Welcome and thank you for choosing to be a participant in The National Franchise Show – Atlanta.
Please take a moment to read the exhibitor manual, which will provide you with all of the necessary information for the preparation and installation of your exhibit. Processing your orders at your earliest convenience will allow us and the service-contractors time to provide you with the best possible rates & service.
The Show Office will be set up at the Gas South Convention Center, on Friday, October 4th at noon and management will be available to assist you for the duration of the Show.
Table of Content
- General Information (Location, Dates, & Times)
- Exhibit Application Inclusions
- Checklist
- Audiovisual
- Booth Backdrops
- Booth Cleaning
- Booth Installation & Dismantle
- Electrical
- Exhibitor Badge
- Federal ID Number
- Food Sampling
- Franchise Show & Conference Schedule
- Free Admission Passes
- Furniture (Show Decorator)
- Hotel
- Insurance
- Lead Retrieval System
- Loading Docks
- Move-in Instructions
- Move-out Instructions
- Parking
- Rules & Regulations
- Shipping & Deliveries
- Show Decorator (Furniture & Display Rental)
- Show Guide Ads & Sponsorship
- Telephone / Internet / WIFI
- Tips to Success
- Vehicles on Show Floor
GENERAL INFORMATION
Show Location
Gas South Convention Center
Thomas P. “Tommy” Hughes Ballroom
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, Georgia
30097
Show Dates & Times
Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibitor Move-in Times
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Exhibitor Move-Out Dates & Times
Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Produced By
National Event Management
Suite #102
260 Town Centre Blvd.,
Markham ON
L3R 8H8
Tel: (905) 477-2677 or (800) 891-4859
Exhibitor Coordinator
Emma Barnes-Chow
(905) 247-8101 or (800) 891-4859 Ext. 284
emma@nationalevent.com
Exhibit Application Inclusions
Your exhibit application cost includes the following:
- Carpet
- 8 ft back drape
- 3 ft side drapes on each side of booth
- Up to 6 exhibitor badges
- Material handling for one (1) skid only (from loading docks to booth). Additional charges may apply for additional skids.
Items such as tables, chairs, and electrical are NOT included. If you require these in your booth, you may rent from our official show vendors identified below in this Exhibitor Manual.
All booth designs and activities must comply with the rules and regulations of the Show and Venue.
Exhibitor Checklist
Please print a copy of this checklist to assist you in planning for the Show. To take advantage of “early booking discounts” please note booking deadlines.
AUDIO / VISUAL RENTALS
PRE-SHOW BOOKING DEADLINE: September 1, 2025
If you require audio-visual equipment in your booth, please contact:
ONsite Audio-Visual Services
Email: wnevius@onservices.com
Tel: 770-813-7500
Orders received after the pre-show booking deadline may be subject to additional charges.
Booth Backdrops
If you require a pop-up banner or backdrop, please contact:
EZ Backdrops
Tel: 678-717-1222
Email: angie@ezbackdrops.com
http://www.ezbackdrops.com/
BOOTH CLEANING
PRE-SHOW BOOKING DEADLINE: September 26, 2025
Exhibitors are responsible for maintaining their own booth space. If you require in-booth vacuuming, please fill in the order forms below and send them to:
Cherry Convention Services, Inc
Tel: 770-242-5955
Email: catherine@cherryconvention.com
BOOTH CLEANING FORM
GENERAL INFORMATION & PAYMENT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
BOOTH INSTALLATION & DISMANTLING
BOOKING DEADLINE: September 26, 2025
Dismantling or removing your exhibit/exhibit materials before the end of the show is strictly prohibited.
Should you require assistance setting up or dismantling your booth, please contact:
Cherry Convention Services, Inc
Tel: 770-242-5955
Email: catherine@cherryconvention.com
Electrical
PRE-SHOW BOOKING DEADLINE: September 19, 2025
Electrical is not supplied to your booth. If you require an electrical hookup, you can ORDER ONLINE HERE.
NOTE: Electrical orders MUST be placed in advance. The ballroom has difficult outlet locations; therefore, all power requirements must be ordered at the time of booking.
If you have any questions, please email TechnicalServices@GasSouthDistrict.com
Exhibitor Badges
DEADLINE: September 26, 2025
Exhibitors are provided with up to a maximum of 6 personalized name badges based on the size of your booth. Badges will be available for pick up at the Show Office during move-in and must be worn to gain admittance to the Show.
Visit the Exhibitor Registration Portal to register your booth staff for the Atlanta Franchise Show. You can visit this portal at any time to manage your company’s staff badges. You will need to enter your Access Code to manage your company’s account. Your Access Code will be emailed to the main contact from your company roughly 8-weeks before show date. Contact exhibitors@nationalevent.com if you did not receive your access code.
Federal ID Number
The Federal ID Number for the venue is 26-3603850. You will require this number to clear customs.
