Exhibitor Rules – 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference

To make the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference a successful event for all participants, exhibitors must review and abide by all event rules. These rules also apply to all exhibitor-appointed contractors (EACs).
In addition to the show rules, exhibitors must adhere to the Exhibitor Contract Terms & Conditions, the binding contract that applies to all exhibitors.
Questions?
Contact the NBAA exhibits team at exhibits@nbaa.org.
- Booth Rules
- Badges/Registration
- Booth Events – Exhibitor Hospitality Events
- Cancellation/Refunds
- Children
- Cleaning
- Co-Exhibitors/Companies Sharing Exhibit Space
- Conference Colors
- Defacing Property
- Demonstrations
- Direct Selling
- Dress
- Exhibit Hours
- Exhibitor-Appointed Contractors (EACs)
- Fire Safety
- First Aid
- Insurance
- Internet
- Membership
- Move-in
- Music
- Noise Levels
- Official Service Partners
- Pets
- Photo Use Permission
- Security
- Segways, Skateboards, In-line/Roller Skates, Bicycles, Electric Footboards and Scooters
- Smoking
- Staffing
- Stand Drawings
- Waste Removal
Booth Rules
General Booth Rules
The following rules apply to both inline exhibits and 20 x 20 island spaces.
- All booths must be set by 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
- Exhibitors may not tear down prior to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
- All display material must remain within the exhibitor’s purchased exhibit space at all times.
- All drapery must remain in place at all times.
- Flammable materials (e.g., bunting, tissue paper, crepe paper) are not permitted within the exhibit hall.
- Ceilings are not permitted on booths.
- Booths may have only one exhibit level.
- No hanging signs or truss lighting are permitted.
- No helium balloons, remote-controlled vehicles or piñatas of any type are allowed in booths.
- Alcohol is not permitted to be served in booths.
- Live animals are not permitted on the show floor (with the exception of service animals).
- No giveaways or props may be flown or tossed around in the exhibit hall (e.g. paper airplanes, balls, etc.).
- Only carpet tape is permitted to affix flooring to the convention center floor.
- Exhibitor prize drawings may only be held during the designated exhibit hours, not during education session times.
- Exhibitor booth photos may not be taken from ladders or stop the flow of aisle traffic. All exhibitor photographers must check in with the NBAA exhibits team if they are not registered to attend the conference.
- Exhibitors may not distribute materials booth-to-booth or outside of their assigned exhibit space.
- Exhibitors must ensure their booth personnel are not blocking aisles when talking with attendees.
- Exhibit space must be staffed during all exhibit hours.
- Exhibitors using EACs for move-in/move-out must complete the Intent to Use EAC form, which will be included in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
- All EACs must complete the EAC Contract and provide their certificate of insurance through the online portal.
- All EACs must sign in on-site daily and obtain security wristbands to access the show floor.
Inline Booth Rules
In addition to the general booth rules above, the following rules apply to 10-foot by 10-foot, 10-foot by 20-foot, 10-foot by 30-foot and 10-foot by 40-foot inline booths.
- Maximum height for exhibit materials, components and identification signs: 8 feet
- All display material higher than 5 feet must not extend farther out than 5 feet from the back wall of the booth to permit a clear view from booth to booth.
- Exhibitors in corner inline booths must ensure that unfinished elements from their booth are not visible from the aisle. Exhibitors may order end panels or “masking” from Freeman or may provide a professional appearing alternative on their own.
- No storage of materials of any kind is allowed behind booths or near electrical service. Materials necessary to supply the exhibit must be stored neatly within the purchased space.
20 x 20 Island Space Rules
In addition to the general booth rules above, the following rules apply 20 x 20 island spaces.
- Maximum height for exhibit materials, components and identification signs: 12 feet
- Full use of island exhibit space is permitted.
- Hard walls are permitted, but limited to 50% of the exhibit’s perimeter.
- All exposed walls must be finished.
- Stand drawings must be submitted to NBAA in advance for approval. Details on stand drawings will be included in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
Badges/Registration
Official 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference badges are required for access to the exhibit hall. Exhibitors may use their badge allotment for exhibit staff, exhibitor guests and EACs as they choose. Additional exhibitor badges for booth staff or guests may be purchased for $560 each through the exhibitor registration portal, which will be available later this Fall.
