Exhibitor Information Page 2023

Exhibitor Information for NN23
(Consider bookmarking this page for future reference.)

The Town Square (aka the Exhibit Hall) will once again be the hub of activity for Netroots Nation. The Town Square will include convention coffee and refreshment breaks, networking opportunities, and shopping options. It is located in Salon D on the Lower Level of the Hilton Chicago.

This page gives you basic information about your Exhibitor Benefit Package as well as logistics, dining options, marketing your booth, et.  If you have questions about your booth or need any clarification or information, we urge you to contact us.  We are happy to help and like hearing from you.

For any questions relating to your exhibit booth, please contact:

Linda Lee (Town Square Manager)
exhibits@netrootsnation.org

Important Dates and Deadlines

SHIPPING

There are two locations you can ship your booth materials to: the Advanced Warehouse or Direct to the Show Site.  We highly suggest shipping to the Advanced Warehouse since the window to ship to Direct to the Show Site is very short. Shipping labels for the Advanced Warehouse are in the Exhibitor Kit.

Advance Shipment to Warehouse
Netroots Nation 2023
Viper Tradeshow Services
2575 Northwest Parkway
Elgin, IL 60124
Add Exhibiting Company Name and Booth #
Please make sure your booth number is on ALL shipped boxes.

Shipments to the Advanced Warehouse must arrive in window listed above to avoid late charge.

Direct Shipment to Exhibit Site
Netroots Nation 2023
Hilton Chicago
Salon D
c/o Viper Tradeshow Services
720 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
Please make sure your booth number is on ALL shipped boxes.
Direct shipments to the exhibit site may only arrive on dates listed above.

NOTE: You are permitted to carry any items in during Booth Set-up Hours. Commercial vehicles of any kind cannot be personally unloaded at the show site.

Ordering Booth Furniture, Electricity and Other Services: Reference the Exhibitor Kit to order any additional furniture and show services you might like, including:

• Additional furniture
• Electricity for your booth
• VPN lines for steaming internet (basic wireless is provided for free in the Town Square. This will allow you to check emails, surf the net, etc.)
• Freight handling

You will need your booth number to place an order. If you have any questions about this ordering process, please contact Jennifer Elhardt from Viper Tradeshows at 847.426.3100 /  jelhardt@vipertradeshow.com

Viper Tradeshows Offers Some Discounts.  Reference the Exhibitor Kit for discount deadlines.

Viper Tradeshows will have a booth onsite near the Netroots Nation booth in the Town Square if you need to order additional services or to assist you in outbound shipping. Their hours onsite will be:

• Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

A Hilton Chicago desk will also be next to the Viper Tradeshows booth if you need to order electrical or an additional internet connection beyond the free WiFi offered (see below.)

What Comes with Your Booth and Show Colors

Booth Drapes: 8′ High. Colors – Blue and Silver
Facility Carpeted: Yes
One (1) 6′ Skirted Table (per 10 x 10 booth)
Two (2) Plastic Contour Chairs (per 10 x 10 booth)
One (1) Wastebasket
One (1) Booth ID Sign

Location:  The convention will take place at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605. This is a helpful page on getting to downtown Chicago from both airports, bus, train, or car.

Town Square Location: The Town Square, along with the conference registration desks, will be located in Salon D of the Hilton Chicago.

If you are unloading materials from your car, they can be unloaded at street dock bay #5. There will be a charge for staff to unload your materials from your car and delivered to your booth. It is on page 9 of your Exhibitor Kit. Your car will be referenced as a POV. You CANNOT unload materials on your own from this dock.

You can also pull into the parking entrance for the hotel on the E. Balbo Dr. Self-parking is also available there. Ask the attendant for the freight elevator to take you to the Lower Level, where Salon D is located.

Wi-Fi: We will offer free wireless in the Town Square thanks to our wifi sponsor, Communications Workers of America. The wifi is good for basic web surfing and email.  If you need a faster connection, you can order it through the Convention Center. See Page 23 of the  Exhibitor Kit.

Floor Plan: The floor plan can be found here.

Food: Hey, staffing a booth is hard work! Here are some food options at the Hilton Chicago. And here are some recommendations by locals.  In addition, there have been a number of suggestions, including vegetarian/vegan options, on the Social Wall of the Netroots Nation app.

Masks: Last year we required masks, and we will continue that for our 2023 convention.

Netroots Nation App. Our 2023 conference app is now available on the App Store and on Google Play. Do not forget to promote your booth on the Netroots Nation app (Social Wall feature) and by using the hashtag #nn23 in YOUR social media feed.

Town Square-Only Passes: If you have staff that will be working your booth, but have not paid for a registration, they will need to have a Town Square-Only pass. Please send Linda their names and she will have passes set aside that one of your staff with a registration badge can pick up at registration. Each booth is limited to 4 Town Square-only passes. This year these passes will also allow the holder of the pass to attend the keynote/general sessions as well.

Marketing Your Booth: Needs tips on how to get attendees to your booth? Contact Linda Lee and she would be happy to suggest a few ideas. And don’t forget to use the conference hashtag #nn23 across your social media platforms to promote your booth before and during Netroots Nation.

If you’re a non-profit, here is an article with some good tips (except for #10, which doesn’t help your neighbor relations) about making the most of your booth experience.  And here’s some good advice for standing out on a budget.  Finally, if you’re interested in having a small catered event at NN, let Linda know and she’ll connect you with the staff you need to arrange this.

In addition, one of our exhibitors, Alpha Graphics is offering a 20% discount for all 2023 NN sponsors and exhibitors! Need to order a banner, display, or table throw, for example, for your NN booth or meeting? Reach out to them at alphagraphics.com/center/stamford • 203.967.8112 • us146@alphagraphics.com

Attire:  To make it as comfortable as possible, we would suggest wearing layers when staffing your booth, in case the Town Square runs too hot or cold for your taste.

Security: We highly suggest taking any valuables with you, at the end of each day, to your hotel room.  This includes laptops, mobile devices, customer/member information, etc.