Shipping & Storage

Ship Directly to Show        Ship to Freeman Warehouse     Refrigeration, Frozen & Dry Storage       Exhibitor Driven Vehicles & Hand Carry


Material Handling 

Material handling is the handling cost for freight delivered via loading docks to your booth by Freeman. 

Material handling includes unloading your exhibit material, storing up to 30 days in advance at the warehouse address, delivering to the booth, the handling of empty containers to and from storage, and removing of material from the booth for reloading onto outbound carriers. Material handling charges will automatically be applied to your account upon receipt of each shipment.

The Specialty Food Association is proud to announce a continued benefit for all members exhibiting in the show: 

For member exhibitors, SFA covers the cost of 200lbs of material handling for each 10' x 10' booth space (100 sq ft) they occupy. For example, a 20' x 20' booth (400 sq ft) would receive 800lbs of complimentary material handling.

  • Material handling is the handling cost for freight delivered via loading docks to your booth by Freeman.
  • The value of this service for the upcoming Summer Show is $1.54 per pound of freight, based on the showsite rate for freight delivered directly to the show.
  • This program cannot be used in combination with the Exhibitor Driven Vehicle (EDV) Program.
  • Exhibitors who choose to ship to the advance warehouse will be charged the warehouse rate of $1.65 per pound and will be responsible for the difference in cost.
  • This benefit requires no action on your part. It is paid by SFA and exclusive to SFA member exhibitors. The benefit will be shown as a credit on your final bill from Freeman at the end of the show.


Shipping Tips

  • Label every package or container with the exhibiting company name, booth number and Show name.
    • For example:
       ACME Food Company
       Booth #1234
       Summer Fancy Food Show
  • Notify carriers that they may need to wait in line when delivering or picking up your freight. Some carriers will not wait in line. 
  • All packages entering the convention center must go through a scanning process which can delay delivery.
  • Convention Centers cannot honor the “guaranteed” shipping times promised by FEDEX or UPS. For example, items sent via “Next Morning” overnight delivery may not arrive at your booth until afternoon.

 
Convention Center Temperature

  • Freight doors will be open during move-in, which means the temperature inside the exhibit hall will vary based on outside weather conditions. Please keep this in mind when shipping temperature-sensitive items.
  • We cannot guarantee that the exhibit hall will remain at 75 degrees Fahrenheit during move-in.
  • Shipments with refrigerator/freezer labels will be stored as labeled.
  • During Show days and hours, the temperature will be kept at a consistent, comfortable level.


Exhibitor Move Out and Outbound Shipping Procedures

Tuesday, June 25:      3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
 Wednesday, June 26: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 Thursday, June 27:     8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

  • Freeman will begin returning empty containers as soon as the aisle carpeting is removed.
  • All exhibitor materials must be removed from the exhibit facility by June 27, 2024 - 12:00 PM.
  • To ensure all exhibitor materials are removed from the exhibit facility by the Exhibitor Move-Out deadline, please have all carriers check-in by June 27, 2024 - 9:00 AM. In the event your selected carrier fails to show on the final move-out day, Freeman reserves the right to re-route your freight onto another carrier.
  • Complete the Outbound Shipping paperwork online and Freeman will gladly prepare your outbound Material Handling Agreement and labels in advance.
  • Ensure your carrier knows the company name and booth number when making arrangements for shipping your exhibit at the close of the show.
      

Excessive Trash and Booth Abandonment

  • Any excessive trash which consists of display materials, carpet, padding, crates and/or pallets will be disposed of and charged both a handling fee and disposal fee during exhibitor move-in. 
  • Excessive booth materials and/or literature left in the booth at the end of the published exhibitor move-out that is not labeled for an outbound shipment will be considered abandoned and deemed as trash. 
  • The exhibitor will be charged for the removal and disposal of these items. Charges may include Installation & Dismantle Labor, Forklift/Rigging Labor, and/or Dumpster Fee.