Convention Center Information
- The expo will be held in Halls A - D and the North Hall of the Anaheim Convention Center.
- The street address is 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802. This IS NOT the shipping address, use shipping labels to make sure your items are delivered on time to the correct location.
- Halls A-D: Produce, Business Solutions, Complementary Items
- Lobby area will include the Fresh Ideas Showcase, Sampling Stations, Nook Pods
- North Hall: Floral exhibitors (level 100), General Sessions & Education Festival (level 200)
- Arena: Registration, badge pick-up stations and customer service counters
- Box Office A/B and C/D: Badge pick-up
- Exhibit Floor:
- Floor covering is not included, and it is required. You may bring in your own flooring or rent flooring from GES. If raised flooring is used, you must install a ramp and make sure it is ADA accessible.
- Utility boxes such as electricity and internet will come from the ceiling in this building.
- Columns, low ceilings and LIFO's are marked on the floor plan. If you have a question about how these affect your booth, please contact the expo team immediately.
- All exhibitors must abide by the booth display guidelines.
- Cleaning stations, with running water, will be located throughout the hall.
- Trash cans and compost bins will be set up in the aisles. Anything you do not wish to display can be donated to the foodbank using the donate labels available in the servicenter.
- Convention Center Meetings:
- Rooms can be reserved Thursday through Saturday for a 4-hour minimum per day per company in the following time slots: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each 4-hour period is $750.00 (USD). Requests are processed in the order in which they are received and can be made by emailing Valerie Mendoza.
- Parking & Deliveries:
- Exhibitor parking is available for a daily fee ($25). Overnight parking and parking in front of the convention center is not allowed. Please review parking information on the convention center website.
- If you are making a delivery using a personally owned vehicle, you must check in at the Marshalling Yard before going to the convention center. A dock foreman will give you a dock pass and direct you where to unload. The registered booth name, number and identification will be required.
When Can Exhibitors Set Up?
Exhibitor setup begins Sunday, Oct. 12.
Each booth is assigned a target move-in date & time (and move-out) based on booth size and location.
The date and time assigned to you is the time when your driver checks in at the marshalling yard, NOT the time you set up (or load out). DO NOT schedule your booth setup/tear-down for this time, as the unloading/loading at the dock takes several hours.
Make sure you are checked into the marshalling yard at your allocated time to avoid any off-target charges. Once your booth materials are offloaded and placed in your booth space, you can begin setting up. Review the exhibitor schedule for additional details.
If you need to change your target move-in assignment, you have (2) options:
- Fill out the request for target variance form before September 22.
- Ship your freight in advance to the warehouse (non-perishable materials only) at no additional costs. Items shipped to the advance warehouse will be delivered to your booth BY the target date/time provided and labor can be scheduled accordingly.
Clean Floor Policy
To combat lengthy wait times for produce deliveries during setup, and to ensure we can open the show on time, all exhibitors must abide by the clean floor policy as follows:
- All booths 400 sq. ft. or larger must be finished with major exhibit construction with empties tagged on Wednesday, October 15, by 7:00 p.m.
- Booths 300 sq. ft or smaller can continue to set up through Thursday, October 16. Major construction must be complete by 2:00 p.m. so we can begin clearing aisles. Product merchandising and minor booth setup may continue.
- Thursday will primarily be for product merchandising, cleaning and finishing touches on the show floor.
Booths in the last in/first out (LIFO) sections of the show floor:
- The freight doors must stay open until Thursday morning. GES will then begin setting up booths in this area as quickly as possible, getting any utilities installed, flooring laid and freight dropped.
- LIFO exhibitors should plan to start setting up at 1:00 p.m. Thursday.
- GES will be communicating heavily with exhibitors in these areas to ensure a smooth, quick setup with everyone working together.
No Show Policy
Exhibitors who have not begun setup by Thursday, October 16 by 2:00 p.m. will be considered a "No Show" unless you have notified the Expo Team. No-shows do not receive a Show Point and will be omitted from next year's early assignment booking process.
What Are Exhibitors Allowed to Set Up?
California is a "union jurisdiction" state. Unions claim jurisdiction over all setup and dismantling of exhibits including signs and carpet installation. If your exhibit preparation, installation, or dismantling requires more than one-half (1/2) hour, you must use union personnel supplied by the Official Service Contractor, GES.
For booth setup/dismantling, exhibitors may designate their own Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) by submitting a form; they must abide by union jurisdiction rules as well.
If you wish to set up your booth with your own company personnel and it requires more than one half (1/2) hour, you may provide your company personnel to work along with a union installer on a one-to-one basis.
The following is a guideline of the work your company's staff is permitted to do:
- Unpacking and placement of your merchandise
- Set up exhibit display IF one person can accomplish the task in less than one-half (1/2) hour
- Plug in equipment (once the convention center's electricians have delivered power to the booth)
- Hand carry materials into the convention center without the use of any type of assistance such as dollies or mechanical equipment
- Drop off materials in personally owned vehicles (park in the convention center lots for a fee and carry it in (without the use of a dolly), check in at the dock and pay drayage for GES to deliver it from the car to the booth, or hire cartload service for a 1-way trip)
*Employees may be asked for company identification when engaged in these activities.
