2005 National Convention

Convention Guidelines for Exhibitors

Louisville, Kentucky
July 2 - July 8, 2005

The 2005 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will undoubtedly attract more than 3,000 people to Louisville for its activities. The guidelines set forth here are designed to help exhibitors in their advance planning and to minimize confusion during the setup and operation at the convention.

The exhibit schedule is:

Sunday, July 3 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday, July 4 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 5 8:00-9:30 a.m. & 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

*Tuesday Evening, July 5
Special Event for Sponsor Exhibitors Only………….…
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 6 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 7 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, July 8 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Exhibits will be held in the Archibald/Cochran Ballroom on the 3rd floor West Tower and may be set up from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, or, after that, at any time the exhibit room is scheduled to be open. The exhibit hall will not be available for private demonstrations*, unpacking, or setup beyond the setup time and the regular exhibit schedule noted above. Exhibitors should ask for the Exhibit Coordinator (at the convention) for allocation of space. Such allocation will be based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to: date of application for space; electrical needs; noise level; and any other special requirements. Space assignments and floor plans will not be available prior to the convention.

*The one exception related to private demonstrations is for all levels of Exhibit Hall Sponsors who will have exclusive access to the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday evening, July 5th, from 7:00 until 10:00 p.m. for their invited guests, as well as Convention attendees. Note: Only Sponsor Level Exhibitors will be open during this special time period.

One six-foot table and two chairs will be provided with each space. Advance arrangements must be made for all other equipment and special services. Requests for electrical service should be made on the Exhibitor Application Form. Expenses for electrical and special services are the responsibility of the individual exhibitor.

The exhibit schedule above is based upon the general session schedule as published in the convention agenda, which will be available Sunday, July 3, at the Convention Registration area. Any alterations in the general session schedule which may occur during the convention will result in conforming shifts in the exhibit schedule and will be announced in the exhibit hall. For the Tuesday through Friday afternoon sessions, the exhibit hall will open as soon as practicable after the morning general session adjournment (scheduled for 12 noon) and will close 15 minutes prior to
the beginning of each afternoon general session. Breakdown of exhibits should be completed by 6 p.m. Friday, July 8.

Exhibitors who show their exhibitors' ribbons will be allowed access to the exhibit hall shortly before the morning session adjournments. To obtain an exhibitor's ribbon, an exhibitor must bring his or her registration badge (received upon payment of $15 per person at convention registration) to the Exhibit Coordinator's table in the exhibit hall. An exhibitor's ribbon will only be given to those exhibitors who show their registration badge. Only those exhibitors who have paid an exhibit fee and who show their exhibitor's ribbon to the Exhibit Coordinator will be allowed into the exhibit hall fifteen minutes prior to the adjournments of the Tuesday through Friday morning general sessions. Those wishing to visit exhibits will not be permitted to enter the exhibit hall until the adjournments of the general sessions.

The Exhibitor Application Form and the exhibitor's fee must accompany all requests for exhibit space. The deadline for application is Friday, June 3. Applications received after this deadline will only be given consideration if space is still available. In such a case, the exhibitor will incur a late fee of $100 per table. Please note that the exhibitor's fee does not include the convention registration fee ($15 per person), which can be paid only at the convention. Registration is a requirement for receiving convention hotel rates, an exhibitor's ribbon, and for a number of convention activities. Contact the Exhibit Coordinator, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, (telephone 410-659-9314, extension 2297) for any further details prior to the convention.