Food Sampling
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 4, 2025
If you are planning on sampling food or beverage products in your booth, please review the necessary steps you must take.
Samples are limited to products manufactured by or licensed for distribution by exhibiting firms and must be related to the purpose of the show. Any samples used as traffic promoters (i.e. coffee, candy, popcorn, soda, bar services, etc.) must be purchased from Proof of the Pudding
All items are limited to SAMPLE SIZE; food samples are limited to “bite-sized” and beverage samples are limited to a maximum of 6oz containers and 5oz products. No alcoholic beverages.
VENUE APPLICATION:
1. Please review the information and complete the VENUE SAMPLING REQUEST.
Please inform emma@nationalevent.com when you have submitted the request.
If you are planning on cooking within the venue/during the show, you will need to complete the REGULATIONS FOR COOKING WITHIN EXHIBIT HALLS FORM
PLEASE NOTE:
– Natural gas and water connections are limited within the exhibit halls. If you require one of these connections, please contact your show manager for an appropriate booth placement.
– No oil frying will be allowed due to gas-laden vapors.
PUBLIC HEALTH APPLICATION
The following 3 items must be mailed to 455 Grayson Highway Suite 600 Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Or brought to the office directly Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (NO Wednesdays). No later than 14days before show date.
1. Please complete the PUBLIC HEALTH VENDOR APPLICATION
2. Please complete the RESIDENCY FORM
3. Each exhibitor needs to send a cheque for the fee of $150 (FEE CHART HERE)
PLEASE NOTE: Each exhibitor needs to have a temporary hand washing station and a three bucket sanitize system if using utensils.
If you have any questions, you can contact Public Health at 770-963-5132
VENUE SAMPLING REQUEST
REGULATIONS FOR COOKING WITHIN EXHIBIT HALLS FORM
PUBLIC HEALTH VENDOR APPLICATION
RESIDENCY FORM
FEE CHART HERE
Franchise Show & Conference Schedule
FREE ADMISSION PASSES
Raise awareness and let people know you will be at The National Franchise Show! Increase traffic to your booth by sharing free admission passes to the event. There is no limit to the number of FREE Admission Passes you may share to your email database, as well as on social media. Please share the registration link below for free passes or download a copy of our generic FREE Admission Pass.
- Free Admission Pass: https://atlantafranchiseshow.com/freetickets
- Generic Free Admission Coupon (.jpg): CLICK HERE
- Generic Free Admission Coupon (.pdf): CLICK HERE
Furniture (Show Decorator)
PRE-SHOW BOOKING DEADLINE: September 26, 2025
Carpet, 8ft back drape and 3 ft side drape are supplied for your exhibit space. If you require tables, chairs or additional booth supplies, these items can be rented from the show decorator.
Show Colours
- Booth Drapes: Black
- Aisle and Booth Carpet: Salt & Pepper
To place an order with the Show Decorator, please fill in the order forms below and send them to:
Cherry Convention Services, Inc
Tel: 770-242-5955
Email: catherine@cherryconvention.com
FURNITURE FORM
GENERAL INFORMATION & PAYMENT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Hotel
BOOKING DEADLINE: September 4, 2025
Rooms and discounted rates will only be held until the specified date.
Rooms will then be subject to availability at prevailing rates.
We have obtained a group rate of $219 + taxes and fees at The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett
The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett
6450 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 3009
Reservations may be made by BOOKING ONLINE HERE
Make sure to mention The National Franchise Show – Atlanta. Rates cannot be changed at check-in/check-out times if you fail to identify your affiliation at the time of booking.
Insurance
Insurance for booth/show
Exhibitors must have their own liability insurance covering a minimum of $1 million in damages. Please list National Event Management as “additional insured”.
Transportation Insurance
Show Management is NOT responsible for damages caused during the transportation of your products. We strongly recommend purchasing transportation insurance when booking your shipments.
Liability
Exhibitors will be liable for, will indemnify, and will hold harmless Show Management from any loss or damage whatsoever occurring to, or suffered by, any person or company. This includes, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, exhibitor, other exhibitors, management, the owners of the building and their respective agents, servants and employees, and members of the public attending the show, either (a) on the said space or (b) elsewhere. Neither the facility nor Show Management will be responsible for loss or damage to persons, exhibits, or decorations by fire, accident, theft, or any cause while in the exhibition buildings.
Insurance Supplier
If you do not already have insurance for the show, you may contact:
Exhibitor Insurance
Phone: 905-695-2971
Toll Free: 1-866-836-9066
Email: info@exhibitorinsurance.com
Exhibitor Insurance Brokers.com is offering a special price for the show at $175 + taxes.
Please click on the link here to access their form: ONLINE EXHIBITOR INSURANCE
If you prefer, you may also fill out the form below and send it to info@exhibitorinsurance.com.
