IDS Toronto Exhibitor Kit
1) Exhibitor Move-in
Please note: exhibitor space must be paid in full before exhibitors will be allowed to move-in and set-up. If you have any questions regarding your balance, please contact Catia Varricchio at 416-960-4511 or Catia.Varricchio@informa.com.
IMPORTANT! Assigned Exhibitor Move-In Time: Please check the Colour-Coded Move-In Floor Plan for your assigned offloading time. Refer to the “Shipping to the Show” section below for load-in procedures.
Monday, January 20, 2024 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
MTCC off-loading areas will not be available for deliveries outside of your scheduled move-in times (your booth space will not be available before your assigned offloading time since it will be used for offloading of vehicles).
Once you have offloaded your materials, you may stay on the show floor to continue setting up your display for the remainder of the move-in time for that day and return the following day at the earliest scheduled time to finish (Tuesday and/or Wednesday at 8:00am). For exhibitors moving in on Tuesday and Wednesday who feel they need more time, we highly recommend arranging advance warehousing using the link below.
The primary offloading area for the North building is inside on the Show Floor.
The maximum time allotted for vehicle off-loading is 30 minutes.
Shipments arriving on truck beds should review their material handling operations and requirements well in advance of move-in.
Vehicle offloading and loading must take place using one of the shipping options listed below.
IMPORTANT FOR ALL EXHIBITORS! Set-up ends on Wednesday, January 22 at 8:00pm. NO exhibitor deliveries will be accepted on Thursday.
2) Shipping to the Show
Please review all shipping information thoroughly and ensure your material handling and requirements are confirmed well in advance of move-in. You have three delivery options:
Option 1. Ship your exhibit materials to the Advance Warehouse
Advance Shipments to Warehouse – Your BEST Option.
We recommend you ship your show material to the Stronco warehouse in advance of the show. The benefits of advance shipping include the storage of material for up to 30 days prior to the show, delivery of shipment to the show site prior to exhibitor move-in and the ability to skip the Voyage Control system during move-in.
If you ship to the advance warehouse, your freight will be at the show site prior to your scheduled move-in time. The cost of the advance warehousing service includes all of the following:
- Receive shipment at the warehouse up to 30 days in advance of the show (any items stored beyond 30 days will incur additional charges)
- Provide inventory count and record any visual damage
- Deliver materials to show site
Advance Warehousing service includes delivery to the show site only; it does NOT include delivery to your booth (Material Handling service). Be sure to order BOTH services.
To order Advance Warehouse Receiving and Material Handling, please refer to the Stronco Portal through the Service Order Forms Page.
Option 2. Ship Direct to the Show Site
Direct shipments must be made during the exhibitor’s assigned move-in day and time. Please refer to the Colour-Coded Move-In Floor Plan for this information. You may NOT move in earlier than your scheduled time.
Offloading Reservation System: Voyage Control
The MTCC uses an online reservation system called Voyage Control for booking an offloading time. This complimentary service helps you reserve a time slot for moving your materials directly in/out of the MTCC’s offloading/loading areas.
Detailed instructions will be emailed on December once the Voyage Control portal is live and ready to accept bookings for your designated move-in time.
Click HERE to see the MTCC Loading Dock Map.
When vehicles arrive at the offloading area, they must check in with the Dock Staff (wearing red coats). Please make sure the driver has their timed Voyage Control booking pass visible for the staff to scan. If vehicles arrive early or late, they may be asked to return once space becomes available.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no Marshalling Yard. All vehicles will need to make a Voyage Control booking in advance of their arrival at the venue. If you require assistance to make your booking, please have your booth name, number, vehicle size, contact and booking code ready. Contact Dock Staff at 416-585-8345 or DockReservations@mtccc.com.
Important: Under no circumstance may a vehicle put their 4-way flashers on and block traffic at the West Ramp or on Front Street. Toronto Police will ticket any vehicle blocking traffic on the street.
Important notes about shipping directly to show site:
- Shipments to the MTCC must be prepaid and scheduled to arrive no earlier than during your scheduled move-in time.
