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The Buildings Show Exhibitor Manual
December 4 - December 6, 2024
Metro Toronto Convention CentreToronto

Booth Standards

The Buildings Show is the premier industry event in Eastern Canada for all things construction, architecture, design and property management. The Buildings Show attracts industry professionals from across Eastern Canada and the booth designs should represent and reflect that high business standard. The look and feel of your exhibit space will make a direct impact on attendees on the tradeshow floor. Ensure that you consider factors such as lighting, flooring, layout and customer experience to ensure your space exceeds expectations.

The Following Items are NOT Included with your Booth Space

  • Flooring: It is strongly advised to have carpet or equivalent flooring completely covering the visible floor in your exhibit space. If you require rental carpet, refer to the Freeman Show Service forms on the Order Forms page – alternatively, you may bring your own quality carpet, tile, hardwood or other flooring material for your booth. When planning flooring for your exhibit space please keep sustainability and reusable options in mind.
  • Electrical Services: If your exhibit requires electricity, be sure to order these services prior to the event to save time, money and hassles on-site. Please refer to the ShowTech Power & Lighting online exhibitor order page linked through the Order Forms page.
  • Material Handling: If you need the use of a forklift or another form of labor to unload/load your material, there are associated costs. Material handling is fixed based on your exhibit size – this saves money for the average exhibitor who needs the use of a forklift. Please refer to the Move-In & Move-Out Procedures for details and the Order Forms page for Material Handling forms.
  • Miscellaneous Accessories: Tables, chairs, plants etc. are not provided – feel free to bring your own, or refer to the Freeman Show Services Forms on the Order Forms page for rental equipment.

Any exhibits that deviate from the regulations below must be submitted in writing to Maggie Roman at maggie.roman@informa.com and approved prior to move-in. Show Management reserves the right to alter displays for any exhibits that do not conform to regulations. If you are unsure if your design meets our requirements, please send us an email ahead of the show.

Island Booths

  • Island booth spaces are not required to have a backwall. If the exhibitor chooses to have backwall within their booth space, the maximum height is twelve (12) feet in height. The back side of the wall needs to be fully finished, however it can include logos or branding.

Hardwalls, Heights & Sightlines

  • Each exhibitor is responsible for providing a back wall display that is at between eight (8) feet and ten (10) feet in height (no more, no less) to create a partition from each adjoining booth. Walls that go above eight (8) feet in height need to be fully finished on the back side in a neutral colour (i.e. white or black) with absolutely no logos or branding. Please note pop-up tents are not permitted for use as a back wall. Single 3'W pop-up banners are not permitted to create a back wall display. An alternative that may be used is a tension-fabric display (or step-and-repeat). Pop-up tents are not permitted for use as a back wall.
  • Full sidewalls must be APPROVED. For approved side walls, they can be between eight (8) feet and ten (10) feet in height, no higher, no lower. The back side of these walls need to be fully finished with a neutral colour (i.e. white or black) with absolutely no logos or branding. To secure approval, please email Maggie Roman at maggie.roman@informa.com.

400 Square Foot (or Larger) Exhibits

  • All four hundred (400) square foot (or larger) exhibits must obtain written booth design approval from Show Management prior to move-in. Designs must be submitted by October 21, 2024. Forward full details of your booth design/schematics, including dimensions, with any available drawings/photos to Maggie Roman at maggie.roman@informa.com.
  • Please note, all four hundred (400) square foot (or large exhibits) are able to go up to twelve (12) feet in height.

Special Regulations

Canopies & Ceilings

All requests for canopies and ceilings must receive written approval from Show Management and the venue by
October 21, 2024.

Dimensions

  • The bottom of the canopy should not be lower than 7ft (2.13m) from the floor within 5ft (1.52m) of any aisle.
  • Canopy supports should be no wider than three inches (0.08m).

