November 20-22, 2026
Huntington Convention Center
2026 Vendor Kit
Everything you need to "know before you show."
SCAM ALERT FOR VENDORS
As per our privacy policy, Marketplace Events is a permission-based email sender. We do not share, rent, or sell any email lists.
WE ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATING THE KIT WITH 2026 INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN.
Use this handy Getting Ready Checklist to ensure you are set to go for the show! This coincides with all the information below and makes sure you do not miss anything.
CLICK HERE for the Christmas Show Checklist!
Table of Contents
General Information
SHOW MANAGEMENT
The Christmas Connection Show is produced and managed by:
Marketplace Events LLC
2000 Auburn Dr., Ste 200
Beachwood, OH 44122
440.591.6983
marketplaceevents.com | clevelandchristmasconnection.com
SHOW PUBLIC RELATIONS
Jennifer Hickin | jhickin@engageadcom.com
SHOW OFFICE
During move-in, show hours and move-out, Show Management will maintain a show office at the Huntington Convention Center. Details of location coming soon!
SHOW HOURS
Friday, November 20, 2026 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
*Early Bird Shopping (Friday morning ONLY) - 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Saturday, November 21, 2026 9:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday, November 22, 2026 10:00am – 5:00pm
ADMISSION
Adults (at the door): $14
Adults (online only): $12
Children Ages 12 & Under: FREE
Early Bird Shopping*: Friday, November 20 ONLY From 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Admission (Online only): $20.00
VENDOR ENTRANCES DURING SHOW HOURS
Details coming soon!
FLOORPLAN
2026 Floorplan coming soon!
SECURITY
Security is provided by Marketplace Events’ vendors. The guards will be on duty 24 hours each day during the show. Every reasonable precaution will be taken to protect Vendors’ property, but Show Management assumes no responsibility for any losses due to fire, theft, robbery, damage, accident, or other causes.
Please take the following suggestions under advisement:
➢ Do not leave your booth unattended during set-up, show, or move-out
➢ Do not leave small items, electronics, one-of-a-kind special samples, prototypes, generated leads, or extremely valuable merchandise in your booth overnight.
FINAL PAYMENTS Full and final payment for exhibit space must be made by October 15th. Show Management reserves the right to refuse entry to any Vendor whose account has not been settled and paid in full. If you have signed and authorized Marketplace Events to automatically charge your card on your original contract, please make sure funds are available in the proper time frame. If you have any questions regarding payment processes, please contact Kelsey Christopher at KelseyC@mpeshows.com or 440-591-6963. Any contracts that are outstanding after the show cycle is completed will automatically be sent to collections and the Vendor will still be responsible to pay off the booth space and will not be allowed to exhibit in any future shows with Marketplace Events.
Facility Ordering and Information
Details coming soon!
IMPORTANT FORMS
Coming soon!
WIFI INFORMATION
FREE to vendors this year! Stop by the Show Office for Wi-Fi information.
SHOW DECORATOR SERVICES
FERN EXPOSITIONS
Details coming soon!
EDLEN ELECTRIC
Details coming soon!
2026 MOVE IN SCHEDULE AND MAP - coming soon!
2026 MOVE-OUT INFORMATION - coming soon!
HUNTINGTON CONVENTION CENTER FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY
Please review prior to the show to ensure you are following the building guidelines for sampling and selling.
Alcohol Sales Requirements:
- Coming soon!
- Click Here for the Food Sampling Form
- Important Information for FOOD VENDORS and TRANSIENT VENDORS
PARKING, DRIVE-IN & PARKING PASSES
Details coming soon!
Rules & Regulations
USE OF SPACE REGULATIONS
All sales, taking of orders for future delivery, conferences, lectures, displays and distribution of literature will be in a dignified manner consistent with the overall theme of the Show within the confines of leased space. No noise making devices, public address systems and/or sound systems of any type shall be allowed without specific prior written approval of Show Management. All exhibits must have attendants during the Show hours unless other arrangements are made with Show Management. All rubbish must be moved into the aisles at the end of each day of the Show. No helium filled balloons or placement of stickers on persons or Center grounds will be permitted.
