Booth Guidelines

  • Exhibit Hall Dates & Hours

    Installation
    Wednesday, October 2 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CDT
    (Targeted Move-in, Island booths only, 400 square feet and above)
    Thursday, October 3 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CDT
    Friday, October 4 8 a.m.–6 p.m. CDT
    Saturday, October 5 8–10 a.m. CDT
    (Product set-up only may continue until 6 p.m. CDT)

    Dismantling
    Wednesday, October 9 5–10 p.m. CDT
    Thursday, October 10 8 a.m.–2 p.m. CDT

    Exhibit Hall Dates and Hours
    Sunday, October 6 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
    Monday, October 7 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
    Tuesday, October 8 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT
    Wednesday, October 9 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT

  • Booth Types

    Island Booths
    Island Booth Example ▸ An Island Booth is exposed to aisles on all four sides.
    ▸ In island booth units, the full cubic content of the space may be used; however, all display material is restricted to 16 ft. in height.
    ▸ Sufficient see-through areas must be provided so as not to block the view of the adjacent exhibits.
    ▸ Only companies with island booths are permitted to hang a sign over their booth. Sign height limit is 20 ft. All Island and Peninsula booths must submit drawings no later than August 9.
    Peninsula Booths
    Peninsula Booth Front Example Peninsula Booth Back Example
    ▸ A Peninsula Booth is exposed to aisles on three sides and composed of a minimum of four booths (400 sq. ft.).
    ▸ With peninsula booth units, the peninsula should not cause a visual disadvantage to the adjacent exhibits that is greater than would be caused by an in-line booth in the immediately adjacent space.
    ▸ Double-sided signs, logos and graphics shall be set back 10 ft. from adjacent booths. Example
    ▸ Inline booth restrictions apply to the 10 ft. portion of the exhibit that borders on another exhibitor’s booth; island specifications and restrictions apply to the remaining portion of the peninsula booth.
    ▸ Models or schematic drawings of cubic content exhibits should be submitted in advance to Exhibit Management for approval no later than August 9.
    ▸ Companies with peninsula booths are not permitted to hang a sign over their booth.
    Linear Booths
    Linear Booth Example
    ▸ Linear (Inline) Booths have only one side exposed to an aisle and are generally arranged in a series along a straight line.
    ▸ All display material is restricted to a maximum height of 48 in. except for the back wall of the display, which is limited to 8 ft. in height.
    ▸ The booth height may be maintained up to 50 % of the distance from the back wall toward the front of the space.
    ▸ No obstructions in the front half of the booth above the height of 48 in. will be permitted.
    ▸ No exhibit may span an aisle by roofing or floor covering.
    Corner Booths
    Corner Booth Example
    ▸ A Corner Booth is a Linear Booth exposed to aisles on two sides.
    ▸ All display material is restricted to a maximum height of 48 in. except for the back wall of the display, which is limited to 8 ft. in height.
    ▸ The booth height may be maintained up to 50 % of the distance from the back wall toward the front of the space.
    ▸ No obstructions in the front half of the booth above the height of 48 in. will be permitted.
    ▸ No exhibit may span an aisle by roofing or floor covering.
    End-Cap Booths
    End-Cap Booth example
    ▸ End-cap booths are not permitted.
    ▸ An end-cap booth is defined as a booth exposed to aisles on three sides and consisting of two booths.
    ▸ End-cap Booths are 10 ft. deep by 20 ft. wide.
    ▸ The maximum back wall height of 8 ft. is allowed only in the back half of the booth space and within 5 ft. of the two sides, with a 4 ft. height restriction imposed on all materials remaining in the remaining space forward to the aisle.

  • Booth Height Restrictions

    The maximum height allowed for each exhibit structure varies by booth type and location. Refer to the list below to determine the maximum height allowed for your booth type.
     
    Linear & Corner Booths All display material is restricted to a maximum height of 48 in. except for the back wall of the display, which is limited to 8 ft. in height. No obstructions in the front half of the booth above the height of 48 in. will be permitted.▸ Example
    Peninsula Booths Linear booth restrictions apply to the 10 ft. portion of the exhibit that borders on another exhibitor’s booth; island specifications and restrictions apply to the remaining portion of the peninsula booth.▸ Example
    Island Booths In island booth units, the full cubic content of the space may be used; however, all display material is restricted to 16 ft. in height.▸ Example

    For more information on booth configurations, see the Booth Types section above.

  • Line-of-Sight Guidelines

    SfN reserves the right to determine what constitutes a “reasonable” sight line. All booths, regardless of size or type, should be designed in such a way that eliminate line-of-sight obstructions from one exhibit to the next. Exhibitors are asked to take their neighboring exhibitors’ sight lines into consideration.

  • Masking

    Masking Violation Example Booth with Masking Example
    Exposed unfinished sides of exhibit backgrounds must be draped to present an attractive appearance. If such draping is not ordered, the decorator, with the approval of Exhibit Management, will install draping and charge the exhibitor. ▸ Example

  • Floor Covering

    Carpet and/or alternative floor covering is required in all booths, excluding static booths. Carpet can be rented through the Online Exhibitor Service Center (available June 24) or provided on your own. If you are providing your own, the carpet or floor covering must fit the full dimensions of the booth space. Carpet will be installed by Show Management at the exhibitor’s expense if the booth is without carpeting and/or alternate floor covering.

  • Shipping Information

    The Expo Group will receive shipments at the McCormick Place dock; delivery to the exhibitor’s booth; removal, storage, and return of empty crates and containers; and removal of packed shipments from the booth and transferring to the outgoing carriers at the McCormick Place dock. Exhibitors are urged to ensure that all materials are delivered to booths on setup days because deliveries cannot be made during exhibit hours.

    All exhibitors are urged to verify the delivery of their freight before arrival in Chicago, IL. Many shipments cannot be traced or delivered on the weekend.

    USPS, UPS, and Federal Express packages going to the McCormick Place must be sent directly to The Expo Group, they will then be delivered to the exhibitor’s booth.

  • Children & Guest Policy

    In the interest of safety, only those individuals directly responsible for the installation and the dismantling of the booth will be permitted in the exhibit hall during move-in and move-out times. Under no circumstances will children or guests be allowed within the exhibit area until the official opening of the exhibits at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Sunday, October 6.

  • Security Tips

    1. Have a booth representative available when your freight is taken off the truck to verify the condition of freight and receipt of complete shipment.

    2. When your freight arrives at your booth, do not unwrap expensive items and giveaways and leave for lunch/dinner. Secure these items!

    3. Do not set up your booth, with your giveaways and laptop computers before the first day of the show. If you are concerned about corporate espionage, do not leave a one-of-a-kind prototype in your booth overnight.

    4. If you must leave during show hours and are the only person manning your booth, ask a neighboring exhibitor to watch your booth until you return.

    5. The second highest number of thefts occur during move-out. When the show closes, secure your items! Label your boxes correctly.

    6. If you have several boxes, shrink wrap them.

    7. Stay with your freight until it is loaded.

  • Violations

    Below is a list of common violations that cause exhibitors to lose points if a violation occurs and is not corrected.
     
    ▸ Tearing down prior to Wednesday, October 9 at 5:00 p.m. CDT (closing of Neuroscience 2024)
    ▸ Exceeding the height limit (see Booth Information section)
    ▸ Entering a competitor's booth space
    ▸ Obstructing the view of a neighbor's booth

    The Society reserves the right to levy a more severe penalty, without successive progression through the preceding regulations.