Conference registration includes entrance to all scheduled educational sessions, continental breakfast and lunches, afternoon energy breaks and the Wednesday evening welcome reception.
Badge Allotment
Booth Size | Standard Placement | Premium Placement |
---|---|---|
10 feet x 10 feet | 1 badges – a $1,360 value | 2 badges – a $2,720 value |
10 feet x 20 feet | 2 badges – a $2,720 value | 3 badges – a $4,080 value |
10 feet x 30 feet | 3 badges – a $4,080 value | 4 badges – a $5,440 value |
10 feet x 40 feet | 4 badges – a $5,440 value | 5 badges – a $6,800 value |
20 feet x 20 feet | 4 badges – a $5,440 value | 5 badges – a $6,800 value |
Ground Equipment Display | 1 badge – a $1,360 value | Not Available |
Booth Events – Exhibitor Hospitality Events
NBAA requests that exhibitors not schedule booth events or hospitality events during any NBAA-hosted event. NBAA events and sessions will conclude at the following times each day.
Tuesday, May 2 | 5 p.m. |
Wednesday, May 3 | 9 p.m. |
Thursday, May 4 | 1:30 p.m. |
Cancellation/Refunds
There are no refunds or credits for cancellations or reductions in exhibit size.
Children
- Children less than 12 years old are not permitted on the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference exhibit floor under any circumstances.
- Children 12 years old and older are permitted in exhibit areas during exhibit hours with a 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference badge and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Children will not be permitted in exhibit areas during installation and teardown.
Cleaning
- NBAA will arrange to clean aisles after show hours and prior to opening each show day. This service does not include dusting, arranging, vacuuming or otherwise maintaining individual exhibits and trash removal.
- Exhibitors must keep their displays neatly organized.
- Exhibitors who wish to have their booths cleaned on a daily basis must order cleaning through the forms provided in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
Co-Exhibitors/Companies Sharing Exhibit Space
Some companies will share the exhibit space of a primary exhibitor as a co-exhibitor. A co-exhibitor is defined as:
- Any company whose name is included on the exhibit space
- Any company that has staff working at the exhibit space during official show hours
- Any company whose marketing materials are distributed from the exhibit space
- Any company whose products/services are marketed from the exhibit space
- Any company other than the primary exhibitor with a different company name and a different business function that is sharing the exhibit space
All co-exhibiting companies at the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference are required to register and pay the $1,160 co-exhibitor registration fee.
Co-exhibitor registration will be available in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
Failure to advise NBAA of co-exhibitors in advance – including displaying the advertising of another company’s products or services – may result in a minimum additional charge of $2,350 per company.
Conference Colors
The 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference exhibit hall color is black for the back drape and the side rail with gray carpet in the exhibit spaces. Latte – brown, black and white – carpet will be in the aisles.
Defacing Property
- No part of an exhibit, or signs relating thereto, may be taped, nailed, tacked, stapled, pasted or otherwise fastened to ceilings, walls, doors, windows, painted surfaces, columns, marble or fabric in any way.
- No holes may be drilled, cored or punched in the Connecticut Convention Center walls or floors.
- No application of paint on signs, displays or other objects is permitted in Connecticut Convention Center and the use of adhesive-backed decals or similar items is prohibited.
- Damages to the Connecticut Convention Center arising from failure to observe these rules will be billed to the exhibitor.
- Exposed parts of displays, including backs, must be completely finished so that they are not objectionable to other exhibitors, attendees and NBAA management.
Demonstrations
- All display material and demonstrations must be confined within the limits of the exhibitor’s purchased space.
- Product demonstrations should not be placed on the aisle sides of exhibits.
- Normal aisle traffic cannot be interfered with at any time.
- NBAA reserves the right to restrict exhibits that because of noise, method of operation or any other reason become objectionable.
- Please be mindful of other exhibitors and events that are located near your exhibit.
Direct Selling
- Direct selling on the exhibit floor is prohibited.