- Instruct your carrier to book a delivery time via Voyage Control.
- Convention Centre staff will not accept shipments on your behalf.
Please ensure that a representative from your company is present when your shipment arrives. Also, ensure that personnel working on your booth have your company name and booth number. This will ensure that the material handling on move-in days runs smoothly and efficiently and minimize security hold-ups. If an exhibitor’s representative is not present, IDS reserves the right to order equipment and/or materials moved from the unloading area to the exhibitor’s booth area, or to order the removal of the vehicle from the unloading area. Charges for this service will be invoiced by Stronco Show Services to the exhibitor.
Shipping Address:
Interior Design Show
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building
255 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2W6
Attn: Company Name & Booth #
Crate ___ of ___
Stronco Logistics Services has been appointed the Official Transportation Provider and Customs Broker for IDS. Exhibitors have the option, however, to ship their materials to the show via any carrier. Stronco Logistics can provide all modes of transportation (including land, air and sea) as well as both local and international cartage service. Visit the Stronco Shipping link below for more information.
Stronco Logistics Services
www.stronco.com
logistics@stronco.com
1-800-665-2621
show code: 515455034
Material Handling: The maximum time allotted for vehicle off-loading is 30 minutes. A limited number of flatbed four-wheel dollies will be available, on loan, for unloading smaller shipments. If you require any larger mechanical devices (i.e. forklifts) for the movement of display materials from the offloading area to your booth, please complete the Stronco Material Handling Order Form. Be sure to consider not only the amount of time you’ll save by using the forklift service but also health and safety considerations for heavier or awkward freight. Note, this is an exclusive service and exhibitors may not bring their own forklifts.
Exhibitors who plan to off-load themselves might also want to consider using crates that have wheels to allow for faster unloading. PARKING AT THE OFF-LOADING AREA IS PROHIBITED. Vehicles must be removed as soon as unloading is complete. All exhibitors are urged to review their material handling operations and requirements with Stronco Show Services well in advance of move-in.
IMPORTANT: the material handling rate is based on booth square footage rather than the weight of shipping freight. Service includes receiving and unloading at off-loading area; delivery to booth; removal, storage and return of empty crates; removal of freight from booth at show close; and loading on designated carrier(s). For rates and full details please refer to the Stronco Material Handling Order Form below.
To order Material Handling, please refer to the Stronco portal linked through the Service Order Forms Page.
Option 3. Move in without the use of Loading Docks
If you are only bringing in something small that can be hand-carried then there is no need to make an appointment through Voyage Control. You can just park your car in the MTCC's parking garage and bring your items in via the elevator.
Reminder: you may NOT move-in earlier than your scheduled time, however, you may move-in later than your scheduled time as long as your display is completed by Wednesday, January 22 at 8:00pm.
3) International Shipments
Stronco Logistics, the Official Customs Broker for IDS, provides trans-border transportation, however, you have the option to ship materials to the show via any carrier. Stronco will maintain staff on-site from move-in through move-out to assist exhibitors with their entry/import and return/export of goods. Exhibitors can request a comprehensive Customs Guide from Stronco to assist in the preparation and distribution of documents (Toll free: 1-800-665-2621 logistics@stronco.com).
We strongly recommend a customs broker be used for all material being shipped from outside of Canada, including convention materials. Advance communication will ensure the most favourable customs status and trouble-free entry. For our international exhibitors, assistance with your freight and customs can be arranged with the Official Customs Broker, Stronco Logistics Services. (Toll free: 1-800-665-2621 logistics@stronco.com)
Customs Letter of Recognition
To simplify the import process and ensure a smooth entry process, international exhibitors should follow the requirements outlined in the customs letter of recognition and distribute the letter as follows:
- Present the customs letter of recognition to a Canadian Border Services Agency officer when they arrive at the Canadian border
- A copy of the letter should accompany any shipment of commercial goods to the event; and
- A copy should be forwarded to the designated representative or customs broker, as applicable.
