibility of the company who contracts the space to maintain personnel in the booth at all times during show hours. Any Exhibitor who starts to pack or dismantle the booth prior to show closing on Thursday, July 20, 2023, 4:00pm will be charged a $1,000 fine as stated in your space contract.
BOOTH FURNITURE
Booth furniture will be available through Fern. Please see the online Exhibitor Service Manual for the official order forms
CATERING SERVICES
Catering services will be available through Liazzo’s Catering. Please see the online Exhibitor Service Manual for the official menu and order form.
CARPETING/FLOOR COVERING
All exhibit space must be fully carpeted or covered. The exhibit hall is not carpeted, and a floor covering must be ordered or supplied for your booth space. You may supply your own flooring or rent carpet from Fern. Please see the online Exhibitor Service Manual for the official order form.
If your booth does not have a floor covering by 6:00pm Tuesday, July 18th, Show Management will order and install carpeting through the decorator at Exhibitor’s expense.
EXHIBITIS / SHOW FLOOR
Please take time to familiarize yourself with the enclosed Guidelines for Display as Furniture Manufacturing Expo will abide by these standards. Exhibitors requesting variances and/or exhibits that do not comply with the enclosed guidelines must complete the Booth Variance Request Form and receive approval from Furniture Manufacturing Expo to deviate from these industry standards. Onsite, exhibitors not in compliance with these rules will be forced to correct rule violations prior to the show opening. Exhibitors may display/hang signs, banners, or logos from the ceiling of the exhibit hall only with permission from Show Management.
All demonstration equipment, including operator’s position, must be located inside the booth.
Exhibitors building special background or side dividers must make certain that the surfaces and backside of side walls of such dividers are finished in a manner as not to be unsightly to exhibitors in adjoining booths. If such surfaces remain unfinished show management shall authorize the official decorator to take into effect the necessary furnishings and the exhibitor must pay all charges involved.
Souvenirs and literature may be handed out only from within the confines of the exhibitor’s booth. Passing out promotional material or literature in the aisles or public areas is prohibited. Exhibitor personnel may not enter another exhibitor’s exhibit space, or take materials from another exhibitor’s exhibit space, without the expressed permission from that exhibitor.
No storage of any kind is allowed behind booths or near electrical service. Materials necessary to your exhibit must be stored within the exhibit. Electrical cords and connectors must be accessible.
EXHIBIT HALL
Furniture Manufacturing Expo will be located in the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
EXHIBITOR APPOINTED CONTRACTOR (EAC)
An EAC is any contractor not listed in the Exhibitor Services Manual as an official Furniture Manufacturing Expo contracted vendor. Any vendor other than those listed in the ESM will need to have the EAC form completed and submitted to Show Management 45 days prior to the event. A certificate of insurance for the EAC must also be emailed to penny.everett@ExpoDevCo.com by the same deadline. Exhibitors using any service of an EAC are responsible for ensuring that the EAC conforms to all show rules and regulations
FIRE PREVENTION
The Exhibitor shall not use any flammable decorations or coverings for display purpose. All fabrics or other material used for decoration purposes must be flameproof. The Exhibitor shall comply with all applicable fire regulations.
HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
All in line standard booths will be permitted a height allowance of eight feet (8’) including signage. All peninsula and island booths will be permitted a height allowance of sixteen feet (20’) including signage. All booths must comply with the enclosed Guidelines for Display.
INSURANCE
Show Management shall not be liable for injury to persons (or for damage to or loss of property) within the Exhibitor’s booth and its surrounding area, or in such other areas as the Exhibitor may use to store its property or that of third parties. It is the responsibility of the Exhibitor to provide sufficient insurance. Such insurance shall include (but shall not be limited to) coverage of the Exhibitor’s liability for injury to persons (and for damage to or loss of property) within the Exhibitor’s booth and its surrounding area, and in such other areas the Exhibitor may use to store its property or that of the third parties.
MEDIA AND PRESS RELATIONS
Qualified editorial media representatives are invited to attend Furniture Manufacturing Expo. Please contact Lorie Gross at Lorie.Gross@ExpoDevCo.com for more information and press credentials.
OTHER VENDORS
Recently Furniture Manufacturing Expo has been the target of groups that offer a variety of fraudulent services. This includes but is not limited to fraudulent travel, advertising, and data/list services. Many of our customers have reported that these groups who are NOT our official vendors fail to deliver on their promises to provide hotel reservations, advertising, or accurate data, then refuse to grant refunds. Some of these groups engage in illegal phishing practices or embed malware in their messages that could (if clicked) infect/hack your company’s systems.