Using Exhibitor Appointed Contractors
An Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) is any contractor NOT listed in our Approved Vendor List that will need access to your booth during setup/tear-down hours to assist with your exhibit. For security reasons, all EAC representatives must be registered and pick up their own wrist band to access the show floor.
Exhibitors and EACs must submit the following requirements by September 22:
- Exhibitors must submit this Exhibitor Form to authorize use of an EAC.
- EACs must submit the EAC Form and agree to all rules and regulations.
- Each EAC company must provide a certificate of insurance showing proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage in amounts as outlined during all setup, dismantle, and show days with International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the Anaheim Convention Center, and Global Experience Specialists (GES) named as additional insured. Please note: If the primary approved EAC elects to use another EAC as a subcontractor, this company must also complete the above requirements. EACs upload Insurance Certificates to the link they receive once they register.
- Each EAC employee must visit an EAC Desk, located in the lobby or dock area, and present the EAC's unique code (provided via email) to receive a wrist brand. Wrist bands must be picked up individually, not by the company.
- Questions: Contact DTA Trade Show Services or call +1 (702) 650-2298
Hanging Signs Above Your Island Booth
Hanging signs are only allowed above island booths or inline booths along the building's perimeter. All rigging must be done by GES.
- Review the booth display guidelines for height restrictions .
- Submit a hanging sign and truss order form to GES by September 22.
- Pack your signs separately to avoid assembly/labor delays upon arrival.
- Use the hanging sign shipping labels.
Balloons in Your Booth
Fees will apply to remove balloons released into ceiling areas.
Helium balloons are permitted if they are properly anchored and used as permanent fixtures within the booth. Inflated balloons may not be distributed to attendees. Helium gas cylinders used for refilling balloons must be secured in an upright position.
Metallic and Mylar balloons are prohibited at all times.
Use of pressurized tanks must comply with public safety regulations. (See Fire Regulations - Hazardous Materials).
Large Displays in Your Booth
If your booth includes vehicles, machinery, shipping containers, or other large items, additional preparation is required. These displays may need special labor or equipment for unloading and delivery.
To ensure a smooth setup, schedule special labor with GES in advance.
Exhibitors should submit the following forms (if applicable) before September 22 to plan for shipments:
Plan ahead and coordinate logistics with GES for a seamless setup. If you need assistance, contact GES Freight Operations staff JT Hannon (Cell: +1-407-509-1251).
Plan for Move Out
The return of empty crates (empties) on Saturday can take 10+ hours. Check your assigned target move-out and schedule tear-down labor and pick-up accordingly.
Tips to Save Money, Avoid Waiting and Be Prepared
- Review the exhibitor move-out schedule.
- Smaller inline booths: Take advantage of GES booth packages for 10'x10' and 10'x20' spaces. Schedule GES for the labor, tear-down and to ship your booth out and receive guaranteed ST (standard time) labor rates and a discount on outbound shipping.
- Larger inline booths: Consider tear-down labor for Sunday morning, when you know your empties are in your booth, instead of paying for labor to wait around on Saturday.
- Island booths with hanging signs: Coordinate your rigging with GES to have signs lowered Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning so your labor does not have to stop dismantling the booth while the overhead sign is coming down.
- Pack up and secure valuables in your booth and from any showcases as soon as the show ends. IFPA cannot be held liable for anything stolen or lost during this process.
- Relax in the exhibitor lounge with food and beverages while waiting. The lounge will be open 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
- Schedule your pick-up prior to Monday. Monday is busy for carrier pickups. Wait times could be significant and end up occurring during overtime.
- Consider GES logistics for your shipping, guaranteed flat rates, and avoid charges for lengthy wait times.
- Schedule FedEx pickup for Monday (they don’t pick up on Sunday). You may also drop off small parcels to the local depots.
- Submit a pre-printed material handling form before the show and on-site you will receive pre-printed outbound shipping labels and your bill of lading.
- Fill in your bill of lading (BOL) when everything is packed up and ready. Include the number of pieces, signature and return it to the service desk. GES will dispatch your carrier to pick up. DO NOT leave it with your shipment or your carrier may be left waiting.
- Make sure your carriers can pick up on-site or schedule with GES logistics to ship out. If you do not schedule outbound shipping GES will, which will result in increased costs and delayed receipt times. There is NO warehouse to return items after the show.
- Pack outbound shipping supplies including tape, wrap, boxes, etc. for use at the end of the show.
Contact

Kyle McMillan
Director, Trade Shows
International Fresh Produce Association

Nancy Pickersgill
Trade Show Coordinator
International Fresh Produce Association