TRANSIENT VENDORS LICENSE
The State of Ohio requires a transient vendor’s license when the person who, in the usual course of his business, transports inventory, stock of goods, or similar personal property to a temporary place of business in a county in which he has no fixed place of business, for the purpose of making retail sales of such property.
FIRE/EMERGENCY PLAN
1) An announcement will be made by security in the event of a fire emergency.
2) In the event an emergency announcement is made, you and your staff are to proceed and exit through the nearest fire exit.
3) If at all possible, encourage everyone exiting to do so in a calm and orderly fashion.
4) Once the emergency is over, Exhibitors will be re-admitted prior to the public.
FIRE PREVENTION CODE
Vendors who bring anything flammable as part of their exhibit (drapery, table skirting, artificial plants, etc.) should make sure that each item has been recently fireproofed. There are various solutions on the market that are acceptable; retailers such as Home Depot sell this fire-resistant spray. Be advised the fire marshal does check all exhibits prior to show opening.
• Vehicles displayed at your exhibit must have a 1/8 of tank of gas or less. (Note: There is an I-X Center fee to display a vehicle in your booth.)
• Use of portable tanked gas is prohibited.
• Natural gas is available in a few areas of the building. Gas service may be ordered from the I-X Center service desk.
VEHICLES IN EXHIBITS
If you plan on having a vehicle in your booth as part of your display, please contact Show Management for approval and move-in instructions. All vehicles must be marked on the floorplan by show management for fire marshal approval ahead of the show.
Booth Guidelines
Booth Planning 101 Video - Tips and Tricks about planning your booth space. - Watch here!
Booth Guidelines
Vendors are allowed to build their booth to the maximum height of 8 feet. This includes back wall. If your display includes a sign attached to the back wall, you must get approval from show management and the following rules apply:
• TOTAL HEIGHT OF SIGN MUST NOT EXCEED 2 FEET FROM TOP OF DRAPE LINE
• Sign must be single sided, professionally finished on the back side and no PVC pipe allowed.
If you are using side walls as part of your display, they must be completely finished on BOTH sides. No exposed wires or frames must be visible to your neighbor. Unfinished sides will be covered at the exhibitor’s expense.
Tents: Tent frames are allowed if needed for display set up. The canopy must be removed if tent frame is used. Garland and lights can be used around the tent frame to display Christmas Decorations.
Booth Decoration/Construction
8-foot-high back drapes (Green + Red), and an ID sign are provided for the Show (if contracted by the cutoff date). You are responsible for your own floor covering and tables. Decorating your booth is a requirement. Holiday decorations add character & ambiance to the overall theme of the Show. Those who do not decorate won’t be invited back the following year.
Hanging Signs
Hanging signs over booths is not permitted. All sign sizes, sign copy and sign locations are at the discretion of Marketplace Events. Marketplace Events reserves the right to make changes in sign specifics without prior notice. No other type of signs may be suspended from the ceiling other than show directional and feature signs except in the sole discretion of Show Management.
Demonstrations and Handouts
Vendors demonstrating products and/or distributing marketing materials, product samples or souvenirs are not permitted to do so outside the confines of their rented exhibit area. Working in the aisle is strictly prohibited and will be enforced by show management.
Staffing Your Booth
All vendors are expected to be in their booths during all published show hours, as we do receive consumer complaints about un-manned displays. Our visitors pay an entrance fee and expect to be able to do business with our vendors at any time during show hours. If you are in violation of this rule, your company may not be permitted to exhibit with us in the future.
Booth Expectations
Please don’t forget company is coming! This is a Christmas event, and we ask you to plan your space accordingly with holiday décor. We ask that everyone decorate their space to include décor, lights, trees, etc. We know from other shows that those booths that are decorated do better! The shoppers are feeling festive!
