Exhibiting FAQs

Are you interested in exhibiting at the Green Family Festival? Here are some answers to exhibitor’s frequently asked questions. Don’t see the answer here? Please call Mary Beth or Dallas at 708-361-6000 (office) or 312-488-1008 (cell), or email us at mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com

For Prospective Exhibitors and Sponsors:

Who attends the Green Family Festival?

What is the exact date and location of the Green Family Festival?

How do I purchase a space, and how much do they cost?

What is included in the price?

How can I find out what spaces are available?

Are there sponsorship opportunities at Green Family Festival?

I can't take a table or a sponsorship at the Green Family Festival, but I still want to participate.  Is this possible?

Before the Show:

What is the exhibitor manual and why is it important?

How do I get listed on the Green Family Festival web site and in the on-site show guide?

How do I order electricity?

When should I begin to make travel arrangements?

How should I dress for the show?

Can I ship any product ahead of time?

How do I get complimentary passes to send out to my customers, friends, family, etc. before the Fest?

Exhibitor Registration and Badges:

Do exhibitors need to wear badges?

How do exhibitors register for badges?

When will we receive our badges?

Exhibitor Set up and Move Out

When is exhibit set up and move out?

Can I drive to the dock to unload my products and again when the Fest is over?

Can I use my own dolly/hand truck to move my product in and out?

Will there be anyone available to help me move in and out?

Will I be required to use union labor to set up my table?

Will my products be secure during the Fest?

What are my responsibilities at Green Family Festival?

During the Green Family Festival:

How will attendees find me at Green Family Festival?

What kinds of sales can I expect at Green Family Festival?

How can I get help at the Fest if I have a question, if issues arise, etc.?

What is the best way to remember potential clients I’ve spoken with?

Before the Fest Closes

Shipping Items Out…

Schedule Your Freight Carrier…

Following the Green Family Festival

How do I get a W-9 form?

How can I sign up for future Green Family Festivals?

Who should I call with questions, or if issues arise following the Green Family Festival?
  

For Prospective Exhibitors

• Who attends the Green Family Festival?
We expect 2000+ families to attend. They are parents and families who are looking for socially and environmentally responsible ways to keep the planet and their families naturally safe and healthy.


• What is the exact date and location of the Green Family Festival?
The Green Family Festival will kick off Chicago’s Earth Day festivities! Dates are Saturday, April 17 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM and Sunday, April 18 from 10:00AM-5:00PM.
Move in will take place on Friday, April 16, starting at 3PM, and at 5:30 on Friday there will be an exhibitor reception, also attended by other members of the green community, including bloggers, members of the press, and specially invited guests. 
The Green Family Festival will be held at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, Chicago, IL 60630. A former high school and junior college, the Center is an architectural gem – visit http://www.irish-american.org to see this beautiful facility with FREE PARKING!!

• How do I purchase a space, and how much do they cost?
Indoor space is available in increments of 8’ and can be purchased for $600 until April 1st (when the cost increases to $700.) Outdoor space is available for $200. Not-for-profit organizations can purchase a space at the reduced rate of $300.


• What is included in the price?
- Besides a 6’ table, two chairs, and an id sign, 6 exhibitor badges and 20 guest passes are included with each space. (Please contact us if you need more.) Your organization’s name will be listed as an exhibitor on the Green Family Festival web site and in the on-site program guide. Click here to read about ways to upgrade these listings.


• How can I find out what spaces are available?
Call Mary Beth or Dallas at Green Family Festival Management - (708)361-6000 (office) or (312)488-1008 (cell); or e-mail –mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com


• Are there sponsorship opportunities at Green Family Festival?
Yes, there are several opportunities available. Call Mary Beth Rebedeau at (708)361-6000, ex.204; e-mail her at mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com; or to learn more, or click here for more information.


• I can't take a table or a sponsorship at the Green Family Festival, but I still want to participate.  Is this possible?
Yes! We have several options, including program book advertising, sample distribution, and brochure distribution. Click here for more information.

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Before the Show

• What is the exhibitor kit and why is it important?
The exhibitor kit is the guide to your participation, and contains all of the deadlines, forms, tips, and pertinent information that will help you to maximize your Green Family Festival investment. Once you receive the kit, be sure to read it, tag important information for easy reference, complete all pertinent forms in their entirety and return the forms by deadline.
Green Family Festival exhibitor kits will be available on-line in early March. Call Green Family Festival staff with questions or concerns.


• How do I get listed on the Green Family Festival web site and in the on-site show guide?
Included in your space price is a basic listing of your company name and web address, on both the Green Family Festival web site and the on-site program guide. Sponsors will automatically receive enhanced listing in both. Information about enhancing your company’s listing is available here.


• How do I order electricity?
Please let us know if you need electricity on your contract.


• I’m from out of town. Where is the best place to stay?
Book all travel arrangements as soon as possible to save money and last minute stress. The Center is mid-way between O’Hare Airport and downtown Chicago, and there are plenty of rooms both places. A list of nearby Chicago area hotels is available at http://www.choosechicago.com/accommodations.html 


• How should I dress for the Fest?
Dress is based upon personal preference, and you’ll find people dressed in many different ways. Dress appropriately and encourage your staff to do the same. Some companies opt to dress in a uniform manner and some will dress in an individual manner. VERY IMPORTANT - wear comfortable shoes that are good for standing and walking. It is hard to be happy when your feet hurt!


