March 13-15, 2017 The Wisconsin Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dear Exhibitor: Welcome to the 84th Annual Midwest Foodservice Expo, produced by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. This Exhibitor Service Manual is designed to provide you with all of the information that you will need as you finalize your exhibit plans. If you have any questions as you work your way through this manual, please contact a member of the Expo Team at 800.589.3211 or expo@wirestaurant.org. With our commitment to continuing the Expo s expansion, we re very excited to make a few key announcements For the second year now, two additional events will be co-located with the Midwest Foodservice Expo. A Restaurant Marketing Symposium and a Buy Local Conference will both be held on March 13th and 14th. One registration gives attendees access to all three events. The end goal is to bring more buyers to the exhibit hall. We re thrilled to have several foodservice associations partnering with us on promotions, educational programs and holding membership meetings at our 2017 Expo. Just a few of the partner groups include: Subway Froedert Food and Nutrition Services Association of Correctional Foodservice Affiliates Association of Nutritional & Food Professionals - Wisconsin DeRosa Corporation Wisconsin Bakers Association Association for Heathcare Foodservice Southern Wisconsin Chapter Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin Wisconsin Badger Chapter Club Manager s Assoc. of America The 2017 Expo is exploding with tons of new things! Some of the highlights include an indoor 5K charity run/walk on Sunday, an opening night party on Monday, the launch of a Young Professionals Network targeting Millennials that hold key management positions, and an increased focus on how technology is impacting business. Watch for other surprise announcements! Check out for details on all of our other great events! And join us on our social media channels for all of the latest announcements and conversation about the Expo! Have a great show! Dawn Faris, CEM Vice President of Exposition & Business Development Get Social! #everythingfoodservice
Table of Contents Page TC-02 INTRODUCTION & table of contents Page TC-01...Welcome Letter Pages TC-02 04... Table of Contents Page TC-05...Pre-show Planning Checklist Page TC-06...Deadline Calendar GENERAL expo INFORMATION Page GI-01...General Information Exposition Schedule Show Colors Included in Exhibit Space Show Leads & Sales Valley Expo & Displays Online Ordering Exhibit Services and Booth Utilities Page GI-02...Exhibitor Services Refrigerator & Freezer Product Storage Dishwashing Area Grease Disposal Ice Service Email Access Food Pantry Information (Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin) Page GI-03...Official Contractor Information Page GI-04... Move-in/Move-out General Information General Move-In/Move-Out Procedures Emergency Contacts during Move-In Daylight Savings Time information Page GI-05...Map of Downtown Milwaukee Page GI-06...Driving Directions & Parking Map Page GI-07...Downtown Parking Guide Page GI-08...Hotel Information Page GI-09...Airline Travel Information Airlines Car Rental, Shuttle Service, Public Transportation Directions from the Airport Page GI-10...Milwaukee Entertainment Options Comedy Gaming/Casino Professional Sports Theater, Local Tours & Museums Page GI-11... Where s The Nearest...? (Locations of nearby businesses, by business type) Page GI-12...Recently Announced Events PRE-SHOW PREPARATION Page PS-01... Exhibitor Badge Ordering Information Page PS-02... New & Featured Product Program, plus VIP Invite Opportunities Page PS-03... Preferred Customer Pass Opportunity & Order Form Page PS-04... WRA Membership List Opportunity & Order Form Page PS-05... Expo Program Logo Upgrade Opportunity & Order Form
Table of Contents Page TC-03 PRE-SHOW PREPARATION (continued) Page PS-06... Expo Program Advertising Opportunity Page PS-07...Expo Program Ad Contract Page PS-08... Wisconsin Restaurateur Magazine Advertising Opportunity Page PS-09...More FREE Marketing Perks Pages PS-10 11... Charitable Auction Information & Donation Form Page PS-12...Awards Dinner Information rules & regulations Pages RR-01 02... Move-In/Move-Out Procedures Page RR-03... Move-Out Procedures & Dock Access Schedule Page RR-04... Directions to the Wisconsin Center s Loading Dock Area Pages RR-05 06... Booth Design Regulations Pages RR-07 08... Midwest Foodservice Expo General Rules & Regulations ADA Compliance Assumption of Risk Booth Staffing Contractor Services Distribution of Literature Early Teardown Exclusivity Clause Helium Balloons Hospitality Suites Models, Hostesses & Product Sampling Non-Exhibiting Supplier Policy Registration & Admission to Exhibition Subletting of Space Unoccupied Space Use of Space - General Use of Space - Lights/Audio Violation of Rules & Regulations Page RR-09... Wisconsin Center Vehicle Display Regulations Page RR-10... Wisconsin Center General Rules & Regulations ADA Compliance Gratuity Policy Smoking is prohibited Security Exterior Doors Fire and Safety Regulations Electricity Regulations Page RR-11... Wisconsin Center Sampling Guidelines Page RR-12... Sanitation/Cooking Guidelines Page RR-13... Insurance and Security Information Ordering & PAYMENT INFORMATION for valley expo & displays Page OP-01... Exhibitor Services Online Ordering Page OP-02...General Show Information Page OP-03...Recap of Cost & Payment Page OP-04...Third Party Billing
