Exhibitor Services
Official Show Vendors
The Mid-America Restaurant Expo is partnering with the following vendors for the 2021 Mid-America Restaurant Expo.
Official Service Contractor: Fern Expo Services
As the official service contractor, Fern Expo manages the Exhibitor Services Manual, on-site logistics, including furniture, ordering booth materials and shipping/material handling. Paula Tokar, Exhibitor Services - 614.253.1500 ptokar@fernexpo.com
Lead Retrieval and Booth Personnel Registration
2021 Lead Retrieval and Booth Personnel Registration information to come.
Host Facility, Electricity, Plumbing, Internet, Booth Cleaning & Sign Hanging: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Forms for the various services can be found inside the Exhibitor Services Manual under “additional show services.” Greater Columbus Convention Center Client Utilities - 614.827.2548 cutilities@columbusconventions.com
Audio Visual Services: Hughies
614.436.5273, cbsales@hughies.com
List Scams
Exhibitors should be wary of any companies selling attendee lists for the Mid-America Restaurant Expo. These companies are not affiliated with the Expo, nor do they possess our attendee or exhibitor lists.
Move In and Move Out Schedule
Move-in of Freight and Set-up of Exhibits:
- Exhibitors occupying 3 booths or more:
Saturday, October 30 from 8:00am - 6:00pm - Exhibitors occupying 2 booths or less:
Saturday, October 30 from 12:00 Noon - 6:00pm or Sunday, October 31 from 8:00am - 6:00pm - Aisle carpet installation:
Sunday, October 31 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Exhibits open to attendees:
Monday, November 1 from 10:00am - 5:00pm and Tuesday, November 2 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Dismantling:
- Aisle carpet removal and crate return:
Tuesday, November 2 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm - Move out:
Tuesday, November 2 from 4:00pm - 9:00pm or Wednesday, November 3 from 8:00am - 12:00 Noon
PLEASE DO NOT PLAN TO MOVE IN ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021. If you cannot move in during the designated times, please contact Debra Seiple at dseiple@ohiorestaurant.org.
ALL exhibits must be ready by 6:00pm Sunday, October 31, 2021, for show inspection.
MOVE-IN PROCEDURE:
- We will be unloading cars, vans and trucks into the loading dock area during the scheduled move-in times.
- There is extra dock space this year and as you line up to enter the convention center’s dock area – there will be a gate guard, convention staff member, and Fern staff directing you to the open docks available for you to unload.
- Cars and vans will have 20-25 minutes to unload your vehicle – and will need to then move out of the dock area immediately. You will not be able to leave your car in the dock area while you set up your booth. You can either go to a nearby parking garage or to the East Lot/Marshall Yard. It is a paying lot and is a good choice if the same vehicle will be used for load out. If it will not stay in the East Lot/Marshall Yard, but will be used during move-out, please read the move-out instructions.
- Trucks and semis will have 40-60 minutes to unload. Once you have unloaded, you will be asked to move your truck or semi to the East Lot/Marshall Yard. If it is not being parked overnight, but will be used during move-out, please read and follow move-out instructions.
- Please be advised that there are (2) docks with 10 ft. roll-up doors and Dock #19 has a ramp and a 20 ft. door.
MOVE-OUT PROCEDURE - Marshall Yard Instructions:
- Everyone will start the move-out process at the Marshall Yard! NO EXCEPTIONS. By doing this at the start, it will save you and others time from sitting in the dock area to then be told you have to go to the Marshall Yard….causing more time delays, confusion and frustration. Everyone will start from the same place. With more dock availability, the wait time will be MINIMAL.
- CLICK HERE for the location of the East Lot/Marshall Yard.
- YOU MUST PACK UP YOUR BOOTH BEFORE GETTING A CAR OR TRUCK TO HEAD TO THE MARSHALL YARD – UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF GOING TO THE MARSHALL YARD THAT IS COMING TO PICK YOU UP.
- All vehicles will get in line at the Marshall Yard to expedite the move-out process.
- NO MARSHALL YARD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 – MOVE-OUT IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WANTING TO AVOID THE AFTER-SHOW RUSH. We will have overnight security in the hall on the evening of TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 and will be in the hall from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 if you wish to move out on Wednesday morning.
These are the proposed unload/load time limits. You are not allowed to leave your car in the dock area once your car/truck/van is unloaded. Once unloaded, your vehicle must be moved to a nearby parking garage, or lot near the convention center.
