Frequently Asked Questions
If you're interested in exhibiting...
General Information and Exhibit Set-up Information
About the Virtual Trade Show (VTS) at www.NAShow.com
Advertising and Sponsorships Opportunities
I. If you're interested in exhibiting?
Who attends NA 2008?
MHIA attendees represent companies involved in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and distribution, as well as consumer direct with the majority of the Fortune 500 represented. Approximately 48% of attendees come from top corporate and senior management with another 34% coming from middle management. Click
here for a partial list of companies who attend. Click
here to access attendee demographic information.
Who exhibits at NA 2008?
You can access the searchable list of exhibitors by clicking
here. To obtain a list of all exhibitors, scroll down to the end of the
exhibitor search page and click on find all.
How is NA 2008 promoted to attendees?
The NA 2008 attendee marketing campaign will be the largest in the event's history. This integrated campaign will reach more material handling & logistics buyers than ever before. All communications will be targeted to the buyer's specific product and solution center interest. Click
here for more information.
What do I need to do to reserve exhibit space?
Please visit the Exhibitor
section of the site for information on the benefits exhibiting and peruse the floorplan
to select your exhibit space. For specific information on booth pricing, payment details, exhibitor requirements and to reserve your exhibit space contact MHIA show sales via email or at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190.
What happens if my booth selections are not available?
Contact the NA 2008 Sales Staff at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190
and they will work with you to provide alternative booth choices.
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II. General and Exhibit Set-Up Information
What are the exhibit floor hours?
Monday, April 21: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 22: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, April 23: 10:00 am - 5:00 PM
Thursday, April 24: 10:00 am - 3:00 PM
Where is the I-X Center
The I-X Center is located one mile from the Cleveland Airport. It is not in downtown Cleveland.
How do I get listed in the Official Show Directory?
You will be given a sign in and password with which to go to www.NAshow.com/listing to add or update your show directory and online listing. Each exhibitor can be listed under 45 product categories and under the solution center in which they are exhibiting. For listing(s) submitted after the October 15, 2006 deadline, your company name will be listed as it appears on your Application for Exhibit Space and your company will not be listed under any product categories. If you don't have your username and password, click
here to request it.
What do I do with my sign in and password?
Go to www.NAshow.com/listing and enter your username and password. This will enable you to enter your company listing for the Official Show Directory and the online directory. Once you have submitted your listing, you can upgrade your listing with a showcase virtual booth on www.NAshow.com.
What are exhibit set-up and dismantle hours?
Installation of displays begins at 8:00 AM Wednesday, April 16, 2008 and continues until 12:00 PM Sunday, April 20, 2008. All displays must be completely installed by 12:00 PM Sunday, April 20, 2008. Please Note: Exhibitors can get in the hall on Sunday. However, no labor will be available unless you specifically request in advance. All labor rates are double on Sunday. Exhibitors must be out of the hall by 5:00 PM. Complete show inspection will be conducted at 12:00 PM Sunday, April 20, 2008.
No exhibitor may begin to dismantle its display before 3:00 PM Thursday, April 24, 2008. All displays must be packed and ready for shipment by 4:30 PM Saturday, April 26, 2008.
Exhibitors have access to the show hall beginning at 8:00 AM on all days. Exhibitors must leave the hall by 5:00 PM on all days.
What labor can I do myself to set-up my booth?
Exhibitors are allowed to use two full-time employees to set-up their booth. You can use battery operated tools only. The amount of time is not restricted. If you use more than two people you must hire union labor, the rules for the amount of labor required is in the Exhibitor Manual. If you use an outside contractor, you must use I-X Center labor.
What are the handing sign regulations?
Hanging signs are permitted only in booths over 600 square feet. The bottom of the sign can be no lower than 16 feet. All hanging signs must be hung by union labor. Refer to the Rules and Regulations in your Exhibitor Manual for other restrictions on hanging signs and all other signs.
What are the restrictions for a peninsula booth?
The main restriction for a peninsula booth is that the backwall must be centered, and the width of the wall must be less than 10 feet of the total width of the booth. For example, a 20 foot wide booth would have a 10 foot wide backwall, a 40 foot wide booth would have a 30 foot backwall, etc. The only exception to this rule is that back-to-back peninsula booths may have a backwall the full width of their booth.
What about shipments to the I-X Center and move-in dates?
Shipments can be sent to the warehouse 30 days in advance of the show. Shipments direct to the show are scheduled daily according to your booth number. The schedule and shipping information is in the Exhibitor Manual. You must arrive on your scheduled day or pay a penalty for arriving on the wrong day. If you need to change arrival dates, contact the I-X Center at 216-265-2500 to make arrangements in advance to avoid this penalty.
