Monday, September 22  

5:00pm GFS Sample Order Form Due
Order deadline to receive discounted rates with ArtCraft

Friday, October 03

5:00pm Order deadline to receive discounted rates with DeVos Place Convention Center

Sunday, October 5  

12:00pm - 4:00pm Large Broker Move In
**loading docks close & entry door lock at 4:30pm, although vendors may stay in the exhibit halls as long as needed

Monday, October 6 

8:00am - 5:00pm Vendor Move-in & Set up
8:00am - 9:00am Sample Deliveries  Arrive
12:00pm Deadline to upload content/POS into the Perenso Portal
12:00pm - 5:00pm Badge Pick-Up Available
2:00pm Mandatory Vendor Training with GFS Events & Perenso 

Tuesday, October 7

6:00am  Venue Opens/ Final set up
8:00am  GFS Sales walk through-All vendor booths set and staffed
10:00am - 5:00pm Show Floor Open

Wednesday, October 8 

6:00am  Venue Opens/ Final set up
9:00am - 3:00pm Show Floor Open
3:00pm - 7:00pm  Vendor tear down

Exhibitor Booth Packages - Included in Booth Fees

Standard booth (10x10): pipe & drape, identification sign, carpet, one trash bin and one eight foot (8'x30") skirted table.
Half booth (5x10): pipe & drape, identification sign, carpet, one trash bin and one four foot (4'x30") skirted table.
*Exhibitors are responsible for individual booth needs, samples, marketing materials, and staffing *

Exhibitor Booth Packages: ArtCraft Display

Your exhibitor kit for this event is available on-line.  If you do not have internet access, Art Craft Display can fax or mail the kit by calling (517) 485-2221.  If you need additional equipment or services you can order online or download order forms using the following procedures: 

Go to: www.artcraftdisplay.com
Click on: "Download Exhibitor Kit" in the top right corner of the page
Enter Event Code: 366042

Instructions to order found HERE

Deadline to receive discounted rates - Monday, September 22 at 5:00pm

Venue Exhibitor Services: DeVos Place Convention Center

• • Place your orders HERE for air, water, internet and electrical.

  • Deadline to receive discounted rates: Friday, October 03

  • To print the DeVos Place Exhibitor guidelines click HERE.

Ice Ordering Information:
Home City Ice
Website: https://www.homecityice.com/ 
New Customer Contact: 800-759-4411
Customer Service: 844-443-8423

Hotels:

Click HERE to book reservations. 

Contact Jamie with Grand Connection with any questions - jamie@grandconnection.com.

DEADLINE TO BOOK HOTEL ROOMS: SEPTEMBER 5

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel                                                             Courtyard by Marriott Hyatt Place Grand Rapids Downtown
187 Monroe Ave. 11 Monroe Ave. 140 Ottawa Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Exhibitor Booth Cleanup 

Please wait until the announcement after the show commences to tear down your booth.  No vendor should begin tearing down their booth prior to the announcement that the show has closed.  If you are found to not be compliant with this rule, you may be subject to a $1,000 fine.  Booth tear down must be completed by 11pm on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Improper disposal of oil & grease will result in a $5,000.00 fine to the vendor. Oil & grease must be dumped into designated grease barrels/bins that will be labeled as such on-site. If you have any questions of where to properly dispose of oil during the show, please don't hesitate to ask our information booth for more details. 

Do NOT leave garbage at your booth; receptacles will be available for you to dispose of your garbage.  Boxes that have been broken down and stacked neatly can be left. Any booths that are left with garbage (including boxes not being broken down, POS, decorations and food) will be subject to a cleaning fee.  

To abide by local health code, please DO NOT give away product at the end of the show to Gordon Food Service Staff or customers.
A no wagon nor wheeled carts policy will be implemented by Security at our entry doors to the exhibit halls. All guests will be requested  to leave these items in their personal vehicles during  show hours.
If you have a wagon or wheeled cart needed for vendor set-up / tear-down, please enter via the loading dock and staging area.  

Any leftover food will be donated to a local Food Bank.  Please place a pink “DONATION” sticker on the items that you wish to donate.  Left dry or shelf stable items at your booth will be picked up by the local food bank after the show concludes.  Products left in the cooler or freezer after the show closes will be considered as a donation to the food bank or other charity. We appreciate your cooperation in assisting us with helping others in our community. 

