Wednesday, February 25     

5:00pm List of all cooking appliances/equipment due to the Charlotte Convention Center

Wednesday, March 04        

5:00pm Advanced order deadline for Fern

Monday, March 09

5:00pm             GFS Sample Order Form Due

Charlotte Convention Center Sample Distribution Form Due

   Deadline for Advanced Pricing on Electrical/Plumbing Utility Orders
   

Monday, March 23

12:00pm                  Deadline to upload content/POS into the Perenso Portal for your iPad

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

**loading docks close & entry door lock at 4:30pm, vendors may stay in the exhibit halls as long as needed

Tuesday, March 24      

  8:00am - 5:00pm Vendor Move in/Set up
8:00am - 9:00am Sample Deliveries Arrive
12:00pm - 5:00pm Badge Pick-Up Available 
2:00pm Mandatory Vendor Training with GFS Events & Perenso        

Wednesday, March 25       

  6:00am     Venue Opens
  8:00am      GFS Sales walk through-All vendor booths set and staffed
  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 Ordering: Fern

• • Click HERE for the online ordering

  • Deadline to receive discounted rates: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

If you have questions or concerns, please contact support 800.774.1251 x1.

Electrical/Utility Ordering: Smart City, Charlotte Convention Center 

• Click HERE for the Charlotte Convention Center Exhibitor Guide 

• To order online, click HERE.

• Click HERE for the Electrical Form 

• Click HERE for the Plumbing Ordering Form 

  • Email completed Electrical and/or plumbing forms to: customerservice@smartcitynetworks.com 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact kseeba@smartcity.com.

Deadline to receive discounted rates - Monday, March 9 @ 5:00pm

Sample Distribution Form: Charlotte Convention Center

• Click here for the Sample Distribution Request Form

  • This form is required for sample distribution approval - this is separate from the sample order form. 

• Deadline to submit: March 9, 2026

• Please submit to the address list below or email to Elizabeth.Wehrheim@crva.com:

Director of Catering

Charlotte Convention Center

501 South College Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

Ice Ordering Information: Zippy Ice

• Contact Zippy Ice at 980.355.9851 for all ice delivery options

• If you are ordering more than five bags of ice, please secure a cooler and have your product delivered. 

Recommended Hotels:

Le Meridien Charlotte Hotel

The Westin Charlotte

Home2 Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown

*Please note: We do not have a contracted block of rooms for vendors. Please book directly through your hotel of choice.

*NO SHOW FEE*

A $500.00 no-show fee will be incurred and billed back to the vendor if a reserved booth space has not been set-up prior to 1 hour before the show.   The Gordon Food Service Events team will check all exhibit booths one hour before the show opens to ensure proper set-up. Empty, unmanned booths will be turned into customer seating. The No Show Fee covers the costs of the seating rental that is incurred by Gordon Food Service.   

Exhibitor Booth Cleanup

Please wait until the announcement after 3pm to commence tear down of 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, March 25, 2026.

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.  

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. 

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 “RESERVED FOR FOOD BANK” 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 3pm 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 Retrieval 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 3pm to commence tear down of 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. 

Sample Order DEADLINE for Charlotte Show: Monday, March 09, 2026

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. Please reach out to your category manager with any questions regarding product statuses. 

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

Charlotte Show Distribution Center: Kannapolis

Sample Check-In

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

• • • Exhibitors are responsible for checking their samples in at the dock between 8:00am - 9:00am on Tuesday, March 24.

    • 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

• 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

• 537808 Compostable Black Forks

• 537809 Compostable Black Knives

• 537813 Compostable Black Spoons 

For the full Re.Source product list please click the POS links below.

Re.Source POS 1
Re.Source POS 2

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

Broker Kitchens: 

• 1. FRYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE USED INSIDE THE EXHIBIT HALLS OF THE CONVENTION CENTER. WE WILL HAVE TWO CONCESSION STANDS RENTED OUT INSIDE THE HALL WHERE ALL FRYING MUST TAKE PLACE. However, if you have a contained, self vented fryer system that you'd like to use in your broker kitchen space, you must get approval from the fire marshal in advance.

