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SHOW GUIDE

CHFA NOW · Toronto 2026

Exhibitor Manual

EXHIBITION PLACE

Conference: September 25, 2026
Trade Show: September 26 & 27, 2026

CHFA NOW · Toronto 2026

Exhibitor Manual

EXHIBITION PLACE

Conference: September 25, 2026
Trade Show: September 26 & 27, 2026

Thank you for choosing to exhibit at CHFA NOW Toronto 2026. Please carefully read through the information below and stay on top of all deadlines by reviewing your ExpoGenie Task List and working with our Official Service Providers.

Getting Started: Good to Know & Training Resources:

Planning Resources:

Growth Opportunities and Tips:

Roadmap to CHFA NOW: Your Ultimate Planning Tool

Roadmap to CHFA NOW is a new tool designed to help exhibitors prepare with confidence, from booking to show day. It outlines what to do, when to do it, recommended tips and where to find the tools and resources needed for a successful show experience.

DOWNLOAD HERE

What’s Included With Your Booth Purchase

As a reminder, your booth purchase includes:

  • Carpet
  • 8’-high black drapery back wall (in-line booth only)
  • 3’-high black drapery sidewall (in-line booths only)
  • 4 exhibitor badges per 100 sq. ft. – Register for badges here
  • Material handling (onsite – show docks to booth)


Note: For Greenhouse Brands, please visit this page for additional information on your booth purchase inclusions.

IMPORTANT: Exhibitor Rules and Regulations and Show Policies

As a reminder, all exhibitors must follow Rules and Regulations, as well as Show Policies listed below. These policies protect your investment, our service partners and ensure a safe and successful show for all participants. If you have any questions about these polices, or if you want to better understand why certain rules are in place, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Please ensure all of your exhibiting staff are aware of these policies.


Beware of Unaffiliated Solicitors

When preparing for the show, we encourage all exhibitors to work with our Official Service Providers and caution all exhibitors regarding solicitors who call and/or email claiming to be affiliated with our show. CHFA does not sell or share attendee lists with third parties, and we do not authorize outside companies to sell booth space or hotel accommodations on our behalf. The event industry is facing an ongoing issue with hotel, marketing consultants, and online directory scams. Please refer to the Official Service Providers contact sheet and, when in doubt, feel free to contact us directly to verify you are working with one of our show partners.

MORE INFORMATION

Webinars & Training Videos

WEBINAR: Tips for Exhibiting at CHFA NOW Toronto


WEBINAR: Ask Me Anything (AMA) ft. Your CHFA NOW Success Team

 

Exhibitor Tips Videos

Introduction to ExpoGenie Training Videos

View the playlist below for an introduction to ExpoGenie, our new exhibitor portal. More videos will be added as new features are added. Log in to your ExpoGenie account here to access your exhibitor portal.

Exhibitor Bulletins

CHFA NOW Show App

We launched a new show app! This will help exhibitors and attendees navigate the exhibitor list, conference schedule, chat with other show participants, and more!

App Features for Exhibitors: Includes the ability to build and edit your profile with resources, company description, product and company attributes, product details and more. Learn more about the app features and start building your profile using the Show App Guide. For FAQs and more information about using the app, click here. 

Food and Beverage Sampling

As required by the Toronto Public Health, if you are providing food or beverage samples, you must submit a Food & Beverage Sampling Application by September 4, 2026. If you have extensive onsite food preparation (chopping, frying, heating, etc.) in your booth, you must also have a Temporary Hand Washing Station within your exhibit space. For menu items that require preparation, a FOODSAFE certified food handler should be involved in the preparation and be present at the booth. Foodsafe certificates are valid for five years. Certificates and personal identification are required on site. To arrange cooking services in advance, please see the kitchen service request form for details.

Deep frying is not permitted in an indoor special event, unless approved by the Health Authority. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the closure of your booth. Please review the Toronto Public Health food safety guidelines for more information on food safety requirements.

Cold Storage Rental

To support the food safety guidelines, we are providing limited onsite cold storage rental space on a first-come, first-served basis. Please order your cold storage at your earliest convenience and no later than August 29.

If you are looking to rent equipment/ display cases for your booth. Visit Cool King Refrigeration.

Ordering Ice

You can now Pre-Order your Ice directly online until September 3, 2026 and it will be delivered to your booth.

If you require ice onsite it will be available for purchase in Exhibitor Services area.

  • Cost: $36.05 for 25lbs bag 
  • Ice Purchasing Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Show days only)  

Catering

If you would like to offer full-size food portions, you may pre-book catering through the facility’s catering department until September 3, 2026. Please contact the Director of Catering & Sales, Marlee Viggers, should you require assistance with a special request via email at Marlee.Viggers@oakviewgroup.com.

