2025 Exhibitor Kit

SHOW MANAGEMENT

Marketplace Events

2000 Auburn Drive Suite 200
Beachwood, OH 44122

Erin Calabritto, Show Manager

P: 919-674-0409

E: erinc@mpeshows.com

www.marketplaceevents.com
Marketplace Events is headquartered in Ohio, but our team is based in North Carolina!

SHOW VENUE

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Exposition Center & Jim Graham Building

4285 Trinity Rd

Raleigh, NC 27607

ncstatefair.org

ON-SITE SHOW OFFICE

During move-in, show hours and move-out, Show Management will maintain a show office in Jim Graham Building of the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.  The office is to the right, at the end of the hallway as you enter from the breezeway that connects the Exposition Center to the Jim Graham Building. Look for the show office sign. Our team is here to assist you during all days of move-in, show, and move-out. Stop in and see us!  

CONTACT US

Click here to be directed to contact information for our show team!

Move-In Dates & Times

Move-Out Dates & Times

Breaking down prior to show close at 6:00pm on Sunday is strictly prohibited. All exhibit halls must be cleared by NOON on Monday.

• All accounts must be paid in full before you can move in.
• For safety reasons, no one under the age of 16 is permitted in the halls or dock areas during move-in/out.
• Carts, hand trucks, and dollies are not available on-site, but feel free to bring your own for use during setup (prohibited during show hours for consumer safety).
• Drive-in access ends at 2pm Thursday, as we need time for exhibits in front of doors to set up and roll out main aisle carpet.
• You must be completely set up by the end of the day on Thursday; there is no move-in permitted on Friday morning. 

Southern Exhibition Services (SES) is the show decorator and provides carpet, tables, chairs, cleaning, signage, etc. Please order these items directly from them. They maintain an office at the show located in the Jim Graham Building, just outside the entrance to our Show Office.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SES Manual & Ordering Information - Discount Price Deadline is Friday, August 22, 2025

Exhibitor badges are NOT mailed out prior to the show.  Badges can be picked up in the Show Office (Jim Graham Building) during move-in and during show hours.  Plastic badge holders are provided. Exhibitor badges are required to identify you as an authorized exhibitor.  Exhibitors will not be allowed access to the show floor on show days without a badge. 

Six (6) exhibitor badges are provided for each 100 square feet of space purchased, with a maximum allotment of 24 badges per company. If you have different staff members working your booth on different days, you are encouraged to drop off your badge each night in the Show Office, so that your company does not run out of badges during the show.

Exhibitor badges must not be used as admission tickets for guests and cannot be left at will call.

EXHIBITOR ENTRANCES DURING SHOW HOURS

During show hours, exhibitors may use the main entrances to the Exposition Center and the Jim Graham Building.  An exhibitor badge will be required to enter the show floor.

You will not be allowed to bring in exhibit supplies through the main entrance during show hours. Please visit the show office to make arrangements as needed for bringing in supplies during the show.

Each exhibitor will receive online ticket redemption codes valid for up to 40 show tickets.  These will be emailed out three weeks prior to the show.  Tickets will only be emailed out if your account has been settled in full. Pass your unique code along to your customers, who can go online and use it as a coupon code to redeem free tickets to the show using our eTicketing system. If you do not receive your tickets or you would like to request more, contact AshleyM@mpeshows.com. 

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SHOW. Use your tickets to invite potential customers to the show, as a thank you to good customers or for friends and family.

Will Call will be at the Box Office at the main entrance to the show in the Exposition Center. Tickets for your guests can be left at Will Call, providing that they are in an envelope with their first and last name on it, and how many tickets you have put inside. These will be filed by last name at Will Call, so please inform your invited guests to ensure they are able to get into the show with ease! Please use your tickets for guests—exhibitor badges cannot be left at Will Call for attendees.

All Food & Beverage Requirements due by Friday, August 15, 2025

Bulk food or beverage sales can be considered for Fair Administration approval provided that any exhibitor offering food products must be pre-approved and adhere to the following guidelines. Exhibitors are required to provide a copy of their Certificate of Insurance to Show Management along with the request for sampling at least one month prior to show opening for approval.

Food products which are approved to be sold at an event must be packaged in bulk form and sealed for off-premises consumption. To avoid any confusion and consistently enforce terms of contractual agreements, a list of exhibitors selling food or beverage in bulk form along with a description of the proposed sample will be submitted to the Fairgrounds at least one month prior to the event for review.

The following are sampling guidelines applicable for approved exhibitor samples within State Fairgrounds facilities which have a food and beverage concessions contract:

• Sample being offered must be a product being offered by the exhibitor.
• Sample size - Beverage - sample amount 2 oz. or less
• Sample size - Food – sample should be 1 square inch or less and fit in a standard 1 inch condiment cup.
• Approved sampling must be offered in compliance with any regulatory requirements from Wake Environmental Services (919) 856-7419. 
• Any approved sample containing alcohol will be subject to the current State Fair Alcohol Policy.

