E-Kit (Exhibitor Manual)
Answer: Go on the IMTS Exhibitor Portal to find all the information you need to know about the show including updates. You can also access your IMTS e-Kit for information about housing, etc.
Answer: The e-Kit is a comprehensive online tool that allows you to prepare your trip the show, to be well prepared and organized. You can find the e-Kit on the Exhibitor Portal located on the IMTS website.
Answer: Follow Julie’s steps to make the e-Kit work for you to improve your IMTS success. With the Learn the Ins & Outs of the IMTS E-Kit video from the IMTS 2018 Exhibitor Workshop featuring Julie Baker, VP of Technology & Customer Relations, Map Your Show.
The IMTS e-Kit Checklist – Tricks & Tips is also helpful for understanding how the e-Kit works.
Answer: You can find the appropriate contact for your question below:
| GES | |
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East Building Level 2 - Ceara Brown 630.539.4874 Phone cebrown@ges.com |
East Building Level 3 – Nya Carney 630.351.7763 Phone ncarney@ges.com |
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Call Center Manager – Amanda Butler 630.539.4872 Phone abutler@ges.com |
Freight representative – Arcenia Harris 630.539.4875 arharris@ges.com |
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Target Plan Representative – Carlos Rosas 630.295.6040 crosas@ges.com |
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| OTHERS | |
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Electrical 773.473.70.78 Phone chicagoelectrical@freemanco.com |
Savor Catering Show Floor, East & North Buildings Austin West 312.791.7241 awest@mccormickplace.com |
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Exhibitor Meeting Rooms Carrie Fish 312.791.7276 cfish@mccormickplace.com |
CDS Call Center (Registration) 508.743.8535 OPT.2 IMTS-EXHIBITOR@XPRESSREG.NET |
Show Schedule
Answer: The show runs from Monday, September 10 – Saturday, September 15, 2018, and the show's daily hours are:
| Building | Exhibitor Hours | Attendee Hours |
| East Level 2 | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| East Level 3 & West | 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| North & South | 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Answer: Your target move-in dates and times were released mid-April 2018 and will be posted in your e-kit. You can start setting up your booth any time after your target move-in date and time. Target move-in dates range from August 29 – September 9, 2018.
All exhibits need to be completely installed and ready for display by 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 9, 2018. If you need to work later, stop by the East Show office in advance for permission to work late. Sales and distributor orientations may be conducted on Sunday, September 9, 2018 between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Please note that September 2 & 3 are Dark Days, during which all buildings are closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
Answer: Your booth teardown can start after the show closes on September 15. Each exhibitor will be assigned a specific Target Move-Out date and time--booth freight must be ready for shipment before this time. Target move-out dates will be assigned between Saturday, September 15 – Saturday, September 22, 2018.
Registration for the Show: Exhibitors & Customers
Answer: If you are an exhibitor and want to register, you can log into the IMTS e-Kit, go to “View Checklist/Forms” and then click on “Exhibitor Registration.”
Answer: If you order your badges before August 10, 2018, they are free of charge. However, after this date, you will be charged $35 per badge.
Answer: The Customer Invitation Program allows exhibitors to order an unlimited amount of invitations that will provide your customers with complimentary registration to HANNOVER MESSE USA and IMTS 2018. You are allotted 10 complimentary invitations. After those 10, you will be charged $10 for each invitation redeemed. See link for detailed information on how to invite your customers.
Answer: Booth shares (co-exhibitors) can be added free of charge by logging into the IMTS e-Kit. Click on “Company Profile,” scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Add a New Booth Share.”
What You Need to Know About Your Booth Installation
Answer: The Custom Block Package was developed to provide exhibitors with cost certainty. The Custom Block Package is a package of the services most commonly used by exhibitors based on freight weight density. Additional “optional” upgrades are available to provide additional cost certainty. For additional information, go to the IMTS Freight Planner and Carrier Information Page.
Answer: All exhibitors must complete the “Freight Planner Questionnaire” in from the e-kit forms. Deadline is March 14. If the deadline has passed, you still need to complete this e-kit form.
Answer:
- Provide accurate freight and weight information in order to be assigned to the correct Custom Block Package.
- Make sure that orders are place by the deadlines.
- Freight forwarders must meet target dates & times. Shipping with the designated International Freight Forwarder can help with this.
- Make sure your payments for the Custom Block Package are made by the deadline.
Answer: Yes, you can use an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC), which is a third-party company that an exhibitor contracts to work within their booth on the show floor. They are not official IMTS vendors. To register them, go into the IMTS e-Kit and look for EAC Registration on the e-Kit checklist. You can learn more on IMTS EAC
Please click on the following link to learn more about the EAC approval process.
If you have any additional questions, or need assistance with the EAC process, you can email Matt Lutz from IMTS at mlutz@amtonline.org or call him at 703.827.5215.
Answer: Any full-time employee, which is defined as someone who has been employed by the exhibitors on a full-time basis for a minimum of six months before the show’s opening dates.
Answer: Exhibitors may perform the following functions, using full-time employees from the exhibiting company: you can set up and break down your exhibit in your booth with your own tools such as ladders, hand tools, cordless tools and power tools, you can also use assembling or disassembling materials, machinery or equipment.
Additionally, you may use decorative materials such as graphics, props, balloons, your own drapery, skirting or tables. You can install all signs, except overhead on the ceiling.