Table of Contents Page TC-04 Freight & Labor Page FL-01...Dock Pass Request Form Page FL-02... Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) Information (from WRA) Page FL-03...EAC Authorization Form (for WRA) Page FL-04...EAC Badge Order Form (for WRA) Page FL-05... Official Contractors (EAC) Information (from Valley Expo & Displays) Page FL-06... Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Authorization Form (for Valley Expo & Displays) Page FL-07...Shipping Information Pages FL-08 09... Shipping Labels - Advance & Direct Pages FL-10 11... YRC Freight Information Page FL-12...Freight Services Information Page FL-13...Special Handling Information Page FL-14...Freight Handling Info & Form Page FL-15...Freight Services Questionnaire Page FL-16...Forklift Service Info & Form Page FL-17...Event Labor Info & Form Page FL-18... Supervised Labor Installation & Dismantle Info & Form Page FL-19...Sign & Banner Hanging Info & Form Page FL-20...Booth & Exhibit Porter Service Info & Form furniture & custom rentals Page FR-01...Booth Carpet Info & Form Page FR-02...Carpet Special Info & Form Page FR-03...Show Specials for Booth Packages Page FR-04...Booth Furniture Order Form Pages FR-05 39... AFR Trade Show Furnishings Information and Order Forms Pages FR-40 47... Portable Modular Display Rental Information and Order Forms Page FR48...Grid Wall Order Form Page FR49...Sign & Banner Info & Form Page FR50...Plant & Floral Info Form rental services & utilities Pages RU-01 03... Information Technology, Electrical & Mechanical Information Online ordering & Payment Information Internet Access Telecommunications Data Networking I.T. Specialty Services Electrical Mechanical (Gas, Water, and Air Services) Service Conditions and Regulations Pages RU-04 05... Wisconsin Center District Information Technology, Electrical & Mechanical Order Forms Page RU-06... Wisconsin Center District Audio Visual Request Form Pages RU-07 08... Lead Retrieval Information & Ordering
Pre-Show Planning Checklist Page TC-05 Over Three Months Out q Read contract carefully: Understand terms, show rules, payment schedule, etc. q Determine exhibit objectives & purpose for participation in show. q Determine exhibit needs: refurbishments, additions, changes, redesign, etc. q Read and review Exhibitor Service Manual. q Plan show advertising & marketing strategies: Featured Product Previews Expo Program Advertising Preferred Customer Passes Auction Donations WRA Membership Mailing List Sponsorship Opportunities Expo Program Logo Upgrade Incentives/Premiums/Literature Two Three Months Out q Select display products & develop floorplan for exhibit. q Finalize graphics art/copy. q Plan any in-booth presentations and/or demonstrations. q Create a list of required services, noting deadlines. q Communicate with primary vendors & order show services: Electrical, Mechanical & IT Audio Visual Lead Retrieval Systems Vacuuming/Cleaning (Porter) Services Furnishings & Rental Services Catering/Bartenders Carpet Labor & Installation q Select booth staff. q Order badges for exhibiting staff. q Make airline, hotel & car reservations. q Submit authorization forms if using an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor. q Execute and implement show-related advertising & marketing strategies. q Meet deadlines for publicity in the Expo Program & Exhibit Directory. q Review your company s online Virtual Trade Show listing to be sure information there is correct because this is the same information that will appear in the Expo Program & Exhibit Directory. One Month Out q Confirm availability of display, literature, samples, and give-aways q Plan and hold a pre-show meeting for booth staff q Distribute training materials to all booth staffers q Reserve dock space for move-in Upon Arrival & During Show q Supervise and/or execute booth setup q Perform any on-site training for booth staff After Show q Reserve next year s space q Arrange for follow-up on lead forms q Send thank you notes to booth staff q Handle show-related invoices q Measure/analyze results Visit www.valleyexpodisplays.com/planner for an Exhibit Planner to help manage the details.
