General Information

Admission to the Exhibit Floor

Due to insurance liabilities, no person under the age of 18 will be admitted to the exhibit floor during set-up or teardown hours.

ALA does not restrict children’s access to the exhibit floor based on age during Show hours. Parents or guardians must accompany children (under 18 years of age) and are responsible for their behavior. All persons on the exhibit floor must have proper registration credentials.

Disability Services

Wheelchairs, information booths, designated parking, TDD, telephone and other services are available for visitors with disabilities. The Washington State Convention Center is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and continues to look for ways to accommodate all visitors.

Please be sure to read the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines created by the ERT on making your booth accessible. These are suggestions that can help increase traffic to your booth by persons with disabilities. Compliance optional, but encouraged.

Food Service on the Exhibit Floor

Food and beverage service (including alcoholic beverages) in your assigned booth space may be allowed if approved in advance by Show Management. All requests must be submitted in writing 60 days prior to the show opening. Requests to serve items which detract from the exhibit’s professional appearance will not be allowed or approved. Popcorn is not allowed on the show floor. After receiving Show Management approval, it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to contact the exclusive convention center caterer to place all orders. Catering information is included in the exhibitor manual.

Insurance

The American Library Association strongly encourages you to insure your property from the time it leaves your facilities until it is returned after the Exhibition. In most cases, a rider can be added to your present policy for a nominal cost that will protect your property while it is out of your control.

The American Library Association, its agents, Hall-Erickson, Inc., the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and/or their respective agents will not be responsible in any way for the safety of any exhibit or material against theft, fire, water, accident, or any cause, nor for the loss of damage to goods consigned to its care.

No Smoking Policy

By Council action at its 1991 Atlanta Midwinter Meeting, it was resolved that “smoking is prohibited at Annual Conferences, Midwinter Meetings, regional national conferences, continuing education programs, exhibits and other gatherings sponsored by the ALA.”

Parking

There are over 3000 parking spaces is a three block radius of the facility. See parking map.

Program Distribution

Guidelines have been developed for the distribution of Conference Programs to exhibitors. ALA has developed these guidelines because each year the number of programs we must print has increased over and above increases in the number of registrants and exhibitors who attend our meeting.

Please use the following chart to determine how many programs will be distributed to your firm:

If you need additional programs, please check at the Exhibitor’s Registration Desk on the last day of the show. If there are remaining programs, you are more than welcome to them.

Security

Entry to and exit from the exhibit area will be possible only through the main Show entrance and all persons entering and leaving must wear a badge issued by ALA Show Management. During the installation and dismantling periods, no one will be permitted in the exhibit area before 8:00am.

Lost or stolen property must be reported to the Security Office as soon as possible. Please remember that any claim must be properly documented in order to receive reimbursement from your insurance company. 

The Exhibit Booth Security order form is included in the exhibitor manual.