Exhibitor FAQs

The #CEC2025 expo is March 12-14th, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland at the Baltimore Convention Center.

We are offering discounted rates at many Baltimore hotels. Please use this link to learn about and book your hotel.

We are projecting over 4,000 attendees. #CEC2024 had 4,300+ attendees.

Booth installation will begin on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm for all exhibiting partners. Any booth larger than 10'x10',  may request to begin setup at 2:00 pm on Tuesday. Booth installation will continue into Wednesday, March 12th, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Booth dismantling begins at the close of the show on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 1:00 pm and must be completed by 6:00 pm. Exhibitors may NOT dismantle their booths until the close of the show, penalties will apply.  

• Wednesday, March 12: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Thursday, March 13: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Friday, March 14:  8:00 am - 1:00 pm

• Opening Reception at Power Plant Live: Join us on Wednesday, March 12th at 6:30 pm for the official convention kickoff! This is a great opportunity to network with attendees and fellow exhibitors in a fun, relaxed setting. The event is free to all CEC2025 attendees. Learn more about Opening Reception here.
• CEC Celebration: A Night at the Museum!:  Come celebrate with us and wrap up the week on March 14th at 6:00 pm at the Maryland Science Center! Tickets are $25 and can be purchased via the prospectus.  Learn more about this event here!

If you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities for either event please contact Sharyn Weiss at sweiss@exceptionalchildren.org

There is no deadline for exhibitor registration.

To register as an exhibitor, please fill out pages 23-26 on the prospectus and return the ratified form to Sharyn Weiss at sweiss@exceptionalchildren.org. Here is a link to the prospectus. 

You can access the Exhibitor Service Manual here.

Besides the booth fee, there are additional costs for services such as electricity, additional furniture, shipping and handling, or advertising opportunities. Please refer to the Exhibitor Manual for details.

In the event of cancellation/decrease by an exhibitor, CEC shall determine an assessment covering the reassignment of space, prior services performed, and other damages related to cancellation, according to the following schedule: Through November 13, 2024, 50% of the total booth rental fee; After November 13, 2024, 100% of total booth rental space fee. CEC must receive written notification of the cancellation/decrease. The date cancellation/decrease notice is received by CEC will determine the above assessment charges. In the event of either a full or partial cancellation of space by an exhibitor, CEC reserves the right to reassign canceled booth space, regardless of the cancellation assessment. Subsequent reassignment of canceled space does not relieve the canceling exhibitor of the obligation to pay the cancellation/decrease assessment. Appropriate payment must be received within 15 days of cancellation/decrease.

To ensure the integrity of our Exhibit Hall, we have certain policies that if not adhered to, result in fines. No exceptions will be made.

• Please do not set brochures or materials on any tables outside of your booth. Please note there will be a fine of $350 if this policy is violated.
• Our policy states that you cannot move out until the designated time period on Friday at 1:00 PM. Please be respectful to the other exhibitors and attendees by refraining from moving out until 1:00 PM on Friday. This includes packing up supplies and/or disassembling your booth area. Please note that a fine of $550 will be assessed to any exhibitor that disassembles their booth prior to 1:00 PM on Friday, March 14.

Yes, each booth type receives exhibitor badges. If you registered as a non-profit/ school system, you receive two complimentary exhibitor badges per booth. If you registered as a company, you receive four complimentary exhibitor badges per booth.  

In mid-January, the exhibitor registration form will be sent to the primary contact for every organization. 

In mid-January, the exhibitor registration form will be sent to the primary contact for every organization. This form contains a section for purchasing extra exhibitor badges for $150 each.

Yes, there will be onsite registration to reserve a 2026 booth. Additional details and pricing will be provided at the event.

Yes, CEC will provide complimentary basic internet access (3Mbps - 7Mbps) for all exhibitors in the Expo Hall. If you require a faster internet connection for demos/presentations, you can purchase wifi from our official provider, MC Dean. Nathaniel Morgan is our MC Dean contact, his email is nathaniel.morgan@mcdean.com and his office number is 410-649-7097.

Electrical services may be ordered directly through Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services beginning three weeks prior to move-in. A discounted rate is available through Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Visit https://ordering.edlen.com/, create an account or sign in, then search for "CEC."

