Rules & Regulations

Fire Marshal Regulations 

Exhibitors must review the Fire Marshal Regulations for information about construction, display materials and cooking in your booth.

• If cooking in your booth with gas or combustible materials, you must submit this Cooking/Equipment Form for fire marshal approval.
• Gas appliances must be isolated from the public by no less than 4 feet or a barrier. A portable fire extinguisher must be present in the booth.
• All exhibit booths shall be constructed with non-combustible or limited-combustible materials. Wood booths must be 1/4 inch thick or greater.

Multi-Level/Covered Booth Regulations

All exhibitors with multi-level or covered booths must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshal 60 days before moving in.

Multi-Level booths must provide booth plans that include a licensed structural engineer's stamp of certification.

• The upper deck of a multi-level exhibit shall have at least two means of egress. Spiral stairways are permitted if specifically approved by the Fire Marshal. However, spiral stairways are not recommended.
• Covered ceiling structures or enclosed rooms, including tents or canopies, shall have one smoke detector on the ceiling for every 900 square feet.
• Areas within the booth that are totally enclosed (i.e., walls and roof/ceiling) must be served by a battery-powered emergency lighting source when such areas lead to exit access from the space (i.e., stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps and passageways leading to an exit from the booth space).
• Enclosed areas of the booth with 300 square feet or more shall have at least two (2) remote means of egress.
• Additional information and conditions may be required for booths with 2 or more staircases.

Please contact Heather Kulla from the GWCC (Georgia World Congress Center) for information and guidance with fire marshal rules.

Please note: IFPA will cover the cost of fire watch for all exhibitors; however, you must still submit any forms and information for approval.

Liability Insurance 

• Exhibitors and Exhibitor Appointed Contractors must hold insurance to gain access to the show.  If you do not already have insurance, it can be ordered through Rainprotection Insurance.
• Insurance coverage must be no less than US$1 million comprehensive commercial general liability insurance per occurrence and US$2 million aggregate including a broad form endorsement and will waive subrogation against IFPA, the Georgia World Congress Center, and their representatives.
• IFPA, GES (Global Experience Specialists), and the Georgia World Congress Center must be named as additional insured. 
• Insurance must be in force during the lease dates of the event: October 12-21, 2024. We recommend your insurance covers your exhibit materials during transit to and from the show site.
• Upload your certificate of insurance by September 23 and keep a copy with you onsite.

Labor Jurisdictions

Georgia is a "right-to-work" state. Exhibitors may use their own full-time employees to set up their booth, GES, or a designated Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC). Exhibitors handling this work themselves must be prepared to provide proof of full-time employment. Exhibitors using an EAC must fill out and submit the EAC form.

Full-time employees of exhibiting companies are permitted to do the following without hiring union labor:

• Set up exhibit space with the use of tools
• Plug in equipment (once the electricians have delivered power to the booth)
• Drop off materials in privately owned vehicles; the load of materials must weigh less than 250 lbs. total
• Use hand carts or two-wheel dollies to bring items into the convention center during setup days/times (wagons are prohibited during expo hours)

Review the show site rules provided by GES for additional information.

Anti-Harassment Policy

IFPA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for every person regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of convention attendees, exhibitors or vendors in any form. Participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the convention, without a refund, at the discretion of the convention organizers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion. It also prohibits sexually explicit images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassment via photography or recording, sustained disruption of panels or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the convention organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the convention with no refund. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of IFPA staff immediately.

IFPA staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experience harassment to feel safe for the duration of the convention. We value your attendance, and your safety is our primary concern.

Setup/Tear-Down Rules

All exhibitors must be set up by Thursday, Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m. unless your booth is in a LIFO (Last In, First Out) area. Make sure to review the Target Floor Plan and the Clean Floor Policy outlined in the Exhibitor Schedule.

The show ends on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Exhibitors may NOT begin to tear down before that time. This distracts buyers and exhibitors who are still conducting business on the show floor. Penalties will apply to anyone caught tearing down early.

EACs are not allowed on the show floor until 6:00 p.m.