The first thing exhibitors will need to do upon arrival is check in at registration. Exhibitors will not be allowed to set up their booth until you have checked in with registration. This is NEW for 2026 so please make note of it and plan accordingly. There will be staff monitoring setup and enforcing this policy. The individual that checks-in your company will receive an envelope containing the Wi-Fi password, party tickets (if ordered) as well as other important exhibitor related show information. Once your company has checked-in and received you Exhibitor Packet from the registration desk you may proceed to set up your booth. Please do not loose the aforementioned envelope as they cannot be replaced.

** EXTENDED SETUP HOURS FOR AME 2026! Please Read Carefully **

SETUP hours Monday 7/27/2026:
Heavy Equipment/forklift Required Exhibitors- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
General Exhibitor - 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

There will NOT be pre-paid fork trucks on Monday 7/27/26. Monday is primarily for heavy rigging crews, crews that hove their own loading equipment, exhibitors that had large freight deliveries (which include pick and place) and local Exhibitors that do not need fork truck services and would like to set up early. The freight elevator will only be operational from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM.

SETUP hours Tuesday 7/28/2026:
General Exhibitor - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paid Fork Truck Time - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

The AME pre-paid for three hours of Fork Truck service so there are no forms or payments necessary to use this service when using personal/work vehicles. Simply flag down a driver and let them know what you need. Please be patient with the fork truck staff as there will be many requests. This service DOES NOT COVER single loads of 4,000lbs or greater. Please see our Shipping / Freight page for more details. The freight elevator will be operational from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

TEAR DOWN hours Thursday 7/30/2026:

All Exhibitors - 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

After 8:00 PM there will be a $100 per hour charge per exhibitor. Please notify show organizers if this will be a challenge for your team. Exceptions do exist and we’ll address than as they arise.

** There is a staggered Load Out Schedule. Please Read. **

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM vendors that do NOT need Fork Truck are allowed to access the loading docks. These should be simple and quick loads utilizing personal/work vehicles and trailers.
  

• 4:15 PM – 8:00 PM vendors utilizing third party shipping/freight handlers or vendors that need Fork Trucks utilizing personal/work vehicles and trailers are allowed access the loading docks. If you fall into this category and you arrive before 4:15 PM you will not be allowed to enter and will be redirected and staged along Michigan St. and Scribner (see maps below). Again, early arrivals WILL be turned away so please let you drivers/couriers know in advance.
  

• There will be Staff at the Loading Dock doors as well as Staff to direct traffic. This can be a challenge to coordinate so please listen to and respect these Staff Members.

DeVos Place is non-union and all exhibitors can bring their sales demos and booth items directly into the venue. There are some carts for moving equipment in, but plan ahead and bring your own.

DEMO VEHICLES

Please see the Display Vehicle Rules from the DeVos Place HERE.

EARLY TEARDOWN FEE

Any exhibitor who begins to tear down their booth without express permission from AME organizers will be charged $600. The fee will automatically be charged for those in violation. Any exhibitor who clearly violates this rule and disputes the fee will not be permitted to return to AME. For clarity, this is also specified during the registration process and expressly agreed upon to complete the reservation.

SETUP & TEAR DOWN PARKING - 7/27/25, 7/28/26 & /30/25:
The venue affords each exhibitor utilizing the parking structure under the DeVos Place two-hour parking vouchers. Exhibitors loading and unloading items from their vehicles are encouraged to use this free service. There is also a freight elevator (Section K) that is accessible from the parking lot. Below, you will see the parking lot map and where the Freight Elevator is located. After you have completed your loading and/or unloading, a security guard will be stationed at the freight elevator, and they will provide you with the pass.

What about oversized delivery trucks. trailers and or semitrucks? Please visit the “PARKING” section of the site.