Answers to the most frequently asked questions by Exhibitors Who can I contact with questions? This information has been put together as a service to you, the exhibitor. We know that direct, early contact with show management can be the key to your success as an exhibitor. Never hesitate to ask the obvious question, or call to verify conflicting information. Keep in mind that each question answered in advance is one less problem to be solved onsite. Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show, Inc. 8909 Knight Road Houston, Texas 77054 USA Main phone: 713-526-6361 Fax: 713-526-6454 President: Ken Lovell 10' x 10' Booth Sales & Coordination: Kenneth Lovell, Jr. Open Area Sales & Coordination: Lynette Moore General Questions: Laura Lee What is included in my exhibit space rental? Exhibit space rental includes: Standard booth equipment consists of 8-foot high back wall drape with draped side rails 3-foot high and an identification sign 7" x 44" showing firm name and space number. 24 hr. general security in the Exhibit Hall Carpeting of all aisles in the Exhibit Hall Discounted Hotel Rates Listing in the Official Boat Show Program and on www.houstonboatshows.com Limited number of Exhibitor Badges What are the display rules? The display rules are outlined in detail by "clicking here" and must be adhered to onsite, or your display may have to go through costly alterations before Show opens. The display rules are not meant to limit your ability to showcase your products, but rather to ensure each exhibitor an equal opportunity, within reason, to present their product or service in the most effective manner to the audience. The exhibitor's responsibility can be summed up quite simply as "Be A Good Neighbor." How do I get badges for my exhibit staff? A limited number of exhibitor badges will be issued to those persons from your company actually working in your exhibits. You can pre-register for the badges you require for your workers by contacting us at 713-526-6361. You will pick up your badges in the Show Management office during move-in. If you have more workers scheduled than allocated badges, you can purchase additional badges for $15.00 each for those workers working multiple days or you can purchase a Workers Pass for $5.00 each, good for one day only. Lost badges will only be replaced at a cost of $15.00 each. Badges are non-transferable. Space must be paid-in-full and certificate of insurance approved before badges or passes will be released. Do not include Manufacturers on the Exhibitor Badge List. Manufacturers must present a business card at the show office to obtain a badge (at no charge.) Please be sure to inform your manufacturer's reps. How can I invite guests to my booth? Exhibitors will be able to invite their customers to attend the exhibits free of charge with a VIP Pass. These VIP Passes are available so exhibitors can invite quality potential buyers to the show. The pass is not designed to admit your friends, neighbors, etc. into the show. Guests who present a VIP Pass at the show entrance will be admitted without charge. (No VIP Passes are available to Exhibitors who have been given gratis space or manufacturer space.) VIP Passes are available, in increments of 20, at the cost of only $2.00 per pass, limit 200 for open area exhibitors and 20 for booth exhibitors. No more VIPs will be sold after Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Quantities are limited. Contact us at 713-526-6361 to order. How should I ship my exhibit materials: in advanced to the warehouse or direct to the convention center? Exhibit transportation can be fairly complex. Review each transportation option in terms of cost, time frame and type of shipment, and choose the one that best fits your situation. When possible, ship in advance to the warehouse. Our drayage contractor, Freeman Company, will receive materials and provide up to 20 days of storage before delivering them to the Convention Center. Although the advanced receiving rates are more than the direct shipping rates due to additional handling, shipping your materials in advance is a good investment for the following reasons: You can verify receipt of your materials well in advance of the exhibition, without worrying about lost or misdirected shipments. You won't have to deal with stand-by charges from your motor freight carrier while your direct shipment waits in line to be unloaded at the Convention Center. You can be assured that your materials will be in your booth space when you, or your set-up crew, arrive to begin setting up. If you choose to ship direct, be sure to forward a copy of your materials handling order form/bill-of-lading to Freeman to aid in tracing your shipment. Advanced Shipments - Advance Freight Must Be Received By December 28, 2009 Freeman Company 2000 Cavalcade Houston, TX 77009 1-800-995-3579 Direct Shipments - First Day of Direct Freight Acceptance is January 3, 2010 Freeman Company Reliant Center 1 Reliant Park Halls A-E Houston, TX 77054 Can I deliver my exhibit materials to the Convention Center myself? Yes, exhibitors may deliver materials in their personal vehicles. All vehicles delivering exhibition freight and materials must come through the freight doors along the back of the building. There are (9) drive-in freight doors, one in the rear of each hall of the building and (2) at each end of the building. No vehicles will be permitted in the building after Wednesday, January 6th. Exhibitors will have to hand carry or dolly materials thru the walk in doors along the back of the building as of Thursday, January 7th. Exhibitors must supply their own dolly. Exhibitors will only be able to deliver display materials on their designated day as indicated on the move-in schedule. Is there security provided for my booth? Yes, from the first day of move-in through the last day of the show, there is 24-hour security patrolling the exhibit floor. No exhibitor or his personnel may enter the building without an identifying Boat Show badge. Photo ID will be required to enter the show with a Boat Show badge. No visitor can leave the building with merchandise without a proof-of-purchase slip. No exhibitor can leave the building with his own merchandise without a pass-out slip obtained from The Show Service desk. This level of security is intended to control the access of people and materials to and from the exhibit halls in a safe and organized manger. It is not intended as individual security for your booth and materials. Please remember that the convention center is accessible by concessionaires, cleaning people and other Reliant Center personnel as well as other exhibitors. Be security conscious at all times. Do not leave items of value in your booth overnight without locking them up. Remember that the security of your products is your responsibility - don't take chances! We hope you have found this information helpful in preparing your exhibit. If there are important areas we did not cover, or specific questions you would like to see addressed in great detail, let us know. Your input is vital in helping us to produce an event that is efficient, productive, and profitable. We also encourage you to take the time to read through the online Exhibitor Manual. Placing orders in advance can save you time and money. Thank you for your participation!

If you have any questions,
just call us at 713-526-6361.