What if my booth is damanged?
Report any damanges to the service contractors immediately. Make sure you have copies of all your paperwork and take photos of the damage. Remember, freight carriers and the general service contractor will have limited liability. Valuable equipment should be additionally insured.
What if I do not agree with my exhibit servcies bill?
You should receive your final bill at the show, usually it is put in your booth on Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a charge you feel is incorrect, take your invoice to the exhibitor service center and get it resolved before leaving the show.
What are the deadlines for Exhibitor Services?
Click here to access the Exhibitor Manual and a complete list of show deadlines.
How many exhibitor badges are allowed?
Exhibitors are allotted badges according to the size of their booth, from eight to 50. All exhibitor badges must have the exhibiting company name only. Click here to order your exhibitor badges.
How do I order my lead retrieval units?
Each exhibitor receives two basic lead retrieval units that are included with your booth space. If you wish to upgrade your lead retrieval package, you can do so at a discount of $120.00. Units can be picked up at the Exhibitor Service Center on Saturday, Sunday or Monday morning and must be returned by 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2008. More information and order forms can be found in your Exhibitor Manual.
What about exhibitor parking at the I-X Center?
There is a designated parking lot for exhibitors at the I-X Center at the rear of the building by the exhibitor entrance. Parking is free during move-in. There is a fee during show days. Exhibitors can pay per day or purchase passes for the entire show. Passes may be purchased in advance or on-site. See your Exhibitor Manual for the order form.
What are the show hotels?
Click here for a complete list of show hotels and to make an online reservation. The Sheraton Airport is the closest hotel to the I-X Center and the airport. The Marriott Airport is the next closest to the I-X Center. The Renaissance is in downtown Cleveland and is the headquarters hotel. The Hyatt, Marriott Downtown and the Crown Plaza are in downtown Cleveland. For questions on housing, call 1-800-321-1001 extension 6660. Click here for complete travel information to NA 2008.
Will there be a shuttle bus service between NA 2008 show hotels and the I-X Center?
Yes. NA 2008 will offer complimentary shuttle busses between NA 2008 show hotels and the I-X Center. Busses will run between the I-X Center and all designated NA 2008 Show hotels from April 21 - 24, 2008. Bus will run from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM each show day, and schedules will be posted at the I-X Center and in each hotel.
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III. About the Virtual Trade Show (VTS) at www.NAshow.com
What is the Virtual Trade Show (VTS)
at www.NAshow.com?
The Virtual Trade Show (VTS) is the virtual extension of the NA 2008 event.
Once you elect to participate as an exhibitor, your company will be included
in the NA 2008 online trade show where visitors can browse your virtual booth 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The VTS is a web-based database that allows attendees to search for exhibitors by product category, keyword, company name, etc. The VTS also allows material handling and logistics buyers to request information from exhibiting companies and create personal agendas when planning their visit to NA 2008. Every exhibitor in NA 2008 gets a free listing in the www.NAshow.com VTS and NA 2008 offers exhibitors the opportunity to upgrade their online listings to a showcase
virtual booth listing at very economical pricing.
What do I get for if I purchase a showcase listing in the VTS?
A Showcase listing on http://www.NAshow.com is a great way to increase your online exposure for very little investment. According to a study of Web traffic on MHIA show Web sites showcase listings average 5 times more visits than standard listings.
An NA 2008 Showcase listing makes it easier for visitors to find your products and services. With a showcase, your listing will be highlighted on the http://www.NAshow.com home page and in the exhibitor search results. Showcase your solutions with photos, product literature and press releases. Include detailed information and video of your products. Provide visitors with multiple contacts so they can pose technical questions or make personal appointments to meet you on the show floor. You can also directly link to your Web site for more information.
When will my online showcase and/or search ad actually be put on the web
site? How long will it stay online?
Online showcases and search ads will be placed within one week of your order and payment. They will remain online until January 2009.
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IV. Promotional and Sponsorships Opportunities
What promotional opportunities are available to exhibitors?
MHIA offers many promotional programs to help you increase the success of your NA 2008 exhibition-all at little or no cost to you. These promotions are designed to help you promote your company's participation in NA 2008 before, during and after the show. Go to http://www.NAshow.com/exhibitors
to learn more.
