45th Annual SAI Conference & Exhibits

Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center
833 5th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309 - If you're shipping items, use 730 3rd Ave. for the address.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Exhibits are an extremely important part of our SAI Conference. We are pleased that your company will be able to join us this year.

Below are answers to exhibitors' frequently asked questions. For additional information, please contact Debbie Wrenn at SAI.

Who exhibits

Check out this list of 2019 exhibitors

Exhibit setup and hours

• Setup - Tuesday, August 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibitors may enter the exhibit hall as early as 6:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 5. Have your exhibit booth ready when exhibits open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
• Exhibits open - Wednesday, August 5, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Teardown and move-out - Wednesday, August 5, after 3:30 p.m.

Exhibitor check-in and assistance

Upon arrival, please check in and pick up your badges at the SAI exhibitor registration booth located on the southeast side of the escalator in the Exhibit Hall on the lower level. The booth will be open Tuesday, August 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, August 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Entrance to the Exhibit Hall is by name badge only.

What’s included with your booth?

SAI provides an 8’ x 10’ booth with back and side curtains and one 7” x 44” identification sign with your company name.

Not included are tables, chairs, or any additional furnishings. You are welcome to bring your own booth furnishings or order them. (See “Use of Booth”). Freeman is the official decorator for this year’s convention. You may use this link for the online exhibitor kit to order any furnishings. They will also email information to you no later than the last week in June. Information on shipping display materials in advance will be included in the email. If you have any questions on booth decorations or shipping, contact Freeman, 515-829-4400.

Ordering electrical, water and telephone service

The Convention Center exclusively handles all utility services. Fees for these services and request forms are included in the Freeman information packet. For additional information, please call 515-564-8036, or order directly.

Loading and unloading

Ten covered loading bays and two 20 by 24-foot doors provide drive-in access. The docks and ramp are located on the west end of the Convention Center just off 5th Avenue on Center Street (directions). Exhibitors are allowed to park in the dock area only during loading and unloading. A security guard will monitor the dock. We urge you to plan enough time to load and unload. Please use the dock area no longer than is necessary to ensure equal time for everyone. Please do not leave your car unattended for more than 10 minutes.

Parking

Parking is available north of the Convention Center with entrances off the following streets: Third, Fifth and Crocker. Iowa Events Center surface lots offer the closest and most convenient access to the facility, and easy access to I-235 and other major routes after the event. ADA accessible parking is available by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to the Convention Center. Cash only is accepted.

Emergency telephone

If someone has an urgent need to reach you while you are in the Exhibition Hall, the individual may leave a message at 515-564-8000. Please indicate that you’re trying to reach an exhibitor affiliated with the SAI Conference. The message will be delivered to your booth as soon as possible.

Security

SAI will provide an all-night security guard in the Exhibit Hall (Tuesday, August 4). However, we urge you to close up and put away anything of value when you leave your booth at night. 

Attracting exhibit hall traffic

Over 90 percent of the more than 1,200 registrants report that they visit the exhibits. The most successful exhibitors find that it helps to have something to attract people to their booths. Promotional giveaways, drawings for door prizes, an interactive display and a comfortable place to sit are all attention-getters. 

Drawings and door prizes

You are welcome to conduct door prize drawings from your booth. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to notify and distribute prizes to your winners.

Food and beverage samples

Exhibitors may distribute food and beverage samples in authorized space and must not be in competition with products or services offered by Spectra Food Services & Hospitality. Exact descriptions of sample and portion size must be submitted to the Food and Beverage Office for written approval 10 days prior to the opening of the event using this authorization form. No alcoholic samples may be distributed. Any exhibitor giving away and/or selling food in their booth must have a permit and all appropriate fees on file with the Des Moines Department of Health. Vendors with food samples must also have a hand washing station as described here.

SAI drawing card

SAI will again have a special drawing — and we need your assistance. Each attendee has a card in the back of the convention booklet that needs 20 exhibitor signatures. When someone hands you a card, please sign your company name and booth number. (You may prefer to invest in a company stamp to use on the cards.) A special drawing box will be located at the bottom of the escalators in the exhibit hall for participants to turn in their cards. One winning card will be drawn at Thursday’s second General Session.

Selling and order taking

You may sell and take orders from your exhibit booth, providing that the items sold are either (a) principal to the purpose of the show or (b) directly related to your business.

Use of SAI name and logo

Exhibitors may not sell, lease, display or otherwise utilize any goods or services bearing the name School Administrators of Iowa, SAI or any facsimile of any such name, nor may they utilize the logo of SAI without the prior written consent of SAI.