Exhibitor Show Etiquette: 

• • Use your provided iPad(s) for lead capturing. See Lead Capture tab below for more information.

  • No smoking is allowed in the building.  Please also refrain from smoking by the doors where our customers will be entering.  Your discretion and courtesy with respect to smoking is greatly appreciated.

  • Please do not use your cell phone for personal use while in your booth during show hours.

  • Do not remove chairs from seating areas throughout the show floor. 

  • Please wait until the announcement after the show commences to tear down your booth.

  • iPad return is NOT permitted prior to the close of the show.  

  • Specific Fire Code Regulations MUST be followed per venue. See Fire Code Rules & Regulations tab below for more information. 

Gordon Food Service Graphic Standards

To aid in the creation of your Marketing Materials, the following document provided below includes our Gordon Food Service Graphic Standards. 
Click HERE to view the Vendor / Broker Marketing Material PDF

Sample Order DEADLINE for Grand Rapids Show: Monday, September 22, 2025

Sample Order Form - LINK 

• Download to your computer, fill out, then email it to fs_samples@gfs.com. The form itself cannot be edited. 

Only active, open-coded, and in-stock items within each Show’s distribution center are allowed to be showcased at the Show. 

For Gordon Food Service brand suppliers, please ensure that Gordon Food Service branded products are also presented at your booth. 

Grand Rapids / Great Lakes Central Division Show Distribution Centers: Clay or Brighton 

Sample Check-In

Cases will be delivered to the loading dock on Monday morning. Broker cases will be palatalized separately. 

• • • Exhibitors are responsible for checking their samples in at the dock between 8:00am - 9:00am on Monday, October 6.

    • After 9:00am, samples will be put back on the truck. Exhibitors are responsible to find, pull and check samples in with our Dock Managers

    • Product left on the loading dock or trailer is at-your-own risk. 

    • Sample order issues must be communicated to both fs_samples@gfs.com and the events team at the Info booth by 3pm EST the day before the Show.

Re.Source

Gordon Food Service takes pride in an earth-friendly approach at our food shows. But we can't do it alone! Please make sure all disposable items at your food show booth are Re.Source products where applicable.

Recommended Re.Source products for food show booth applications:

• 556170  Re.Source 12 Ounce Plastic Cups, Clear, RPET, 70 Ct Bag, 6/Case

• 891871  Re.Source 6 Inch Molded Fiber Plates, 125 Ct Package, 8/Case

• 891886  Re.Source 8 Ounce Paper Soup Containers, 8 Ounce, 25 Ct Package, 20/Case

• 891908  Re.Source 8 Ounce Paper Hot Cups, 50 Ct Package, 20/Case

• 350707  Re.Source 3.25 Ounce Plastic Soufflé Portion Cups, Clear, 3.25 Ounce, 100 Ct Package, 20/Case - use with lids 

  • 874234        above product (2,000 count) or 350715 (2,000 count)

• 874234  Fabri-Kal Greenware Lids, Clear, for 3.25 & 4 Ounce Portion Soufflé Cups, PLA, 125 Ct Bag, 16/Case

• 350716  Re.Source 8 Ounce Plastic Deli Containers, Clear, 8 Ounce, 50 Ct Package, 10/Case

• 418047  Re.Source Dispenser Kraft Napkins, Xpressnap, 500 Ct Package, 12/Case

• 428033 Paper Food Tray 1/2#- 4-250ct

• 428034 Paper Food Tray #1 4-250 count

• 430553 Compostable Green Forks, 10-100 ct

• 430554 Compostable Green Knives , 10-100 ct

• 430555 Compostable Green Spoons , 10-100 ct

• 537808 Compostable Black Forks

• 537809 Compostable Black Knives

• 537813 Compostable Black Spoons 

For the full Re.Source product list, please click HERE.

Allowances

Please log into our Vendor Show Portal to see your list of approved items with and without allowances. If you need access to the portal, email showsupport@perenso.com. If you have questions about items you can bring to the Show or allowances, contact your Category Manager in Grand Rapids. 

Schedule & Information

Please adhere to the schedule below for Large Broker & All Vendor Move-In. **Note that no earlier access will be permitted.
Reminder that exhibitors are responsible for checking their samples Tuesday morning. 

