General Operating Policies

Cleaning/Trash Removal

The Carolina First Center (Center) will provide janitorial service during normal operating hours in aisles, corridors, open spaces and restrooms, plus one thorough cleaning of these same areas during the hours when the Center is closed. Specific times are to be coordinated with building services. Cleaning of exhibit booth areas is not the responsibility of Center personnel.

Events such as food shows, which require continual janitorial service throughout the facility, should make special arrangements with the Center for additional personnel.

Licensee is responsible for cleaning carpeted aisles and carpeted registration areas, lounges, etc.

Licensee is responsible for removal of all crates, pallets, lumber and packing materials prior to the opening of the show and following move-out.

Service contractors are to clean daily any freight entrances, docks or crate storage areas in their care or control as well as removing all floor tape and any tape residue.

Failure to remove such tape and/or residue will facilitate a charge to the licensee for such removal.

Copyright/Fees

Any and all ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or other copyright fees applicable to an event will be the full responsibility of the licensee. Payment of the fees will be made by the user directly to the applicable copyright agency. Credit Cards

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted forms of payment for services at the Center. The Center does not, however, accept credit cards for the payment of exhibit hall or meeting room rental, or for food and beverage charges in excess of $1,000.

Decorations

All decorations used in the building must be flameproofed according to the City of Greenville fire regulations. No decorations may be fastened to walls, columns or drapes, and nothing may be suspended from the ceiling without prior written permission from Center management.

Adhesive backed stickers may not be used or given out on the premises.

The use of helium balloons within the facility is strongly discouraged. Balloons cause a safety hazard when they rise to the lighting and electrical system housed in the ceiling, as well as a future hazard when facility personnel are required to retrieve stray balloons that become entangled in the facility structure. Helium balloons are allowable only under the following conditions:

  • They are tethered or strung together (i.e. arches)
  • They are removed from the premises at the end of the event
  • There will be a $5 per balloon charge to remove any balloons that rise to the ceiling in the meeting rooms or exhibit halls
  • Absolutely no helium balloons may be given out inside the facility
  • All use of helium balloons must be approved by Center management prior to the event
  • No balloons are allowed in the atrium or prefunction areas of the Conference Center

Confetti may be used with prior approval from Center management. There will be a $100 cleanup charge for events using confetti. Birdseed may be thrown outside the Center but should not be used within the facility.

Equipment Rental

Equipment rentals are available through the Operations Office at the Center.

Event Coordinator

An event coordinator is assigned to all events upon return of a signed Use License Agreement (ULA). Your coordinator will be in contact with you within two working days of our receipt of the executed ULA.

First Aid

The Center is the sole health care provider for all events. The Center schedules medics for all public shows, trade shows and events advertised to the public where expected attendance is more than 1,000 guests. The service is charged at an hourly rate and is normally scheduled during event hours. Your event coordinator will confirm the first aid schedule in advance of the event. Rates will be made available upon request.

Food and Beverage Services

"Savor Greenville, Catering by SMG" is the exclusive food and beverage provider for the Center. No outside food or beverage of any kind may be brought into the facility. An SMG representative will be happy to assist with all arrangements for catered events, concessions and food & beverage sampling.

Food and Beverage Services - Concessions The Center features a permanent concession area in Hall C. In addition, portable stands may be used in other exhibit halls.

Exhibit hall clients are encouraged to coordinate concession requirements early in the planning process to maximize the benefits of food service within your overall exhibit floor plan. Your Event Coordinator or Catering Sales Manager will be happy to assist you in determining concession needs and locations.

Some concession areas may be open only during selected events. Locations and specific menu items are subject to change as we continue efforts to improve our selection and service.

Food and Beverage Services - Exhibitor Restrictions

Licensees and exhibitors wishing to distribute or dispense samples of food or beverage without charge MUST obtain written permission in advance of the event. These products MUST be the exhibitor's primary product and relate directly to the nature of the show. A Food and Beverage Sampling Request Form is available for such requests.

Any food and beverage items used to promote booth traffic (i.e., popcorn, snacks, etc.) must be obtained through the Center's in-house catering department.

Freight Deliveries

The Center does not accept freight shipments for exhibitors. All shipments must be consigned to the show's official general contractor or its agent and delivered to the Center during the scheduled move-in. The Center is not responsible for shipments of freight leaving the building. Materials for seminars and conferences will be accepted no more than five (5) working days in advance of an event and a shipping/handling fee will be charged.

Insurance

Licensees of exhibit halls must have insurance coverage in effect during the entire ULA period, including move-in, event days and move-out. Details concerning insurance coverage are specified in the ULA.

All certificates and endorsements shall be furnished at least 30 days before the first day of occupancy by the licensee. Certified copies shall provide that such coverage may not be canceled without 30 days advance notice to SMG and The City of Greenville.

The General Manager, or his/her designee, reserves the right to cancel the event or to cause the ULA to be null and void upon failure of licensee to provide proper verification of insurance within the specified period.

Move-In/Move-Out

Move-in/move-out hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Extended move-in/move-out hours can be arranged at a rate of $100 per hour.