Lead Retrieval System
We have implemented a NEW Lead Collection System at The National Franchise Show.
All attendees will now be badged! Attendees will have to register and obtain their QR name badge before stepping on the show floor, making it even easier for you to scan and capture their information!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THIS WORKS
TO ORDER LEAD RETRIEVAL (NOTE: you will need your access code to login, please contact emma@nationalevent.com if you require assistance)
Loading Docks
There is a single load-in door available that is 10.5 feet wide and 10 feet tall.
The dock floor is elevated 4 feet above the ground. A single pedestrian Z ramp is accessible to you as well.
Please view the LOADING DOCK MAP; you will be heading to the Ballroom Docks.
PLEASE NOTE: Anything you need to unload for the show, you MUST go to the back of house/loading docks. The venue does not permit any front of house load-in.
Move-in Instructions
Move -in Times: Friday, October 3, 2025 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- All exhibitors must check in with our show office to register before setting up.
- All exhibits must be set up by 6:00 pm Friday. Exhibitors will not be permitted to set up during show hours.
- The aisle carpet will be in place Saturday morning. Dollies and carts WILL NOT be permitted on the carpet. Hand-carried items only may be brought in on Saturday.
- Children 15 years of age or younger will not be permitted in the exhibit area during move-in, set-up, or tear down.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a carpeted hall and the decorator/labors may require moving your material on dollies or carts to not damage the floor.
Move-out Instructions
Move -Out Times: Sunday, October 5, 2025 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Please note that move-out will begin once the show has closed, the aisles are cleared and the aisle carpets removed. If you are able to hand carry your supplies out to your car, we encourage you to do so. Dismantling or removing your exhibit/exhibit materials before the end of the show is strictly prohibited.
All material must be removed by 8:00 pm
Items left on the show floor after move-out time will be forced off the floor. Show Management reserves the right to reroute shipments that are not picked up or refused by carriers. Should this occur, you will be responsible for any charges incurred.
Exhibitors are encouraged to remove small items and open cases of products from the show floor first. Show Management will take all reasonable security precautions, but immediate removal of these items is the best way to
prevent pilferage.
NOTE:
All exhibitors using HAUListic must move freight after the show must have booth materials packed and ready for pick up at the loading dock. Please provide our sales staff onsite with your paperwork before leaving he show site.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a carpeted hall and the decorator/labors may require moving your material on dollies or carts to not damage the floor.
Parking
Parking is available at the Convention Center and costs $10 per vehicle. The closest parking is available at “Deck 1”
Methods of Payment accepted are Credit/Debit Card & Apple/Google Pay ONLY.
Rules & Regulations
Diagram #1: Sample of the drape provided for your booth
Diagram #2: Sample of display allowance
Upright banners & products must be within 4’ from the back drape, and a maximum of 8’ high. The front 6’ of the booth must be clear above 4’.
Booth Display & Restrictions
- Diagram#1 shows the drapes that are provided as a part of your booth cost.
- Diagram#2 shows the allowed clearance for displays, banners, and products within your booth.
- No exhibit may exceed a maximum height of 8 ft.
- Side panels 8 ft. high, must not exceed a depth of 4 ft. extending from the back of the display.
- The remainder of the 6 ft depth from the front of the booth must not exceed a 4 ft. height.
- Any exceptions to this must have pre-approval from Emma Barnes-Chow (emma@nationalevent.com)
Prefab booth partitions must be finished on both sides. If they are not, please request drapes prior to the show.
Signage
No signage or material may be extended above the 8ft height at the back of your booth nor hung from the ceiling or across the aisle, without approval from Show Management. All signs must be printed on one side only. Your brand messaging can only face the inner walls of your exhibit space.
Carpet or Flooring
Carpet is provided within your booth space. If you would like to change the color, you may order different flooring through our decorator at your own cost, or you may bring your own. *Please be sure to review the Tape Restrictions below.
Tape (Floor, Wall, and Carpet Damage)
This only applies to companies that choose to place carpet or flooring on top of the existing carpet.
It is important that you use the proper carpet tape in your booth. If you do not use the correct tape there will be a charge for tape removal.
Here are the models of two-faced tapes that are authorized by the facility.
- Polyken 105c LPDE
- Scapa 274004
- DC W002A
If you bring your own carpet, you must adhere to the above Tape Restrictions. If you do not have the proper tape, please notify Show Management before installing your carpet or tiles.
If you would like to install your carpet on top of the existing carpet, please contact Emma Barnes-Chow (emma@nationalevent.com).
Restrictions for Booth Installation
Painting, nailing, drilling, or screwing to the floors, walls or any other part of the building is not permitted. Exhibitors are also responsible for oil, grease, or any general damage to the carpeted area. Exhibitors wishing to lay any floor coverings may not fasten the coverings to the building floor. It is suggested that building paper or the approved tape (Polyken 105c LPDE OR Scapa 274004 OR DC W002A) is used instead.