Sunday, October 5

12:00pm - 4:00pm Large Broker Move-In

Monday, October 6

8:00am - 5:00pm All Vendor Move-In
2:00pm Mandatory Vendor Training with GFS Events & Perenso    

Dock Information: 

Exhibitors are required to follow all venue loading and unloading guidelines.  

• All equipment and freight shall be loaded/unloaded in the appropriate building dock area.  The loading/unloading of equipment and/or freight from the main guest exterior entrance areas, in front of either building, is strictly prohibited. 

• A security checkpoint is in place for freight trucks entering and requesting dock access.  Docks are limited and assigned.  

• Accessible Gates: ALL loading docks are located off Michigan St. (address below). Please check with our Dock Manager before occupying a dock.

• Show Floor: Halls ABC

Dock Address:

• Michigan Street Loading Dock
  333 Monroe Ave NW
  Grand Rapids, MI 49503

You MUST check in with the Dock Manager at the loading dock to receive your dock assignment.  If you pull your trailer into a dock without checking in with our Dock Manager, you will go to the back of the line and wait for a new dock.  

*Click HERE for Interactive Parking Lot Map*

Floor Plan LINK

Floor plan links are live and considered final 30 days before the show. After this time, they have been sent over for fire marshal approval and we may not be able to make further adjustments. Any questions, please reach out to events@gfs.com 

Click this LINK for Vendor Registration

Save time during setup and register today!  Print your badge on site using your express QR code, emailed to you after registering. On-Site Registration and badge printing will take place during set-up Tuesday afternoon at the Perenso booth.

For detailed instructions on how to register for name badges, please click HERE.

Badge Pick-Up is available 12:00pm - 5:00pm the day before the show; as well as the morning of the show. 

**Please note: each booth worker MUST register for a new name badge for each Show. The same badge cannot be used Show to Show.**

Each Vendor/Exhibitor is responsible for following the cooking requirements: 

Broker Kitchens: 

• 1. If you are frying, you will need to provide a stainless steel table for your fryers. The venue and onsite decorator will NOT have these available for rental. You MUST provide your own onsite. Failure to comply will result in not being able to use your fryers for the show

  2. Fryers must be placed 24 inches apart on the stainless steel tables.

  3. You must have one class K fire extinguisher present per table with fryers. Each fire extinguisher must be up to date with an inspection tag. This must be visible and placed near the fryer for inspection.

  4. Depending on where your kitchens are placed on the show floor, you must be set 10 feet from the perimeter wall of the hall and 5 feet off the drape line. You may not place items against the wall and must provide ample walking space.

  5. Please be sure to have your kitchen set up with fire extinguishers visible by 2pm on Monday for the final fire marshal walk through. 

If you fail the walk through inspection, you will need to have a recheck the morning of the show and could face being shut down for sampling & distribution and subject to a fine.

Cooking in your Booth: 

• 1. If you are cooking or warming food in your booth, you must have an ABC fire extinguisher with a metal handle out of the box and visible at all times. Please make sure that this is not a HOME USE extinguisher.

  2. Small (single well, non-commercial) tabletop fryers are permitted in the booth; however, you must comply with the following:

     • Fryer may not be placed on a drape line

     • You must have a metal sheet pan under the fryer

     • You may not have decor or fabric around the fryer, unless you have a certification of fire retardant material

     • You must have one class K fire extinguisher present per table with fryers. Each fire extinguisher must be up to date with an inspection tag and visibly placed near each fryer table for inspection.

  3. Please be sure to have your booth set up with fire extinguisher visible by 4pm on Monday for the final fire marshal walk through. 

If you fail the walk through inspection, a recheck will be required the morning of the show. You are then at risk for food sampling & distribution and subject to a fine.

Fire Extinguishers: 

• 1. Each Vendor/Exhibitor is responsible for having the appropriate fire extinguisher for each venue.

  2. Each fire extinguisher must be compliant with a valid expiry tag and a  pull tab. Failure to meet venue or Fire Marshal requirements may result in pulled from participation at the Show. In the event of being pulled for not meeting fire extinguisher requirements, no booth payment refund will be issued.

  3. The Gordon Food Service Events Team inventory includes some fire extinguishers that can be rented per Show. Check at the Show Information Booth for further details or send specific questions to events@gfs.com. A $50 cash rental fee will be charged on-site.