O.S.H.A. Regulations

Compliance with O.S.H.A. regulations is the responsibility of the licensee and its contractors.

Parking

The Center's parking lots can accommodate 2,500 automobiles. All parking operations are under control of the Center. The daily parking fee currently is $4 per vehicle for trade shows and events open to the public. This fee is subject to change.

Pets/Animals

Animals (with the exception of dogs for the disabled) are not permitted in the facility unless they are part of dog shows or other animal-related events.

Physical Arrangements

Detailed floor plans are required for all exhibit hall events and activities in any public area of the Center, including meeting rooms, registration areas or lobbies. Floor plans must be approved by Center management and the Office of the Fire Marshal of the City of Greenville.

Floor plans should be approved prior to confirming exhibit space sales to avoid unnecessary confusion later.

All physical arrangements and setup information must be presented to Center management a minimum of 15 days prior to the event.

Pre-Event Activities

Pre-event activities such as rehearsals, preview parties, etc., will be assessed a charge for special cleaning, lighting and climate control.

Public Areas

Lobbies, prefunction areas and permanent food facilities in the Center are considered public areas and generally not under licensee control. As such, the following guidelines apply:
  • All activities utilizing public areas, such as registration, special exhibits or displays, etc. must be approved in advance. Detailed floor plans with specifications are to be submitted for approval.
  • Activities in public areas must take into consideration the requirements of other tenants utilizing the facility.
  • Service desks and related "behind the scenes" workstations should not be set in public areas.
  • Motorized vehicles, forklifts, gas or electric carts, etc. may not be operated in the prefunction areas or any carpeted area of the Center.
  • Installation of carpet runners, show carpet or other temporary floor coverings over permanent carpet must be approved in advance.
  • Heat tape and double-faced tape may not be used on permanent carpet.
  • The passenger elevator and escalators are for use only in conjunction with meeting room rental or attendee access and may not be blocked or used to transport freight or equipment.

Pyrotechnics

The use of pyrotechnic displays is prohibited unless approved in writing by the City of Greenville Fire Marshal's office.

Security

The Center is the exclusive provider of security personnel for all events conducted within the facility. The Center maintains security for building perimeter areas as well as internal patrols. All licensees are required to have security within exhibit areas and may be required to schedule security in meeting rooms and other areas used by licensee, depending on the type of event. Licensee may be required to provide security in leased areas from initial occupancy until completion of move-out, depending on space utilization and type of event. Your event coordinator will contact you regarding security needs.

Staffing Services

The Center provides trained, experienced personnel to assist with registration and other temporary staffing requirements. Information is available from your event coordinator.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in the Center.

Ticket Sales

The Center retains the right to provide ticket-handling personnel on an exclusive basis for any public event which charges a paid admissions fee. A copy of the Ticket Sales Policy is available upon request.

If show management receives permission from the facility to manage ticket sales, it is the responsibility of show management to: a) secure a tax license from the State of South Carolina, and b) make appropriate admissions tax payments to the South Carolina Tax Commission.

Use License Agreement (ULA)

Facilities and dates are considered confirmed or under contractual commitment only upon execution of a ULA by the event sponsor and the Center specifying all details of the commitment. Space and dates are considered tentative until that time. A ULA is required for all events held at the Center.

Utility Connections

Connections to Center utilities (electrical, compressed air, water and drainage) must be arranged through contractors appointed by the Center. A list of contractor relationships is attached. Rates will be made available upon request.

Vehicles

Vehicles are not permitted in the Center without prior written approval of the Center management, or unless they constitute an integral part of a display. Any vehicle that is on display must conform to the City of Greenville Fire Marshal's regulations.

Water Service

The Center offers complimentary water service for head tables and in the form of water coolers. The coolers can be placed outside your room or wherever convenient. Should you desire a more formal form of water station, such as glasses and pitchers, our catering department can provide that service for an additional charge.

EVENT SERVICES/CONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIPS

Audio/Visual

PSAV is the preferred provider of audio/visual services at the Carolina First Center (Center) and operates an office on site. Order forms for audio/visual equipment and services and a schedule of costs are available from the Center and can be provided to show management for distribution to exhibitors.

Drayage Service (material handling)

Licensees of the Center may select their own drayage company. Most general contractors/drayage companies working within the Center have arrangements with local storage companies to handle early shipments of freight.

Electrical Service

The Carolina First Center is the exclusive provider of electrical services within the Center. Electrical service order forms are available from the Center and can be provided to show management for distribution to exhibitors.

Food and Beverage Service

All catering and retail food & beverage sales are controlled exclusively by the Center. Menus are available upon request. Food and Beverage Sampling Order Forms must be submitted by exhibitors prior to any food and beverage distribution on the show floor.

General Contractors/Decorators

Licensees of the Center may select their own decorator.

Plumbing Service

Connection to the Center utilities - compressed air, gas, water and drain - must be arranged through the Center's in-house plumbing service. Plumbing order forms are available from the Center and can be provided to show management for distribution to exhibitors.

Telephone/Internet Service

Telecommunication services are provided on an exclusive basis by the Center. Telecommunication information and order forms are available from the Center and can be provided to show management for distribution to all exhibitors.