EXHIBITING DETAILS AND RULES

Welcome to the Garden Center Show 2022 (GCS)! If you're an exhibitor, you will find most of the information you need right here. If you have questions that aren't answered here, or just want to speak to a real person, contact Rob Bailey at Rob.Bailey@GardenCenterShow.com  at (224) 355-6947 or Jim Reed at Jim.Reed@Gardencentershow.com or (224)688-0858

GARDEN CENTER SHOW EXCLUSIVE! SPONSORSHIP & MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

To truly set your company apart, GCS’s sponsorship and advertising program is the most effective way to stand up and stand out. For some companies, exhibiting alone is simply not enough. Consider these important reasons to become a sponsor at GCS 2022 - with key exposure opportunities still open (but going fast):

• Grab the attention of GCS’s high-quality audience Garden Center buyers.

• Expand your reach and credibility with the industry's power-buyers.

• Make a lasting impression with GCS’s entire target audience, buyers from every U.S. and Canadian independent garden center.

• Drive more traffic to your booth.

• Build brand recognition as an industry leader.

• Draw attention to a new product or service on display at your booth.

Secure Your Garden Center Show Sponsorship and Advertising today. Contact Rob Bailey at  Rob.Bailey@GardenCenterShow.com or (847) 777-1796 or Jim Reed at Jim.Reed@GardenCenterShow.com or (224) 688-0858

SHOW LOCATION

Wisconsin Center | Milwaukee  www.wisconsincenter.com

Exhibit Hall

400 W Wisconsin Ave.

Milwaukee, Wi 53203

SHOW HOURS

Tuesday, Aug. 9

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 10

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Networking Reception

5-6 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 11

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

SET UP

Saturday, Aug. 6

Move in allowed upon special request and approval.

Sunday, Aug. 7

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 8

8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 9

8-10 a.m.

NOTE: All booths must be set up 10 am Tuesday, Aug. 9. No freight deliveries will be accepted on Tuesday after 10 a.m.

TEAR DOWN

Thursday, Aug. 11

2-7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 12

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

PRIMARY CONTACTS

GCS Show Management: Rob Bailey – rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com (224) 355-6947

GCS Show Management: Jim Reed – jim.reed@gardencentershow.com (224) 688-0858

Wisconsin Expo: Dan Cartledge – dancartledge@wi-expo.com (262) 670-1300 ext. 201

Wisconsin Center: exhibitorsvc@wcd.org

IMPORTANT CHECKLIST

Drayage (order through Wisconsin Expo by July 23)

Carpeting (required) and furniture (order through Wisconsin Expo by July 23)

Shipping (contact your favorite carrier or Wisconsin Expo)

Electrical outlets (order through Wisconsin Center)

Order badges - CLICK HERE

Book your sponsorship & show directory ad opportunities – contact Rob Bailey at rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com or (847) 777-1796 or Jim Reed at jim.reed@gardencentershow.com or (224) 688-0858

Enter your online booth description (see your booth confirmation email)

Order lead retrieval device from RCS by July 5 (see form)

Book a hotel room - CLICK HERE

NOTE: ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING ARE NOW ORDERED THROUGH the Wisconsin Center

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

June 25

Book hotel rooms before this date for best prices and availability

June 25

Order your exhibitor badges online before this date so you don’t forget.

July 12

First day shipments sent to Wisconsin Expo may arrive at their warehouse.

July 9

Big savings! Last day to get discounted prices on orders from orders.

July 9

Last date to place DISCOUNTED phone, Internet or plumbing orders with Wisconsin Center.

Aug. 6

Last date shipments may arrive at warehouse without $ penalty.

Aug. 8

First day direct shipments may arrive at Wisconsin Center.

Aug. 10

Last day direct shipments may arrive at Wisconsin Center (before 10 a.m.)

Aug. 13 (10 a.m.)

Last day to remove your freight from Wisconsin Center (before 10 a.m.)

HOTELS

The Garden Center Show has discounted rooms set aside for exhibitors and attendees at several major downtown hotels which are attached the Wisconsin Center or within walking distance. For complete information, CLICK HERE.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203

FROM Mitchell International airport (7 Miles, 12 minutes!), start out going North on S Howell/WI-38 turn left onto Howard and take the I-43 North. Take I-43 to Michigan St/10^th street exit and keep left on fork and stay straight to N 10^th St. and turn Right onto Wisconsin Ave.

PARKING

The GCS is located at the Wisconsin Center located at 500 W Wells Street, Milwaukee WI 53203.

Additional Parking Lots:

Additional parking can be found here

EXHIBITOR BADGES

Register for exhibitor badges online to avoid delays onsite. CLICK HERE and use the password provided in your Booth Confirmation Email. Can’t find that password? Email Rob Bailey at rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com for it. Companies receive up to three badges free per 10’ x 10’. Additional exhibitor badges are $35 each.