  2. A written request to the Center, from the entity intending to cook in the Center, must be submitted to the Center 30 days prior to the Show which must include a list of all cooking/warming equipment. Please email your list of cooking/warming equipment list and booth # to andre.haston@crva.com, Haley.Cornell@crva.com & Betsy.Belcher@charlotteconventionctr.com BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th.

  3. You must have one class K fire extinguisher present is close proximity to each cooking station. Each fire extinguisher must be up to date with an inspection tag. 

  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 Tuesday for the fire marshal walk through. 

  6.  Heat producing appliances must be UL listed.

  7. The use of any cooking appliances must meet the manufacture’s requirements.

  8. Appliances must emit 5 mg/m3 or less of grease laden vapors when tested at an exhaust flow rate of 500 cfm in accordance with UL 710B. Any cooking device not meeting this requirement cannot be used. Documentation may be requested to verify compliance.

  9. Appliances must be placed on non-combustible surface material.

  10. Cooking equipment must be separated from combustible materials display or storage by a horizontal distance of not less than 5 feet.

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. Fryers of any kind are not allowed in booths. All frying must be done in the convention center's kitchens that are located in the exhibit halls.

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

  4. See above rules under the "Broker Kitchen" section.

  5. A written request to the Center, from the entity intending to cook in the Center, must be submitted to the Center 30 days prior to the Show which must include a list of all cooking/warming equipment. Please email your list of cooking/warming equipment list and booth # to andre.haston@crva.com, Haley.Cornell@crva.com & Betsy.Belcher@charlotteconventionctr.com BY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th.

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.

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. You must have one class K fire extinguisher present is close proximity to any frying (inside concession stands only). You must have an ABC fire extinguisher present near any other warming/cooking device.

  4. 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.

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. 

Monday, March 23

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

Tuesday, March 24

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

*NO SHOW FEE* A $500.00 no-show fee will be incurred and billed back to the vendor if a reserved booth space has not been set-up prior to 1 hour before the show.   The Gordon Food Service Events team will check all exhibit booths one hour before the show opens to ensure proper set-up. Empty, unmanned booths will be turned into customer seating. The No Show Fee covers the costs of the seating rental that is incurred by Gordon Food Service.   

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. 

• Please be sure to check in with the dock master before parking in a dock door. Docks are limited and assigned.  

• If you have a wagon or wheeled cart needed for vendor set-up / tear-down, please enter via the loading dock and staging area.  A no wagon nor wheeled carts policy will be implemented by Security at our entry doors to the exhibit halls. 

• Please check with our Dock Manager before occupying a dock.

• Show Floor: Halls BC

Gate Addresses:

501 S College St.
Charlotte,  MI  28202
Upon Arrival: go around the block to E Brooklyn Village Ave, across from Whole Foods. The loading dock entrance has a large, “LOADING DOCK ENTRANCE”, sign.

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

*To print the Halls & Loading Dock Map click here*

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 on this Vendor Registration Link to Register

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.**

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** 

On Show day, ONLY Customers will be allowed to park at the NASCAR Hall of Fame garage due to lack of parking spaces available. There are plenty of other public garages that exhibitors and staff can park at nearby on Show day. We appreciate your cooperation. Please share this information with anyone that is working a booth or kitchen at the Show.

*CLICK HERE TO VIEW/PRINT THE LOCAL PARKING SUGGESTIONS* 

PRICE / OFF-INVOICE DISCOUNTS

Customers receive automatic price discounts on all eligible products delivered from 04/12/26 - 06/06/26  just for attending the show. They 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 - please reach out to events@gfs.com for further inquiry. 

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. 

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY WITH REDUCING WASTE TO LANDFILL

Safe food donations: Second Harvest Food Bank

• 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 Olivia Price olivia.price@gfs.com .  

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