• Can I ship any product ahead of time?
Since the Center is a non-traditional venue, we prefer not. However, if it’s absolutely necessary, then we need to coordinate in advance, and instructions for doing this will be outlined in the exhibitor kit.


• How do I get complimentary passes to send out to my customers, friends, family, etc. before the Fest?
Each exhibitor will receive an electronic promotional postcard which you can forward on to your clients, family, and friends. Also, we’ll provide you with Facebook and Twitter promotional ads and tweets to help build attendance and buzz!

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Exhibitor Registration and Badges

• Do exhibitors need to wear badges?
Yes. For security reasons, all exhibitors should wear badges whenever in the building or on the grounds - before, during, or after the Fest.


• How do exhibitors register for badges?
Please refer to your exhibitor kit, which you’ll receive in early March. Exhibitors receive 6 badges per table. Please let us know if you’ll need more.


• When will we receive our badges?
Your badges can be picked up at the Exhibitor Registration / Assistance desk at the north entrance of the Center. Hours are; Friday, April 16 – 3PM – 6PM; Saturday, April 17 – 8AM-6PM; and Sunday, April 18 – 9AM-5PM. We won’t mail badges ahead of time.

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Exhibitor Set up and Move Out

• When is set up and move out?
Set up will begin Friday, April 16, from 3PM until 6PM, and Saturday, April 17th, from 7:30-9:30AM. Move out will be Sunday, April 18, from 5PM-7PM. Exhibitors requiring more time should contact Mary Beth or Dallas at Green Family Festival Management - (708)361-6000, or e-mail mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com


• Is there a loading dock?
I use a truck to transport my products. Yes, but there are parameters, and special arrangements have to be made. Call Mary Beth or Dallas at Green Family Festival Management - (708)361-6000, e-mail mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com


• Can I use my own dolly/hand truck to move my exhibit into and out of my table?
Yes!


• Will there be anyone available to help me move in and out?
Yes – our wonderful volunteers will assist you if help is needed.


• Will I be required to use union labor during move in and move out?
No, The Center is a non-union facility.


• Will my products be secure during the Fest?
Security will be provided, however, because of the unique nature of the venue, the Fest cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Please don’t leave valuables in your space when you’re not there to watch them.


• What are my responsibilities at the Green Family Festival?
Please have your table set before the show opens on Saturday, April 17th, by 9:30AM, and begin moving our when the Fest closes at 5PM on Sunday, April 18th. Also, make sure someone is at your table at all times during Fest hours.

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During the Green Family Festival

• How will attendees find me at Green Family Festival?
Green Family Festival attendees are provided with an official program, in which each exhibitor is listed with table number and web address. The program also includes a map of the Fest so that attendees can find you. Also, we encourage you to do pre-show marketing – electronic postcards, tweets, e-mails, e-vites, Facebook alerts, ads, etc. - so your customers know where to find you.


• What kinds of sales can I expect at Green Family Festival?
We expect 2000 families to visit the Fest over the week-end, so expect a healthy amount of traffic and activity. While sales and orders for future delivery will be made at Green Family Festival, many exhibitors find that the contacts they make, and promptly follow-up on, result in sales and orders long after the show is over. Attendees call, or visit your websites, months after the show and say, “I saw you at Green Family Festival.” Additionally, you’ll want to network with other like minded companies who are exhibiting – who knows what potential partnerships can develop!

• How can I get help at the Fest if I have a question, if issues arise, etc.?
You can visit the Exhibitor Registration / Assistance table located at the north entrance of the Center, or ask a member of the Green Family Festival team, or call one of the cell numbers you’ll be provided with. We will be around to assist you with questions, issues, etc.


• What is the best way to remember potential customers I’ve spoken with?
Keep careful, organized, accurate records of everything. Take notes while talking with visitors: include when you spoke to someone, their name, phone number, and/or e-mail address, or a particular interest they had. You will be making contact with a lot of different people, so anything that helps you remember them will come in handy later.

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Before the Fest Closes…

• Shipping Items Out…
This has to be scheduled in advance with the company of your choice, as we have no way to do this for you. Make sure you have properly filled out a Bill of Lading (one for each destination you are shipping to) and keep a copy in case of delays or problems.


• Schedule Your Freight Carrier…
Please be sure to have your freight carrier of choice scheduled to pick up your exhibit material from the Hall, no later than Sunday, April 18, @ 7:00 pm. We have no way to ship items out on your behalf.

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Following the Green Family Festival

• How do I get a W-9 form?
Call Mary Beth or Dallas at Green Family Festival Management - (708)361-6000, e- mail mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com


• How can I sign up for future Green Family Festivals?
You will be able to sign for the Chicago 2011 event, as well as other future Green Family Festivals on site. Alternatively, you will receive an e-mail following Green Family Festival offering you the opportunity to re-sign at discounted prices for the coming year.


• Who should I call with questions, or if issues arise following the Green Family Festival?
Call Mary Beth or Dallas at Green Family Festival Management - (708)361-6000, or e-mail to mbr@greenparentsnetwork.com

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