We strongly advise that you do not click on any links from e-mails or groups that look suspicious and always check our official vendor list before contracting with anyone. If you suspect that you have been contacted by a fraudulent vendor or have any questions, please contact us at info@furnituremanufacturingexpo.com. You can view the list of official vendors for Furniture Manufacturing Expo below.
Please Note that Furniture Manufacturing Expo and its official vendors DO NOT sell attendee lists under any circumstance. Companies or Groups offering such lists are not affiliated with Furniture Manufacturing Expo in any way and cannot possibly have accurate attendee data. Buyers should BEWARE!
| NAME | ROLE |
| Rigid AV | Audio Visual |
| Courtyard by Marriott Hickory | Hotel with Event Rate |
| Custom Registration |
Event Registration Company/Lead Retrieval |
| Fern | General Contractor - Booth Furnishings/ Material Handling/Labor/Transportation |
| Hampton Inn Hickory |
Hotel with Event Rate |
| Hickory Metro Convention Center | Event Facility Center |
| Liazzo's Catering | Event Facility Caterer |
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO SHOOTING AND SOUND RECORDING
No photography, videotaping or other means of recording is permitted without prior written approval from Show Management. Exhibitors shall not photograph or videotape the exhibit or products of any other Exhibitor or cause such exhibit or products to be photographed or videotaped. Show Management reserves the right to eject any Exhibitor and any of its employees or representatives from the licensed premises and the Hickory Metro Convention Center for failure to comply with this rule or impose any other sanction permitted by these rules deemed appropriate by Show Management. Any Exhibitor not in compliance with this rule also agrees to immediately provide Show Management with all film, pictures, videotape, or other video or audio recordings (and all copies thereof) for disposal.
SECURITY
Show Management will provide general security for the exhibit hall and public areas. However, you may contract for individual security for within your booth at your discretion. Please email Penny Everett at penny.everett@ExpoDevCo.com for security company contact information. No weapons will be allowed on the show floor. Show Management is not liable for the security of product or equipment within an exhibitor's booth.
SETU-UP DEADLINE
Show Management and its organizers reserve the right to use any exhibit space still unoccupied as of Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 6:00pm for whatever purpose it chooses. Exhibitors will remain liable for the space rental fee of such space.
SOUND SYSTEMS
The use of sound systems is permissible provided they are not audible more than three feet into the aisle or into neighboring booths, and that the sound is directed exclusively into the exhibitor’s booth. Show Management and its organizers shall have absolute control over its regulation, the intent of which is to ensure that the sound systems shall not be audibly objectionable to neighboring exhibitors. Sound amplification may be used by the exhibitor only for the dissemination of information to the Furniture Manufacturing Expo audience directly relating to products and/or services of the particular company displaying such products and/or services at the show.
NO SUITCASING POLICY
Suitcasing is the act of non-exhibitors or exhibitors soliciting business, including but not limited to distributing sales materials, anywhere outside their rented exhibit space. Soliciting business in aisles, or in other public spaces, including another company’s booth or the Hickory Metro Convention Center lobbies is strictly prohibited.
Any attendee or exhibitor who is observed to be suitcasing will be asked to leave immediately and may not be permitted to participate in future shows. Any exhibitor caught suitcasing may result in closure of their exhibit booth.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
PLEASE REPORT ANY VIOLATIONS YOU OBSERVE TO SHOW MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY.
FINAL AUTHORITY
Show Management is the sole and final authority as to the interpretation of these rules and their application. Show Management may issue specific variances or exceptions for special situations upon request. Such variances do not establish a precedent or permanent modification beyond the specific case involved. Show Management may make modifications to a booth without specific permission of the exhibitor and at the exhibitor’s risk and expense, in order to satisfy the terms and intent of the Show Rules and/or the Fire Marshal. Furthermore, Show Management has the authority to establish penalties, including the removal from the current or future shows.
Show Management’s decision is final. We appreciate your cooperation in making the show a successful and enjoyable experience for everyone.
THE CUBIC CONTENT RULE:
The Furniture Manufacturing Expo has implemented the Cubic Content Rule, which allows exhibitors to make maximum use of their booth space. Under the Cubic Content Rule, each exhibitor may build right up to the front of the booth space, up to the maximum allowable height. The height varies according to the booth type, as shown in the table and sketches below.
Please be sure to pass along these regulations to your display company, if you have one, before the construction of your booth begins. It will save your company time and money if you build your booth to be in compliance from the beginning. Large fees can accrue if you are required to alter any unapproved designs onsite.
