Booth Design Rules & Regulations

Members of the AAPM Technical Exhibits Subcommittee will be on hand to advise Exhibitors of any rule violations during the initial stages of booth setup. During the setup process, an informal review of the exhibits will take place. Written notice will be given to any company in violation of the AAPM Booth Design Rules and Regulations during the set up period so that Exhibitors will be given ample opportunity to correct any violations. All infringements must be corrected prior to the show opening at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 29. If the infringement has not been corrected by that time, the following penalty will apply:

Penalty Rule for Booth Design/Setup Violations:

• Minor Violation: Verbal and written warning.
• Major Violation: Exhibitor will be responsible for payment equivalent to 25% of total booth fee and a loss of 10 placement points.
• Second Time offenders:  Exhibitor will be responsible for payment equivalent to 50% of total booth fee and a loss of 20 placement points.

Any Exhibitor showing a potential violation during setup will be adequately warned by Exhibit Management if at all possible to allow correction before final inspection.

Final judgment of violations will occur during final inspection and will be at the sole discretion of Exhibit Management

The lighting in the Exhibit Halls will be turned up to full capacity on Saturday, July 28 (3:00 pm-5:00 pm) to allow Exhibitors the opportunity to make booth adjustments. Please inform the necessary personnel.

The regulations listed herein are presented to create and maintain an open atmosphere on the exhibit floor. To this end, 100 percent occupancy of allowed exhibit space is discouraged. In designing exhibits, good judgment and consideration for neighboring exhibitors and attendees should be primary objectives.

Exhibits will be so arranged as not to obstruct the general view, nor hide the exhibits of others. Plans for specialty-built displays not in accordance with regulations are to be submitted to Exhibit Management before construction is ordered.

Non-Island booth regular and specially-built back walls, including signs, may not exceed an overall height of 8 feet. The maximum booth height of 8 feet may extend 1/2 the depth of the booth from the back wall. Height limitation of the display in the balance of the area is 4 feet, except for products or equipment, which in itself exceeds 4 feet.

No display material exposing an unfinished surface to neighboring booths will be permitted.  Exhibitors are responsible for carpeting their assigned booth space.

If an Exhibitor wishes to connect one island formation with a second island formation across an official designated aisle, be it with a sign or archway, the Exhibitor will be responsible for the rental of the entire aisle space that runs the length of each booth. The price of the aisle space is $3,000 per 10 feet x 10 feet space.

Example:
If two 20 feet x 30 feet booths are rented by one Exhibitor and said Exhibitor wishes to connect the two booths across an official aisle, and that aisle space measures 10 feet x 30 feet in space, the Exhibitor will be responsible for the rental of the entire 10 feet x 30 feet aisle space. ($3,000 x 300 sq. ft. = $9,000)

All exhibits must conform to the dimensions outlined below in order to assure ease of movement of participants and clear lines of visibility in the exhibit hall. For more information on booth dimension guidelines please contact Rachel Smiroldo.

NOTE:

• Exhibit Hall Ceiling Height
  Halls A, B, and C1 have a ceiling height of 30 feet.
• Exhibit Hall Columns
  Halls A, B, and C1 have 5'-4" x 5'-4" columns.
• Exhibit Aisles (100 - 1400)
  In viewing floorplan, aisles run left to right. For in-line booths, front of booth will face aisle.
  
• Electrical Information
  Electrical Service is provided exclusively by Charlotte Convention Center. Electrical originates from floor boxes on 30 foot centers. All hookups to building electrical service must be made or approved by the Charlotte Convention Center.
• Exhibit Hall Entrances
  There will be TWO entrances into the Technical Exhibit Display areas (Halls B and C1). TWO sets of up/down escalators will move attendees from the Meeting Level to EACH entrance. The TWO entrances and escalators are indicated on the floor plan so please note when selecting your requested booth spaces.