Flooring is not included in the cost of your exhibit booth. All exhibit booths must be carpeted or have some type of clean, professional-looking floor covering that covers 100% of the booth’s square footage. Carpeting, Astroturf, hardwood, tile, vinyl flooring etc., may be used.
Protective material must be placed on the floor before laying bricks, patios, mulch, etc. Do not drill holes, nail glue or affix flooring to the I-X Center flooring. Any damage (including unremoved tape) to the Huntington Convention Center flooring will be repaired at the vendor’s expense.
Table Skirting
CLICK HERE for an informational sheet
It is mandatory that all tables are properly skirted. If your table is decorative, there is no need to cover. Skirting must go from the edge of the table to the floor on all VISIBLE sides. All skirting must be pressed and neat. Use of plastic tablecloths, sheets, shower curtains or any type of “makeshift” tablecloths is not permitted. We strictly enforce this and will skirt all incorrectly skirted tables at the exhibitor’s expense.
All inventory and personal items must be stored COMPLETELY OUT OF SIGHT. Your booth should look professional and inviting to the attendee.
ENHANCE YOUR COMPANY'S ONLINE VENDOR LISTING
Maximize your business’s exposure and attract more customers by upgrading your vendor listing. As a vendor, you have a basic listing live on the website, and now you can Enhance It! This is included in the contracted space cost and is no additional charge.
Within 24 hours, you will receive an automated email providing a link to elevate your listing. This link gives you the flexibility to make updates and changes to your listing as frequently as you like until one day after the show ends. Your listing will stay active for as long as you participate in the show.
If you have any questions regarding the online vendor listing or if you do not receive the email with the link, please email our digital coordinator at JenK@mpeshows.com.
For any assistance with your listing, please consult the FAQ section.
We believe this opportunity will greatly benefit your business and we are excited to assist in maximizing your presence at the show.
Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
GO FROM BASIC TO ENHANCED!
Sales Tax
All vendors are required to have a Ohio State License if they are directly selling on the show floor. You must have a OH sales tax number to do the show. It must be available upon request of the show or state onsite.
For help with obtaining proper licensing and documentation, please contact:
Ohio Department of Taxation: tax.ohio.gov/business
FAQ Page: tax.ohio.gov/help-center/faqs
Application for Transient Vendor's License
Sales Tax for the Christmas Connection Show is 8%.
Social Media Tips
Click to read up on our Social Media Tips and find out lots of great ways to use Social Media to promote your presence at the Christmas Connection!
#LetsGetSocial
Share your show pics or your holiday décor and celebrations with us.
Hashtags: #ClevelandChristmasConnection
Including assets mentioning your participation in the show either through your existing email marketing efforts or by adding a small banner to your website is a great, free way to invite potential customers to meet you face-to-face on our show floor.
Click Here for the 2026 Digital Marketing Kit (which includes social assets, and other digital marketing materials).
Facebook Event Reminder:
In efforts to protect potential joint customers from fraudulent events and scammers, we request that you do not create your own Facebook Event. This helps us manage ticket sales for the event, and ensures that our team are available to support both exhibitors and potential attendees with any questions, comments, or concerns that they have. Please feel free to reach out to your show manager or show marketing manager with your companies’ Facebook page and we can add you as a co-host to the official event.
Click Here to go to our Facebook Event for 2026.
Santa's Social Superstar Competition
- Share Reels or Posts about your products, Christmas cheer, or Christmas Connection on Facebook or Instagram.
- Tag: @IXChristmasConnection (on Facebook) | @ChristmasConnection (on Instagram)
- Use hashtag:
#ClevelandChristmasConnection
- We’re looking for both great content and frequent posts.
- Posts before and during the show are eligible.
- Winners will be contacted on November 22.
- Winner must be present at the show on Sunday, 11/22 to claim the gift card.
- Only the person who signed for the 2026 Cleveland Christmas Connection booth can win/claim the prize.
- Service sponsors and partners are not eligible.
Winner: Based on quantity and quality of posts tagging the show and using the show tag & hashtag on Facebook & Instagram.
