SHOW MANAGEMENT

Marketplace Events
2000 Auburn Drive Suite 200
Beachwood, OH 44122

Erin Calabritto, Show Manager
P: 919-674-0409
E: erinc@mpeshows.com
www.marketplaceevents.com
Marketplace Events is headquartered in Ohio, but our team is based in North Carolina!

SHOW VENUE

Raleigh Convention Center
500 South Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27601
P: 919-996-8500www.raleighconvention.com

ON-SITE SHOW OFFICE

CONTACT US

Click here to be directed to contact information for our show team!

Friday	January 23, 2026	10:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday	January 24, 2026	10:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday	January 25, 2026	10:00am - 6:00pm
Exhibitors may enter the show two hours before opening on Friday (8am) and one hour before opening on Saturday and Sunday (9am).

Southern Exhibition Services (SES) provides show decorator services for exhibiting in the Downtown Raleigh Home Show. For services including, but not limited to rental items (tables, chairs, booth carpeting, etc), forklift services, drayage and shipping, please refer to their complete service manual and pricing. Click here for the SES Exhibitor Kit! Deadline for pre-order discount is Friday, January 9, 2026.

All exhibitors must review BOTH documents linked below as procedures have changed from prior years due to ongoing downtown construction and development.

Please view the 2026 Move-In Instructions for complete procedures. We suggest printing this document for your team members conducting move-in.

Please refer to the 2026 Move-In Schedule for your assigned day, time, and access point for move-in. If you have questions, please contact your sales rep.

Move-Out Instructions

Please review complete UPDATED 2026 Move-Out Instructions and contact our team with any questions. A printed copy will be left in each booth on Sunday morning as a reminder for your team.

Move-Out Dates & Times

Sunday	January 25, 2026	6:01pm - 10:00pm
Monday	January 26, 2026	8:00am – NOON

 

Feel free to contact your Exhibit Sales Representative or any member of our show team here.

Show Office: The show office is located in room #206 of the Raleigh Convention Center on the mezzanine level (take the escalators up from the show floor and look for our sign).

Decorator Service Desk: The Southern Exhibition Services (SES) service desk is located on the front wall of the exhibit hall for assistance with cart use, flooring or furniture rental, forklift service, shipping and drayage, labor, dock passes and more.

Utilities (Electrical/Water/Internet): The Raleigh Convention Center Utilities service desk is located on the front wall of the exhibit hall during move-in for assistance with electrical, water/drainage, telephone and internet orders.

The Raleigh Convention Center is happy to provide utilities, electricity, and services at prevailing rates. Current rate sheets for labor, equipment rental and services are available on request. For safety reasons, RCC personnel must perform installation of all utility and electrical services.

Please submit all service order forms with full payment enclosed to the RCC. They cannot provide the service until payment is received. To receive the lower advance rate, your forms must be received two weeks prior to your first scheduled move-in day. Please click here for the utilities including electricity forms.

Main: 919-996-8500

Fax: 919-996-8526

Internet Assistance: 919-996-8652

IMPORTANT NOTE: Wifi is available at no cost throughout the convention center; however, if you require internet service to stream or transact business, we recommend ordering dedicated internet service through the facility.

All food sampling must be approved by Centerplate, The Official Caterer of the Raleigh Convention Center, prior to the show. Food & Beverage sampling is limited to 2 oz. A written description that outlines the product and portion size to be sampled shall be submitted in advance to Centerplate. Approval of sampling arrangements will be provided to the company or organization in writing from Centerplate.

The Raleigh Convention Center holds and maintains a full-service liquor license and abides by all rules and regulations set forth by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Outside alcoholic beverage sales, sampling, and consumption are prohibited.

Please click here for the Food and Beverage Sampling Form.

Inline exhibit booths will have an 8' high draped back wall. Island booths may request one 10’ wide section of 8’ high drape, if desired. End cap booths will have a 10’ wide section of 8’ high back drape centered on the back wall. A 3’ high drape divider will separate inline booths (not open sides). The drape color is black. Additional drape can be rented through SES at the exhibitor’s expense. Flooring, tables, chairs, parking and utilities are not included with the cost of your exhibit booth.

