The following rules and guidelines specify what an exhibitor can and cannot do with their booth space. These rules and guidelines are based on the physical characteristics of the exhibit hall, the intent to be equally fair to all exhibitors, and the safety of all concerned.

Please review these rules and plan your display accordingly as variances will not be granted prior to the show or on-site.

Balloons

Helium-filled balloons and/or helium tanks are not permitted in any area of the Center unless they are the product displayed. A helium balloon responsibility form for helium related product displays can be obtained from the Convention Services Division. The show manager will be charged the cost of removing helium balloons from overhead. Helium Balloon Displays must be approved by the Javits Center.

Please refer to https://www.javitscenter.com/plan/policies/.

Cubic Content

NYCC follows the cubic content rule, which allows exhibitors to make maximum use of their booth space. Under the cubic content rule, exhibitors may build up to the front of their booths, and up to the maximum allowable height according to booth type as indicated below. However, anything above the provided drape heights must be finished, neutral and devoid of copy on any wall adjacent to another exhibitor. The following maximum height limits will be strictly enforced. No height variances will be granted prior to or on-site at the show. Please plan your booth display and sign structures accordingly. Maximum allowable height is also directly affected by the ceiling height of your booth area.

Hanging signs as well must comply with the HEIGHT LIMITATIONS guidelines listed below. This includes all hanging or suspended material such as banners and balloons (where permitted), etc. The top of the sign (or other material) may not exceed the height limitation specific to your type of booth. Booths which qualify to suspend “hanging signs” are only Island, Peninsula or Walk-Through booths of 400 sq. ft. or larger. Hanging Signs are not permitted in linear booths. It is much more cost effective to floor mount signage with a linear booth height limit of 12 ft.

See Examples of Cubic Content below:

Demonstration Areas

Demonstration areas must be confined within the exhibit space so as not to interfere with any traffic in the aisles. Exhibitors must contract sufficient space to be able to comply with this rule. When large crowds gather to watch a demonstration and interfere with the flow of traffic down the aisles or create excessive crowds at neighboring booths, it is an infringement on the rights of other exhibitors. Aisles may not be obstructed at any time.

Demonstration Equipment

Equipment, product or machinery, when displayed to demonstrate or simulate industrial application, are exempt from the foregoing height limits, but are restricted only by ceiling height, as well as building and safety codes.

Display Booth Specifications & Guidelines

The following maximum height limits will be strictly enforced. No height variances will be granted prior to or on-site at the show. Please plan your booth display and sign structures accordingly. Maximum allowable height is also directly affected by the ceiling height of your booth area. The maximum height of a display booth at the back wall, including any form of lighting system, signage, or header shall be:

LINEAR BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 12 FEET

Bounded by 1 or 2 aisles. Hanging Signs are not permitted in linear booths. It is much more cost effective to floor mount signage with a linear booth height limit of 12 feet. Note: side-drape provided is 3 feet high and the back-drape provided is 8 feet high.

PENINSULA BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 20 FEET

Bounded by 3 aisles. Exhibit booths must also be at least 20 ft. deep and 20 ft. wide to meet Show Management’s requirements for hanging signs. Hanging signs in peninsula booths may reach a height limit of 20 ft. to top of sign. Two-sided Signs must be hung 5 ft. from the back wall and the side facing rear of the booth must be clear of copy, logos or other graphics so as not to be an eyesore to neighboring exhibitors. Note: the back-drape provided is 8 feet high.

ISLAND BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 25 FEET

Bounded by 4 aisles. Booths must also be 20 ft. deep and 20 ft. wide to meet Show Management’s requirements for hanging signs. Hanging signs in island booths may reach a height limit of 25 ft. to top of the sign.

PUBLIC SPACE BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 17 FEET

Located in the Crystal Palace, Inner Roadway, North Concourse and South Concourse of the Javits Center.

PLEASE NOTE: Nothing will be permitted above these maximum heights, including signs, banners, truss structures, lighting and/or display materials. Maximum allowable height is also directly affected by the ceiling height of your booth area. 

Hanging Signs are not permitted in linear booths. It is much more cost effective to floor mount signage with a linear booth height limit of 12 ft.

If you have a question about the type of your booth, please contact RX Global Operations.

Do Not Block Aisles or Invade Neighbors' Space

No sign or decorative materials may protrude into the aisles or encroach upon neighboring booths. No obstruction may be placed in any aisle, passageways, lobby, or exit leading to any fire extinguishing appliances.

Double Decker Booths / Large Booth Regulation

  • Double tiered or double decked exhibit booths are not permitted in 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, or 3D exhibit halls.
  • Double-tiered booths are permitted in the River Pavilion, 3A, 3B and 3E exhibit halls.
  • A NYC Building Department permit is required whenever the second tier of a double-tiered booth will be walked upon, or for a solid overhead structure greater than 120 square feet in size.

All plans for double decked booths or booths with solid overhead structures must be submitted to the Javits Security and Safety Solutions department for review and preliminary approval. If preliminary approval is given a NYC Department of Buildings build permit will be required.

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requires that ALL double decked booths displayed within a place of public assembly file for a DOB build permit for each. The filling must include stamped drawings by a New York State or City Licensed Architect or Engineer. These permits expire and will need to be re-filed for each event.

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requires that all solid overhead structures greater than 120 square feet, including connecting areas or space with a common means of egress or entrance, built within a place of public assembly file for a DOB build permit. The filling must include stamped drawings by a New York State or City Licensed Architect or Engineer. These permits expire and will need to be refiled for each event.