STANDARD BOOTH (ONE OR MORE STANDARD UNITS IN A STRAIGHT LINE)
Exhibit fixtures, components and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 8 feet.
All display fixtures over 4 feet in height and placed within 10 linear feet of an adjoining exhibit, must be confined to that area of the Exhibitor's space which is within 5 feet of the back line, with the exception of equipment which may exceed the 4 feet height limit, but may not be higher than 8 feet, and must be placed so as not to block the view of the adjacent exhibit. Projections of booth structure from the back of a booth in excess of 3 feet in height and extending to the front of the booth are not allowed.
Demonstrations of equipment or products must be conducted so that customers and demonstrator are both on the booth property. Aisles must not be obstructed at any time. No portion of an exhibitor's display, product, or demonstration may extend into any aisle.
All standard booths are assigned booth spaces so that the front of the booth will face main horizontal aisles running left to right.

PERIMETER - WALL BOOTH (STANDARD BOOTH LOCATED ON THE OUTER PERIMETER WALL OF THE EXHIBIT FLOOR)
Height	Exhibit fixtures, components and identification signs will be permitted to a maximum height of 12 feet in perimeter wall booths.
Depth	As in Standard Booth above.
Easement	As in Standard Booth above.
Set up	All perimeter booths are assigned booth spaces so that the front of the booth will face the vertical aisle in front of the booth.
Aisles must not be obstructed at any time. No portion of an exhibitor's display, product, or demonstration may extend into any aisle.

CORNER BOOTH (A CORNER BOOTH IS DEFINED AS A BOOTH HAVING TWO SIDES THAT MEET TO FORM A RIGHT ANGLE AND THAT EACH OF THOSE TWO SIDES ARE EXPOSED TO A DESIGNATED AISLE)
Set up	All corner booths are assigned booth spaces so that the front of the booth will face the main horizontal aisle running left to right.

ISLAND BOOTH (EXHIBIT WITH ONE OR MORE DISPLAY LEVELS IN FOUR OR MORE STANDARD UNITS WITH AISLES ON ALL FOUR SIDES)
Height	Exhibit Hall Ceiling Height Halls A, B, C have a ceiling height of 30 feet. Island exhibits may not exceed 24 feet in height from the floor to the top of any exhibit structure. This includes, but is not limited to, hanging signs. The top of the graphic of a hanging sign may not exceed 24 feet. Excluded from this rule is lighting / theatrical truss. Placement of lighting / theatrical truss is dependent upon Convention Center structure and Show Management. Any exhibit structure or display exceeding sixteen (16) feet in height must be approved by a licensed structural engineer prior to installation. A copy of the engineer's certificate or stamped floor plans must be submitted for approval. Exhibits built in non-compliance of the AAPM regulations are subject to a fine up to 25% of total booth space cost and loss of 10 booth placement points.
Depth	No portion of an exhibitor's display, product, or demonstration may extend into any aisle. Aisles must not be obstructed at any time. The first rise of any basic structure over 4 feet tall may not be closer than 1 FOOT to any external boundary or the exhibit space contracted for.
Setback Rules	However, the 1 FOOT area may be occupied up to 8 feet in height by the following if it does not interfere with other Exhibitors: Equipment that is not used for demonstrations, unless the demonstration is clearly directed inside the booth. This is intended to keep customers participating from standing in the aisle. Displays or signage, as long as the display does not constitute a demonstration REVISED RULE! Displays, such as TV monitors, that constitute as a demonstration, must be of size to prevent customers from standing in the aisle and blocking access to other exhibitors. If Show Management sees that a demonstration violates this rule, the exhibitor will need to adjust the demonstration according to the AAPM policy. Clear or a maximum of 20% tinted Plexiglas structures with limited copy to permit see-through visibility, such as for conference areas, etc. Minimal structural and support members at least 8 inches apart of open type construction which in the opinion of the AAPM, do not interfere with other Exhibitors.
Canopy or Covered Areas	Per the Charlotte Convention Center rules, permits and possibly a fire watch are required for booths with canopies or covered areas. It is dependent on: the dimensions of the booth how much of the booth the canopy covers ingress and egress of the booth the number of people expected to be in the booth at one time NOTE: Fire Marshal approval of such island formations will be required

Two-Story Booths:

Exhibitors with 20 foot by 20 feet or larger may be allowed a second level for an additional fee of $15.00 per square foot. A copy of the booth plans and specifications for the booth must be submitted for approval by May 10. These plans must be stamped by a certified, licensed structural engineer and attest to the exhibit's structural integrity. If you're considering a Two-Story booth, please contact rachel@aapm.org for details on Charlotte Convention Center Guidelines for Multi-level and Covered Exhibits.