*To view the Fire Code Rules & Regulations PDF click here*  

*NEW THIS 2025 SEASON*
Vendors and Brokers will have the ability to download the show app on their personal devices to capture leads. All booths still receive (1) iPad per single booth space. Utilizing the show app increases the number of booth users capable of taking leads. 

Instructions: 

• Personal Device Lead Capture Training PDF 

• Personal Device Lead Capture Training Video 

• iPad Ordering and Lead Retrieval step-by-step 

• iPad Lead Capture Training Video - how to use on show floor 

Gordon Brand Content / POS:

We have gone paperless on Gordon Food Service Branded point of sale / content. All branded content will be accessible on the sales tablets at your booth. You will be able to email the materials to the customer directly from the tablet.

National Brand Content:

To email customers your Point of Sale marketing content from the booth iPad, all content must be uploaded to the Show Portal. If you have already loaded content into the portal you do not have to load it again. 

Here's how:

• • You'll receive an email from events@gfs.com with instructions

  • Click this Show Portal Link

  • Enter your User ID (same ID used to enter allowances)

  • Click the "Content" tab

  • Follow the instructions on the document in the email from events@gfs.com to upload your content.

  • For a detailed tutorial with step by step images please CLICK HERE.

Deadline to upload content to the show portal is 2 days prior to the show date before Noon. 

**If you miss the Monday deadline to upload your content, please email showsupport@perenso.com** 

*To print the Vendor Broker Marketing Materials PDF click here*  

Shuttles 

Shuttles run every 20 minutes from the following locations and are available for all customers, vendors, and Gordon Food Service employees. 

Locations: 

• Gordon Food Service Home Office: 1300 Gezon Pkwy., SW Wyoming, MI 49509

• Calvary Church: 707 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Tuesday, October 7: 7:00am - 8:00pm 

Wednesday, October 8: 7:00am - 3:00pm 

Recommended Parking Ramps & Lots 

Government Center Ramp: 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Louis-Campau Ramp : 43 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Ellis Parking Pearl Garage: 119 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or 130 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

DeVos Place Ramp: 333 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or 218 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

• We ask that the DeVos Place Ramp is utilized by customers on show day(s) and for vendors to park in a different recommended lot/ramp.

• Please note we do not validate vendor or broker parking.

**View the following Link for additional parking information**

PRICE / OFF-INVOICE DISCOUNTS

Customers receive automatic price discounts on all eligible products delivered from 10/26/25 - 12/20/25  just for attending the show. Customers don't have to commit to these items at the show to get the discount; it will happen automatically. Off - invoice discounts are not offered to program accounts with contract pricing.

GIVEAWAYS & BOOTH ACTIVITIES

We would like to help communicate your booth giveaways or activities to our Customers and Sales Teams via our internal show site, customer app & email communication. Please fill out the Food Show Giveaways & Activities form to indicate what you are planning on doing - the more information the better!
The form is due 30 days before the show and is now closed - please reach out to events@gfs.com for further inquiry. 

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY WITH REDUCING WASTE TO LANDFILL

Safe food donations: Feeding America West Michigan

• We have charitable stickers that will be distributed prior to show close. Please leave your identified products on your tables and they will be picked up. All products left in the trailer or cooler after 3:00PM are considered a donation.

Not suitable for donation? 

Help us reduce waste to landfill by utilizing our Compost Bins available at:

• Vendor/Broker Kitchenette areas - Compost food items that are no longer acceptable for samples throughout the show day

• Waste Reduction Zones on the show floor

• Review your Vendor Compost Guide in your booth

• During show tear-down

View our Composting Awareness video to learn the ways we can create further sustainability at our shows 

GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN/STUDENTS AT THE SHOW 

Please Note: Adults Only

As part of our commitment to providing a professional environment for all guests, no children under the age of 18 are permitted in our shows. 

Students are asked to attend the Show after 1:00pm.

The Gordon Food Service Events team will be happy to help you on any show related questions.  Contact us at events@gfs.com. 

• For specific show questions contact Karyn Olesnavage at karyn.olesnavage@gfs.com or Mary McCabe at mary.mccabe@gfs.com . 

• For questions regarding show deals, products, and/or approval for show sample coordination, please contact your Category Manager.