2024 Vendor Kit

SCAM ALERT FOR VENDORS

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

WE ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATING THE KIT WITH 2024 INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN.

Use this handy Getting Ready Checklist to ensure you are set to go for the show! This coincides with all the information below and makes sure you do not miss anything. 

CLICK HERE for the Christmas Show Checklist!

Table of Contents

1. General Information
2. Facility & Utility Services
3. Decorator Services
4. Move In & Move Out
5. Food Sampling
6. Parking
7. Booth Guidelines 
8. Rules & Regulations
9. How to Set up your Exhibitor Listing
10. Sales Tax 
11. Social Media Tips
12. Ticket Information
13. Marketing Opportunities
14. Exhibitor Badges
15. Show Hotel
16. Show Insurance
17. Questions
18. Scam

General Information

SHOW MANAGEMENT 
The Christmas Connection Show is produced and managed by: 
Marketplace Events LLC
2000 Auburn Dr., Ste 200 
Beachwood, OH 44122 
440.591.6983
marketplaceevents.com | clevelandchristmasconnection.com

 

SHOW PUBLIC RELATIONS 
Jennifer Hickin | jhickin@engageadcom.com

 

SHOW OFFICE
During move-in, show hours and move-out, Show Management will maintain a show office in the I-X Center. The office is located near the entrance of Door 35.

SHOW HOURS 
Friday, November 22, 2024 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
*Early Bird Shopping (Friday morning ONLY) - 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Saturday, November 23, 2024 8:00am – 7:00pm 
Sunday, November 24, 2024 10:00am – 5:00pm

 

ADMISSION
Adults (at the door): $14
Adults (online only): $12
Children Ages 12 & Under: FREE

Early Bird Shopping*: Friday, November 22 ONLY From 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Admission (Online only): $20.00

VENDOR ENTRANCES DURING SHOW HOURS 
During show hours, Vendors may use the Vendor Entrance (Door 35) of the I-X Center. A Vendor badge will be required to enter the show floor. All loading dock doors will be closed and there will be no access granted during show hours. If you need to restock your booth with supplies, please do it one hour before the show opens. Security is permitted to stop any Vendor from entering or exiting through the side entrances or loading dock doors. There is no smoking allowed inside the building.  See below for a map of how to get to Door 35.

 

 

FLOORPLAN
CLICK HERE for the 2024 Floorplan

 

SECURITY 
Security is provided by Marketplace Events’ vendors. The guards will be on duty 24 hours each day during the show. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect Vendors’ property, but Show Management assumes no responsibility for any losses due to fire, theft, robbery, damage, accident, or other causes.   

Please take the following suggestions under advisement: 

➢ Do not leave your booth unattended during set-up, show, or move-out

➢ Do not leave small items, electronics, one-of-a-kind special samples, prototypes, generated leads, or extremely valuable merchandise in your booth overnight.

 

FINAL PAYMENTS Full and final payment for exhibit space must be made by October 15th. Show Management reserves the right to refuse entry to any Vendor whose account has not been settled and paid in full. If you have signed and authorized Marketplace Events to automatically charge your card on your original contract, please make sure funds are available in the proper time frame. If you have any questions regarding payment processes, please contact Kelsey Christopher at KelseyC@mpeshows.com or 440-591-6963. Any contracts that are outstanding after the show cycle is completed will automatically be sent to collections and the Vendor will still be responsible to pay off the booth space and will not be allowed to exhibit in any future shows with Marketplace Events. 

Facility Ordering and Information

I-X Center Vendor Services Ordering Guide

Please reach out to Liz Fox if you have any questions.
Office: 216.373.5054
Cell: 216.704.4788  
E-mail: Elizabeth.Fox@oakviewgroup.com

IMPORTANT FORMS
Trailer Parking Form
Discount Ticket Order Form
Food Sampling Form
Food Vendor License/Transient Vendor License
Parking Pass|Drive-In Order Form

WIFI INFORMATION

FREE to vendors this year! Stop by the Show Office for Wi-Fi information.

SHOW DECORATOR SERVICES

2024 MOVE IN SCHEDULE AND MAP

*There will be a move-in email with dates and times for your assigned move-in time sent to you in October.
*Please click here if you need to purchase a drive-in pass and/or parking pass through the I-X Center.

All Exhibits MUST be set up by Friday, November 22nd at 8:00 am.