- Canvassing or distribution of publications/marketing materials/show dailies outside of assigned exhibit space, including all booth-to-booth distribution.
- Canvassing and soliciting, except by exhibiting companies, are prohibited within 50 miles of the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference. Exhibitors and persons violating this rule will be removed.
Dress
Dress for the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference is business casual.
Exhibit Hours
Tuesday, May 2 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. |
Wednesday, May 3 | 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Thursday, May 4 | 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Exhibitor-Appointed Contractors (EACs)
Exhibitors have the option of using Freeman (the official service contractor for the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference), a qualified independent EAC or full-time personnel from their own company to install and dismantle displays.
An EAC is any individual or company that is not an employee of your company and is hired to install, dismantle or provide service to your booth (e.g.; booth designers, booth builders, installation/dismantling contractors, non-official florists, furniture suppliers, laborers).
Exhibitors may use an EAC if:
- The service to be performed is not listed as an exclusive service
- The exhibitor has designated the EAC as their service provider on the Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor Intent to Use Form
- The EAC submits the EAC Application/Contract and Certificate of Insurance to NBAA and agrees to abide by all EAC rules
- All EAC workers have Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) Worker Identification & Security (WIS) badges
It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to ensure that all representatives of the EAC abide by the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference exhibitor rules and to provide badges for those staff working on show days. The exhibiting company is responsible for the actions of their independent contractors and subcontractors.
Further details on EACs will be available in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
Fire Safety
- All exits and exit aisles must be kept clear and unobstructed.
- No furniture, signs, easels, chairs or displays may protrude into aisles.
- Fire hose cabinets, fire extinguishers, sprinklers or any other fire-safety device must not be hidden, obstructed or otherwise disturbed.
- All materials used in exhibit construction, decoration or as temporary cover must be certified as flame-retardant.
- All materials and installations must comply with the requirements of inspection by the Fire Marshal.
- The use of propane or bottled gas, flammable gasses and compressed gas cylinders, including LPG, flammable thinners, solvents, paints and aerosol cans are strictly prohibited within the Connecticut Convention Center.
First Aid
First Aid at the Connecticut Convention Center will be available during move-in and on show days.
Insurance
All exhibitors at the Connecticut Convention Center are required to maintain the following for the entire duration of the event, including move-in and move-out periods:
- Comprehensive general liability insurance, including broad form contractual liability coverage, with limits of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit, per occurrence, for personal and advertising injury, bodily injury and property damage.
- Workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance in accordance with statutory limits.
All insurance must be primary and noncontributory to any other insurance coverage and each exhibitor shall obtain a waiver of subrogation on each policy in favor of the additional insured parties. National Business Aviation Association, Inc.; Connecticut Convention Center; and Freeman must each be named as additional insured on the comprehensive general liability and automobile liability insurance.
Internet
Internet service in the exhibit halls will not be provided by NBAA.
Membership
All exhibitors and co-exhibitors at the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference must be members of NBAA, current on all accounts with NBAA and paid-in-full for exhibit space to be assigned exhibit space.
Move-in
Monday, May 1 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Tuesday, May 2 | 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. |
If exhibit space is not occupied by 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, NBAA will consider it canceled by the exhibitor and will use such space as it deems appropriate.
Please be sure to keep the limited move-in time in mind when planning your booth design. This rule must be strictly enforced, because late setup can jeopardize the opening of exhibits.
If additional time is required for setup, contact NBAA’s exhibits team at
exhibits@nbaa.org.
Move-out
Thursday, May 4 | 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. |
Exhibitors found in violation of this rule will be ineligible for the lottery for the 2024 NBAA Maintenance Conference.
Music
NBAA has entered into licensing agreements with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) to allow the use of live and recorded music from the ASCAP and BMI repertoires throughout the public areas of the Connecticut Convention Center. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining the appropriate licenses before the use of any work at any private function or that is not in the ASCAP or BMI repertoires.
Noise Levels
Sound levels within the exhibitor’s booth should not exceed 85 decibels as determined by NBAA exhibits team and must not disrupt the conduct of business of neighboring exhibits or show management events during posted exhibit hours.
Sound level violations should be reported directly to the NBAA exhibits team.