PUBLICITY + PROMOTION
Publicity starts with interesting and newsworthy releases and captioned photos. Alert us now of plans involving unique or exclusive products, history of invention or development of your product or a visiting
VIP or celebrity. Highlight your participation in your TV, radio, newspaper, advertising, general mailings, newsletters, or fliers. Treat it with the excitement it deserves!
Ticket Information
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
Complimentary tickets that can be used for additional staff, customers, friends and family, or promotional incentives are also included. 4 complimentary tickets will be sent out digitally to all vendors.
If you need additional tickets, or have any questions, please contact Kelsey Christopher at KelseyC@mpeshows.com or 440.591.6963.
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SHOW. Use your tickets to invite potential customers to the show, as a thank you to good customers and for friends and family.
WILL CALL
Will Call will be located in the in the lobby of the show entrance.
Please leave your tickets in INDIVIDUALLY marked envelopes with FIRST AND LAST NAME & COMPANY NAME for your guests.
VENDOR BADGES ARE FOR VENDORS ONLY, THEY ARE NOT TICKETS TO THE SHOW. THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT AT WILL CALL TO BE PICKED UP BY ATTENDEES OR PEOPLE WORKING IN YOUR BOOTH.
VENDOR BADGES
Vendor badges are NOT mailed out prior to the show. Badges can be picked up at the Show Office (Door 35) during move-in and during show hours. Complimentary plastic badge holders are provided. Vendor badges are required to identify you as an authorized Vendor. Vendors will not be allowed access to the show floor during show days without a badge.
100 sq. ft. receives: 3 badges
200 sq. ft. receives: 5 badges
300 or more sq. ft. receives: 8 badges
**VENDOR BADGES MUST NOT BE USED AS ADMISSION TICKETS AND CANNOT BE LEFT AT WILL CALL.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Details coming soon!
INSURANCE
Show Management has taken reasonable precautions to safeguard exhibits. However, nether management nor the I-X Center will assume responsibility for losses to the exhibitor from theft, fire, damage or any other cause. Vendor is to maintain liability insurance with respect to both property damage and personal injury. As agreed in the contract, vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless Show Management and the I-X Center against, all complaints, suits or liabilities arising out of acts of the vendor or his/her representatives, or out of activities within the vendor’s booth area. Verify with your insurance company if you’re uncertain about your coverage. Please refer to items #4 and 5 on your vendor contract/application or contact Show Management if you have questions
Vendors are responsible for damage they cause to the I-X Center including walls and floors and for labor charges to remove stains or adhesives from the walls or floors. Vendors will be billed for such damage with the dollar amount of the damage determined by the I-X Center.
VENDORS MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE INSURANCE FOR THEIR OWN PERSONNEL, EXHIBITS AND MATERIALS AGAINST ALL SUCH HAZARDS.
*If insurance is needed, please contact Kelsey Christopher at 440.591.6963 or KelseyC@mpeshows.com
SCAM WARNING
There have been a number of spam emails offering our attendee lists. These are scams and the senders are unauthorized to use the Marketplace Events’ name. These scammers are attempting to receive monies from exhibiting companies without providing anything in return. These emails are not approved by Marketplace Events, and Marketplace Events would never ask for bank information or other sensitive information over email.
CLICK HERE for more information.
MPE Exhibit/Product Acceptability Standards For 2025 (USA)
Effective January 1, 2024. Marketplace Events (MPE) acceptability standards do not permit political candidates, parties or other groups promoting issues or ballot initiatives to participate as exhibitors. In addition, the display or sale of any products or services that are political/partisan in nature or that can be interpreted to promote, incite, or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance are prohibited. MPE’s judgment in applying these standards will be final.
MPE shows are welcoming environments built solely to encourage face-to-face commerce. Creating respectful, safe marketplaces where our attendees and exhibitors can come together to learn, shop, compare pricing and do business together is our highest priority. MPE maintains these policies to ensure hospitable experiences for all attendees and exhibitors.