Thank you for being an exhibitor at the 2025 Monument Industry Show! Below are frequently asked questions. These FAQs may not answer every question. Please look at the conference rules and regulations for more information or email info@monumentbuilders.org.
General Exhibitor Questions
What are the official show dates and schedule?
Thursday March 13th – Saturday March 16th. Click here for detailed schedule.
What is the timeline for set up / tear down?
Shipping and Setup Timeline for Granite and Booth Displays
- Tuesday, March 11: Granite will be received at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Steele Tradeshows starts booth set up.
- Wednesday, March 12: Monument display setup begins at 9:00 a.m. No exhibitor access.
- Thursday, March 13: Final setup & exhibitor access begins at 9:00 a.m. and booth setup must be completed by 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15: Hand carried materials (such as televisions, banners, etc.) may be moved out of the exhibit hall after hall closes at 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16: Teardown starts at 9:00 a.m. Non-monument materials may be packed and removed from the center. Volunteers will re-crate monuments.
- Monday, March 17: Final teardown begins at 9:00 a.m. Monuments may be picked up. All exhibits and monuments must be removed from premises by 5:00 p.m.
When is the exhibit hall open?
Thursday March 13, 2025 – 6:00 PM
– 8:00 PM
Friday, March 14, 2025 – 9:00 AM –
12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2025 – 10:00
AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM
Exhibitors may access the exhibit hall one hour before
opening (except Thursday) and must leave within 30 minutes of closing (except Saturday).
Total exhibit time is 14 hours over two and a half days.
What are the costs if I want to cancel my booth?
By January 6, 2025: Exhibitors are responsible
for 50% of the cost of the reduced or canceled space.
After January 6, 2025: No refunds will be issued for
reduced or canceled space.
Can I have a raffle or giveaway in my booth?
Please do! Keep in mind that activities must follow local laws.
Who is exhibiting at the event?
You can find a list of exhibitors here.
I want to let retailers know about my business, but I don’t want a full exhibit booth. Can I come to the trade show and just talk to retailers on the floor?
No. This practice is known as “suitcasing” and directly harms the business of exhibitors who have paid for space in the exhibit hall. Those found engaging in suitcasing will be asked to leave the show and may be banned from participating in future events.
Who should I contact with questions about the event?
All questions should be sent to info@monumentbuilders.org.
Where can I book my hotel room?
Click here to find travel and hotel information. Our conference hotel is the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Is there an event services contractor / drayage company?
Yes. Steele Tradeshows is the official show services provider.
Where are the conference rules and regulations?
Rules and regulations are available here. Booths with monuments on display must also submit drawings of their booth setups by December 6, 2024. As a note, exhibitors must comply with all tradeshow rules and regulations. Any violation may result in immediate removal without refund of exhibit fees.
Shipping and Crating
Where do I ship my monuments?
Monuments must be sent directly to the Huntington Convention Center and arrive on March 11th.
Label as follows:
Booth Name & Number
MBNA 2025
c/o Steele TS/Huntington CC
1139 W 3rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
Shipments to show site will be received starting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Freight shipped before this date will be refused by Cleveland Convention Center.
Non-monument materials may arrive at the advance warehouse from Wednesday February 12 to Friday March 7, 2025. See the Steele Tradeshows portal for pricing and additional information.
Where do I ship non-monument materials?
We recommend sending materials to the advance warehouse. Please label as follows:
Booth Name & Number
MBNA 2025
c/o Steele TS/ABF Freight
5630 Chevrolet Blvd
Parma, OH 44130
Materials may arrive Wednesday February 12 to Friday March 7, 2025. Please see your Steele Tradeshows portal for pricing information.
What if my monument crate falls apart?
Crating of all materials is extremely important. You will be required to furnish a credit card to cover any labor and material costs (at $400 per crate/piece/ unit) should your materials or products require re- crating during show dismantle. Exhibitors may opt out of providing a credit card and monuments can be shipped back using improper crates if the exhibitor signs a potential damage waiver.
Crates must be constructed in such a manner (preferably no more than two pieces) that they can be dismantled easily and kept intact for reshipment to exhibitor or purchaser of exhibit materials or products. All monument exhibitors will receive detailed crating instructions in the (digital) Exhibitor Services Kit.
If any crate must be built or rebuilt after the tradeshow to allow for shipment to its final destination, this work will be performed under the direction of Steele Tradeshows (the decorator firm), and the exhibitor will be charged time, labor, and materials to build or rebuild the crate. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICLY ENFORCED.
How should my monuments be crated?
1) CRATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIES, MONOLITHS, WINGS, ETC.
1. All dies are to be crated in a solid wood, “Slip- Over” crate. 2. The bottoms of crates are to be made of 2” boards.
3. All crates are to have cleats on the bottom. A lull of 2” high for a forklift.
4. All crates are to be bound with steel straps. No nails or screws are to be used to attach tops and bottoms of crates.
5. Pressed board padding is suggested as a lining for all crates. Do not use excelsior or similar stuffing.
6. Each piece of the crate is to be marked with a sturdy label (see enclosed template).
2) IDENTIFICATION OF DISPLAY PIECES
1. All pieces of display must be identified on the monument using ink or paint as follows: (a) Company Name (b) Booth # (c) Display Piece # (d) Weight in Ibs.
2. Be sure display piece # corresponds to identification on booth layout sent to MBNA.
3) CRATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BASES, PEDESTALS, VASES, ETC.
1. All bases are to be crated in a solid wood, SLIP- OVER CRATE. The monument should be standing upright, not on its side, in the crate.
2. The bottoms of crates are to be made of 2” boards.
3. All crates are to have cleats on the bottom a full 2” high, for forklift straps. In addition, 3/4” cleats on top (as shown in the figure below – crating dies) should be provided to clear forklift straps.
4. All crates are to be bound with steel straps. No nails or screws are to be used to attach tops and bottoms of crates.
5. Pressed board padding is suggested as a lining for all crates.
6. Each piece of the crate is to be marked with sturdy labels (see the enclosed template) as follows: i) ii) Company Name Booth # iii) Display Piece # iv) Weight in Ibs.
7. Any Dowel Pins required for monuments must be securely attached to the proper crate, preferably attached to the base crate of the unit.
What happens to my materials after the show?
Exhibitors are responsible for arranging and paying for outbound shipment from the convention center.
Outbound Pick-Up Address
Huntington Convention Center – Loading Dock
1139 W 3rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Driver Contact – Rico 760-883-0514
Non-Monument Materials:
Freight Driver Check In- Sunday 3/16 9am-2pm
Freight Clear of Floor- Sunday 3/16 2pm
Freight Redirect to Show Carrier- Sunday 3/16 2pm
Monuments:
Monuments may be picked up starting 9:00 AM Monday 3/17.
Logistical Questions
What furniture / equipment comes with a booth?
Each 10’ x 10’ booth includes 1) identification sign 2) One 6’ table and two chairs 3) Carpet. Exhibit hall security and daily cleaning is also included.
When is exhibitor load-in?
Exhibitor load-in is Thursday, March 13, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
When is exhibitor load-out?
Hand-carried booth materials may be taken out of the exhibit hall 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM March 15th. Other materials (not monuments) can be removed Sunday March 16th, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Monuments may be picked up starting 9:00 AM Monday, March 17th. All materials must be removed by 5:00 PM Monday March 17th.
What’s the maximum size of a monument in my booth? Are there regulations on what my booth / table can look like?
The maximum size of a monument is dictated by the line of sight guidelines, which apply to all booths.
At a glance:
- Linear Booths
- Max height: 8 ft for back half; 4 ft for front half.
- Exceptions for multi-booth setups may apply.
- Perimeter Booths
- Max height: 12 ft for back half; 4 ft for front half.
- Peninsula/Island Booths
- Max height: 16 ft.
- When against two linear booths, displays are limited to 4 feet within 5 feet of each aisle. Maximum height within the booth is 16 feet, including back wall signage. Double-sided signs and graphics should be set back 10 feet from adjacent booths.
Are there any exceptions to the line of sight rules?
Exceptions to line of sight guidelines may be made by the sole discretion of MBNA and are not guaranteed. Contact info@monumentbuilders.org to discuss any desired exceptions.
Do I need any kind of insurance?
Yes. Exhibitors must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) 21 days before the event and list MBNA as additionally insured.
Does electricity come with my booth?
No. Power is purchased directly from Huntington Convention Center. See your Steele Tradeshows exhibitor portal for more information.
Where do I purchase power for my booth?
Power is purchased directly from Huntington Convention Center. Please see your Steele Tradeshows exhibitor portal for access.
Attendee Engagement
Will there be a list of attendees available?
Yes, attendee lists will be distributed to sponsors and exhibitors via email starting two weeks before the show.
How do I fill out my exhibitor profile?
Click here to look at Whova’s exhibitor help documents.
How do I track contacts I make with attendees?
Click here to look at Whova’s exhibitor help documents.
