Exhibitor Kit

Welcome, Spring 2024 Fairgrounds Exhibitors!

We have helpful information for you from top to bottom of this page. A good starting point is your Exhibitor Manual linked below, followed by the Decorator Service Manual (if you need to rent things: carpet, tables, forklift, etc). Continue down the page for other services you may need such as utilities and food/beverage/alcohol sampling. There is also helpful information on parking, venue maps, and social media advice for how to drive the most traffic to see you at the show!

We hope these resources are helpful as you plan, set up, and generate leads and make sales through the weekend! Contact our team for help; we're here to make your show a success. The show office is located in the Graham building all hours of move-in, show, and move-out.

Questions? Call or email Erin Calabritto, Operations Manager, at (919) 674-0409 or erinc@mpeshows.com for assistance.

Exhibitor Manual ***Everyone should start here and read this manual!***

Decorator Service Manual Pre-Show Discount Order Deadline: March 22, 2024.

Internet: Wi-Fi is free of charge. 
Network: State Fair Vendor 
Wi-Fi Password: R3@dyforsumm3r!
High Speed Internet Access: Available to order by emailing this completed form to erinc@mpeshows.com ($175 per connection). Order Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024 (no orders will be accepted after this date or on-site during move-in).

Electrical: Basic electrical service is complimentary with your booth space, but must be ordered. To order, email erinc@mpeshows.com with your booth number, company name, and whether you need basic or advanced electrical (charges apply for advanced electrical). All orders after April 5, 2024 must be placed on-site in the show office during move-in.

Water: If you need access to water or a drain for your exhibit space (filling hot tubs, watering plants, etc), please request it in the show office as needed (free of charge).

Parking: Parking is free and unlimited. Trailer parking is available in the gravel lot next to the Jim Graham Building (down the hill).

Food/Beverage/Alcohol Sampling: See below for guidelines and approval deadline.

Show Guide/Floor Plan: Click here

Map of NC State Fairgrounds: We are in the Exposition Center and Jim Graham Building.

FOOD & BEVERAGE SAMPLING GUIDELINES

All food sales and related sampling must be approved by the NC State Fairgrounds and Marketplace Events. Concession style food service is not permitted (prepared foods that can be consumed immediately). Pre-packaged food and beverages (candy, chips, bottled water, etc) may not be given out as promotional items. Pre-packaged food and beverages (packaged for preparation and consumption at a later time) may be sold and sampled, pending approval of the NC State Fairgrounds and Marketplace Events show management in accordance with the guidelines below.

- Sample being offered must be a product being offered by the exhibitor
- Beverage Sample Size: 2 oz. or less
- Food Sample Size: 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

Email erinc@mpeshows.com if you plan to sample or sell any kind of food or beverage no later than 10 days prior to the show for review and approval.

HOW-TO ENHANCE YOUR COMPANY’S ONLINE EXHIBITOR LISTING

Your basic listing will be uploaded to the website when you book your booth. Within 24 hours you will receive an automated email to enhance your listing. This link can be used multiple times and you can make updates and changes to your listing until ONE day after the show commences.

Need help with your listing? If you have any questions regarding the online exhibitor listing or do not receive the link, please email JenK@mpeshows.com. You can also view the tutorial video and refer to the FAQs . Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing:

Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
Go from basic to ENHANCED!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Introducing the Social Butterfly Contest! Enter to win lunch for your team at the food trucks on Sunday, April 14, 2024 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, April 13, 2024.

Spring 2024 Official Hashtags: #RaleighHomeShow 

Click Here for the Social Media Marketing Kit including promo images you can post!

Click Here  to go to our Facebook Event for 2024!*

*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. 

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!

Example of trade show booth Raleigh

LOCAL PRINTING & BOOTH DISPLAY RESOURCE

Click here for options to help create your booth display and custom printed marketing materials from brochures and business cards to promotional items! Sir Speedy is conveniently located in Raleigh.

  • 10'x10' and 10'x20' custom booth display packages to fit your budget (includes a 10% discount)
  • Flyers and brochures
  • Notepads, pens, tote bags, and more

Sir Speedy logo Signs Print Marketing text underneath

HOTELS NEARBY

Home2 Suites by Hilton 
6825 Chapel Hill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-863-9330

Wingate by Wyndham State Arena
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.

SCAM WARNING

There have been a number of spam emails offering our attendee lists. These are scams and the senders are unauthorized to use the Marketplace Events’ name. These scammers are attempting to receive monies from exhibiting companies without providing anything in return. These emails are not approved by Marketplace Events, and Marketplace Events would never ask for bank information or other sensitive information over email.  

CLICK HERE for more information.

MPE Exhibit/Product Acceptability Standards For 2024

As we enter a highly volatile political environment in advance of the 2024 General Election, Marketplace Events (MPE) wants to make clear its position on what content will not be permitted on its exhibit floors in all its US consumer home and holiday shows effective January 1, 2024. MPE shows are welcoming environments built solely to encourage face-to-face commerce.  Creating respectful, safe marketplaces where our attendees and exhibitors can come together to learn, shop, compare pricing and do business together is our highest priority.

MPE’s acceptability standards do not permit political candidates, parties or other groups promoting issues or ballot initiatives to participate as exhibitors. In addition, the display or sale of any products or services that are political/partisan in nature or that can be interpreted to promote, incite, or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance are prohibited.  MPE’s judgment in applying these standards will be final.

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