NBAA noise policy enforcement procedure is as follows:
- An exhibitor in violation of this policy will receive a verbal warning from the NBAA exhibits team.
- If a second infraction occurs, the exhibitor will receive a written warning delivered by the NBAA exhibits team.
- If the exhibitor continues to violate the policy, the electrical power for the sound producing elements will be shut down.
- Exhibitors receiving sound violation warnings may jeopardize their priority standing at future NBAA events.
Official Service Partners
To ensure orderly and efficient installation, operation and removal of displays and to eliminate confusion, NBAA has designated Freeman and other firms listed in the Exhibitor Service Kit as official service contractors. NBAA management holds these firms responsible for quality service and fair prices and will intercede on behalf of an exhibitor in the event of faulty work or unfair charges. NBAA management encourages all exhibitors to place orders with these firms, unless a permanent arrangement has been established with a display house or outside contractor to set up and dismantle exhibits.
Official Service Partner Logo

Exhibitors should look for the official service partner logo on official service partner order forms before ordering service, as well as on their emails and websites to ensure they are working with an NBAA-approved service provider.
Pets
No pets, with the exception of service animals, will be permitted in the exhibit hall at any time.
Photo Use Permission
Any person who attends an NBAA event grants permission to NBAA, its employees and agents to record his or her images, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital images, voices, sound or video recordings, audio clips, or accompanying written descriptions, and, without notifying such person, to use his or her name and such images for any purpose of NBAA, including advertisements for NBAA and its programs.
Security
While 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference exhibits are open, a limited amount of perimeter security staff will be provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NBAA and the Connecticut Convention Center will not be liable for loss or damage to exhibitor’s property, as further provided in the 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference Exhibitor Contract Terms & Conditions. Exhibitors are advised to obtain additional insurance coverage in advance to cover losses such as theft and damage to property. Exhibitors should ensure valuables are secured with lock and key.
Segways, Skateboards, In-line/Roller Skates, Bicycles, Electric Footboards and Scooters
The use of Segways, skateboards, hoverboards, inline skates, roller skates or any other motorized vehicle is not permitted on Connecticut Convention Center property without the prior approval of show management and the Connecticut Convention Center Convention Services Manager. This includes all non-ADA approved mobility devices.
Bicycles and scooters will be permitted during move-in and move-out only provided they are operated in a safe manner.
Smoking
The 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference is a non-smoking event. Smoking is strictly prohibited. This includes electronic cigarettes, as well as vaping.
Staffing
- Exhibit areas must be fully staffed during official exhibit hours.
- Exhibitors will be admitted one hour prior to official exhibit hours each show day for early preparations of displays only.
- Exhibits must remain staffed and in place through 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.
- Exhibitors are reminded not to schedule meetings with attendees at their exhibits prior to show opening on show days.
- No activities, except exhibit preparations, are to be scheduled in the exhibit areas at any time other than official exhibit hours. NBAA management reserves the right to make changes to the exhibit hours schedule with advance notice.
Stand Drawings
All exhibitors in 20 x 20 booths and exhibitors with wooden or other material structure booths must submit end stand drawings to NBAA by April 7, 2023, for approval.
Drawings must be scaled, signed and dated and include the following:
- 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference, May 2-4, 2023
- Exhibitor company name
- Booth number
- Booth orientation (label surrounding booth numbers)
- Maximum number of occupants allowed
- Maximum exhibit height within the booth
Stand drawings should be submitted to exhibits@nbaa.org for approval by April 7, 2023.
Exhibitors who do not submit drawings in advance for approval may be delayed upon move-in.
Waste Removal
Exhibitors and EACs are responsible for maintaining a safe and clean environment during move-in and move-out. A clean floor policy will be enforced. Cleaning and waste removal can be ordered through Freeman in the Exhibitor Service Kit.
Any person who attends an NBAA convention, conference, seminar or other program grants permission to NBAA, its employees and agents (collectively "NBAA") to record his or her visual/audio images, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital images, voices, sound or video recordings, audio clips, or accompanying written descriptions, and, without notifying such person, to use his or her name and such images for any purpose of NBAA, including advertisements for NBAA and its programs.