Furniture for Rent by Freeman

The official show decorator is Freeman and they offer a substantial order discount for exhibitors who rent furniture and accessories online by August 27, 2026

Electricity, Lead Retrieval and Additional Services

Additional exhibit requirements, such as electricity, can be ordered quickly and easily online or by following the links below and working with our additional service providers.

Please be sure to click the links below and review the pricing to ensure you don’t miss any advance pricing.


(*) denotes a discount deadline. Please note that some suppliers have a 50% price increase onsite.

IMPORTANT NOTE: UNION LABOUR RULES

The Enercare Centre is a union facility and as such, the operation or use of all motorized lifts and motorized material handling equipment for installation/dismantle of exhibits is NOT permitted by exhibitors or by their exhibitor appointed contractors (EAC’s). Union labour must be booked through Freeman Decor for extensive exhibit installation and dismantle.

Exhibitors may hand-carry their own freight into the exhibit facility however, the use of dollies, pump trucks and other mechanical equipment is not permitted.

Move-in and Move-out Schedule

Every exhibitor has an assigned move-in time to help us control traffic to the show docks and within the exhibit hall.

Move-in and move-out times have been assigned to control traffic flow to the loading docks and inside the exhibit hall. Your assigned timeslot is based on your exhibit location and all exhibitors must adhere to their assigned schedule. To access the loading docks, all vehicles must first go to the Marshalling Yard, sign in and wait for their turn to access the loading docks. There is no option to set an appointment, exhibitors must adhere to their move-in and move-out times. If your truck arrives before or after your scheduled move-in time, it will be turned away and you will need to reschedule your access time. Your set up may commence after your move-in is complete and continue as needed until the show opens. All booths must be set up by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26 and please note there is no dock access available on Saturday at any time.

Alternatively, you may simplify your shipping process and use the advanced warehouse services. The warehouse opens 30 days prior to the show and all advanced warehouse shipments must arrive September 21st at 3pm. The advanced warehouse services form must be submitted before shipping items to the advanced warehouse. Failure to send the advanced warehouse services order form and shipments received after this deadline will be subject to a 30% off-target rate surcharge. Advance warehouse services include delivery to show site only. MATERIAL HANDLING SERVICES AND CHARGES ARE NOT INCLUDED. Contact Cross Connect Customs & Logistics at 416.726.7229 or info@crossconnectcl.com for more information.

Exhibitor Parking Update

Parking in designated lots is complimentary for exhibitors during move-in and move-out ONLY. Please note parking passes must be purchased for show days and can be picked up on-site. Exhibitor Parking is located in CP 851 next to the Marshalling Yard

Shipping with Cross Connect Customs & Event Logistics

Cross Connect Customs & Event Logistics is the official shipping provider for CHFA NOW Toronto 2026. They offer very affordable domestic and international shipping solutions. They will assist with advanced warehousing, direct-to-show shipping, and your return shipments.

For more information, click on the links below. For a quick quote, contact 416.726.7229 or info@crossconnectcl.com.

Insurance

*IMPORTANT UPDATE: CHFA and The EnerCare Centre require insurance. You must upload your proof of insurance to your ExpoGenie Task List no later than September 4, 2026 

All exhibitors MUST provide proof of adequate liability insurance with a minimum limit of $5 million for the full duration of the show (includes move-in and move-out). This insurance is to protect you, the exhibitors, attending public and the venue. Review the Exhibitor Insurance Requirements  and contact your current provider or order affordable insurance with BFL, a CHFA Member benefit partner.

CHFA NOW Toronto Promotion Toolkit

Spread the word about CHFA NOW Toronto! To help make it easier for you to promote your participation at the show, we created a FREE promotional toolkit with various digital assets and sample copy which you can use as designed or modify to better suit your needs.

Marketing & Sponsorship Opportunities

With over 1,000 brands exhibiting at CHFA NOW Toronto, how can you get retailers’ attention and get noticed? Check out our Marketing and Sponsorship Opportunities to help you drive attendee engagement, gain brand awareness and break through the noise beyond the booth. View the brochure for details. Some of these opportunities are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Ready to order? Log in to your ExpoGenie account to purchase these marketing and sponsorship opportunities. If you have any questions, reach out to sales@chfa.ca.

Sustainability

Please help us make sustainability a priority and consider the environment when planning your exhibit. Review the Tips on Reducing Your Footprint. Consider applying some of your organization’s sustainable practices to your exhibit design. Simple changes like using compostable sample cups, reducing your paper collateral and considering the global helium shortage can help make a world of difference.

How to Win a Booth Award

Think your booth has what it takes to win one of our booth awards? Our judges are looking for booth with stunning design, exception staff engagement and whether you meet our display rules. They’ll be on the hunt for the best Small, Medium and Large/Pavillion Booth winners on Saturday and the winners will be celebrated on the show floor on Sunday morning.

View the Booth Awards Criteria and CHFA Display Rules and Regulations to see what it takes to win!