Exhibitor Kit
Greetings to all our Natural Living Expo 2010 Exhibitors!
We’re so pleased to have your participation for this event. Expo time is coming right up, so we’ve put a lot of important information in this document. If you have questions left after reading this, please contact Managers Chaden Halfhill (515-202-6276) and Angela Clark (515-205-5494). This information is also posted on the web site.
Booth numbers will be handed out Friday when you arrive to set up.
BEFORE THE EXPO
Spreading the Word
We’ve been working hard to promote the Expo by placing radio ads and interviews; LED billboard displays; banners on buses; posters, fliers and Expo previews in stores, offices and on magazine racks; print advertisements; continuous social media and website updates; YouTube videos; word-of-mouth; and grassroots cross-promotion.
Grassroots cross-promotion is a fantastic way for you as exhibitors to let your contacts know about the Expo. Your friends and customers will be excited to see you there! To assist you in getting the word out to your contacts, we’ve created a form e-mail for you to copy, paste and personalize. That will arrive separately from this email. You can also find the e-mail text on the Natural Living Expo’s website (www.naturallivingexpo.org) under the Exhibitors tab. If you have questions about accessing or using the text, e-mail media@naturallivingexpo.org.
In addition, if you maintain a website, you can link to the Expo’s site or to the YouTube videos. And finally, if you have a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, connect with us there. Again, email questions to media@naturallivingexpo.org.
Exhibitor Educational Resources
On the Expo’s website, under the Exhibitors tab, you’ll find helpful notes from the exhibitor workshops with Cathy Erickson about how to set up a good booth, how to make the most of interactions at the Expo, and general expo dos and don’ts. We want you to have a terrific weekend, so we’re glad to make this information available. Keep in mind that we will also hold one or two post-Expo teleclasses.
Tables, Chairs and Electricity must be ordered in advance
The Polk County Convention Complex’s charge for a draped table and two chairs cost is $50.00. The booth fee does not automatically include table and chairs. Nor does it include electricity. If you require electricity at your booth, it costs $95.00. Please contact us to request either if you have not already arranged this and you need a table or electricity.
Set-Up and Unloading
You may arrive for set-up starting at noon on Friday, March 26. Set-up continues until 7:00 pm. We encourage vendors to set up on Friday. If need be, you can set up Saturday morning. The show floor will be open at 7:00 am on Saturday. When you arrive, please check in at the Natural Living Expo booth (with Chaden, Angela or Gretchen) and we’ll help you find your space. A name badge lanyard and Expo program will be waiting at your booth; if you need extras, they’re available at the Expo booth. (Keep in mind that the Expo floor opens promptly at 10:00 am on Saturday; in the event that an exhibitor is late or a no-show, the Expo may sell the space to a wait-listed exhibitor.)
You may use special lighting or sound as long as it is courteous to your neighbors. We don’t anticipate any troubles on this front, but we have to let you know that the Expo reserves the right to disallow disruptive lighting or sound. Also please note that balloons and any kind of open flame are not allowed by the Convention Complex.
You may unload at the dock at Watson Powell Jr Way and 5th Avenue. Though we will have volunteers on hand to help, there will be a lot of exhibitors arriving and unloading at the same time, so we appreciate your patience. Please arrive as early as you are able so that there’s ample time to sort out last-minute details.
If you have special set-up requirements, please notify Managers Chaden Halfhill (515-202-6276) and Angela Clark (515-205-5494) as your earliest convenience.
Parking
The City of Des Moines parking ramp at 5th Avenue and Grand and on-street parking are free on Saturday and Sunday.
AT THE EXPO
Food
We have great food available this year! Organic Valley has donated food, and Kerri Rush of Fresh Cafe and Market, along with local tea and coffee houses, will be providing us with healthy, fresh, organic food. As soon as the menu is available, we will send it out so that you may pre-order lunch if you wish.
Door Prizes
You’re absolutely welcome to give away door prizes or have attendees enter drawings; it’s a great way to attract people to your booth and collect contacts for your database. We support permission-based marketing. Since the focus of the Expo is on natural living and sustainability, it’s a good idea to lead by example and have products or services as prizes that mesh with the message you want to send to attendees. Please reference the “Exhibitor Educational Resources” on the NLE web site for more information regarding your exhibiting experience.
The Messy Table
In the foyer outside the Expo area, we’ll have a couple of tables set up where all exhibitors can place business cards or small flyers. Just be sure to pick up your leftover print materials from these tables before you head home; they’ll be more use to you than to a recycling bin.
Exhibitor Support
During the Expo, Chaden, Angela and Gretchen will be circulating along with volunteers to make sure you as exhibitors have everything you need. Please flag us down if you have any questions or concerns during the weekend.
Tear-Down
Expo tear-down begins right away at 4:00 pm on Sunday and lasts until 7:00 pm. We’ll have volunteers around to help, but please contact Managers Chaden Halfhill (515-202-6276) and Angela Clark (515-205-5494) if you’ll need special assistance. Name badge lanyards can be turned in at the Expo booth or left at your space.
Thanks everyone! We’re looking forward to seeing you at the show!
The Natural Living Expo Team