 

Flooring

Flooring is not included in the cost of your exhibit booth. It is mandatory that all booths have clean, professional looking, safely installed flooring that covers 100% of the booth’s square footage. You may rent carpet through the show decorator or purchase your own flooring. Many exhibitors purchase the rolled commercial carpet from Home Depot or Lowe’s and have it cut to size. Foam flooring tiles are also a popular option as they add cushioning for standing and install and store easily. The only kind of tape you may use to secure your flooring to the convention center concrete floor is double-side carpet tape. Any other kind of adhesive may result in damage and a cleaning fee starting at $500. If you need carpet tape, see the show office or SES service desk.

 

Table Skirting

It is mandatory that all tables are properly skirted (this excludes finished furniture). Skirting must go from the edge of the table to the floor on all visible sides. All skirting must be wrinkle-free and neat. Use of plastic tablecloths, sheets, shower curtains or any type of makeshift tablecloths is not permitted.

 

Inventory

All inventory and personal items must be stored completely out of sight. Your booth should look professional and inviting to the attendee.

 

Staffing Your Booth

All exhibitors are expected to be in their booths during all published show hours, as we do receive consumer complaints about un-manned displays. Our visitors pay an entrance fee and expect to be able to do business with our exhibitors at any time during show hours. If you are in violation of this rule, your company may not be permitted to exhibit with us in the future. Working in the aisles or distributing brochures, etc. from any other area other than your booth is prohibited. All activity must take place inside your contracted space.

 

Booth Guidelines

Exhibitors are allowed to build their booth to the maximum height of 8 feet. This includes back wall and sidewalls. If your display includes a sign attached to the back wall, you must get approval from show management and the following rules apply:

• Total height of sign must not extend higher than 2’ from the top of the 8’ drape line (10’ high maximum)
• Sign must be single sided
• Professionally finished on all visible sides (as a courtesy to your neighboring booths)
• No PVC pipe allowed
• Tents and canopies are strictly prohibited—do not set them up; you will be required to take them down. The only exception you may see is if canopies or tents are the exhibitor’s actual product.
• Side walls must be completely finished on BOTH sides. No logos, exposed wires, frames, wood must be exposed for the public or your neighbor to see.

If you plan on having a vehicle in your booth as part of your display, please contact Show Management for approval and move-in instructions prior to bringing the vehicle onto the show floor.

• Visqueen must be put down on the floor before the vehicle is driven into place.
• All vehicles must have a locking gas cap or gas cap sealed with tape and no more than 1/4 tank of gas in the vehicle (1/8 of a tank for large vehicles).
• A set of keys must be left with Show Management for the duration of the show.
• All vehicle batteries must be disconnected and cables taped.

• Metal-wheeled carts are not permitted on the stone floors.
• Bicycles and carts are allowed only on the Exhibit Hall floor and in service corridors. 
• Exhibitors may not distribute stickers, decals, advertisements or similar items with adhesive backing in the building.
• Canned string, serpentine spray (e.g. Silly String), or similar products may not be used in the building.
• Glitter and confetti may not be used in the building.
• The use of helium-filled balloons or Mylar balloons is not allowed in the building.
• Only RCC personnel may move plants, lobby furniture and other RCC equipment in the public areas.
• No decorations or signage may be attached to the building walls, ceilings, columns, windows or other painted surfaces using nails, tacks, screws, wire, adhesive tape, etc.
• Sand, gravel, dirt, mulch and other loose materials may not be brought into the building without prior approval of RCC management.
• Brick, stone and other similar materials may not be cut on the premises unless a vacuum is used to prevent dust and debris from entering the air or remaining on the floor. These materials may not be glued or otherwise adhered to the facility floor. ***NEW for 2026*** Due to the recent fire at the RCC and ongoing repair operations adjacent to the Red Hat Amphitheater, there will not be a designated space to cut materials outside the RCC this year. Please plan to cut materials off-site prior to move-in and setup.
• Holes may not be drilled, cored or punched in the building without prior written approval from your RCC Event Manager.
• Painting or applying any covering to the walls, ceilings, floors or other areas of the Convention Center, its furnishings or fixtures is not permitted.
• Spray painting, touch-up painting or use of cleaning materials (e.g. Armor All) on equipment may be done only after the exhibitor has provided adequate protection for surrounding surfaces. Exhibitors who fail to provide the protection are billed for cleanup at prevailing rates with a one-hour minimum. No painting will be permitted in any carpeted area — no exceptions.
• Drains are intended for water and sanitary waste only. Dumping of paints, food or chemical waste into sinks, toilets or other drains is strictly prohibited.