All requirements are listed in the customs letter of recognition. Please contact Abby Calusin at Abby.Calusin@informa.com to receive a copy of the customs letter.
Border Crossing
Exhibitors who plan on crossing the border should consider the following points:
- A list of the Point of Entries into Canada can be found here. Check wait-times and plan accordingly.
- US citizens require a valid passport for travel to Canada and upon re-entry to the US.
- Exhibitors should be prepared to answer questions from CBSA officers about why they are travelling to Canada.
For more information about travelling from the United States into Canada as a temporary business traveler, please visit The U.S. Embassy in Canada website.
IDS / Informa Canada Inc. accepts no responsibility for any delays or seizures at the border, including exhibitors being turned away due to paperwork, criminal record or other reasons. Exhibitors wishing to contact the Canada Border Services Agency may visit their website for more information: www.cbsa.gc.ca.
Duties and Taxes
The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is currently 13%. Equipment and exhibits for this show, which will leave the country after the show, may be brought in free of duties and taxes but are subject to a deposit equal to the duties and taxes normally levied on them. (No duties apply, just 13% HST, for products made in the U.S.A.). The Official Customs Broker has made arrangements with Canada Customs for a bond to cover all imports to this show. Exhibitors using the services of the Official Customs Broker will therefore not be required to issue a separate power of attorney.
NOTE: For printed materials, advertising material and give-away articles, Canada Customs requires the payment of full duties and taxes on these materials. (No duties apply, just 13% HST, for products made in the U.S.A.). For more details, contact the Official Customs Broker directly.
4) Exhibitor Move-out
Sunday, January 26, 2025 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Monday, January 27, 2025 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
NOTE: If you are an exhibitor with a turnkey or part of one of the following: Studio North, Prototype, The District or the priority area, you MUST move out on Sunday, January 26, 2024 from 5:00pm-11:00pm.
There is no Marshalling Yard. All vehicles loading via the West Ramp will require a Voyage Control booking pass.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Exhibitor Move-Out Schedule: Please refer to the Colour-Coded Move-Out Floor Plan for an estimated time for when your booth should be packed and ready to load. The Voyage Control booking system will be used for Move Out. You will be emailed your booking code and instructions to book your timeslot. The success of move-out is dependent on exhibitors adhering to the Move-Out Schedule. It is imperative that you book your move out to allow enough time for dismantle. Only booths that are packed and ready to load will be allowed to have their vehicles/trucks access the loading area. Booking time slots can be adjusted onsite by visiting the Voyage Control desk at the West Ramp roll-up door at 5:00pm on Sunday, January 26.
Post-Show Warehousing Service: Avoid scheduling your pick-up during move-out by having Stronco ship your show materials to the Stronco warehouse after the show. You or your shipper can then pick up your booth freight as of a certain date. All items must be picked up by a certain date (any items stored beyond those days will incur additional charges). For rates and information, please contact Stronco exhibitor services at 905-270-6767 or exhibitorservices@stronco.com.
NOTE: No dismantling or removal of any material is permitted until after the official Show close on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 5:00pm. Do not leave valuable products or merchandise unattended during move-out. If you will not be fully moved out on Sunday night, please remove all valuable items and pack up your booth for Monday pick-up. Delivery of crates and shipping items from storage will occur immediately after attendees have cleared the show floor and will be completed by Monday morning.
Product is most vulnerable to loss during dismantling, and so please never leave valuables unattended. The show’s general security is merely a presence to inhibit theft.
Every item, whether exhibit material, brochures or trash, belonging to exhibitors must be removed entirely from the MTCC by 8:00pm on Monday, January 25. 2025. Should any exhibitor fail to remove all property by the time stipulated, the exhibitor shall indemnify Show Management in respect to any claim thereby occasioned. Show Management shall be entitled, but not obliged, to remove such materials belonging to the exhibitor, who shall be liable for all loss and costs incurred.
More information about move-out will be available in the Move-Out Memo that is distributed to all exhibitors on-site during the show.