Deadline Calendar Page TC-06 Deadline Explanation Section in this Manual Page # December 22... New & Featured Products (for chance to be in magazine feature)... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-02 January 6... Full Payment of Exhibit Space Due... As per Expo Contract January 12... Wis. Restaurateur Magazine Advertising - Space Reserve... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-08 January 19... Wis. Restaurateur Magazine Advertising - Materials Due... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-08 February 1... Booth Carpet and Booth Package Specials... Furniture & Custom Rentals... FR-02 03 February 6... Expo Program Advertising - Space Reserve... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-06 07 February 9... Insurance Certificate... Rules & Regulations... RR-13 February 9... EAC Authorization Request - WRA Form... Freight & Labor...FL-03 February 9... EAC Badge Order - WRA Form... Freight & Labor...FL-04 February 9... EAC Authorization Request - Valley Expo Form... Freight & Labor...FL-06 February 10... Expo Program Advertising - Materials Due... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-06 07 February 10... Logo Upgrade in the Expo Program... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-05 February 10... Sign & Banner Overhead Hanging Order... Freight & Labor...FL-19 February 15... Discount Deadlines for Valley Expo & Displays... Ordering & Payment Info... OP-02 February 15... Booth Carpet Order... Furniture & Custom Rentals... FR-01 February 15... Booth Furniture & Accessories Order... Furniture & Custom Rentals... FR-04 39 February 15... Portable Modular Display Order... Furniture & Custom Rentals... FR-40 47 February 15... Signage & Banner Order... Furniture & Custom Rentals... FR-49 February 23... Hotel Reservations... General Expo Information...GI-08 February 24... New & Featured Products (final deadline)... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-02 February 24... Preferred Customer Pass Orders... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-03 February 24... WRA Membership List... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-04 February 24... Dock Pass Request (if submitting paper form)... Freight & Labor...FL-01 February 24... IT, Electrical & Mechanical Order... Rental Services & Utilities... RU-01 05 February 24... Audio/Visual Order... Rental Services & Utilities... RU-06 February 24... Lead Retrieval Order - Early Deadline (full price after 2/24)... Rental Services & Utilities... RU-07 11 February 27... Charitable Auction Donations... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-10 11 March 3... Dock Pass Request (if submitting online)... Freight & Labor...FL-01 March 3... Advance Freight Shipments to Valley Expo & Displays... Freight & Labor...FL-07 March 9... Exhibitor Badge Registration (5:00 p.m. deadline)... Pre-Show Preparation...PS-01 March 11... First Day of Exhibitor Move-In... General Expo Information...GI-01 March 11... Direct Shipments Begin Arriving at Exhibit Site... Freight & Labor...FL-07 March 15... First Day of Exhibitor Move-Out (after 3:00 p.m.)... General Expo Information...GI-01 March 16... Final Day of Exhibitor Move-Out (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)... General Expo Information...GI-01