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2025 EXHIBITOR INSTRUCTIONS

September 19 - 21, 2025   |   I-X Center, Cleveland, OH

In order to ensure a successful show please read the following. This page will provide you all the information you need for load-in, parking, load-out and any number of other questions you may have in our FAQ below. If you still have questions, please contact us at show@gamecleveland.com 

LOAD-IN SCHEDULE

  • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025: 10:00AM - 8:00PM

LOAD-IN LOCATION

  • 1 I-X CENTER DRIVE, CLEVELAND, OH 44135

  • North Hall, Load-in from Exhibitor Entrance (Door 35)

LOAD-IN INSTRUCTIONS

  • We have a total of TEN HOURS for load-in on Friday, September 19, 2025

  • Load-in is required on Friday, September 19, 2025

  • Vendor check-in/load-in will begin at 10:00AM and continue until 8:00pm​

  • Exhibit hall is NOT open to the public on Friday and NO SALES WILL BE ALLOWED

  • Upon arrival please proceed to the Exhibitor Entrance at Door 35 to check-in and load-in

  • At check-in you will receive your Exhibitor Welcome Packet along with the corresponding number of Exhibitor Badges you have purchased or were made available based on the number/type of booth(s) you've purchased (see below for details)

  • If you need to purchase additional Exhibitor Badges, you can use the following link (click on Add-Ons): 

  • https://checkout.conventions.leapevent.tech/es/Cleveland_Gaming_Classic_963689

  • Drive-in AND parking passes are available for purchase directly from the IX Center.  You can purchase them here: 

  • https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/ixservices/L2VtYmVkL2FsbD90aWxlX2l0ZW09Mg%3D%3D

  • If you have NOT purchased drive-in/load-in privileges you will unload at Truck Docks and our staff will guide you to the show floor and load-in from the Truck Docks

  • No vehicles will be allowed on the show floor after 5:30PM.

  • The show will open for Preview Night at 6:00PM on Friday, September 19, 2025

  • The vendor Exhibit Hall will be closed at this time. There are NO SALES on Friday, September 19, 2025. 

  • Security detail for the Exhibit Hall will be provided for the duration of the event, evening and overnight

PARKING

MISCELLANEOUS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

  • Exhibitors can arrive starting at 8:00AM

  • LAST CALL load-in hours are from 8:00AM - 9:30AM. ALL VENDORS SHOULD PLAN TO LOAD-IN ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 WITHIN THE TEN (10) HOUR WINDOW WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. 

  • No unloading will be allowed after 9:30AM on Saturday, September 20 - no exceptions as the show opens at 9:30AM for VIP attendees

  • The show will open to VIP passholders at 9:30AM

  • The show will open to Weekend Passholders at 10:00AM

  • The show will open to General Admission at 11:00AM

  • Exhibit Hall will close at 8:00PM

  • Security detail for the Exhibit Hall will be provided for the duration of the event, evening and overnight

  • No teardown is permitted on Saturday, September 20. 

  • Evening programming and events continue until 10:00PM. Exhibitors are welcome and encouraged to attend!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

  • Exhibitors can arrive starting at 8:00AM

  • The show will open to the public at 10:00AM 

  • Exhibit Hall will close at 4:00PM

  • Security detail for the Exhibit Hall will be provided

  • No early teardown is permitted whatsoever.

  • Exhibitors will be permitted to teardown at 4:00PM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What if I need to purchase a table, chairs, or other items I have not purchased yet and have decided I want to rent from the show? 

A: The cutoff window for additional items, i.e. tables, chairs, linens for your tables, etc. will be communicated. If you did not order these items through us - you will be required to supply them. ALL TABLES ARE REQUIRED TO BE COVERED. We recommend simply using a standard table cloth that will cover a 8' table. These are generally anywhere from $5 - $15 (see example here). If you need to add these items please do so as early as possible for us to order through our decorator. Order here. See Add-Ons in dropdown to display table, chair, linen and exhibitor badge options. If you do purchase through us, your tables, chairs, linens, etc. will be set in your booth when you arrive.

Q: What if I need to order electrical for my booth space?

A: You can order through the electrical supplier for the IX Center, Edlen Electrical here. Advanced pricing deadline closes on August 29, 2025. Electrical may also be ordered day-of. 

Q: Can I bring my own extension cord, if I did buy electrical access?

A: Yes. You will need to bring your own extension cord if you did buy electrical access to power. You are responsible for your own cords. 

Q: What if I decided I want to purchase a drive-in parking pass for load-in/load-out privileges in the IX Center?

A: You will have the opportunity to buy drive-in parking pass privileges directly from the IX Center upon check-in. These are optional. If you do not have drive-in privileges you should assume you will unload your car outside the venue and be able to hand-carry, cart, dolly, or use other reasonable means necessary to bring your wares into the convention. 

Q: Will WIFI be provided to me? 

A: There is a public WIFI available to you intended for general use for small transactions, email, messaging, etc.; however, depending on total attendance you may be required to use your own data plans accordingly. Please plan accordingly. Otherwise, if you would like your own private exhibitor wireless internet this is available to you for purchase from the IX Center's wireless service provider, Smart City - and they will be available onsite. If it is important you have a secure, reliable and dedicated network - consider purchasing this from Smart City - it's worth it. 

Q: Since we are loading-in on Friday, will my items be safe overnight?

A: Yes, we have specifically hired an overnight security shift to have security in the IX Center for the duration of the event. So even when the venue is closed, we are hiring security to be onsite and in the Exhibit Hall. CGC is not responsible for lost or stolen goods.

