2024 Vendor Kit

The Holiday Food & Gift Festival, in order to ensure a minimal footprint, does not print nor mail the Exhibitor Kit. All of the forms, links, and information you need is posted below.

Please note that this page is updated as new information becomes available.

SCAM ALERT FOR EXHIBITORS

As per our privacy policy, Marketplace Events is a permission-based email sender. We do not share, rent, or sell any email lists. 

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.

----- NEW Political Merchandise Policy 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.

Important Dates

EXHIBITOR MANUAL

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW RULES & REGULATIONS

EXHIBIT STANDARDS

• Floor Covering Required:  You can order carpet from the Show Decorator or bring your own flooring materials - order your decorating needs by October 13th to receive the best price.  It should be professional-looking and clean and must cover your entire booth floor corner to corner. No partial floor coverings are permitted. 

• Table Coverings Required: Table coverings must be clean and pressed, and extend all the way to the floor.  'Makeshift' or plastic tablecloths are not permitted.  You can order coverings/skirting from the Show Decorator or bring your own  - order your decorating needs by October 13th to receive the best price.  
  
  
• Holiday Decor Required:  All booths must be decorated in a holiday theme and should reflect the holiday spirit.

• Booth Pipe and Drape:  All inline exhibit spaces will have 8’ high pipe with red and white drape backwall, and 3’ high side red side walls. Corner booths do not have side walls.  One 500 watt 120-volt duplex receptacle will be provided for each booth.
  
  
• Booth Lighting:  Additional booth lighting is strongly recommended - bring your own or order from the Show Decorator by October 13th to get the best price.
  
  
• Storage:  Any and all stored items, ranging from inventory to personal effects, must be stored completely out of sight.  Storage is available on a first come first served basis and is located in the locker rooms.  Please see Show Office for location.

ENHANCE YOUR COMPANY’S ONLINE VENDOR LISTING

As a vendor with the show, you now have a basic listing that is live on the website. A basic listing includes your company name, booth number, product category, and a form that allows website visitors to contact you directly. Within 24 hours you will receive an automated email that contains a link to enhance your listing. This link can be used to make updates and changes to your listing as often as you like until one day after the show commences. Your listing will remain active for as long as you participate in the show. Need help with your listing? Read the FAQs.

If you have any questions regarding the online vendor listing or do not receive the link, please email JenK@mpeshows.com

Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
GO FROM BASIC TO ENHANCED!

2024 Show Dates & Hours

On show days, exhibitors can enter the building at 8 am with an exhibitor badge to restock.  

Exhibit Like a Pro

CLICK HERE for helpful tips to make the most of the show and exhibit like a pro.

MOVE IN & OUT INFORMATION

CLICK HERE for a Move-In map with load-in areas

MOVE IN -

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 – EXHIBITION HALL ONLY
8 AM – 8 PM:  No vehicles are allowed in the building.
-Load-in doors along East 27th St. and Lobby entrance.
-No booth move-in for main Arena on Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 – ARENA & EXHIBITION HALL
8 AM – 8 PM:  No vehicles are allowed in the building.  Exhibition Hall can continue to set up their displays.
-Load-in through NW and NE Arena doors.
•Aisle carpet will be installed in both Ex-Hall and Arena.  ALL AISLES MUST BE KEPT CLEAR.  

ALL BOOTHS MUST BE SET UP BY 8 PM, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

For the Arena move-in on Wednesday, the Tacoma Dome security will use a numbering system to route trucks to the load-in areas.  THE FIRST 200 VEHICLES TO ARRIVE WILL “TAKE A NUMBER” AND BE STAGED IN ORDER TO UNLOAD. 

If you do not need to drive to a loading door, you will not need a number.  Park your car and hand truck your products to your booth.  Parking is free during move-in.  CLICK HERE for map of Tacoma Dome.

Be sure you know your booth number upon arriving to unload and move into your booth space. 

Pick up your Exhibitor Badges during move-in at the Registration Desk in the Arena by the NE doors. CLICK HERE to view the show floor map.

MOVE OUT -

Sunday, October 27: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Booth teardown can begin at 6:00 pm on Sunday October 29th. DO NOT pack up your booth before show closing.  Please note that it can take up to an hour to remove aisle carpeting - please keep off carpet. All booths must be moved out of the building by 10:00 pm on Sunday.

