Exhibitor Set Up Information
Please stop back for updated 2025 Information
LOCATION OF IOWA EVENTS CENTER
730 Third St, Des Moines, IA 50309
From the west take I-235, exit at the 7th or 3rd St. exits, and enter the Iowa Events Center’s parking lot at the 5th Ave. entrance or 3rd St. entrance. From the east take I-235 exit at 3rd St. and go south to enter the Iowa Events Center’s parking lot.
LOAD IN ACCESS
Hall B & C: There are loading docks and two ramps on the west side of the Hall for unloading.
Enter the docks/ramps area off of Park Street via 3rd Street or 5th Ave. Park Street is on the South side of the Iowa Events Center.
North Hall A: Loading access is available from a single overhead door off of 3rd Street for load in Thursday and Friday, or access via Hall B & C as above.
Upper Level: Please enter the Near North Lot just south of 5th Street and Crocker. Tell the parking attendant you are unloading for the Deer Classic event and need to unload in the circle drive. Once you are done unloading you may park in the Far North lot just north of Crocker street. A map has been provided for reference.
Pre-function: Please enter the lower South lot labeled on the map attached. Tell the parking attendant you are unloading for the Deer Classic event and have a booth in the pre-function area. Once you are done unloading, you will need to park your vehicle in the Far North Lot, just north of Crocker St.
For LOAD-IN MAP CLICK HERE
MOVE-IN SCHEDULE
Wednesday: March 5th. (Large exhibits, large trucks & trailers) 1 PM-5 PM
Thursday: March 6th. (Recommended) 9 AM-7 PM
Friday: March 7th. ( No Vehicles on show floor, longer lines) 8 AM-1 PM
Friday ONLY Move-In: Booths 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646; 737, 739, 741, 743, 745
SHOW OPENS 2 PM FRIDAY
REGISTER AT SHOW OFFICE
Please register at the show office to pick up your exhibitor passes.
Use the “Express Check-In” form and your badges will be made prior to your arrival. Less waiting.
Exhibitor badges are for sales staff working in your exhibit booth, not family members or friends attending show. You will receive a maximum of four exhibitor badges for each booth.
Additional badges are available for $10.00.
For EXPRESS CHECK-IN fill out THIS FORM and return it by February 28.
PARKING
Complimentary Trailer parking is available at Principal Park lot South on 3rd St. Directions will be available during set-up. On-site parking is available in the North lot for $12 for cars and trucks, $24 for large trucks (duallys and snow blades). Street parking and parking ramps are also available.
EXHIBITOR ENTRANCE
Please use general public entrance.
Exhibitor entrances will open 45 minutes before the show opens on Saturday and Sunday.
FOOD/BEVERAGE SAMPLES and FOOD VENDORS
The City of Des Moines & the Iowa Events Center requires that all exhibitors sampling food during the show have a Temporary food service permit. Please use the links below for more information and forms.
Temporary Food Service and License Guide
Iowa Events Center Sample Authorization Request Form
Temporary Hand Washing Station
Iowa Temporary Food and Beverage Operation Guide
On Line Temporary License Application or Temporary License Application PDF
For Iowa health department questions reach out to scott.stroud@dia.iowa.gov or 515-725-5342
YOUR BOOTH INCLUDES:
8’ high back drape, 3’ high side drape.
Tables, chairs, skirting, carpet, and electricity are NOT provided. Please see the following GEMS information for ordering carpet, tables, chairs and other items. The exhibit area is NOT carpeted. If you want carpet in your booth, please order it directly through GEMS. See following links under SHOW DECORATOR.
You are welcome to bring your own table and booth furnishings. Upper level and Prefunction areas are carpeted.
SHOW DECORATOR:
GEMS will be the official show decorator.
As an Iowa Deer Classic exhibitor you should receive an email containing your log in credentials.
We encourage you to use their safe and secure online ordering web site to place your order.
CLICK HERE The advance discount rate is through Friday, February 14, 2025.
If you have any questions, or have not received your credentials, please contact Britney Crump with GEMS 214-388-5722 x2 britney@gemsevents.com
EXHIBITOR FREIGHT
Shipments accepted on site only during move-in times. Basic forklift service is provided.
For shipping services or dedicated forklift service, please see the SHOW DECORATOR link, the freight information will be listed under Material Handling on the form.
ELECTRICITY and WIRELESS/INTERNET
Electricity and Wireless internet is booked directly through Iowa Events Center.
Advance pricing is now available until Tuesday, 2/19/25.
TO ORDER ELECTRICITY AND WIRELESS/INTERNET ONLINE: use this SERVICE LINK
SALES TAX PERMIT
If you plan to sell any taxable items in your booth you must have an Iowa Sales Tax Permit. NO temporary tax permits are being issued by the state. If you do not have a permit, please call 800-367-3388 or go to https://tax.iowa.gov/special-events-tax-permits
If you have an Iowa Sales Tax number and it is not typed on your contract, please call, fax, or email your Iowa Sales Tax number to us prior to the show.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Refer to the Liability section on your contract.
As a standard requirement of all of our show exhibitors, it is necessary for you to provide proof of general liability coverage from an insurance company in good standing with minimum policy limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence. If you do not have this coverage in place, we have made arrangements for all of our exhibitors to acquire this coverage at significant savings by purchasing as part of a group. This policy covers you during move-in, show hours, and move-out.
Please click the link below, complete a short questionnaire and you will obtain this coverage for $88.00.
EXHIBITOR LIABILITY INSURANCE
MOTORIZED DISPLAYS
By order of the fire marshal, requirements for gasoline engines are minimal fuel, gas caps tapes, batteries unhooked and positive terminal taped.
MUSIC
Exhibitors are not allowed to play music or videotapes with copyrighted music backgrounds in their booth due to Federal Copyright Liability laws. For more information contact our office.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Food and beverage service is available at the show. No alcoholic beverages can be brought on site due to liquor laws.
RAFFLES
A license is required for any raffles.
Please contact the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals at (515) 281-6848.
SECURITY
Overnight security is provided on Friday & Saturday nights.
Iowa Show Productions and the Iowa Events Center assume no responsibility for any property brought to the show.
CONDUCT/PERSONNEL
Show management reserves the right to approve all products and personnel that appear in your booth and reserves the right to restrict, prohibit or remove any exhibits which are offensive or detract from the show, including excessive noise or game calling. No selling, promotion, or distribution of literature will be permitted outside your booth area or by anyone who has not contracted for exhibit space.
HOTELS
Please use the HOTELS link for a listing of Official Show Hotels.
MOVE-OUT
All exhibits must be removed from the Iowa Events Center by 8:00 PM on Sunday, March 3.
Please do not tear down prior to 4 PM on Sunday.
FACEBOOK
Be sure to like Iowa Deer Classic on facebook. 
and follow us on instagram 