EXHIBITOR GROUP LISTING – INDIVIDUAL LISTINGS OF DIVISIONS, BRANCHES, OR SUBSIDIARIES (ISLAND FORMATIONS ONLY)

Exhibitors occupying island formations may identify up to four (4) individual divisions, branches, or subsidiaries of the parent exhibitor company in the AAPM Annual Meeting issue of Medical Physics Journal and the AAPM Pocket Program. Each entity listing to include: Divisions, Branches, or Subsidiaries Name Booth Number Contact Information Product Description Product line Product focus Cost PER additional division, branch, or subsidy name: $2,000 This fee is necessary to accommodate the cost of supporting each individual entity.

All rigging is performed by PSAV (The in house provider). Guidelines are provided by PSAV. All ehxibitor requests for rigging are subject to PSAV'S review and approval. View Exhibit Hall Rigging Diagram

The PSAV Contact Information:
Barry Wright
704-339-6180

PSAV Charlotte Convention Center Website with Rigging Information:
partner.psav.com/CharlotteConventionCenter/Products_and_Services.aspx

Overhead lighting systems, attached to the facility steel structure, are permitted ONLY if the exhibit exceeds 400 square feet. Exhibitors wishing to hang lighting systems will be required to submit a Lighting Truss Diagram to AAPM along with the Booth Design form by MAY 10. All requests must be reviewed and approved by AAPM. Exhibit elements are not to be attached to the lighting truss.

Exhibits built in non-compliance of the AAPM regulations are subject to a fine up to 25% of total booth space cost and loss of 10 booth placement points.

Lighting instruments, regardless of the type, must be positioned inside the perimeter boundaries of the purchased floor space. Projecting light beams or images outside the perimeter boundary of the booth (including external aisles) is prohibited. Special effects (spinning, rotating, and pulsating) must not interfere with other exhibits or detract from the professional atmosphere of the exhibition.

Overhead hall lights may be requested to be shut off to those exhibitors with island formations measuring 900 square feet or greater. Make your request by using the Booth Design Form found in the AAPM Exhibitor Service Kit. Lights may only be turned off when directly overhead and in the confines of your booth. No light will be turned off if located outside the confines of your booth or too close to an aisle. AAPM has the final decision on which building lights will remain operational. The exhibitor will be responsible for all costs associated with this request. To request a lighting grid showing the placement and the number of lights located over your booth, an exhibiting company or appointed EAC can contact the official utility provider as listed in the AAPM Exhibitor Service Kit.

Exhibitors reserving island space are required to submit for approval complete scale drawings, both concept and construction, indicating all dimensions including applicable set back, to AAPM HQ by May 10. Exhibitors will be assigned the size of island space as requested on their Exhibitor Application and Contract. Therefore, prior to the submission of the Application, it is the responsibility of the Exhibitor to make sure the space requested will accommodate a booth design that conforms to the AAPM Booth Design Rules and Regulations pertaining to island booths.

If the scale drawing submitted on May 10 does not comply with the AAPM Booth Design Rules and Regulations, the Exhibitor must either redesign the booth to come into compliance or request a larger space. There is no guarantee that larger space will be available at that time.

Scale Drawing Requirements:

• Both aerial and side views of booth designs must be provided.
• Mandatory 1 foot setback must be labeled on each drawing.
• Island exhibits may not exceed 24 feet in height from the floor to the top of any exhibit structure. This includes, but is not limited to, hanging signs or lighting / theatrical truss. Any exhibit structure or display exceeding sixteen (16) feet in height must be approved by a licensed structural engineer prior to installation. A copy of the engineer's certificate or stamped floor plans must be submitted for approval.
• Must identify equipment pieces and booth structure.
• Must indicate booth structure construction material (ie cloth, hard wall, glass, metal mesh, etc.).
• Canopy or covered areas must be identified and construction material disclosed.
• Once approved, if booth design changes, must resubmit for approval prior to set up.