MOVE-IN: (Door 35)

1. Arrive at your assigned installation time.
2. If driving in, vendors must have drive-in pass. Link to purchase passes from I-X Center here (pages 5-6). If not driving in, 2-wheel and 4-wheel carts are available first come.3. Before driving in, remove any snow from vehicle out in the parking lot prior to entering. 
4. If driving in, escort will take you to your location.
5. Unload vehicles with your own personnel (up to 3 allowed). If labor is required, please order from Fern.
6. Drive your vehicle out of the building via specified door.
7. Return to booth and assemble your display.

IF YOU BRING IT IN, HAUL IT OUT! Whether a display is removed from the Show to be used again, or is to be destroyed, remove your entire exhibit.  The I-X floor should be left in broom-clean condition.

2024 MOVE-IN MAP - CLICK HERE

2024 MOVE-OUT INFORMATION

YOU MAY BEGIN BREAKING DOWN YOUR BOOTH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLOSE OF THE SHOW. HOWEVER, DRIVE-IN ACCESS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNTIL ALL AISLE CARPET HAS BEEN ROLLED UP.

Dismantling your booth prior to show close at 5:00pm on Sunday is strictly prohibited.

I-X CENTER FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY

Please review prior to the show to ensure you are following the building guidelines for sampling and selling.

Alcohol Sales Requirements:

• ALL agents, employees, guests, or exhibitors are prohibited from selling, giving away or bringing upon the premises, any intoxicating liquor, liquids or compounds. (Sec. 4301.62) This section does not apply to liquor lawfully purchased through the liquor license holder of the building (concessionaire).

Food Or Consumable Items

• CLICK HERE for the Food Sampling Form
• Important Information for FOOD VENDORS and TRANSIENT VENDORS

PARKING, DRIVE-IN & PARKING PASSES

East and West Entrances are now open for the Christmas Connection! The Main Entrance of the show is located at the East Entrance.  The West Entrance is used for overflow parking. If you enter through the West, be sure to head to the East Entrance for our front entrance holiday displays!

General parking at the I-X Center is $10 per vehicle. Exact cash is preferred...it really helps the lines move faster!

*Cost of admission to the Christmas Connection Show does not include parking. The Christmas Connection Show benefits in no way from any parking fee collected by the I-X Center.

Rules & Regulations

ELECTRICAL SERVICES POLICIES
Standard Electrical Service can be ordered through Edlen Electric – CLICK HERE to order.

USE OF SPACE REGULATIONS
All sales, taking of orders for future delivery, conferences, lectures, displays and distribution of literature will be in a dignified manner consistent with the overall theme of the Show within the confines of leased space. No noise making devices, public address systems and/or sound systems of any type shall be allowed without specific prior written approval of Show Management. All exhibits must have attendants during the Show hours unless other arrangements are made with Show Management. All rubbish must be moved into the aisles at the end of each day of the Show. No helium filled balloons or placement of stickers on persons or Center grounds will be permitted.

TRANSIENT VENDORS LICENSE
The State of Ohio requires a transient vendor’s license when the person who, in the usual course of his business, transports inventory, stock of goods, or similar personal property to a temporary place of business in a county in which he has no fixed place of business, for the purpose of making retail sales of such property.

FIRE/EMERGENCY PLAN
1) An announcement will be made by security in the event of a fire emergency.
2) In the event an emergency announcement is made, you and your staff are to proceed and exit through the nearest fire exit.
3) If at all possible, encourage everyone exiting to do so in a calm and orderly fashion.
4) Once the emergency is over, Exhibitors will be re-admitted prior to the public.

FIRE PREVENTION CODE
Vendors who bring anything flammable as part of their exhibit (drapery, table skirting, artificial plants, etc.) should make sure that each item has been recently fireproofed.  There are various solutions on the market that are acceptable; retailers such as Home Depot sell this fire-resistant spray.  Be advised the fire marshal does check all exhibits prior to show opening.

• Vehicles displayed at your exhibit must have a 1/8 of tank of gas or less. (Note: There is an I-X Center fee to display a vehicle in your booth.)

• Use of portable tanked gas is prohibited.

• Natural gas is available in a few areas of the building.  Gas service may be ordered from the I-X Center service desk.

Booth Guidelines

Booth Planning 101 Video - Tips and Tricks about planning your booth space. - Watch here!

It is mandatory that all tables are properly skirted.  If your table is decorative, there is no need to cover.  Skirting must go from the edge of the table to the floor on all VISIBLE sides.  All skirting must be pressed and neat. Use of plastic tablecloths, sheets, shower curtains or any type of “makeshift” tablecloths is not permitted.  We strictly enforce this and will skirt all incorrectly skirted tables at the exhibitor’s expense.

All inventory and personal items must be stored COMPLETELY OUT OF SIGHT.  Your booth should look professional and inviting to the attendee.