SHOW DECORATOR & ELECTRICIAN

CORT Pro Services

CLICK HERE FOR THE EXHIBITOR SERVICES ORDER FORM. 

ADVANCED ORDER DISCOUNT DEADLINE:  TBC

Each 10' x 10' booth comes with 5-amps (500-watt outlet) of electricity.  

Order the following from CORT Pro Services

• Additional Power Outlets
  
• Booth Lighting
• Extension Cord/Power Strip rental
• Forklift service
• Carpet
• Tables and chairs
• Booth cleaning services
• Signage & more

www.cortpartyrental.com/exhibitor-order-forms
customercare@cort.com
877.939.7368

Not sure how many amps you need? -> Guidelines for determining electrical needs

*Please note power may not be available during move in, come prepared with cordless power tools and extension cords.

Shipping

Any shipments arriving before October 22th will not be accepted and will be returned at the exhibitor’s expense. 
 
Click here to view the shipping label

FOOD SAMPLING REQUIREMENTS

Every exhibitor selling or sampling any type of food or drink must submit a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) Application to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), along with payment if required.  Use the Temporary Food Establishment Permit application to help you discern whether you need to complete the Sampling/Tasting Courtesy Application. 

Please go to www.tpchd.org/healthy-places/food-safety/temporary-events to apply and pay fee for the Temporary Food Establishment Permit as well as the Sampling/Tasting Courtesy Application (if applicable).  You can apply online or email to food@tpchd.org.  Must be submitted 14 days prior to event.

All food and beverages sold at an exhibitor booth must be pre-packaged and sealed for at-home consumption.

EXHIBITOR BADGES

Each booth receives 5 badges for exhibitor staff, which gains access to the building on show days. Please pick your badges during move-in at the Registration Desk in the NE corner of the Arena.  CLICK HERE to view the show floor map.  

Once picked up, you are responsible for distributing the badges to your staff prior to entering the building. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BADGE IN YOUR BOOTH. Replacements are $7 each if badge is lost or left in booth.

If you need more badges than will be allotted to you, please contact michelled@mpeshows.com.

PARKING

Exhibitor parking is located in Lot F, M and J. Exhibitor Entrances are at the NE and NW Doors for Arena, as well as one staffed entrance door along North doors of Ex-Hall. You may purchase a $48 Parking Pass or pay $15 per day.  A parking pass allows in and out privileges and is transferrable.  4-day parking passes may be purchased only during Wednesday of move-in and opening day.

CLICK HERE to view a map of the Tacoma Dome parking lots/entrances.

Show Hotel Partners

Click on hotel name for reservation link.  Call La Quinta directly to book.

SHOW INSURANCE

Proof of General Liability insurance in mandatory for our shows. Coverage dates must include Move-In and Move-Out, October 22 - 28, 2023. Liability requirements are $1,000,000.
Please email a copy of your certificate to pipern@mpeshows.com to keep on file prior to show open.

It is required that we are listed on your policy as additional insured:
Marketplace Events LLC
2000 Auburn Dr Ste 200        
Beachwood, OH 44122

Don't have an insurance provider? There are several companies which offer short term insurance for events, such as John Buttine Insurance, ACT insurance, or Hartford Insurance.

Marketing Opportunities

Sponsorship Opportunities and Booth Traffic Drivers - Get some extra bang for your buck at the Tacoma Holiday Festival! Work with us to get more people to your booth.

Guest Passes - All Exhibitors will receive 4 complimentary tickets per company! Send guest show tickets to your clients, prospects and friends. Pick up your guest passes during move-in from the Show Office. If you would like to order more than the 4 tickets provided, additional passes can be purchased for only $10.00 each. Contact pipern@mpeshows.com or purchase on-site at the Show Office.

GET SOCIAL WITH US!

Share your show pics or your planning process with us. Click the icons below for our profile pages  

Hashtags: #TacomaHolidayShow #TacomaGiftShow

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.

Click Here to go to our Facebook Event for 2023.

Click Here for the Social Media Marketing Kit

Still have questions? Contact Us!

PIPER NEWMAN Show Coordinator PiperN@MPEshows.com 360.480.7943	SUSIE O'BRIEN BORER Exhibit Sales Consultant SusieB@mpeshows.com 253.260.6514	STEPHANIE GATZIONIS Show Manager StephanieG@mpeshows.com 480.236.7987	JEFF SWENSON  Group Manager JeffS@mpeshows.com 206.569.4656