FAQ

On average the annual PASBO conference will have over 900 attendees from all across the state of Pennsylvania.  Attendees range from, but are not limited to, Accountants, Business Managers, Assistant Business Managers, Technology, Facilities, Transportation and Food Service Directors along with their assistants. We also will have a few Superintendents come to our show as well.

Exhibit booths are all 10’ wide x 10’ deep. All exhibit displays must conform to exhibit area display requirements as described in the contract and also displayed on the booth floor map. PASBO reserves the right to enforce this requirement through dismantling of the exhibit as necessary.

Please note: End cap display requirements and single/display inline display requirements can be found at: http://file2.pasbo.org/BoothDisplayRequirements.pdf

Yes,  all exhibitors and sponsors must be a current Business member of PASBO to participate in the conference.

Exhibitors and Sponsors are eligible to request a hospitality suite on Wednesday night.
The main purpose of the conference is to provide professional development programming for Pennsylvania's school business officials. Hospitality activities may not conflict with this purpose; therefore, Business Associates are expected to comply with the following rules:

• Hospitality rooms may be open only during the hours indicated on the following screen.  Please do not request food or beverage delivery from The Westin Pittsburgh more than one hour prior to opening time.
• Hospitality rooms must be operated within the rules and regulations established by the hotel.
• All requests for hospitality rooms must be approved by the PASBO office. This is to include the date(s) and the name of the representative in charge.
• The PASBO Executive Director must approve all hospitality activities.
• The Westin Pittsburgh is a smoke-free facility.

Failure of Business Members to comply with these rules may result in the termination of their membership and a prohibition from conference activities.

Once you have reserved your room through PASBO a packet of materials including food and beverage arrangements will be sent to you from The Westin Pittsburgh.

• Identification sign with booth number, company name, city and state;
• Blue & white uniform booth drapes (8' high back wall drape and 36' high side divider drapes - not applicable to table top);
• One 6' display table with cover and skirt
• Trash can
• Two stack chairs; and
• Conference registrations for up to 8 (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) company representatives per booth

No, the exhibit hall at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is NOT carpeted. PASBO will carpet the front entryway inside the exhibit hall and the exhibit aisles only. You can order carpet to be placed inside your exhibit booth for an additional fee.  Please see the Exhibit Kit (available in October) for more details.

Exhibit Set-Up  (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):

Tuesday, March 24 - 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.**

Wednesday, March 25 - 6:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

**The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a union facility. PASBO will cover move-in costs for exhibitors on Tuesday based on the move-in schedule set by PASBO. You will receive an e-mail with details prior to the conference. Wednesday move-in costs are the exhibitor's responsibility. 

Exhibit Hall Hours (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Wednesday, March 25 -   10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26 -  9:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
       

Exhibit Take-Down Hours

Thursday, March 26 - 2:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.**
**PASBO will cover move-out charges between 3:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Schedule details will be e-mailed to your booth contact person(s).
          

No booth may be dismantled prior to the designated time without permission from PASBO.  PASBO reserves the right to disqualify any vendor from any PASBO event for non-compliance with this requirement. 

A full refund will be made by PASBO for cancellations of exhibit booths received in writing in the PASBO office before August 31.  A $300 service fee will be charged for cancellations received beginning on September 1 through December 1  No refunds for booths cancelled after December 1.

DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER

Please keep in mind that the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLLCC) is a union facility. Exhibitors may do the following tasks without hiring a union carpenter:

• Erect/dismantle pop-up booths using hand tools only (no power tools)
• Install custom fit, logo skirting for their tables
• Plug/unplug and turn on/off small (120v) equipment and products
• Wipe down and clean products and equipment
• Hand carry booth materials in one trip without the use of material handling equipment. This does not include briefcases or luggage. One trip only, please

PASBO established an Admission of Exhibitor Representative and Reasonable Standard of Conduct to ensure a positive exhibit environment for business associates and members.

Exhibiting companies wishing to utilize the services of individuals other than their own associates, such as celebrities, entertainers, authors, etc., are required to seek approval for the activity 60 days in advance of the PASBO sponsored event to the attention of the PASBO Executive Director. The request shall include an overview of the proposed activity and provide enough detail to address how the activity will be conducted. Activities that are foreseen to be potentially disruptive to other exhibitors or violate the reasonable standard of conduct will not be approved.

The reasonable standard of conduct shall consist of representatives not being rude or offensive toward members or other exhibitors. Questionable dress that is considered too casual or revealing and entertainment that is excessively loud or unsuitable for an educational conference will be prohibited. PASBO reserves the right to terminate any activities and remove offending members during a PASBO event for failure to comply with the standard as defined. Non-employees of an exhibiting company will not be permitted access to the event without the prior approval of the PASBO Executive Director. Exhibiting companies failing to follow this procedure may be removed without refund and/or barred from future PASBO events for violations of this reasonable standard of conduct.

Lodging is on a first come, first reserved basis and you can reserve a room when you register for your name badge.Room blocks are available for exhibitors at the Omni William Penn and Hampton Inn which are located in close proximity to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.  The room block at the Westin has been reserved for attendees only.  Room reservations will open in early October.

You must register each company representative for a name badge (limit 8 per booth).  You can reserve your hotel room when you register for your name badge.  Registration opens in early October.
 

Continental breakfast will be available for exhibitors and attendees on Wednesday and Thursday.  A lunch buffet will be served inside the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday and Thursday for attendees and exhibitors. Meal tickets for Thursday's Dinner must be purchased in advance. This dinner option can be purchased when registering your representatives. Meal tickets will not be available onsite.  

Thursday Breakfast – A special complimentary breakfast buffet for exhibitors will be available on Thursday.  You must sign-up onsite at the Exhibitor Registration Desk to receive your breakfast ticket.

Pittsburgh offers many off-site restaurant options.

You may register up to 8 (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) company representatives per booth. We encourage pre-registration to avoid long lines onsite.

Your name badge is your passport into the exhibit area and educational sessions. If you wish to register more than 8 (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) representatives per booth there is a charge of $235 for each additional representative. 

A portion of the exhibit booth rental fee ($25) is used by the Exhibitors Advisory Committee to purchase prizes that will be distributed to members from drawings held several times each day in the exhibit area. During the conference exhibitors may award prizes at their booths during exhibit hours and post winners to the bulletin board near the General Registration Desk. PASBO is not responsible for individual exhibitor prizes.

Exhibits which include the operation of musical instruments, radios, talking motion picture equipment, public address systems or noisemaking machines must be constructed or arranged so that the noise resulting from the demonstration will not disturb adjacent exhibitors and their patrons.

The official decorator and drayage agent is Hershey Exposition Services. Information is found under "Exhibit Kit" within the Exhibit Service Center. Hershey Expo contact information will be posted to the Exhibit Service Center in October.  

Responsibility for various types of insurance coverage is that of each individual exhibitor.  Each exhibitor will hold free of liability, in connection with property damage or personal damage to his agents and employees, the headquarters hotel, the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials and the employees of each such organization for loss, theft, damage or destruction of goods, or for any injury to themselves or employees while in the exhibit area or for any damage of any nature or character.

No flammable fluids, substances or materials of any nature, including decorative material that is not flameproof may be used in the booth.  Electrical wiring must conform to the National Electric Code Safety rules.  Each exhibiting company must comply with local fire regulations.