Sales Tax

All vendors are required to have a Ohio State License if they are directly selling on the show floor. You must have a OH sales tax number to do the show.  It must be available upon request of the show or state onsite.

For help with obtaining proper licensing and documentation, please contact:

Ohio Department of Taxation: tax.ohio.gov/business
FAQ Page: tax.ohio.gov/help-center/faqs

Application for Transient Vendor's License

Sales Tax for the Christmas Connection Show is 8%.

Social Media Tips

Click to read up on our Social Media Tips and find out lots of great ways to use Social Media to promote your presence at the Cleveland Christmas Connection!

SOCIAL MEDIA
#LetsGetSocial

Share your show pics or your holiday décor and celebrations with us.

Hashtags: #ClevelandChristmasConnection #IXCCC

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.

Click Here for the Social Media Marketing Kit

PUBLICITY + PROMOTION
Publicity starts with interesting and newsworthy releases and captioned photos. Alert us now of plans involving unique or exclusive products, history of invention or development of your product or a visiting VIP or celebrity. Highlight your participation in your TV, radio, newspaper, advertising, general mailings, newsletters, or fliers. Treat it with the excitement it deserves!

Ticket Information

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS

Complimentary tickets that can be used for additional staff, customers, friends and family, or promotional incentives are also included. 4 complimentary tickets will be sent out digitally to all vendors.

If you need additional tickets, or have any questions, please contact Kelsey Christopher at KelseyC@mpeshows.com or 440.591.6963.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SHOW.   Use your tickets to invite potential customers to the show, as a thank you to good customers and for friends and family.

WILL CALL

Will Call will be located in the in the lobby of the show entrance.

Please leave your tickets in INDIVIDUALLY marked envelopes with FIRST AND LAST NAME & COMPANY NAME for your guests.

VENDOR BADGES ARE FOR VENDORS ONLY, THEY ARE NOT TICKETS TO THE SHOW.  THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AT WILL CALL TO BE PICKED UP BY ATTENDEES OR PEOPLE WORKING IN YOUR BOOTH. ALL VENDORS MUST ENTER AND EXIT THROUGH DOOR 35.

Invite your customers to shop the show!

Upload the photos above to your social media, email blasts, and website to promote your company's participation at the Christmas Connection Show!

Click on the photos to enlarge picture. Right-click on the image and select save-as to save onto your computer.

Click, download and print postcards to give or mail to your customers.

VENDOR BADGES

Vendor badges are NOT mailed out prior to the show. Badges can be picked up at the Show Office (Door 35) during move-in and during show hours. Complimentary plastic badge holders are provided. Vendor badges are required to identify you as an authorized Vendor. Vendors will not be allowed access to the show floor during show days without a badge.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Hampton Inn-North Olmsted-Cleveland Airport
24601 Country Club Blvd., North Olmsted 44070
Vendor Room Rate: $115 + tax
Reservations: (440) 617-6306
Shuttle service is offered from 5am until 11pm daily. Shuttle service will be provided to/from the IX Center, however this must be scheduled in advance. Airport shuttle service will take priority.
*Book by November 4, 2024
Book Your Group Rate for the Christmas Connection Show

Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport
7230 Engle Road | Middleburg Heights 44130
Vendor Room Rate: $109 + tax
Reservations: (440) 243-4040
*Book by November 1, 2024

INSURANCE

Show Management has taken reasonable precautions to safeguard exhibits.  However, nether management nor the I-X Center will assume responsibility for losses to the exhibitor from theft, fire, damage or any other cause.  Vendor is to maintain liability insurance with respect to both property damage and personal injury.  As agreed in the contract, vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless Show Management and the I-X Center against, all complaints, suits or liabilities arising out of acts of the vendor or his/her representatives, or out of activities within the vendor’s booth area.  Verify with your insurance company if you’re uncertain about your coverage. Please refer to items #4 and 5 on your vendor contract/application or contact Show Management if you have questions

Vendors are responsible for damage they cause to the I-X Center including walls and floors and for labor charges to remove stains or adhesives from the walls or floors.  Vendors will be billed for such damage with the dollar amount of the damage determined by the I-X Center.

VENDORS MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE INSURANCE FOR THEIR OWN PERSONNEL, EXHIBITS AND MATERIALS AGAINST ALL SUCH HAZARDS.

*If insurance is needed, please contact Kelsey Christopher at 440.591.6963 or KelseyC@mpeshows.com

QUESTIONS?

Click HERE to contact information for the Show Team

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.

MPE Exhibit/Product Acceptability Standards For 2024 (USA)

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.

MPE maintains these policies to ensure a welcoming environment for all attendees and exhibitors.