MSA FORWARD 2020 Exhibiting Vendor Resources

Introduction to Resources

Thank you for your support and being a part of MSA FORWARD 2020! Below you will find information that will be helpful leading up to the conference. If you have questions beyond what you find in the exhibitor resources, please contact our expo team at expo@museumstoreassocitaion.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Cleveland!

Expo Hall Schedule*

Move-In:

Friday, April 24, 2020
Vendor Move-In (Optional)                 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 25, 2020
Vendor Move-In                                     8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Hall Open:

Saturday, April 25, 2020
Expo Hall Open                                       1:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Sunday, April 26, 2020
Expo Hall Open                                       9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Move-Out:

Sunday, April 26, 2020
Vendor Move-Out                                    4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Monday, April 27, 2020
Vendor Move-Out (Optional)                8:00 am – 12:00 pm

All exhibits must be open and staffed during the show hours.  Exhibiting Vendors’ representatives will be allowed into the exhibit hall one hour before opening on all show days.  Vendors will be required to exit the exhibit hall as soon as the show closes each day.

*Expo Hall schedule is subject to change.

Important Dates & Deadlines

Key Items Deadline Date
Registration Opens October 2019
Invoice Payment Due October 18, 2019
Notice of intent to use EAC March 26, 2020
Hotel Reservations – deadline to secure at the MSA discounted rate (while supplies last) March 30, 2020
First Day material to be accepted at the Advance Warehouse April 2, 2020
Electrical Service Order April 2, 2020
Pre-Show Attendee List Emailed to Vendors & Sponsors April 2, 2020
Audio Visual and Computer Rental Discount Deadline April 3, 2020
Standard Shepard Rentals Discount April 3, 2020
Last day for material to be accepted at the Advance Warehouse (Shepard) without additional charges April 17
Last day for material to be accepted at the Advance Warehouse (Shepard) April 22, 2020
Direct to Show Site Shipping first accepted (addressed to Shepard) April 24, 2020
Vendor Move-In April 24 & 25, 2020
Vendor Move-Out April 26 & 27, 2020
Post Show Attendee List Emailed to Vendors & Sponsors 2 Weeks Post-Conference

Marketing MSA FORWARD 2020

We’ve put together a marketing kit for our exhibiting vendors to market your companies attendance at MSA FORWARD 2020. Download the Marketing kit below!

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Tradeshow Management Team at expo@museumstoreassociation.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to reach the MSA team?

Elizabeth Eppinger, Tradeshow Manager
Expo and sponsorship questions, including service kit, sponsorship items, and invoices
+1 202-367-1138
expo@museumstoreassociation.org

Sam Edidin, Partnership Engagement Manager
Tiara Jackson, Partnership Engagement Coordinator
Purchasing Expo Booths and Sponsorships
+1 312-673-5685
sales@museumstoreassociation.org

Lauren Stevens, Registration Team
Any inquires about excursions and booth staff registrations
+1 202-367-1173
events@museumstoreassociation.org

E. Lyles Morgan, Education & Membership Coordinator
Kiersten Kochanowski, Membership & Operations Associate
Any inquires for membership, non-members, and account logins
+1 202-367-1106
info@museumstoreassociation.org

How can vendors reach us during the show with questions?

Our registration and information desk will be staffed during the duration of the event. Please stop by if you have any questions.

I can’t find my membership login, who do I contact?

Please contact our membership and operations team to reset your password for your MSA login or to learn more about Vendor Membership for the coming year. You can contact our team at info@museumstoreassociation.org or +1 202-367-1106.

As a reminder, a vendor must be a member in order to be included in the MSA FORWARD conference.

When can I start to register my booth staff?

Vendor registration will open in Mid-November. Exhibiting Vendor codes will only be available to vendors that have paid for their expo booth in full.  Registration codes are sent every Wednesday leading to the conference.

For general registrations inquiries or any questions about your registration codes and process, please contact our events team at events@museumstoreassociation.org or at (202) 367-1173, Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET.

Can I change my company name?

Yes, please contact our Expo Management Team at expo@museumstoreassociation.org to change the name of your company.

