EXHIBITOR NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 3

Thank you for exhibiting at the 2024 Annual Meat Conference! We are one month away from AMC! This newsletter includes important information to help you plan your booth, increase booth traffic and engagement, and get the most out of your participation.

Exhibitor Webinar Recording

Thank you to everyone who attended the exhibitor webinar! If you were unable to attend, or would like a review, you may watch the recording and review the slides with notes.

Exhibitor Service Kit

Find the information you need, in the format that works best for you.

• Find everything you need, all in one document, in the Quick Reference Guide
• Use the Exhibitor Resource Center to find the information you need by topic using the Plan My Booth, Promote My Booth and Quick Links buttons
• Stay on top of important deadlines and save/print the Exhibitor Checklist
• Go directly to the Exhibitor Service Kit to order booth services, find shipping information and more

Food Sampling

All exhibitors from meat or poultry processing companies are required to serve product samples during exhibit hours, and all other companies are welcome to do so as well. Review food sampling, shipping, storage and delivery procedures right away, which includes what you are permitted to do in your booth, ordering information, required forms and more. The required food sampling forms must be submitted to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel by February 19. If you have any questions, please contact Kori Williams.

Certificates of Insurance Due Soon

All exhibitors MUST provide a Certificate of Insurance to the Meat Institute as well as to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Coverage requirements for each can be found here. Be sure to read both the Exhibitor coverage requirements as well as the separate Gaylord requirements as they are different. If you need to secure insurance, you may purchase it through Rainprotection, the official insurance supplier for AMC. 

• Certificates must be sent to the Gaylord Opryland via email by February 19
• Insurance certificates for the Meat Institute must be uploaded here by February 26
• Exhibitors using an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor to set-up/dismantle their space (other than GES, the official contractor) must have their EAC submit a COI, complete the Notice of Intent to Hire an EAC, and Agreement to the Rules and Regulations to GES by February 19

Online Directory Listing, Mobile App & Lead Retrieval Updates

Ensure attendees can find and connect with you online and in the Mobile App!

• Right away — If you have not already done so, log in to Exhibitor Dashboard and update your listing on the online floor plan directory. Primary contacts have access to the Dashboard and will create their own password during the first login. For any login issues, please contact [email protected]. If you need other team members to have access, you may add them once you are logged in by clicking on “Users” from the menu on the left-hand side of the page. Important reminder: If you have an outstanding balance on your booth, login to the Dashboard to pay that right away! 
• Week of February 19 — Be on the lookout for information to login and update your Mobile App listing in Swapcard. In this platform, attendees and exhibitors will be able to learn more about each other, reach out to connect and send meeting requests. This is also where you will access the complimentary lead retrieval that comes with your exhibit space.

Scam Alert!

FMI/Meat Institute has received several reports of third-party hotel and attendee list scammers targeting our exhibitors and attendees. These scammers have no affiliation with FMI, Meat Institute, or the Annual Meat Conference. We do not sell the information of our attendees and any company requiring full prepayment for hotel rooms should be viewed with extreme suspicion. 

You may see a list of official vendors in the Quick Reference Guide and if you are solicited by any group other than FMI/Meat Institute or the Gaylord Nashville in Nashville, TN, for AMC, please contact [email protected]. 

Marketing Tool Kit

We have compiled a variety of tools and resources to help you realize your goals at the Annual Meat Conference! Find event logos, personalized email signatures, social media templates, industry media contacts and more in the Marketing Tool Kit.  

Sponsorships

Boost your brand’s visibility and reach this highly engaged audience through a sponsorship! Review the opportunities and complete the sponsorship request form. If you have any questions, contact Eric Zito at [email protected]. 

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are available to rent during AMC. As you consider your meeting room needs, please note that they may not be booked during the Welcome Reception on Monday, March 18, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, or during exhibit hall hours on Tuesday, March 19, 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Contact TJ Carlino at [email protected] to reserve meeting space. 

Official Service Providers

Access ordering and contact information for all official service providers in the Quick Reference Guide.  

General Service Contractor – GES 

Labor, material handling, shipping, furniture, product storage, carpet and cleaning 

Internet – Boomer 

Technology/Audio-visual Equipment – EventNow 

Electric, Compressed Air, Water – Boomer 

Rigging/Banner Hanging – Encore 

Refrigerated/Frozen Cases – Lowe Refrigeration 

Catering/Food Prep – Gaylord Opryland 

Registration – FMI 

Hotel Reservations – Meat Institute 

Floral and Plant Rental – Teasley’s Convention Florist   

Liability Insurance – Rain Protection 

Gaylord FedEx Office – Small package shipments to hotel

Quick Links

Exhibitor Resource Center

Quick Reference Guide

Exhibitor Checklist

Exhibitor Dashboard

Exhibitor Service Kit

Exhibitor FAQs

Floor Plan

Questions?

The Meat Institute has partnered with Tradeshow Logic to support exhibitors. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions at [email protected].

Meat Institute | meatinstitute.org