Ground unloading/loading
Cars/Vans/Pick-ups – 20 minutes
Vehicles with Trailers – 40 minutes
Dock unloading/loading
Trucks up to 26’ long – 40 minutes
Trailers up to 53’ long – 60 minutes
If you have any questions about moving out on Wednesday, November 3, please contact Trade Show Manager, Debra Seiple at dseiple@ohiorestaurant.org. You can also call (614) 246-0221 or (614) 206-2103. Again, we will have overnight security in the hall on the evening of TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 and will be in the hall from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 if you wish to move out on Wednesday morning.
Show Hours
The Mid-America Restaurant Expo is open:
- Monday, November 1, from 10:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday, November 2, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Show Colors
The Mid-America Restaurant Expo will feature the following show colors:
Main Floor: TBD
Aisle and booth carpet: Grey
- 8’ back wall with drape in the following pattern: Green outside with a black stripe in the middle.
- 3’ side wall with black drape
Flavors of the Mid-West: Terracotta
- 8' back wall with Terracotta drape
- 3' side wall with black drape
Farmers Crossing: Yellow
- 8' back wall with the following pattern: Black outside with a yellow stripe in the middle
- yellow table cloth
- 3' side wall with black drape
Liquid Lane: Blue
- 8' back wall with the following pattern: Black outside with a blue stripe in the middle
- blue table cloth
- 3' side wall with black drape
The Establishment: Black
- 12' back wall with Black drape
- black table cloth
Exhibitor Kit
The online Exhibitor Services Kit contains the forms needed to outfit your booth - plus order forms for all external vendors. This will be released by early August 2021. Please note that a unique Customer ID and password is required. Contact Paula Tokar, ptokar@fernexpo.com, 614-253-1500 for help with this information.
If you are contacted by vendors, other than those listed in the Fern Exhibitor Services Kit, they are not affiliated with the Mid-America Restaurant Expo.
Booth Personnel Registration
Each exhibitor is entitled to five (5) personnel badges per 10'x10' of booth space, or (2) personnel badges per table space. Additional badges for booth or table personnel only, may be ordered at a cost of $5.00 per booth worker. Online registration will be open soon to register your personnel for the show.
Exhibitor personnel badges give you unlimited access to the show floor (including non-show hours) and must be worn at all times. Please be aware that you must carry a photo id at the Expo. On-site personnel are subject to identify confirmation by security or Expo staff at any time.
It is very important that you convey our child policy to your team and customers. There are no exceptions.
Child Policy:
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted on the Mid-America Restaurant Expo show floor at any time. This includes infants, toddlers, strollers, and carriers. Children 16 to 18 years of age are permitted only if accompanied by an adult. This trade show standard is strictly enforced to foster a professional, business-to-business environment for our attendees and exhibitors.
Company Directory/Profile Listing and Show Guide Form
SEE E-SHOW REGISTRATION APPLICATION TO SUBMIT YOUR DIRECTORY LISTING.
Levy Sampling Authorization Forms
The Levy Sampling Authorization Forms are required for any company that is sampling food, beverage or alcohol at the Expo. You are asked to submit your Certificate of Insurance (COI) along with the completed forms no later than (7) days before the show.
IMPORTANT - Please note the Expo’s show insurance covers the $5,000,000 General Aggregate and the $5,000,000 Products Liability Aggregate. If you do not have $5,000,000 coverage in place, the show insurance will cover you. You are required to submit the minimum limits of liability shown on the sample insurance certificate. Please remember to name Levy Restaurants at the bottom of the certificate before submitting.
If there are any questions, please contact Debra Seiple at 614-246-0221 or dseiple@ohiorestaurant.org.
Download 2021 Levy Sampling Authorization and Certificate of Insurance Sample Forms here:
Free Ice, Refrigeration and Freezer Storage
FREE ice will be available in a designated ice trailer at the back of the hall.
FREE refrigeration and freezer storage will be in (2) units located at the back of the hall. You are asked to label all bins, boxes, and coolers and stack them vertically. The storage units will be available on Saturday, October 30, 2021 during load-in.
Should you require larger amounts of food or beverage storage, it is available through Levy Restaurants at charges that are described on the Levy Sampling Authorization forms.
If you have any questions about these provisions, please contact Trade Show Manager, Debra Seiple, at 614-246-0221 or dseiple@ohiorestaurant.org.
Free Admission VIP Guest Passes
VIP Guest Passes allow your best prospects, or customers, to attend the Expo courtesy of your company at no charge. Each exhibiting company receives (5) VIP Guest Passes per 10'x10' booth reserved, or (2) VIP Guest Passes per table reserved. Your guests will be able to pre-register online for faster check-in at the show.
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