A member company can have any version of the company name, or shortened company name on their badge.  If your company is not a member of MSA, you will not be allowed to register or set-up your booth at the conference.

How many complimentary badges do I get with my booth?

Vendors receive one (1) complimentary full conference badge for a 5×10 (50 sq ft). Booths larger than 50 sq ft will be eligible for (2) vendor full conference badges.

Additional badges are added to your allotment based on any sponsorships that your company purchases. Please find the sponsorship prospectus here.

If you find that you need additional badges after your allotment of complementary registration badges, you will able to purchase Exhibiting Vendor Full Conference Registrations at the discounted rate of $199. You will only receive the code to redeem the additional registration code if your company is paid in full.

Please note that vendor reps who give their badges to an attendee in order for the attendee to gain access to the Exhibit Hall prior to the open times, at the discretion of MSA, lose part or all of its company’s priority points, and may entirely lose the privilege of exhibiting in future MSA shows.

How do I pick up my badges?

Vendor badges will be available at the registration desk in the Huntington Convention Center Foyer. Only Vendors that are registered will have badges printed. If you are not registered, you will be registered onsite by our registration staff.

To see if you are already registered, please contact our events team at events@museumstoreassociation.org or (202) 367-1173.

How do I get a Visa letter to attend as an international attendee?

If you are in need of an invitation letter in order to obtain a Visa to MSA FORWARD, please contact our registration team at events@museumstoreassociation.org. Please note, that an attendee must be fully registered and paid in order to obtain an invitation letter.

How much does it cost to exhibit?

The Expo Floor is currently SOLD OUT. If you would like to be added to our waitlist, please fill out this online form: MSA FORWARD 2020 Expo Waitlist. If you have any questions, please contact our sales team at sales@museumstoreassociation.org.

Pricing is broken down below:

  • 5’x10’ Booth: $1,995
  • 5’x15’ Booth: $2,850
  • 5’x20’ Booth: $3,675
  • 10’x10’ Standard Booth: $3,675
  • 10’x10’ Premium Booth: $4,200

Do I receive an attendee list?

Vendors will be sent the attendee list once pre-conference and once post-conference. All attendee lists will include first and last name, company, title, physical mailing address and, e-mail address.

The pre-conference attendee list will be sent out three weeks prior to the conference, on April 2, 2020. The post-conference attendee list will be sent up to two weeks post-conference.

Who can I contact for Lead Retrieval questions?

We are currently not offering lead retrieval services at MSA FORWARD 2020.

What are the move-in hours?

Friday, April 24, 2020  
Vendor Move-In (Optional) 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm
   
Saturday, April 25, 2020  
Vendor Move-In 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

All exhibits must be set-up by 12 pm on Saturday, April 25th. Vendors may remain in the hall to work, but all activity must be confined to the vendor’s booth space. Please have all crates and cartons unpacked so that they may be moved to storage to keep the aisles clear. Your cooperation assists us in an orderly move-in.

When does my exhibit have to be set-up by?

All exhibit booths must be set-up by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2020.  If an exhibit is not set-up by 12 pm on Saturday, MSA reserves the right to re-assign such space to another vendor or to make such other use of the space as deemed necessary or appropriate (i.e., MSA may lounge the booth). MSA reserves the right to set-up the exhibit or remove the freight from the booth at the vendor’s expense.

What are the move-out hours?

Sunday, April 26, 2020
Vendor Move-Out 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Monday, April 27, 2020
Vendor Move-Out (Optional) 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Empty crates are returned to your booth after the show closes Sunday, April 26. No empty boxes may be stored in the exhibit area or in the service aisle due to Fire Marshal regulations. Vendors may not begin packing equipment, supplies and literature until the show closes Sunday, April 26 at 4:30 pm.  Any vendor who begins dismantling their display before the close of the show may lose part or all of its company’s priority points and may entirely lose the privilege of exhibiting at future MSA shows. Exhibits must be fully removed by noon, Monday, April 27.

What is included in my booth?