Show Management is insured against public liability and property damage claims arising out of the conduct of the show. This insurance does not cover exhibitors’ property, which is placed on display at the exhibitor’s risk. Please refer to your exhibitor contract/application or contact Show Management if you have questions.

Security is provided through the Raleigh Convention Center. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect exhibitors’ property, but Show Management assumes no responsibility for any losses due to fire, theft, robbery, damage, accident or other causes.

Please refer to the Southern Exhibition Services Decorator Service Manual linked on the Exhibitor Kit for shipping information, associated fees, addresses, and timelines.

Click here for best practices and tips as a new exhibitor with us! We can't wait to meet you in person.

Exhibitor badges are NOT mailed out prior to the show. Badges can be picked up in the Show Office in room #206 during move-in and show hours. Badge holders are provided. Exhibitors will not be allowed access to the show floor during show days without showing a badge.

Six (6) exhibitor badges are provided for each 100 sq. ft. of space purchased, with a maximum allotment of 24 badges per company. If you have different staff members working your booth on different days, you are encouraged to drop off your badge each night in the Show Office (room #206), so that your company does not run out of badges during the show.

Exhibitor Badges must not be used as admission passes for guests and may not be left at Will Call for attendees. Please use your complimentary Exhibitor Tickets to invite guests to the show.

Each exhibitor will receive one custom complimentary ticket link by email three weeks prior to the show to send to customers, prospects, friends, and family you wish to invite. The link can be used up to 40 times, up to four tickets per transaction. Ticket links will be emailed to the primary contact email address on file. All you have to do is send your guests the link—they do the rest! Once they click the link, tickets will be sent to their email and they can print or simply show the QR code on their phone at the show entrance. Your guests will be sent a confirmation and a reminder email with helpful info on dates/times, parking, and show features.

Your guests can opt-in (not required) to receive future communications such as show reminders and ticketing discounts from Marketplace Events regarding our events in Raleigh, NC. We never sell or share their information at any time with anyone—any call or email you receive regarding the sale of “home show attendee information” or “attendee lists” for our events is a common scam.

Printed tickets are not mailed out. A limited number of printed tickets are available to pick up during move-in in the Show Office on a first come, first serve basis.

These complimentary tickets are not permitted to be distributed at the show entrance.

If you need to leave tickets for a guest at Will Call, please prepare individually marked envelopes with your guest’s first and last name on the front and the number of tickets needed (we have a limited number of envelopes at Will Call if needed). They will be filed by last name at Will Call in the Show Office for guests to pick up (tell guests to look for Show Office sign near show entrance).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Exhibitor Badges must not be used as admission passes for guests and may not be left at Will Call for attendees. Please use your complimentary Exhibitor Ticket link to invite guests to the show.

Paid parking is available in the parking garages and open air lots surrounding the convention center. Please refer to the parking map linked on our Exhibitor Kit for locations. Box trucks, trailers, and oversized vehicles may not be permitted in the parking garages can find parking in paid open air lots. Do not park in Lot G at any time (the lot at the corner of W South St and S Dawson St). It is reserved for RCC employees only; unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.

 

DISCOUNTED EXHIBITOR PARKING

We have negotiated discounted parking for show days (Friday 1/23, Saturday 1/24, and Sunday 1/25) near the Raleigh Convention Center at the One City Plaza Garage located at 454 S. Wilmington St. If you are parking a vehicle that will fit in a garage and wish to purchase discounted parking at a rate of $10 per day, please use the link below to prepay for your chosen days. Spaces are limited, first come first serve and the discount is not available on-site (prepaid only). 