Fire Regulations

  • 100 - 399sq.ft. - requires an ABC Fire Extinguisher
  • 400 - 799sq.ft. - requires a Smoke Alarm & an ABC Fire Extinguisher and a potential Fire Watch.
  • 800sq.ft. plus - requires a Sprinkler System and a potential Fire Watch.
  • Note: 600sq.ft. plus - requires Toronto Fire Department approval and may be required to have a Fire Watch.

In-Booth Demonstrations

Exhibitors wishing to conduct in-booth demonstrations must secure written approval from Show Management by October 21, 2024 by emailing Maggie Roman at maggie.roman@informa.com. Forward full details of the demonstration, including SDS (safety data sheets) for any hazardous material or product brought onsite. Depending on the nature of the demonstration, further approval may be required from the venue.

  • Exhibitors must conduct in-booth demonstrations in such a way to ensure all exhibitor staff and attendees are within
    the contracted exhibit space and not encroaching on the aisle or neighbouring exhibits.
  • It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to arrange displays, product presentation, audio visual presentations and
    demonstration areas to ensure compliance.
  • Any demonstrations that will include machinery or equipment that has moving parts, or is otherwise potentially
    hazardous, should install hazard/safety barriers as necessary to prevent accidental injury to attendees, or provide
    personal protective equipment, if required.
  • Demonstrations should only be conducted by qualified personnel.

Towers

A Tower is a free-standing display separate from the main exhibit backwall.

Dimensions

  • The height restriction is the same as the exhibit space configuration being used.
  • Towers built higher than 8ft (2.4m) must have booth designs/schematics submitted to Show Management for approval by October 21, 2024.

Hanging Signs & Graphics

All signage copy and graphics including company name and logos must only be visible from within the
exhibitor's booth space and cannot be displayed on the sides or back of the booth.


  • Booths smaller than 400sq.ft. are NOT permitted to hang signs above their booth.
  • Flags and balloons of any kind are NOT permitted.
  • Electric flashers or signs involving the use of Neon or similar cases are prohibited.
  • Hanging signs and graphics must be placed over the contracted booth space only and must be suspended at a
    maximum height of 16ft (4.87m) from the bottom of the sign to the show floor.
  • Exhibitors wishing to hang signage from the ceiling must order this service through ShowTech Power & Lighting.

Special Regulations

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Heavy Machinery

Positioning of Heavy Machinery

  • All machinery must be arranged to fit within the contracted booth space allowing sufficient room for staff to work within
    the booth and attendees to enter the booth.
  • All machinery must be placed 2ft (0.61m) back from the aisle.

Show Standards

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Soliciting and Samples

  • In our continued effort to promote a healthy and safe and sustainable show floor we are asking that you find alternatives to handing out samples or swag from your booth. There are some amazing examples of executing this in a manner that is safe and recommend that you explore the use of QR codes to scan at your booth for contests, promotional materials, videos etc. If you need any direction please connect with Maggie Roman at maggie.roman@informa.com
  • Distribution of samples, souvenirs and promotional items and soliciting of business must be confined to the exhibitor’s booth space only. Such activities are not permitted in the aisles, registration areas, hallways, restaurants, lobbies, other exhibits, or elsewhere on the property of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
  • Only participating exhibitors have the exclusive right to promote or sell goods or services in this show. All other solicitations without the express written permission of Show Management will be permanently removed from the show area. Please report any infractions to the show office so that immediate action can be taken.

Electrical Equipment Regulations

Ontario has specific provincial requirements for exhibiting electrical equipment at trade shows. Please check any electrical product/equipment you plan to bring onsite to ensure it is approved and complies with these requirements.

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Are you unsure if your electrical equipment is approved?

Approved electrical products carry the official mark or Field Evaluation label of an agency that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada and that has approved the product. Click here for a list of recognized marks and labels in Ontario. New electrical products or any lighting/wiring that is not factory assembled must be approved by an accredited approval agency prior to move-in. This approval certificate should be brought onsite, should you be asked to show proof.


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Terms and Conditions


Download Terms and Conditions

To reference the terms and conditions as set out in your exhibitor contract, click the red button above.