Exhibitor FAQ

The expo is located at the San Diego Convention Center, Halls A–E.

Thursday, June 11
10am–6:30pm

Friday, June 12
10am–4:30pm

Exhibitor move in
Monday, June 8, 2026 | 8am–5pm
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 8am–5pm
Wednesday, June 10, 2026| 8am–5pm

Exhibitor move out
Friday, June 12, 2026 | 4:30pm–11:59pm
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 6am–8pm

*Exhibit hours are subject to change. Exhibitors will have access to the exhibit hall two hours prior to the show opening on Thursday, June 11, and Friday, June 12.

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 8.

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 will be available in early 2026.

When does move out take place?
At the close of the expo at 4:30pm on Friday, June 12, 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 14.

Can our company employees install / dismantle our booth?
The unpacking, assembling, dismantling, and packing of displays and equipment may be done by full-time employees of an exhibiting company. Exhibitors are allowed to set up and/or dismantle their own booths, provided that they use their own bona fide, full-time employees. It is acceptable for exhibitors to safely use power tools to set up and/or dismantle their own booths.

Children under 18 years of age are not allowed on the show floor during move-in and move-out. Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times in the exhibit halls and docks. No access will be granted to the exhibit halls or docks if the shoe policy is not followed. No open-toed footwear, sandals, or flip flops allowed. For more information, see the San Diego Exhibitor Regulations.

Can I hand-carry products / use my own vehicle to transport items?
The San Diego Convention Center allows exhibitors with hand-carry items to enter through the main doors and use the parking garage. Visitors should be aware that rolling luggage is generally not permitted in the exhibit hall. It’s a good idea to check with your hotel about bag storage before or after an event.

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 2026.

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 2026.

Where can I 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, which is available for an additional cost and can be purchased during the registration process.

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 AIA26?
Housing will open in January 2026; more information will be shared in the coming months.

What are the expo days and times?
The expo will be open for two days: Thursday, June 11, from 10am to 6:30pm, and Friday, June 12, from 10am to 4:30pm. The expo hall will not be open on Saturday, June 14.

What is included in my booth?
The standard package starts at $47/sq. ft. and includes:

Every booth includes:

• Required digital listing (upgrades available)
• 4 expo badges per 100 sq. ft.
• Free Expo Passes to share with your customers
• AIA26 exhibitor promotional logos for use on marketing materials
• Expo trainings and content for a successful show

Non-island booths include:

• 8′ high back drape and 3′ side drape
• 7″x44″ 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 that credit card information be submitted through our secure online exhibit portal.

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

Check
Checks must be in U.S. dollars and made payable to “Architecture Expo.”

Company check (First class, overnight, UPS, or FedEx)
Payable to: Architecture Expo
The American Institute of Architects
PO Box 830506
Philadelphia, PA 19182-0506
Memo: Invoice Contract # & Booth #

What are the required booth specifications?
The booth specifications document provides information that will help you with your display preparations for San Diego. 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?
More information will be shared in the coming months on how to upload your company profile.

I am getting solicitations to buy attendee lists. Are these valid?
No, AIA26 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 AIA26 attendee list, please do not purchase the list. It is not the official AIA26 attendee list and you will either be scammed or given bad data files.

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
• San Diego Convention Center: Catering

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 AIA26 and offer an affordable short-term plan to companies that do not have existing insurance coverage.

More information will be available in your exhibitor service kit.

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. It is recommended that if you plan to show videos or perform more intensive computer tasks, such as answering emails, please order internet for your booth; the form to purchase will be available in the Exhibitor Service Manual (ESM).

• Jackie Gronske, CEM at (202) 626 7448 (Accts A–M)
• Kristina Daniele, CEM at (202) 626 7331 (Accts N–Z)