Q: How many exhibitor passes to we get with our booth purchase?

A: Each booth space comes with a fixed corresponding number of Exhibitor Badges. You will receive a quantity of Exhibitor Badges equal to the number of booth spaces you've purchased. So if you've bought multiple booths you will receive the number of Exhibitor Badges x Booth Spaces purchased. If you need to purchase additional, click here (Click on Add-Ons).

See the following below for details:

  • 10' x 5' Artist Alley: 1 Exhibitor Badge

  • 10' x 5' Half Booth: 2 Exhibitor Badges 

  • 10' x 10' Tattoo Booth: 2 Exhibitor Badges

  • 10' x 10' In-Line: 2 Exhibitor Badges 

  • 10' x 10' Corner: 2 Exhibitor Badges 

  • 10' x 10' Indie Dev: 2 Exhibitor Badges 

  • 10' x 20' In-Line: 2 Exhibitor Badges

  • 10' x 20' Corner: 2 Exhibitor Badges

  • 10' x 20' End-Cap: 2 Exhibitor Badges

  • 10' x 30' In-Line: 2 Exhibitor Badges

  • 10' x 40' 2 Corners: 6 Exhibitor Badges

  • 20' x 20' Island: 6 Exhibitor Badges

  • 20' x 20' End-Cap: 6 Exhibitor Badges

  • 40' x 20' Booth: 6 Exhibitor Badges

Q: What if I need to purchase additional Exhibitor Badges for helpers in my booth?

A: If you need additional, you will need to purchase additional Exhibitor Badges here

Q: When do I get my Exhibitor Badges/passes?

A: They will be in your Exhibitor Packet at check-in. 

Q: What will load-in look like this year?

A: We are entirely on the main floor of the IX Center.. The floors are smooth concrete, expect minor cracks, bumps, etc. You can bring your own dolly and/or carts. Carts and other move-in appliances will NOT be provided. The walk from Door 35 to the exhibit space is an estimated 6 - 8 minute walk. We highly recommend bringing a cart, dolly or appliance for moving in and out. The convention space is quite large and you'll want to minimize the number of trips if you are not planning on driving into the building.

Q: Will carts be available for use? 

A: No, please plan on bringing your own carts, wagons or other devices for transporting your wares to your booth. 

Q: Where do I go to check-in?

A: You will check-in at the Exhibitor Entrance at Door 35 to the North Hall. Upon check-in you will receive your Exhibitor Packet with further instructions. 

Q: What if it's raining during load-in?

A: Please plan accordingly. 

Q: What time does the Exhibit Hall close each day?

A: 8:00PM Saturday. 4:00PM Sunday. 

Q: So, does the show end 8:00PM on Saturday then?

A: No evening events continue until 10:00PM but the vendor hall/expo is closed. We have hired 4 security staff to roam the entirety of the vendor hall/expo during this time. 

Q: Can my booth encroach into the aisles?

A: No. 

Q: Can I swap booth spaces with someone?

A: No. 

Q: When do you I load-in? 

A: Friday, September 19 from 10AM - 8PM (that's 10 hours both during and after normal business hours to load-in). 

Q: Will I have to move my car, truck or vehicle after load-in?

A: Yes. All exhibitors will be required to move their vehicles after load-in to the exhibitor lot to allow ample parking for guests.

Q: Can I leave my vehicle overnight at the IX Center if I have a large truck, trailer, etc.?

A: Yes. Please contact a member of show staff for specific instructions on where to park these vehicles. 

Q: If I purchased drive-in privileges is my vehicle inside for the duration of the show/overnight?

A: No. 

 

Q: Are there in-and-out parking privileges for exhibitors the day-of-show?

A: No. If you need in-and-out privileges you can purchase an Exhibitor Parking pass from the IX Center at Door 35. 

Q: Do vendors/exhibitors have to pay for parking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday?

A: The IX Center does charge for parking per day. We'd recommend you purchasing an Exhibitor Parking pass directly from the IX Center here: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/ixservices/L2VtYmVkL2FsbD90aWxlX2l0ZW09Mg%3D%3D

Q: What if I am parking on display car/vehicle on the show floor?

A: Requirements are as follows and must be followed: Vehicle must have 1/8th tank of gas or less, battery terminals must be disconnected and taped and vehicle must have a locking gas cap or taped. No electric vehicles are allowed to remain on the show floor.

Q: Is outside food/beverage permitted?

A: No. 

Q: Am I allowed to bring a cooler?

A: No.

Q: Can I bring my pet?

A: No, unless it is a service animal. 

Q: Can I sell any food items, snacks, beverages, etc.?

A: No, you must contract through the IX Center prior to the event. 

Q: What kind of food/beverage will be onsite?

A: We have a total of 12 different food/beverage options onsite this year, plus 4 dedicated stations for beer/drinks. 

Q: What if I have to leave early one day?

A: Exhibitors are expected to remain at their booth for the entire show unless being granted special permission by show management. 

Q: What are the sales tax requirements for exhibitors? 

A: Exhibitors are responsible for determining their sales tax requirements for the State of Ohio. 

Q: What hotel partnership is available for a discounted rate?

A: See link here for hotel partnerships minutes from IX Center. 

Q: I need to cancel my table/booth at the show? How do I get a refund?

A: Unfortunately at this time, the period for cancellations are subject to our cancellations terms described on our Exhibitor Page. See the following for more information. 

Q: Who can we contact with additional questions?

A: tickets@gamecleveland.com

© 2025 CLEVELAND GAMING CLASSIC, LLC

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