Email or fax documents to: rachel@aapm.org / (301) 209-0862

• Hanging Signs will be permitted in the Exhibit Hall for booths 20' x 20' or larger.
• The length of the sign is not to exceed 50 percent of the corresponding dimensions of the booth.
• The sign should be set back 25 percent of the booth's width dimension from the back line of the booth.
• All signs must hang within the perimeters of the booth.
• All hanging signs must be approved in advance by AAPM Show Management.
• All exhibitors requesting to hang a sign are required to submit detailed floor plans to AAPM Show Management for approval no later than May 10.
• If approved, we recommend all hanging signs be shipped in advance to the warehouse, but it is not required.

An order form with prices will be included in the Online Service Kit.

Email or fax documents to: rachel@aapm.org / (301) 209-0862

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

All exhibiting companies are required to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are encouraged to be sensitive, and as reasonably accommodating as possible, to attendees with disabilities. Information regarding ADA compliance is available from the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Line at +1(800-514-0301) or visit its Web site at: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/infoline.htm.

Structural Integrity

All exhibit displays should be designed and erected in a manner that will withstand normal contact or vibration caused by neighboring exhibitors, hall laborers or installation/dismantling equipment such as fork lifts. Displays should also be able to withstand moderate wind effects that may occur in the exhibit hall when freight doors are open. Refer to local building codes that regulate temporary structures.

Exhibitors should ensure that any display fixtures such as tables, racks or shelves are designed and installed properly to support the product or marketing materials to be displayed upon them.

Flammable and Toxic Materials

All materials used in display construction or decorating should be made of fire retardant materials and be certified as flame retardant. Samples should also be available for testing. Materials that cannot be treated to meet the requirements should not be used. A flame proofing certificate should be available for inspection.

Exhibitors should dispose of any waste products they generate during the exhibition in accordance with guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the facility.

Electrical

Every exhibit facility has different electrical requirements; however, minimum guidelines are suggested:

• All 110-volt wiring should be grounded three-wire.
• Wiring that touches the floor should be "SO" cord (minimum 14-gauge/three-wire) flat cord, which is insulated to qualify for "extra hard usage".
• Cord wiring above floor level can be "SJ" which is rated for "hard usage".
• Using zip cords, two-wire cords, latex cords, plastic cord, lamp cord, open clip sockets, and two-wire clamp-on fixtures is not recommended and is often prohibited. Cube taps are not recommended and are often prohibited.
• Power strips (multi-plug connectors) should be UL approved, with built-in over-load protectors.

Storage

Fire regulations in most exhibit facilities prohibit storing product, literature, empty packing containers or packing materials behind back drapes or under draped tables. In most cases, however, exhibitors may store a limited supply of literature or product appropriately within the booth area, so long as these items do not impede access to utility services, create a safety problem or look unsightly.

Demonstrations (REVISED RULE!)

As a matter of safety and courtesy to others, exhibitors should conduct sales presentations and product demonstrations in a manner which assures all exhibitor personnel and attendees are within the contracted exhibit space and not encroaching on the aisle or neighboring exhibits. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to arrange displays, product presentation, and demonstration areas to ensure compliance. No activities should be planned or products displayed in a manner that would require an audience to gather in the aisles. Show Management reserves the right to determine if a demonstration interferes with adjacent exhibit spaces and when it must be discontinued.

Special caution should be taken when demonstrating machinery or equipment that has moving parts, or any product that is otherwise potentially dangerous. Exhibitors should establish a minimum setback of three feet (3') and/or install hazard barriers as necessary to prevent accidental injury to spectators. Sound demonstrations should not exceed 85 decibels. Additionally, demonstrations should only be conducted by qualified personnel.

Sound/Music

In general, exhibitors may use sound equipment in their booths so long as the noise level does not disrupt the activities of neighboring exhibitors. Speakers and other sound devices should be positioned so as to direct sound into the booth rather than into the aisle. Rule of thumb: Sound and noise should not exceed 85 decibels.

Exhibitors should be aware that music played in their booths, whether live or recorded, may be subject to laws governing the use of copyrighted compositions. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are three authorized licensing organizations that collect copyright fees on behalf of composers and publishers of music.