Exhibitor FAQ

Browse information for exhibitors about booth installation, free Expo Passes for your customers, registration, hotels, and more.


Find answers to frequent questions

The exhibit hall is located at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Exhibit Hall A-C.

Thursday, June 6, 2024
9:45am–5:30pm

Friday, June 7, 2024
9:45am–4pm

Exhibitor move in 
Monday, June 3, 2024 | 8am–5pm
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | 8am–5pm
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 | 8am–5pm 

Exhibitor move out
Friday, June 7, 2024 | 4pm–11:59pm
Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 6am–8pm
Sunday, June 9, 2024 | 6am–10am

*Exhibit hours are subject to change. Exhibitors will have access to the exhibit hall two hours prior to show opening on the first day Thursday, June 6, and one hour prior to show opening on Friday, June 7.

When can I move in / start the installation of my booth?
If you ship your freight to the Freeman advanced warehouse, your freight will be in your booth and ready to start being installed when exhibitor move in begins at 8am on Monday, June 3.

If you ship your freight directly to the show site, it must arrive during your designated time slot noted on the target freight plan. You do not need to be present in your booth when freight arrives. Your direct freight delivery time is not your setup time. Please plan for your labor/setup to start after your targeted time slot. Exhibitor-targeted move in floor plan link available in early 2024.

Exhibitor move in takes place Monday, June 3 through Wednesday, June 5, from 8am-5pm. All booths must be set no later than 5pm on Wednesday, June 5.

When does move out take place?
At the close of the expo at 4pm on Friday, June 7, aisle carpet will be rolled / picked up, and all exhibitor empty containers will start to be returned to exhibitors. This process can take up to nine hours (please plan travel accordingly).

All exhibitors with outbound freight must complete the outbound shipping form, return the form to Freeman, and completely clear the expo floor no later than 10am on Sunday, June 9.

Can our company employees install / dismantle our booth?
Yes, but only one full-time employee can accomplish the task in an hour or less without the use of tools. If the exhibit preparation, installation, or dismantling requires more than one hour or more than one full-time employee, you must use union personnel supplied by Freeman or your EAC.

Can I hand-carry products / use my own vehicle to transport items?
An exhibitor may hand carry material that is able to be carried by one person, in one trip, without the use of dollies, hand trucks, or other mechanical equipment. Acceptable hand-carry materials include boxes, suitcases or fiberboard shipping cartons, portable displays on wheels, and small luggage racks. 9th St and Mt. Vernon Place is the designated entrance for exhibitors who wish to hand-carry materials to their booth.

Where can I order electricity, furnishings, labor, etc.?
All order forms, along with show rules and regulations, can be found in the Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM) or service kit, to be released in February 2024.

How do I order lead retrieval equipment?
Exhibitor lead retrieval is a must-have for every organization looking to track and manage attendees who stop by their booth. The instructions for ordering lead retrieval equipment are included in the Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM), which will be released in February 2024.

Where can I go to register booth personnel?
Each 10′ x 10′ comes with four booth personnel badges / Expo Passes. Please reach out to your account executive to learn more about your allotment. Exhibitor badges include access to the expo hall and keynotes, although preregistration is required for keynote access. Exhibitors can attend educational sessions by registering for an exhibitor education badge for an additional cost, purchased during the registration process. Exhibitor registration will open after attendee registration.

Can I send a free Expo Pass to my current / potential customers to attend the expo?
Yes. As an exhibitor, you can invite an unlimited number of current/potential architecture and design-industry customers to attend the expo for free. Exhibitors automatically receive an email from our referral campaign provider.

More information will be available as we get closer to the event.

How do I book housing for AIA24?
Housing is now open! Book your hotel >

What are the expo days and times?
The expo will be open for two days: Thursday, June 6, from 10am to 6:30pm, and Friday, June 7, from 9:45am to 4pm. The expo hall will not be open on Saturday, June 8.

What is included in my booth?
The standard package starts at $45/sq. ft. and includes:

  • Dedicated non-conflicting expo hours to meet with attendees
  • Digital listing (required; upgrades available)  
  • Four booth personnel / expo badges per 100 sq. ft.  
  • Unlimited free Expo Passes to share with your customers  
  • AIA24 promotional logos to use on your marketing materials
  • Exhibitor resources to help you plan for the upcoming event
  • 24-hour security  

Non-island booths include:

  • 8′ high back drape and 3′ side drape
  • 7″ x 44″ identification sign (non-island booths only)

Standard exhibit space rental does not include any furnishings or utilities and is the responsibility of the exhibitor. Optional upgrades for graphics, furnishings, a/v, electrical, and other booth needs will be included in our Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM).

What are my payment options?
Credit card
We accept VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. PCI compliance requires credit card information submitted via our secure online exhibit portal.

Bank/wire transfer
Please email Accounts Receivable for wire transfer information.

Check
Checks should be in U.S. dollars and made payable to Architecture Expo.

Company Check Sent via First Class & Overnight/UPS/FedEx
Payable to: Architecture Expo
The American Institute of Architects
PO Box 62671
Baltimore, MD 21264-2671
Memo: Invoice Contract # & Booth

What are the required booth specifications?
The booth specifications document provides the information that will help you with your display preparations for Washington, D.C. If your booth does not meet the specifications, you must submit a rendering of your display to show management for review. All booths—regardless of size—are required to follow these guidelines.

To avoid additional costs (i.e. design cost or tear down of an unapproved structure), please obtain written approval before beginning production or construction of your display. For advance approval, or for any other questions regarding booth specifications, email exhibit operations.

Download the booth specifications >

How do I update my booth profile?
Log in to the exhibitor portal, located in MapYourShow, to update your profile.

I am getting solicitations to buy attendee lists. Are these valid?
No, AIA24 does not sell attendee (or exhibitor) email addresses. Unfortunately, the trade show industry is experiencing an increase in rogue list brokers and fake companies targeting exhibitors. If you are receiving unsolicited emails or phone calls from people claiming to have an AIA24 attendee list, please do not purchase the list. It is not the official AIA24 attendee list and you will either be scammed or given bad data files.

An article by Trade Show News Network explains what to look for when dealing with a potential list poacher. Read the full article >

Who are AIA’s preferred partners?

The American Institute of Architects works with preferred providers and partners that may contact you to discuss their services. These providers include:

  • Freeman–General Service Contractor: Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM), Booth Furnishings, EAC Collection
  • Walter E. Washington Convention Center: Internet and rigging provider

If you are contacted by providers other than those listed above, please email exhibit operations.

Where do I submit my Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) and Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
AIA will resume collection of Exhibitor Appointed Contractor forms and Certificates of Insurance for AIA24 and offer an affordable short-terms plan to companies who do not have existing insurance coverage.

More information will be shared about the submission process in early 2024.

Will there be complimentary Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi information will be provided prior to the conference and instructions to access Wi-Fi will be listed in onsite communications and signage onsite. It is recommended that if you are going to be showing videos or doing more than light work on your computer such as answering email. If you need to order internet for your booth the form to purchase will be available in the Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM).

Contact us

Our team will send you essential exhibitor updates that include all upcoming deadlines, important details from our vendors, and current news you’ll want to know. Contact us anytime with booth or sponsorship fulfillment questions by emailing exhibit operations. Or, contact your AIA24 account manager—details listed below.