MSA includes the following with each booth:

  • 8’ high black back drape
  • 8’ high side black dividing drape
  • 6’ dressed table
  • 2 chairs
  • 1 wastebasket
  • ID Sign with company name and booth number
  • Vendor listings online and in the onsite program

Can I bring my children?

Children under 18 years of age are NOT allowed on the show floor or in meeting rooms at any time. Admission to MSA’s networking events is strictly limited to adults 21 or older. MSA does not provide childcare at the show.

Is there wireless internet in the Expo Hall?

No, MSA does not provide wireless internet in the expo hall. If you need to use wireless to run presentations or do “mission critical” items then vendors need to purchase their own dedicated line through Edlen. Information can be found in the expo service kit.

I cant find the Expo Service Kit Link. Where can I access the service kit?

The Expo Service Kit will be provided by Shepard directly. The service kit will be released in mid-January 2020.

Only vendors that have paid for their expo booth in full will be given access to the service kit and materials in the kit.

How do I order tables, chairs, carpet, electricity, plants, set-up labor etc.?

All of these items can all be ordered through the General Services Contractor, Shepard.  Order forms will be in the Expo Services Kit which will be sent to all paid vendors in mid-January 2020. If you’ve exhibited at any other show that has also used Shepard, and placed your orders online, you will be able to quickly re-order items from you previous orders.

Where do I ship my booth, supplies, etc.? When can my items arrive?

Please refer to the shipping section of the expo service kit (provided by Shepard) for shipping, material handling forms, and the targeted floor plan for instructions and rates. The Expo Services kit will be distributed to all vendors in mid-January. Only vendors that have paid for their expo booth in full will be sent the expo service kit.

There are many options to ship items to MSA FORWARD. They will be laid out in the expo service kit, including options to ship through Shepherd, ship direct to show site or to hand carry items onto the expo floor.

How do I check the status of my booth payment?

You can contact our Expo Management Team at expo@museumstoreassociation.org or +1 202-367-1138 to find out the status of your invoice or obtain a copy of your company invoice.

When can I book my housing?

Housing information will become available when registration opens in late-October. Information can be found on the MSA Conference website once available: https://www.museumstoreassociation.org/msaforward.

Are there sponsorship opportunities for vendors?

Yes, vendor members may participate in MSA FORWARD 2020 as a sponsor regardless if your company is an exhibiting vendor or not. You can find the Sponsorship Prospectus here.

Please note, all sponsorships that have * indicates that you must be an exhibiting vendor in order to sponsor that opportunity.

How can I / someone from my company speak at MSA FORWARD?

Educational proposals for MSA FORWARD 2020 have closed. The proposal submission process for 2021 will begin the in the summer of 2020.

Is there meeting space available for vendors?

Yes, there is meeting space available at MSA FORWARD 2020, but it is limited.  Space is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and is complimentary to all vendors. Requests can be made by filling out our online request form. Please us this link to request event space: MSA FORWARD Ancillary Event Space.

Is there a mobile app for the show?

Yes.  The MSA FORWARD mobile app will be available to download beginning in April 2020.  It will be available for both iOS and Android devices.

What is the official conference hashtag?

The official hashtag to be used on social media is #MSAFORWARD2020.

Will there be security onsite?

MSA will provide security overnight at MSA FORWARD in the Expo Hall. Security guards will roam the show floor and provide perimeter/roving security. Badges or wristbands will be required to gain entrance prior to the expo opening. Once the expo has opened, all vendors must have a badge to enter the hall. The service kit and other pre-show materials will include onsite contact information for non-emergency situations.

Where is lost and found onsite?

Lost and Found is located at the MSA registration/information desk at the Huntington Convention Center. At the conclusion of the show, all unclaimed items are left with the Huntington Convention Center.

What is the attire for the conference?

MSA FORWARD is a place of business, business casual and casual attire is welcome.  Attire for MSA Networking Gala and Silent Auction will be creative-formal.

Where was my booth in 2019? What was the size?

You can find the past years floorplan here: MSA FORWARD 2019.

What are the future dates for The MSA Show?

MSA FORWARD 2021 dates will be announced onsite at MSA FORWARD 2020.