DECORATOR/DRAYAGE

The official Garden Center Show decorator and drayage company is Wisconsin Expo who can be reached at (262) 670-1300. Questions regarding drayage, furniture rental, shipment of freight, labor, booth cleaning or other special services should be directed to Dan Cartledge.  See section for details.

STANDARD BOOTH SPACE INCLUDES

10' x 10' exhibit space (per booth unit purchased). 8' high backdrop with draped fabric (not included with island booth). 3' side rails with draped fabric (not included with island booth). One-line company identification sign (company name and booth number), 3 staff badges and Unlimited drayage per company.

SHIPPING INFO

EXHIBIT BOOTHS

Drayage is not included in your booth space.  If you're using your own vehicle and must use a loading dock to unload, please note that delays can be expected. All vehicles must first check in and then wait to be called up to the dock area to unload. This is what is called your "check-in time." If you are using your own vehicle, you can hand-carry your items in.

UNLOADING YOUR OWN VEHICLE AT THE GARDEN CENTER SHOW

NEW VENDOR ZONE

Set up begins here on Sunday, Aug. 7 at noon.

FLOOR COVERING

All booths must be carpeted or use some form of floor covering. You may bring your own or rent carpeting from Wisconsin Expo. Failure to carpet your booth will incur high on-site carpeting costs. Please note – the New Vendor Zone booths are already carpeted.

PLANTS, DIRT OR GROUNDCOVER

If you plan to place anything damp in your booth, such as plants or bedding, use ice or water, or lay down any soil or groundcover, you must first place a WATERPROOF barrier beneath your booth or carpeting. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock and/or damage to the electrical outlets (at your expense), which are located in the floor. Visqueen plastic covering can be ordered from Wisconsin Expo. Ice will be available for those exhibitors who have live plant material.

WISCONSIN CENTER LABOR WORK RULES

Wisconsin Center provides communication services, ceiling sign labor, electrical and plumbing. The official service provider is the Wisconsin Expo provides Furniture, carpet, drayage, cleaning, decorating, rigging, carpentry and freight movement. The tradespeople who perform these functions are hired by Wisconsin Expo and are not employed by Wisconsin Center. An exhibitor or a full-time employee of the exhibitor is allowed to do much more of their own work. An exhibitor may do his/her own assembly and decorating work if they so choose no matter the size of their booth. An exhibitor’s full-time employee may also install and dismantle their booth.

CHILDREN DURING MOVE-IN/OUT & SHOW HOURS

No children under the age of 14 years old will be allowed on the show floor at any time before or after the show. We appreciate the burden this may create for some of our exhibitors with family-owned businesses, but safety concerns for all individuals on the show floor require that we strictly enforce this regulation. Heavy equipment and machinery are prevalent on the show floor, especially during move-in and move-out of the GCS Show. Safety is always our first priority.

MOVE IN/OUT LOGISTICS

All move-in must be completed by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Move-out will not be permitted until 2 p.m. on closing day, Thursday, Aug. 11. Any exhibitor removing or dismantling exhibit display prior to 2 p.m. on closing day may be denied space in future Garden Center Shows. Show management does its best to attract audiences for the exhibitor and expects to present a full show to all visitors during all scheduled hours of the show. This is the same reason we require a person in your booth at all times during the show.

SALES LIMITATIONS

The Garden Center Show is a closed industry trade show. Direct, individualized sale of items that are taken from any exhibit booth prior to the close of the show is prohibited. This rule is necessary to provide all exhibitors balanced security, and to help ensure against theft of booth material and supplies. Items may be sold directly from the booth but may not be removed from the booth and/or exhibit hall until 2 p.m. on closing day. Your buyer will need a removal pass for items. Please see the show office for passes.

SUB-LEASING

No exhibitor may assign, sublet or apportion the whole or any part of the booth space assigned, nor permit any other party to exhibit therein, nor distribute any promotional or advertising materials in the assigned space other than those manufactured, grown or sold by exhibitor in the normal course of his/her business without written permission from show management.

EXHIBITOR SOLICITATION

Exhibitors must limit their activities to within the confines of their assigned booth space. Exhibitor activities must be conducted in a manner consistent with the non-interference of activities legitimately exercised by other exhibitors. Distribution of an exhibitor's product, catalogs, pamphlets, printed material, souvenirs, etc., must remain within the confined area of the assigned booth space, and at no time should protrude, for any distance, into the exhibit hall aisles. No exhibitor's promotional activities will be permitted outside the confines of the assigned exhibit booth, except in such cases as approved by show management.

