Exhibitor Schedule

Only Booth Personnel and registered EACs are permitted to access the floor during setup/tear-down hours. Trade Show Only Passes will not be allowed in until official expo hours.

Sunday, Oct. 12

7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Booth Setup

Monday, Oct. 13

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Booth Setup

Tuesday, Oct. 14

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Booth Setup

Wednesday, Oct. 15

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Booth Setup
Island Booth Deadline: All booths 400 sq. ft. or larger must be finished with major exhibit construction with empties tagged by 7:00 p.m. when the Clean Floor Policy* goes into effect. Product merchandising and minor booth construction may continue through Thursday.

Thursday, Oct. 16

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Refrigerated/Frozen Product Delivery
Contact GES for a more exact delivery time estimate.

7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Booth Setup for all booths
Major construction must be complete by 2:00 p.m. so we can begin clearing aisles. Product merchandising and minor booth setup may continue.

No-Show Policy: Exhibitors who have not begun setup by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 will be considered a "No Show" unless you have notified Show Management.

Friday, Oct. 17

6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Refrigerated/Frozen Product Delivery

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Product Removal
GES will begin removing all freight at 8 a.m. in preparation for show opening.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Expo is open

Saturday, Oct. 18

6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Refrigerated/Frozen Product Delivery

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Product Removal
All product tagged for Saturday will start being delivered to booths at 6:00 a.m. Removal will begin at 8:00 a.m. regardless of whether you've gone through the freight. Any product left in refrigerated storage after noon on Saturday will be donated to the food bank.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Expo is open

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Booth Dismantle
Any exhibitor seen tearing down before 5:00 p.m. will be penalized 1 priority point, which will impact your 2026 booth assignment.

5:30 - 10:00 p.m. Exhibitor Lounge
Relax in the exhibitor lounge while you wait for your empties.

Pack up any valuables in your booth and tag items for donation that you do not want to ship home. While we will have roaming security, IFPA is not liable for anything stolen or damaged during this process. We strongly advise having in-booth security, locking up valuables overnight, and wrapping/covering anything you wish to protect.
Remember to clear out any Fresh Ideas Showcase items by 6 p.m. if you have one.
Exhibitor Appointed Contractors will not be permitted on the floor until 6 p.m., allowing enough time for carpet removal.

Sunday, Oct. 19

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Booth Dismantle

*Clean Floor Policy
Due to the volume of crates—and to facilitate the installation and cleaning of aisle carpet— a Clean Floor Policy will be enforced. All aisles must be 100% clear of crates, product, ladders, gang boxes or any other items that may impede the installation of aisle carpet or they will be removed promptly, regardless of whether they are labeled. Requests to bring crates back from storage to the show floor before show opening are contingent upon the time it is requested and availability of forklift drivers. Labor fees will apply.