Applications for such structures and uses shall be submitted to the DOB no later than 15 business days prior to the construction of the temporary structure or the commencement of the temporary use.

You are not obligated to, but in the event you wish to, use the Javits Centers contracted P.E/R.A. (di Domenico + Partners) they will review all drawings to ensure compliance with DOB and FDNY code and regulations, discuss and propose necessary changes so that the drawings and applications may be prepared for review by the DOB. di Domenico + Partners will create and file all DOB required documents through an expeditor to ensure timelines are met. The fees for their service vary based on amount of necessary changes and meetings.

Please refer to https://www.javitscenter.com/plan/policies/.

Exposed Areas Must Be Finished

All back walls, sidewalls or any other exposed areas of the display must be draped or finished surfaces. No graphics, logos, or print facing into another booth is allowed. Any company advertisement or promotion must face into the aisle. In-line and peninsula booths must have a finished back wall covering the back of the booth. See-through back walls or displays which do not cover the back-wall completely will not be allowed.

Please note that ALL FIRE HOSE CABINETS MUST BE KEPT VISIBLE AND CLEAR.

After 9:00 AM on the day of Show Open any part of a booth with unfinished side or backwalls will be draped by Show Management at the expense of the exhibitor.

Floor Covering Guidelines

RX Global will furnish carpet for all aisle ways in the Convention Center, and the daily cleaning and vacuuming of all aisle ways in all exhibition areas. Floor covering is required in all display booth areas. Flooring may consist of hard wood, AstroTurf, carpeting or vinyl. Carpet is available through the Official Service Contractor at Exhibitor’s expense, or Exhibitor may provide his own carpet. Booth vacuuming is not included with the rental of carpeting from the Official Service Contractor. It must be ordered separately.

Good Taste & The Right of Others

Show Management may require any Exhibitor to make changes in their exhibit if, in Show Management’s opinion, the exhibit does not conform to prevailing standards.

Graphics on Neighbor's Side

The backside of walls – the common border facing a neighboring booth – must be clear of copy, logos, or other graphics, so as not to be an eyesore to neighboring exhibitors.

Health & Safety

For Javits Center's latest information on health and safety guidelines and/or requirements, please click here.

Hanging Signs

Hanging signs must comply with the HEIGHT LIMITATIONS guidelines listed below. This includes all hanging or suspended material such as banners and balloons (where permitted), etc. The top of the sign (or other material) may not exceed the height limitation specific to your type of booth. Booths which qualify to suspend “hanging signs” are only Island, Peninsula or WalkThrough booths of 400 sq. ft. or larger.

Height Limitations

The maximum height of a display booth at the back wall, including any form of lighting system, signage, or header shall be:

LINEAR BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 12 FEET

Bounded by 1 or 2 aisles. Hanging Signs are not permitted in linear booths. It is much more cost effective to floor mount signage with a linear booth height limit of 12 feet. Note: side-drape provided is 3 feet high and the back-drape provided is 8 feet high.

PENINSULA BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 20 FEET

Bounded by 3 aisles. Exhibit booths must also be at least 20 ft. deep and 20 ft. wide to meet Show Management’s requirements for hanging signs. Hanging signs in peninsula booths may reach a height limit of 20 ft. to top of sign. Two-sided Signs must be hung 5 ft. from the back wall and the side facing rear of the booth must be clear of copy, logos or other graphics so as not to be an eyesore to neighboring exhibitors. Note: the back-drape provided is 8 feet high.

ISLAND BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 25 FEET

Bounded by 4 aisles. Booths must also be 20 ft. deep and 20 ft. wide to meet Show Management’s requirements for hanging signs. Hanging signs in island booths may reach a height limit of 25 ft. to top of the sign.

PUBLIC SPACE BOOTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMIT = 17 FEET

Located in the Crystal Palace, Inner Roadway, North Concourse and South Concourse of the Javits Center.

Inspection Deadline

Any booth not occupied by 9:00 AM on the day of Show Open will be presumed abandoned.

  • If there is freight in the booth and Show Management believes the exhibitor will be late, then FREEMAN will set up the display as best they can with the information available.
  • If there is no freight in the booth and/or Show Management believes the exhibitor will not participate in the show, the booth will be reassigned.
  • Exhibitors arriving after this time will be given space available and may incur additional costs. Please contact your Sales Management team to let them know of this important deadline.
  • All exhibits must be completely set by 9:00 AM on the day of Show Open.
  • No shipment will be accepted at any time past 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, or beyond. Absolutely no shipment, equipment, or material may be brought onto the show floor during show hours.

No Nails or Screws

Nothing may be posted, tacked, nailed, or screwed to columns, walls, floors, or other parts of the building. Any damage or defacement caused by infractions of this rule will be remedied by Show Management at the expense of the rule-breaking exhibitor.

Sound Levels

Sound level of presentation should be kept within the confines of the booth area and must not interfere with neighboring exhibits. Show Management will exercise their right to provide and maintain a fair exhibiting environment to all customers. Excessive sound can be offensive and distracting. Each Exhibitor is entitled to an atmosphere that is conducive to conducting business, without excess noise from other Exhibitors. Any audio equipment (i.e., sound system, audio from a video wall, microphones), whether in the booth or as part of a display, may not exceed a sound level of eighty-five (85) decibels.

NYCC will be sensitive and responsive to complaints registered by spectators, neighboring Exhibitors, or other personnel, and will have appointees to respond to all complaints.