NON-EXHIBITOR SELLING IN AISLES

Show management makes every effort to protect against unauthorized selling within the show exhibit area by individuals not booking space. The Garden Center Show requests any individual attempting to sell or market in the aisle, or other areas of the convention center, be reported to show management. These individuals are taking advantage of exhibitors who pay for their space and abide by show rules.

CHARACTER OF EXHIBITS

The Garden Center Show reserves the right to restrict exhibits to products and services of interest to and related to the garden center trade. Show management also reserves the right to restrict exhibits which, because of noise, method of operation, materials, or for any reason deemed objectionable, and also to prohibit or evict any exhibit which, in the opinion of the management, may detract from the general character of the Garden Center Show. This reservation includes persons, things, conduct, printed matter, or anything of a character show management determines objectionable. In the event of such restriction or eviction, the Garden Center Show is not liable for any refunds for rentals or other exhibit expense. It is also required that each exhibit space have a person attending the booth at all times. Exhibitors who fail to staff their booth may not be allowed to exhibit in future Shows.

DISPLAY CONFIGURATION

Exhibit height in excess of 4 feet must be confined to the rear 5 feet of each linear (e.g. – 10’ x 10’, 10’ x 20’, 10’ x 30’) booth. The Show will strictly enforce this rule, and any violation must be immediately corrected or loss of booth space may result. No signs, partitions, apparatus, shelving, display material, etc., may extend beyond 8 feet above the exhibit space floor. Show management requires exhibitors request a written variance 21 days in advance for any portion of an exhibit that extends beyond the 8-foot limit. A request for a variance from the Garden Center Show must be submitted no later than July 25, 2022 and will be considered only in the case where the extended height serves as an integral part of the display. Variances are not required for live plant material that extends beyond 8 feet. However, exhibitors may not use plant material, which adversely impacts a neighboring exhibitor. Show management reserves the right of final decision in determining the importance of the display material exceeding standard show rules and regulations.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS

The operation of any engines is prohibited on the show floor. All displayed engines must have empty fuel tanks, and fuel tank caps must be either taped closed or locked. In addition, all battery cables must be disconnected and taped to meet fire department regulations. The use of loud speakers and public-address equipment by exhibitors is prohibited. Exhibits that include the operation of musical instruments, radios or any noise-making equipment must be conducted or arranged so that the noise resulting from the demonstrations will not disturb adjacent exhibitors.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

No exhibitor will be allowed to bring any hazardous material into the exhibit hall for any purpose. The IGC Show requires the use of empty display containers that have never been filled with hazardous materials. This rule will be strictly enforced. Hazardous materials are defined as any material packaged in a container that has the words "danger," "warning" or "poison" on it, accompanied by a phrase such as, but not limited to, "do not get on skin," "do not get in eyes," "do not breathe dust;" live aerosol spray cans; or other similar hazards.

SECURITY

The GCS will attempt to provide adequate security service for the exhibit area during show hours as well as when the show is closed. Show management urges exhibitors to have at least one employee in their booth at all times during move-in and move-out. The ultimate responsibility of security lies with the exhibitor at all times, and show management shall not be held liable for the loss or theft of any or all items from an exhibit booth at any time. Exhibitors are particularly encouraged to secure and insure valuable items, including but not limited to TVs, DVD players, computers and monitors, small equipment and tools, cameras, etc., and remove such items immediately upon the close of the show.

PRESS ROOM LITERATURE PLACEMENT

This year, as in the past, the show is providing a Press Room, located at the Center. All exhibitors are welcome to provide media kits so garden writers attending the show can access your new product information and other news. If your company would like to provide media kits, please bring 20 to the Press room by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9. No samples may be distributed in the Press Room. For all inquiries, contact Press@Gardencentershow.com.

EXHIBITOR CREDENTIALS

In keeping with our efforts to provide exhibitors and show visitors with the best possible security, all exhibitors must wear their exhibitor name badges in clear view at all times. Non-exhibitors will not be permitted in the exhibit hall other than during posted show hours. Exhibitors are prohibited from providing exhibitor badges to show guests. To register your staff, CLICK HERE. You will need the password provided in the confirmation email sent to you when you purchased your booth. If you don’t have it, email rob.bailey@gardencentershow.com.

NON-COMPLIANCE TO RULES & REGULATIONS

Each exhibitor, for himself/herself and his/her employees, substitutes or agents, agrees to abide by the rules and regulations given herein and by subsequent amendments and additions, considered by the GCS to be in the best interest of all exhibitors. Upon non-compliance with the established rules, the GCS reserves the right to prohibit, reject or eject any exhibitor, exhibitor's representative, exhibit (in whole or part) or visitor, with or without giving cause. In the event of restriction or eviction, the IGC Show is not liable for any refunds on rentals or other exhibit expenses.