NA 2008 Exhibitor Promotions Include:
- Free Show Directory and Online Listing
- Online Showcase and Product Spotlight Listing Upgrades
- Free VIP Pass Brochures to Mail to your Best Customers and Prospects
- Free Customized HTML email Invitations
- Show Directory Advertising Opportunities
- Free NA 2008 LeadLink to Track Registration Leads Coming From Your Web Site
- Press and Media Relations
- Free Export Interest Listing
- Advertising Incentives
- NA 2008 Pre- and Post-Show Registration Database
- Online Product Search Advertising
You can find more information on these promotions, including ordering forms
and information, online at http://www.NAShow.com/Exhibitors/resource.aspx.
If you have any questions concerning your NA 2008 show promotion, contact Carol
Miller at
704-676-1190/800-345-1815 or via email.
If I want a pre-show and/or post-show mail list - what do I need to do to
place my order?
Click
here for the order form or contact Carol
Miller at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190.
What is LeadLink?
Exhibitors place a specially programmed NA 2008 logo on their company's Web
site with a link to free NA 2008 online attendee registration. MHIA will email complete contact information for all registrations coming from that exhibitors Web site. When a visitor to clicks through this logo link and registers for NA 2008, that contact information is emailed to the exhibitor on the same day! Exhibitors can then contact this lead to obtain more information on their productivity needs or arrange a face-to-face meeting at the show.
To sign up for LeadLink, visit www.NAshow.com/leadlink
and follow the instructions on the screen. Then follow the instructions to place, program and link the NA 2008 logo on your Web site. Place the logo in a prominent area on your site. The more click through registrations received, the more leads MHIA will push back to you!
For more information on NA 2008 Lead Link, contact MHIA
Marketing at 704-676-1190/800-345-1815 or via email.
Why should I advertise in the Official Show Directory?
An informational and promotional item, the Show Directory is the official guide to the NA 2008 Show and Conference in Cleveland. According to a survey of MHIA attendees, 94% of attendees use the printed show directory as a resource, and nearly 80% ranked it as very good/excellent as far as usefulness.
The Directory's usefulness goes far beyond the four days in Cleveland; it's
a valuable year-round tool to every attendee, with a master schedule of seminars, sessions, special interest programs and events, and a complete exhibitor list, and show floor plan. It's a great way to reinforce your marketing message during and after NA 2008.
Show Directory Advertising offers your business the following advantages:
· You gain exclusive exposure in the official directory of the NA 2008 Show and Conference
· Your marketing message targeted to tens of thousands of buyers when
they are ready to buy
· Buyers use the Show Directory as a post-show reference tool
· Economical advertising space rates
View
advertising rates and learn more about advertising opportunities at NA 2008.
Or contact Noni Jennings at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190
or email .
How do I set up a press conference during NA 2008?
Exhibitors can reserve time in the press conference room in the show hall for any media event. Call MHIA Marketing at 704-676-1190/ 800-345-1815 to reserve the room or email cmiller@mhia.org. The room is reserved at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis and is set-up classroom style for up to 50 people. All A/V and catering requirements are the responsibility of the exhibitor and must be ordered in advance. If you prefer to hold your press conference or media event in your booth, call to include your event on the show schedule of events that will be mailed to the press before the show and posted in the Press Room. Your conference will also be posted in the NA 2008 Online Press Room.
How do I have my press kits placed in the NA 2008 Press Room?
As an exhibitor, MHIA will display your press kits or other promotional information in the show Press Room. Members of the trade and business press who cover the show will be looking for information about exhibiting companies. Fill your press kit with product news releases, photos, digital files on diskette or CD-ROM, company information and an invitation to learn more at your booth. You can ship up to 100 media kits to the press room at the show. Bring your press kits directly to the NA 2008 Press Room on Sunday, April 20 or ship materials to arrive between
April 16 - 21, 2008 to:
NA 2008 Press Room/MHIA--Attn: Carol Miller
I-X Center
One I-X Center Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44135
How do I sponsor an educational seminar at
NA 2008?
Sponsorship of NA 2008 on-floor theater educational seminar requires that
the sponsor be an MHIA member and NA 2008 exhibitor, and that an application
be completed and forwarded to MHIA. NA 2008 Exhibitors may sponsor up to (3)
sessions at a cost of $2,000 each. The number of sessions your organization
sponsors will determine your sponsorship level: 1 Seminar = Silver; 2 Seminars
= Gold; 3 Seminars = Platinum. These sponsorship levels also include additional
promotional items with your paid seminar sponsorship fee Seminar sponsorship
applications are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information
on sponsoring a seminar at NA 2008, contact Robin Moody, Manager of Conference
Programs at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 or via email.
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