Demonstrations/Distributions
Displays, demonstrations, or distribution of advertising materials, are not permitted outside the confines of your booth. If audio-visual equipment is used, the sound must be subdued to such an extent as to ensure it has no nuisance effect on neighboring exhibitors. The use of microphones is not permitted without prior management approval.
Fire Regulations
All exhibitors planning to use any type of fuel (such as gas, oil, helium gas, or propane) in their exhibits are requested to contact Show Management. All displays or exhibited materials must be fireproof to conform to Federal, Provincial/State, and City Fire Laws.
National Event Management is obligated to abide by the Fire Code regulations in each city. We therefore retain the right to refuse any material or object that does not conform to code. If you have a question or need information regarding the Fire Code please contact Emma Barnes-Chow (emma@nationalevent.com).
Animals in the Show
The facility’s policy prohibits the presence of animals unless they are used as a working dog. Permission must be obtained from the facility for any exceptions. Please contact Emma Barnes-Chow (emma@nationalevent.com) regarding approval and the necessary forms.
Helium Balloons
Helium balloons are prohibited in most venues. There is a large retrieval fee charged to the exhibitor when balloons are lost. Please contact Emma Barnes-Chow (emma@nationalevent.com) if you wish to use helium balloons in your display.
HELIUM BALLOON WAIVER REQUEST FORM
Mechanical Conveyances
Mechanical Conveyances such as electric carts, scooters, or bicycles will not be allowed in the aisles during the show hours. The only exceptions to this rule will be in the case of handicapped persons visiting the show or those with authorization from Show Management.
Non-Compliance
National Event Management reserves the right to make changes, amendments, and additions to the rules and regulations without notice, as considered necessary to the efficient and proper conduct of the show. Interpretation of these rules and regulations shall rest with Show Management, and non-compliance can result in the ejection of the offending exhibitor or in the closing of his/her exhibit.
SHIPPING & DELIVERIES
Shipping Direct To Show: Friday, October 3, 2025
PLEASE NOTE: The facility will NOT accept shipments prior to the Show move-in date. Show Management will sign for the delivery on your behalf during move-in hours only. Your materials will be left at the dock until you arrive.
NOTE: This is a carpeted hall and the decorator/labors may require moving your material on dollies or carts to not damage the floor.
HAUListic SHIPPING ORDER FORMS
You may choose to use another carrier; however, keep in mind that not all carriers deliver and pick up during our scheduled move-in/move-out times.
Please address shipments to:
Gas South District
C/O Cherry Convention Services National Franchise Expo
(Your Company Name, Booth number)
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097
NOTE: All exhibitors using HAUListic must move freight after the show and must have booth materials packed and ready for pick up at the loading dock. Please provide our sales staff onsite with your paperwork before leaving the show site.
Pre-Show Shipping:
Advanced Warehouse shipments will be accepted from September 3 – September 25, 2025.
Shipments after September 25 will have a 50% surcharge added.
The final day for shipments to arrive at the warehouse is October 2, 2025.
If you are interested in advance shipping, please fill out the forms below and send them to the decorator. If you have any questions, please reach out to the decorator directly:
Cherry Convention Services, Inc
Tel: 770-242-5955
Email: catherine@cherryconvention.com
ADVANCED WAREHOUSING
GENERAL INFORMATION & PAYMENT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Show Decorator (Furniture & Display Rental)
PRE-SHOW BOOKING DEADLINE: September 26, 2025
Carpet, 8ft back drape and 3 ft side drape are supplied for your exhibit space. If you require tables, chairs or additional booth supplies, these items can be rented from the show decorator.
Show Colours
- Booth Drapes: Black
- Aisle and Booth Carpet: Salt & Pepper
To place an order with the Show Decorator, please fill in the order forms below and send them to:
Cherry Convention Services, Inc
Tel: 770-242-5955
Email: catherine@cherryconvention.com
FURNITURE FORM
GENERAL INFORMATION & PAYMENT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Show Guide Ad & Sponsorship Opportunities
Stand Out at The Franchise Show
Boost your brand visibility with show advertising and customizable sponsorships designed to maximize your exposure before, during, and after the event.
- Our Show Guides are handed to every attendee and taken home—keeping your brand top of mind long after the show ends.
- Sponsorships: From onsite branding to digital promos, we offer a range of opportunities to help you connect with serious prospects.
Interested? Let’s find the right fit for your brand. Contact Michael Hyam at michael@nationalevent.com or 905-477-2677 ext. 270 for more details.
Telephone / Internet / WIFI
Tips for Success
Please review the "Tips for Success" PDF below for important information on how to make the most out of exhibiting with us!
Vehicles on Show Floor
No vehicles are allowed on the Show Floor for this venue.