Please direct any questions to Edlen: Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, exhibitorservices-baltimore@edlen.com, 410.649.7321

Please visit the Exhibitor Service Manual to view the most up-to-date shipping instructions. Click on this link and then navigate down to “Material Handling Options”.

If you still have shipping questions after reviewing the manual, please contact Brad Holt, tradeshow services manager, at 405.604.0041 x102 or brad@factor110.com.

You can find the rules and guidelines for exhibitors on page 26 here.

• One 10’ x 10’ booth area
• Two chairs and one 6’ spandex draped table
• 8’ draped back wall and 3’ side rails
• Basic Internet Access
• Complimentary listing in the Mobile App
• Complimentary listing on the 2024 exhibits website
• Five (5) product category listings in the Mobile App
• Four (4) complimentary full convention registrations per 10’x10’ booth (non-profits/ school systems receive two (2) registrations per 10’ x 10’ booth)
• Access to the exhibitor lounge
• 24-hour surveillance of the exhibit hall

No, the exhibit hall is not carpeted. You can purchase carpet for a fee for your booth from Factor110.

Yes, concessions will be available in the expo hall.  

Please refer to this PDF for parking near the convention center and this PDF for parking in Baltimore.

• Loading Dock Access
  • If you or your carrier will need access to the loading dock, please fully review this important information.
• Self Carry-In
  • Exhibitors may carry in smaller items such as totes, rolling cases, and carts through public doors. Pallets or anything requiring a pallet jack may not be brought in through public doors. Such items should be shipped to the advance warehouse, or you may purchase material handling services on-site to have these items brought in through the dock. A limited number of dollies and carts will be available at the service desk for exhibitor checkout if needed.  

• General Service Contractor
  Factor 110 (exclusive)
  Brad Holt, VP of Operations
  P: 405-604-0041 x102
  E: brad@factor110.com
   
• CATERING & CONCESSIONS:
  Levy Catering
  Meaghan Bupp, Sales Manager
  P: 847-366-9843
  E: mbupp@levyrestaurants.com
   
•  AUDIO VISUAL:
  Projection (in-house, exclusive rigging services provider)
  Jane Cobb, Sales Meeting
  P: 410-649-7313
  E: jcobb@projection.com
  
  Omar H. Hindiyeh, Rigging Supervisor/Asst Director of AV
  P: (410) 649-7318
  E: omarh@projection.com
   
• ELECTRICAL:
  Edlen Electrical (exclusive)
  Diane DeBarros, General Manager
  P: 410-649-7321
  E: baemployeelist@edlen.com
   
• IT/TELECOM:
  McDean (exclusive)
  Nathaniel Morgan, Communications Account Manager
  P: 410-649-7097
  E: Nathaniel.morgan@mcdean.com

Our show colors are bright red drapes with silver linens and pops of yellow.

Yes, a lead retrieval service is provided and is located within the Whova app. Access to Whova starts for exhibitors in late February 2025

Please follow these directions to utilize your lead retrieval tool.

Use your complimentary access to the lead retrieval tool in Whova that is included in your exhibit booth fee.

No, CEC does not ever offer an attendee contact list. We never share, rent, distribute, or sell our attendee list.

DISCLAIMER- CEC does not sell, rent, or distribute our attendee list at any time. If you are contacted by a third-party representative offering a CEC contact list, please be advised that they are not affiliated with CEC or the CEC Convention and Expo and that the list is not legitimate.  

An eBlast, the KBYG Banner ad, the Daily Convention E-Brief, or becoming a premier sponsor are the best ways to get in touch with all attendees. You may review and purchase these options here.

Please review our prospectus here, which contains a multitude of sponsorships and advertising opportunities at various price points.

You can present at CEC2025 by signing up for an expo showcase session. To register for a showcase session, fill out pages 23-26 and return the form to Sharyn Weiss at sweiss@exceptionalchildren.org.

To promote your presence at the convention, we offer several opportunities for on-site sponsorship, digital sponsorship, networking sponsorship, and advertising opportunities. To view and register for any of these options, please review the prospectus here.