Please contact Ashley Sandwisch at AshleyM@mpeshows.com by Friday, August 15, 2025 to apply for sampling consideration and provide your required COI.

These services are provided by the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.

Electrical: Standard electrical service is included with your booth space; please request a connection ahead of time if standard power is needed by emailing Ashley Sandwisch, Show Coordinator at AshleyM@mpeshows.com at least one week prior to move-in. This connection is suitable for most everyday needs: phone chargers, laptops, lamps and lights, etc.

If you need “advanced electrical connections” for things such as hot tubs, food trucks, massage chairs, or extensive lighting, it may also be arranged ahead of time by contacting Ashley Sandwisch at the email address above (there is a service charge which must be prepaid). You may also request power on-site in the Show Office, located in the Jim Graham Building; however, last minute requests may experience a wait time for connection.

Electrical Orders & Needs due to AshleyM@mpeshows.com by Friday, August 22nd.

Water/Drainage: For water, please notify the Show Office on-site, located in the Jim Graham Building, when you are ready for water or drainage before 3 PM each day.

Internet: Wifi is available for exhibitors but requires a password which periodically changes—see below for the current password or ask the Show Office staff in the Jim Graham Building on-site. It is suitable for most everyday connections: email, social media, etc. For streaming, hard line/high speed internet is advised. If you need hard line/high speed internet, it's $175 per connection and you must email AshleyM@mpeshows.com by Friday, August 22nd to arrange access. On-site orders for hard line/high speed internet will no longer be accepted in the show office during move-in - no exceptions.

Free Wi-Fi: State Fair Vendor Network 

Password: T@k3it3@sy#

Exhibit booths will have an 8' draped back wall.  On each side, a draped side rail will extend from the back of the booth to the front of the booth at a height of 32".  The drape color is black. Flooring, tables, chairs, etc. are not included with the cost of your exhibit booth.  

Flooring

Flooring is not included in the cost of your exhibit booth.  It is mandatory that all booths are carpeted or have some type of clean, professional-looking floor covering that covers 100% of the booth’s square footage. 

Table Skirting

It is mandatory that all tables are properly skirted.  Skirting must go from the edge of the table to the floor on all four sides.  All skirting must be pressed and neat. Use of plastic table cloths, sheets, shower curtains or any type of “makeshift” table cloths is not permitted.  We strictly enforce this and will skirt all incorrectly skirted tables at the exhibitor’s expense. This requirement applies to all tables that are not furniture quality (meaning folding or temporary tables); finished furniture (of such quality that you would display in your home or office do not require skirting. Show management has final discretion if there is a question of whether a table should be skirted or not. All inventory and personal items must be stored COMPLETELY OUT OF SIGHT.  Your booth should look professional and inviting to the attendee.

Staffing Your Booth

All exhibitors are expected to be in their booths during all published show hours, as we do receive consumer complaints about un-manned displays.  Our visitors pay an entrance fee and expect to be able to do business with our exhibitors at any time during show hours.  If you are in violation of this rule, your company may not be permitted to exhibit with us in the future.

Working in the aisles or distributing brochures, etc. from any other area other than your booth is prohibited, including the aisles.  All activity must take place inside your contracted space.

***TENTS & HELIUM BALLOONS ARE NOT ALLOWED***

Booth Guidelines

Exhibitors are allowed to build their booth to the maximum height of 8 feet. This includes back wall, sidewalls, and any marketing items in your booth (ex. signs, displays, flags, etc). 8’ black drape is provided at the back of each inline booth, with 3’ drape dividers provided in between inline booths.

If your display includes a sign attached to the back wall, you must get approval from show management and the following rules apply:

• Total height must not exceed 2’ from the top of the 8’ drape line

• Sign must be single sided and no designs or logos may face a neighboring booth
• No PVC pipe allowed
• Side walls must be completely finished on BOTH sides. No logos, exposed wires, frames, wood must be exposed for the public or your neighbor to see.
• Exceptions apply to island booths, end caps, and perimeter booths at the discretion of show management as they do not infringe upon neighboring booths.
• Teardrop flags and pop-up signs or other types of displays or signage may not extend to a height above 8’ and may not extend into your neighbor’s booth or out into the aisle.
• Show management has final approval on all signage.
• Professionally finished and neat looking so as not to distract from a neighbor’s booth design, or contain logos, exposed wiring, framing, raw wood, or otherwise unfinished material.

If you plan on having a vehicle in your booth as part of your display, please contact Ashley Sandwisch at AshleyM@mpeshows.com for approval and move-in instructions.

• Visqueen must be put down on the floor before the vehicle is driven into place.
• All vehicles must have a locking gas cap or gas cap sealed with tape and no more than 1/4 tank of gas in the vehicle.
• A set of keys must be left with Show Management for the duration of the show.
• All vehicle batteries must be disconnected and cables taped.