Click here to be directed to their website to prepay online.

Click here for a Lead Card you can use in your booth.

Join the fun with our Social Butterfly Contest! Enter to win lunch for your team at concessions on Sunday, January 25, 2026 by being a social media superstar! Follow the guidelines below to be considered:

Post about the show early and often in photos, stories, and reels! Tag the show's social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram AND use our official event hashtags! We want to SEE and SHARE your posts with attendees. A winner will be chosen by show management and announced on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Show Official Hashtags: #RaleighHomeShow #DowntownRaleighHomeShow

Including assets mentioning your participation in the show either through your existing email marketing efforts or by adding a small banner to your website is a great, free way to invite potential customers to meet you face-to-face on our show floor.

Click here for the 2026 Digital Marketing Kit (which includes social assets and other digital marketing assets.)

Click here to go to our Facebook Event for 2026!

Enhancing your listing is a simple but powerful way to increase your visibility and connect with more attendees. While your basic listing is already live, upgrading it with visuals, promotional offers, and company details helps your company stand out at no additional cost. Included with your booth space, an enhanced listing allows you to showcase your products or services, highlight what makes your company unique, and attract more qualified leads. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive an email with a link to edit your listing. You can update it as often as you'd like through the end of the show, and your listing will remain active for as long as you're exhibiting.

As part of your Exhibitor Listing Package, a unique QR code floor decal will be installed on the aisle in front of your booth. Attendees can scan the QR code to save your company information! The QR Code Program is an innovative way to boost leads generated onsite at the show. Click here for a video on how it works! 

Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
Go from basic to ENHANCED!

 

Service Animal Policy

We are committed to accessibility and welcome Service Animals on our show sites, subject to the following guidelines. These guidelines are in place to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. If you have any questions about whether your animal will be permitted on-site, please email the Show Manager prior to move-in.

 

1. Eligibility. Service Animals are generally permitted at our shows. Under the ADA regulations, a Service Animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with disabilities. To bring a dog on-site, the dog owner must be willing to answer the following questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

 

2. Limitations. Emotional support animals are not necessarily “Service Animals.”  While an animal might provide comfort and emotional support for its owner, we are unable to permit the animal on the show site if it does not meet the criteria above.

 

3. Behavior Expectations. Individuals who use Service Animals must always retain control of their animals and should keep them on a leash or harness while on-site.  If a Service Animal is required to be off-leash due to the nature of the disability, this will need to be cleared with the Show Manager. Further, Service Animals must be housebroken and are required to behave and not bark, growl, jump on, or lunge at others. MPE may take corrective action if the Service Animal is not behaving appropriately, up to and including the removal of the service animal from the show.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and accessible show site environment.

As per our privacy policy, Marketplace Events is a permission-based email sender. We do not share, rent, or sell any email lists. There have been a number of spam emails offering our attendee lists. These are scams and the senders are unauthorized to use the Marketplace Events’ name. These scammers are attempting to receive monies from exhibiting companies without providing anything in return. These emails are not approved by Marketplace Events, and Marketplace Events would never ask for bank information or other sensitive information over email. CLICK HERE for more information.

Effective January 1, 2024. Marketplace Events (MPE) acceptability standards do not permit political candidates, parties or other groups promoting issues or ballot initiatives to participate as exhibitors. In addition, the display or sale of any products or services that are political/partisan in nature or that can be interpreted to promote, incite, or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance are prohibited. MPE’s judgment in applying these standards will be final.

MPE shows are welcoming environments built solely to encourage face-to-face commerce. Creating respectful, safe marketplaces where our attendees and exhibitors can come together to learn, shop, compare pricing and do business together is our highest priority. MPE maintains these policies to ensure hospitable experiences for all attendees and exhibitors.

DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh Crabtree Valley
4100 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 782-8600
Rate: $129.00 (+ taxes/fees) Click here to secure this special rate! Available while inventory lasts, first come, first served.