Answer: At the show, forklifts, pallets jacks, scaffolding, motorized dollies or other similar motorized machines are not allowed. This also applies to GES-supplied equipment.
Answer: To get a quote to order a hanging sign, please go to Hanging Sign Quote.
Please familiarize yourself with the sign hanging regulations by going to page 16 in Rules Governing All Exhibits.
Answer: Vehicles for transportation or light hauling including automobiles, pickup trucks, minivans, full-size vans and sport utility vehicles are allowed. However, multiple-axle vehicles, flatbed trucks, box vans and trailers are not allowed.
The vehicles must be unloaded by an exhibitor or a full-time employee of the exhibiting company. Those doing the unloading need to work in teams of at least two people: one driver who stays with the vehicle, in addition to at least one person to transport the materials to and from the booth.
Answer: You will have 20 minutes to unload your vehicle.
Answer: No, you are not permitted to dismantle or remove a booth, in part or in whole, prior to the closing of the show. The show organizers have the right to prevent the removal or dismantling of any booth before the closing on September 15, 2018.
To learn more, go to the Rules Governing All Exhibits. The rules are also included in the exhibit space contract. Be sure to note the height restrictions in the addendum on pages 10, 13 & 14.
Shipping, Advance Warehouse, Freight
Answer: All vehicles delivering booth materials, freight and products to McCormick Place must first check in at the Marshalling Yard which is located approximately six blocks south of McCormick Place. Make sure that your freight forwarder arrives within your Target Date and time.
You can use the following documents to make it easier to find the Marshalling Yard:
Answer: Please click here for freight delivery information. Also, it is important to make sure the drivers have filled out these two documents before going in/out:
Answer: Yes, log into the e-Kit and see “Advanced Warehouse Material Handling Form” for details. A fee will be charged based on a minimum of 200 lbs.
Answer: It depends whether you are sending them from the U.S. or from another country. Contact details are as follows:
| Domestic Shipments | International Shipments |
| GES LOGISTICS Freight Representative Arcenia Harris 630.539.4875 arharris@ges.com |
DSV AIR & SEA, INC. 400 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 300 South San Francisco, CA 94080 www.usdsv.com Herbert Kaltschmid, Commercial Director T: 650.869.5880 – Ext. 1226 M: 650.455.8215 F: 650.869.5890 herbert.kaltschmid@us.dsv.com events@us.dsv.com maren.nehrbass@de.dsv.com |
If you need help or additional information, feel free to contact GES:
| Ceara Brown – East Building Level 2 Phone : 630.539.4874 Mail : cebrown@ges.com |
Nya Carney – East Building Level 3 Phone : 630.351.77.63 Mail : ncarney@ges.com |
Answer: GES Expresso is the GES online ordering system which can be accessed via the e-Kit for all GES-related forms, such as Freight Planner Questionnaire, carpet, furniture, labor, etc. Additional information on how to use this tool can be found on How to use the GES Expresso Site.
Turnkey Booth Packages
Answer: The details for your turnkey booth package are listed on page 4 of your exhibit space contract. If you would like a turnkey booth drawing or rendering, contact Robin at restey@hfusa.com.
For questions about your turnkey booth, contact:
| Robin Estey Operations Director 773.796.4250 ext. 717 restey@hfusa.com |
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| East Building Level 2 - Ceara Brown 630.539.4874 cebrown@ges.com |
East Building Level 3 - Nya Carney 630.351.7763 ncarney@ges.com |
Marketing Your Booth
Answer: HANNOVER MESS USA 2018 co-located with IMTS is a great opportunity for you to meet potential buyers, look for new technology and innovative products. Most visitors plan their trip prior to the show to optimize their time. Make getting their attention and being on their “must-visit list” a priority to ensure that you get a maximum of business contacts.
The Marketing, Advertising and the Power of Public Relations page will give you a good overview of all the marketing tools you can use to better ensure you connect with prospects before the show, at the show and after the show. You can also purchase the Exhibitor Passport which is a very useful tool.
Answer: The IMTS Exhibitor Passport grants you immediate online access to buyers throughout the show cycle and makes it easy to drive traffic to your booth and sell your products. You can go to this link for more details.
You can also watch this video for more information about all the benefits the IMTS Exhibitor Passport will provide.
Answer: Using a public relations plan is a good way to introduce and promote your company or product, like to no cost.
Learn more in this Public Relations Guide and increase the chances for people to talk about your company or product before, during and after the show.
Answer: The Operations 101 workshop session hosted by Michelle Edmonson, senior director, exhibitions operations & marketing, AMT, identifies 6 phases to plan a successful IMTS 2018. Each wphase provides a clear strategy of what you should be doing and when. You can also find a list of webinars on the Welcome IMTS Exhibitors page.
Answer: It is possible to update your company profile through June 15, 2018. It is important to update your profile before the deadline to ensure that accurate information in included in the Directory of Exhibitors.
Travel & Accommodation
Answer: On the Exhibitors & Hotel Information page you can find information about hotels including a map, and a listing with a description and rates to help you find the best hotel at the best price. Through this link, you can also book your hotel room directly online.
Answer: Go to the IMTS Visa Information page for information on getting your Letter of Invitation. Please note that the deadline to request your letter is August 3, 2018.
This page will also give you important information about the application process for coming to the United States.