Southern Exhibition Services (SES) charges a drayage fee for handling any materials delivered to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds home show expo buildings.  Deliveries without company name and booth number will be declined.  Contact Southern Exhibition Services if you are sending shipments ahead of your arrival. Marketplace Events and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds are not authorized to accept your shipment. Detailed shipment information can be found under the Decorator Services menu above.

Exhibitor parking at the fairgrounds is free and unlimited. Trailers and box trucks may be parked down the hill from the Jim Graham Building in the dirt/gravel lot during move-in, the show, and move-out. These vehicles must be clear by Monday at 3pm when move-out concludes.

Gate 5 on Youth Center Drive is the closest gate to our event. Signage will be posted all week to guide exhibitors and attendees through road construction.

Security is provided and guards will be on duty throughout the event.  Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect exhibitors’ property, but Show Management assumes no responsibility for any losses due to fire, theft, robbery, damage, accident or other causes.  

Show Management is insured against public liability and property damage claims arising out of the conduct of the show. This insurance does not cover exhibitors’ property, which is placed on display at the exhibitor’s risk. Please refer to your exhibitor contract or contact Show Management if you have questions. Every exhibitor is required to furnish proof of liability insurance; please list both of the following on your Certificate of Insurance and submit to your Exhibit Sales Representative prior to the first date of move-in. Insurance must be valid through all event dates including move-in through move-out.

Additional Insured:

Marketplace Events/Southern Ideal Home Show

NC State Fairgrounds

4285 Trinity Rd

Raleigh, NC 27607

All exhibitors must submit a Certificate of Insurance prior to move-in. You are not required to use this insurance company; here is a link to an option for affordable coverage, if it's helpful (sold through a third party, MPE is not affiliated and does not profit from the sale of these policies in any way).

We encourage exhibitors to give out promotional items at the show to market to attendees; however, due to the venue’s policies, the following are not permitted:

• Alcohol as a promotional item (ex. having a “happy hour” in your booth or giving out glasses of wine)
• Any food or beverage distribution as a promotional item (ex. branded water bottles, cookies, candy, etc)
• Stickers and helium balloons are discouraged as they create a problem for the facility to clean up and you may be charged a cleanup fee (ex. sticker removal or balloons being stuck in the ceiling)

Branded totes, pens, cups, etc are welcome! The best way to promote your services is to post show specials on your Exhibitor Listing on our website for attendees to see before, during, and after the show. Promotional items are not allowed to be distributed anywhere at the show except your booth; speak to your Exhibit Sales Consultant if you are interested in a front entrance sponsorship, stage sponsorship, or feature sponsorship for additional exposure! 

MPE maintains these policies to ensure a welcoming environment for all attendees and exhibitors.  

Home2 Suites by Hilton 
6825 Chapel Hill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-863-9330
Click here for courtesy room block, must book by 8/20/2025 to receive group discount. Contact the hotel with questions.

6115 Corporate Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607

RV campsites at the fairgrounds are also available on a limited basis for a fee through the NC State Fair office.

Join the fun with our Social Butterfly Contest! Enter to win lunch for your team at the food trucks on Sunday, September 14, 2025 by being a social media superstar! Follow the guidelines below to be considered:

Post about the show early and often in photos, stories, and reels! Tag the show's social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram AND use our official event hashtags! We want to SEE and SHARE your posts with attendees. A winner will be chosen by show management and announced on Saturday, September 14, 2025.

Show Official Hashtags: #RaleighHomeShow #FairgroundsIdealHomeShow

Check back soon for the Social Media Marketing Kit including promo images you can post!

Click Here to go to our Facebook Event for 2025!*

Click here for a quick video on tips for using social media at the show!

*In efforts to protect potential joint customers from fraudulent events and scammers, we request that you do not create your own Facebook Event. This helps us manage ticket sales for the event, and ensures that our team are available to support both exhibitors and potential attendees with any questions, comments, or concerns that they have. Please feel free to reach out to your show manager or show marketing manager with your companies’ Facebook page and we can add you as a co-host to the official event.

Enhancing your listing is a simple but powerful way to increase your visibility and connect with more attendees. While your basic listing is already live, upgrading it with visuals, promotional offers, and company details helps your company stand out at no additional cost. Included with your booth space, an enhanced listing allows you to showcase your products or services, highlight what makes your company unique, and attract more qualified leads. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive an email with a link to edit your listing. You can update it as often as you'd like through the end of the show, and your listing will remain active for as long as you're exhibiting.

As part of your Exhibitor Listing Package, a unique QR code floor decal will be installed on the aisle in front of your booth. Attendees can scan the QR code to save your company information! The QR Code Program is an innovative way to boost leads generated onsite at the show. Click here for a video on how it works! 

Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
Go from Basic to Enhanced!

10 Tips for Exhibitor Success

Thank you for reviewing your Exhibitor Kit in full! Watch this quick video for our top ten tips on how to succeed in marketing your business at the home show!