Note that Show Management does not give variances to the Exhibit Design Regulations unless a Booth Variance form is submitted and approved in advance of the show. It is expected that each exhibitor reviews these regulations and is in full compliance. If your company fails to comply you will be required to make all necessary changes to comply, and participation at future shows may be in jeopardy.
MPORTANT: For Island and Peninsula booths, designs not approved by Show Management in advance of Furniture Manufacturing Expo will not be installed on the Show Floor
MAXIMUM HEIGHT QUICK REFERENCE GRID
| Maximum Height Permitted: | IN-LINE/LINEAR |
PERIMETER 12' FROM FLOOR TO HIGHEST POINT IN BOOTH |
PENINSULA 20' FROM FLOOR TO HIGHEST POINT IN BOOTH |
ISLAND 20' FROM FLOOR TO HIGHEST POINT IN BOOTH |
| Required To Submit Floor Plan? | NO | NO | YES | YES |
| Permitted To Hang Sign? |
NO | NO | YES - (UP TO 20FT) | YES - (UP TO 20FT) |
IMPORTANT: Hanging signs must comply with the display regulations. This includes all hanging or suspended material such as banners, etc. The top of the sign (or other material) may not exceed the height limitation specific to your type of booth. Hanging signs & graphics should be set back five feet (5’) from adjacent booths.
Exhibit consisting of one of more standard 10’x10’ booth units in a straight line, bounded by 1 or 2 aisles.
HEIGHT
Exhibit fixtures, components, products, and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 8ft (2.44m).
DEPTH
The Show follows the Cubic Content Rule, which allows exhibitors to make maximum use of their booth space. Each exhibitor may build right up to the front of the booth space, up to the maximum allowable height (8ft).
PRODUCT DISPLAY
Equipment, product, or machinery when displayed to demonstrate or simulate industrial application are exempt from the foregoing height limits, but are restricted by ceiling height, as well as building and safety codes. In consideration of this exemption the excess height must be a result of the actual height of the equipment from the exhibit hall floor to the top of the equipment. Additionally, no graphics, signage, logos, etc., may be posted on equipment above the height limit for your particular booth type.
PERIMETER BOOTHDEFINITION
Inline/Linear booth located on the outer perimeter wall of the exhibit floor.
HEIGHT
Exhibit fixtures, components, products, and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 12ft (3.66m).
DEPTH
The Show follows the Cubic Content Rule, which allows exhibitors to make maximum use of their booth space. Each exhibitor may build right up to the front of the booth space, up to the maximum allowable height (12ft).
PENINSULA BOOTH DEFINITION
Bounded by 3 aisles and is 20’x20’ or larger.
NOTE: Check your Confirmation Contract to confirm your booth type before designing your exhibit. Not all booths with three open sides are considered Peninsula Booths.
HEIGHT
Exhibit fixtures, components, products, and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 20ft (6.1m). Hanging signs must be set at least 5’ from backline, and at a max height of 20’ from the exhibit floor to the top of the sign.
DEPTH
The Show follows the Cubic Content Rule, which allows exhibitors to make maximum use of their booth space. Each exhibitor may build right up to the front of the booth space, up to the maximum allowable height (20ft).
APPROVAL
Booth designs not approved by Show Management in advance of the Show will not be allowed to be installed on the show floor.
ISLAND BOOTH DEFINITION
Bounded by 4 aisles and is 20’x20’ or larger.
HEIGHT
Exhibit fixtures, components, products, and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 20ft (6.1m) from the floor to the highest point in the booth. Hanging signs must be set at a max height of 20’ from the exhibit floor to the top of the sign.
APPROVAL
Booth designs not approved by Show Management in advance of the Show will not be allowed to be installed on the show floor
DIRECTIONS
Directions to the Hickory Metro Convention Center
Hickory Metro Convention Center
1960 13th Av. Drive SE,
Hickory, North Carolina 28602
Parking is complimentary at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Directions from the closest Airports to Hickory Metro Convention Center are below.
| From Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport From airport, take I-85 South toward Gastonia. Take exit 17, US-321, toward Lincolnton/Gastonia. Follow US-321 North. Take exit 43A, I-40, toward Statesville. Take exit 125 to Hickory Metro Convention Center. |
From Charlotte Douglas International Airport From airport, take I-485 South towards Huntersville. Take exit for NC-16 towards Newton. Turn right at Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet to continue on NC-16. Take I-40 West towards Hickory. Take exit 125 to Hickory Metro Convention Center. |
Please click for directions to the Hickory Metro Convention Center
