Island exhibit booths may extend to a height of 18’ (including signage) with full use of the floor space permitted. However, demonstration areas may not extend to the aisle line of the exhibit; space needs to be left in the exhibit to accommodate spectators.
The San Diego Fire Department and the San Diego Convention Center require that all fully enclosed exhibit space be quipped with a smoke detector (in the enclosed space) that can be heard outside the area. Sixty days prior to the event, booths with enclosed areas must provide a floor plan designating smoke detectors clearly marked fire extinguishers and exists to the San Diego Convention Center. In addition, booths with enclosed areas must have venting to the outside of the booth so in the event there is smoke; it can reach the Center’s smoke detection systems. Booths with an enclosed area of more than 300 sq. ft. must have an approved fire protection system, either sprinkler or automatic dry chemical. If a booth does not have a protective system, a fire watch must be provided at the exhibitor’s expense.
Booth Construction
Standard In-line Booths
- Standard in-line booths may not exceed 8’ back wall height including sign.
- No solid exhibit construction may exceed 48” in height, except in the rear one-half of the booth. For example, in a standard 10’ x 10’ booth, any construction or product above 48” must begin 5’ back from the aisle line.
Island Exhibit Booths
Conversion to Island Booths
Some groups of booths that abut each other, but are not shown on the floor plan as island booths, may be converted to islands. These floor plan changes must be approved by the fire marshal and the appropriate island surcharge fee must be paid to the Academy. Some aisles may be blocked to create islands not shown on the floor plan, except for those providing free access to emergency exits or those designated as fire lanes. All other rules for island booths apply.
Peninsula Booths
Exhibitors may not request two corner booths abutting each other.
Spanning Aisles
Exhibits are not permitted to span an aisle by ceiling or floor covering.
Multilevel Exhibits
Multilevel exhibits require prior approval from the Exhibits Manager, San Diego Convention Center, and/or relevant local government agencies. Exhibit application MUST reflect that the space requested is for a multilevel exhibit. Multilevel exhibits may not exceed the 18’ height limit.
General
- Exposed unfinished sides or exhibit backgrounds must be draped. Exhibits will be inspected during set-up and the decorator, with Exhibit Manager approval, will provide draping when deemed necessary. Charges for draping are the exhibitor’s responsibility.
- Exhibit components and signs may not be pasted, taped, nailed, tacked, or otherwise affixed to walls, doors or any part of the convention center. Damage caused by failure to observe this rule is the exhibitor’s responsibility.
- It is a federal regulation that an exhibit’s background display the generic name of any drug product featured.
Floor Load
The floor load capacity is 350 pounds per square foot.
ADA Requirements
Each exhibitor shall be responsible for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act within their assigned booth space.
Booth Storage & Fire Laws
- San Diego fire laws prohibit storing of any materials behind the back curtain of your booth. San Diego Convention Center inspects all exhibits for compliance.
- San Diego fire laws also require that all literature displayed for distribution be limited to a one-day supply. Consult FREEMAN for assistance with items you need to place in accessible storage.
Booth Decoration
- Pipe and drape will be provided by FREEMAN.
- Most booths at the San Diego Convention Center are 10’ x 10’, or in increments of 10’.
- Standard booth construction includes 8’ high backgrounds in white and gray and 36” high gray side drape.
- Aisle carpet color is gray.
- A standard 7” x 44” booth sign displaying the exhibitor’s name and booth number is furnished free of charge.
- A complete list of equipment and prices is included in the Exhibitor Service Manual (available online in May).
- The purchase of exhibit space from the Academy does not include tables, chairs, carpet (mandatory) or other booth equipment.
Booth Carpet & Booth Cleaning
- Booth carpeting is mandatory and the responsibility of the exhibiting firm. It must cover the entire floor space.
- Exhibitors are required to keep their booths clean and free of combustible rubbish.
- The Academy has the right to order daily cleaning, if necessary. Cleaning costs will be charged to the exhibiting firm.
- All booth and aisle cleaning services are provided exclusively by FREEMAN. Order forms will be in your Exhibitor Service Manual (available online in May).
Signs/ Safety Cabling to Ceiling
- FREEMAN handles advance orders for ground supported signs.
- Your exhibit and/or sign may only show the company name as submitted on your exhibit application.
- Sign service is available on-site through the FREEMAN Service Desk.
- Hanging signs and hanging materials, including truss lighting, are not allowed.
- Please contact kwilson@aafp.org regarding safety cabling regulations.
Electrical Service
- All electrical equipment used for lighting, sound, exhibit equipment, or other special effects must meet National Electrical Code and local electrical codes.
- Electrical fixtures and fittings must be UL listed and marked as such.
- The use of latex cord wire and duplex or triple plugs in displays is not permitted.
- Exhibitors can make plug-in interconnections to equipment providing the booth is pre-wired to meet electrical codes.
- Only the official electrical contractor’s personnel may plug directly into floor boxes, wall or column receptacles, etc.
- Electrical services order forms will be in your Exhibit Service Manual.
Par Lighting/Gobo Lighting
- Requests for Par/Gobo Lighting must be submitted to the Exhibit Manager by July 15. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis upon inspection on-site at the Convention facility.
- Requests for Par Lighting will be denied if the lighting imposes on the aisles or neighboring exhibitors
- All lighting must be ready for inspection by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17.
- The exhibitor is responsible for any cost related to installing par lighting which may later be denied approval due to infringing on AAFP or neighboring exhibitor’s space.
