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Invitation to Exhibit

Join us in historic Philadelphia, the largest North American city in colonial times, as well as being the Number 1 port of entry during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Pennsylvania Convention Center, in the heart of Philadelphia, is perfectly situated for this conference. Our exhibitor hall will offer a variety of new and innovative ideas, such as a live-events center. We will have a GRAND OPENING of the hall on Wednesday evening with dedicated time for shopping!

Marriott Philadelphia Downtown
The Marriott Philadelphia Downtown is the host hotel for the conference. The hotel offers outstanding facilities and location, conveniently attached to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Booth & Exhibit Hall Details
The Pennsylvania Convention Center exhibit hall is a modern and well-lighted hall allowing easy access to all of the booths. The Convention Center is smoke-free. The Exhibit area will be secured and monitored by professional guards. FGS has contracted with Hargrove, Inc. to provide the exhibit services. Each booth will include:

• 10' X 10' booth
• 8' high back drape, 3' high side drapes
• (1) 8' draped table
• (2) chairs
• (1) waste basket
• (1) exhibitor ID sign

Each exhibitor will also receive one complimentary conference registration in its organization's name. Staff and volunteers working at your booth will be provided with exhibitor badges, but only the individual assigned the one complimentary conference registration, or those who purchase a conference registration, may attend lecture sessions. At a later date you will be asked to provide information for name badges and exhibitor ribbons.

Booth Reservations
Please review the exhibit hall map, the Exhibitor Contract and Exhibitor Agreement and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority’s Customers’ & Exhibitors’ Rights Document. Booth numbers shown on the map will be assigned on a "first-come, first-served" basis upon receipt of the signed contract with full payment. All final booth placements are subject to availability. Vendors are encouraged to reserve their booths early, especially those hoping to have multiple adjoining booths.

Click here to register and pay online for your booths. If you prefer to mail your payment and registration, or if you are paying by check, mail your payment with completed and signed contract to:

Pat Oxley, Exhibits Chair
2008 FGS Conference
2012 Red Oak Circle
Round Rock TX 78681-2202

Phone: 512-733-5993
Fax: 888-380-0500
E-mail: exhibits@fgs.org

Made checks payable to FGS. If paying by credit card please complete the additional information on the contract. Credit card orders may be mailed, faxed, or processed online here.

NEW! Exhibit Hall GRAND OPENING
The exhibit hall will officially open to the conference registrants and other shoppers at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 3 September 2008.

Exhibit Hall Schedule
Tuesday(setup upon request): 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Wednesday (set-up only): 8:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday Grand Opening: 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Thursday: 11:30am to 6:30pm
Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday (tear down): 5:00pm to 10:00pm

Pennsylvania Sales Tax
All exhibitors who sell merchandise or take orders at the conference will be required to pay the Pennsylvania Sales Tax. Information on how to obtain a permit/license will be sent in the vendor packet.

Extras Available
Our exhibit hall decorator will send an exhibitor's packet in June 2008 to all exhibitors. This is an opportunity to arrange for special booth items that are not included in the booth package such as: electrical and phone line needs, custom and extra furniture, and material storage. The decorator will send information about unloading and loading, parking, and dock access for exhibitor set-up.

Lecture Breaks
Thirty minutes breaks are scheduled between lectures, so attendees will have time to visit the exhibit hall.

Concession Area
Food and beverages will be available in the exhibit area.

Cancellations
All exhibitor cancellations for the 2008 FGS Conference must be received in writing or sent by e-mail to Pat Oxley, Exhibits Chair, at exhibits@fgs.org no later than 60 days before the conference (July 1, 2008). Exhibitors requesting a refund by July 1, will be refunded their booth fee payment less a $50.00 administrative charge. Cancellations postmarked after July 1, 2008, or no-shows will not receive a refund.

Advertising Opportunities
Conference Sponsorship: Sponsoring conference activities is a great way to promote your organization. Exhibitors interested in sponsoring an event should contact Jim Beidler, 2008 National Conference Co-Chair, by email or by phone 717/507-7237.
Tote Bag Flyer: Exhibitors who reserve one or more paid exhibit booths can also advertise via a full-page flyer that will be placed in the attendees’ tote bag. The advertising might be a discount coupon for use at the conference, a highlight of one of your products, a brochure, or a general announcement reminding people to visit your booth. The cost of this additional advertising is $300.00. You will need to submit 1,500 flyers no larger than 8 ½" X 11" on any color paper (up to 60# weight). The deadline for the inserts and payment to be received by the Exhibits Chair is 15 August 2008. Mail to: Jim Beidler, National Conference Co-Chair, P.O. Box 270, Lebanon, PA 17042.

Advertising – Black and White Camera-ready Ads
Syllabus: A CD version of the syllabus will be distributed to every attendee. Pre-ordered printed copies of the syllabus will be available for purchase at an additional charge.
Program: A spiral bound 8.5” x 11” listing of the daily sessions for attendees to use as a guide while attending the conference will be given to each conference registrant. The program will also include a map of the exhibit hall with a list of exhibitors and their location in the hall.

Prices for advertising opportunities in these two publications will be available by March 2008. Please contact Janet McFarland at jmcfarland@retrospectpublishing.com for complete details.

Vendor Door Prizes
Do you want more customers to come to your booth? Details will follow upon receipt of your signed contract about the vendor door prize plan.

FGS Web Site
All vendors will be listed on the FGS Conference Web site (www.fgsconference.org). This will include your contact information and a short description (50 word limit) of the services or products your firm or organization offers. The information should be sent to Pat Oxley at exhibits@fgs.org. The full program and registration material will be online at this site early in 2008.

Societies On Parade
Genealogical societies that are members of FGS are eligible to participate in Society Hall "Live." This will be a "display only" section of free tables inside the Exhibit Hall. If societies wish to make sales, they must reserve a regular exhibit booth. If you wish to send brochures for these tables, you may mail them to Pat Oxley, 2012 Red Oak Circle, Round Rock, TX 78681. These must reach Pat no later than August 1, 2008.

Keep Up-to-date
Check the FGS Conference Web site for updates and information on the conference. Check the conference blog, which provides up-to-date information on conference activities, sponsorships, speakers, research facilities, and more and is being updated weekly.

You Can Help!
You can share your enthusiasm and information about the 2008 FGS Conference. Mentioning the conference in your online or print catalogs is excellent advertising. You can provide a link to the FGS Web site www.FGS.org and/or mail conference brochures with your book orders. Call toll free (888-FGS-1500) or e-mail your request to office@fgs.org.

© 2006-2008, FGS Conference
This site last updated 28 August 2008.