Welcome To The 2026 Des Moines Holiday Boutique Show Vendor Kit
November 6-8th, 2026 At The EMC Expo Center
Additional Question? Contact Cara Braithwaite, Show Coordinator 816.406.1801 | CaraB@MPEshows.com
SCAM ALERT FOR VENDORS
As per our privacy policy, Marketplace Events is a permission-based email sender. We do not share, rent, or sell any email lists.
----- NEW Political Merchandise Policy ----- As we enter a highly volatile political environment, Marketplace Events (MPE) wants to make clear its position on what content will not be permitted on its exhibit floors in all its US consumer home and holiday shows. MPE shows are welcoming environments built solely to encourage face-to-face commerce. Creating respectful, safe marketplaces where our attendees and exhibitors can come together to learn, shop, compare pricing and do business together is our highest priority.
MPE’s acceptability standards do not permit political candidates, parties or other groups promoting issues or ballot initiatives to participate as exhibitors. In addition, the display or sale of any products or services that are political/partisan in nature or that can be interpreted to promote, incite, or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious intolerance are prohibited. MPE’s judgment in applying these standards will be final.
MPE maintains these policies to ensure a welcoming environment for all attendees and exhibitors.
Vendor Guide
For a full list of show rules and regulations please read the vendor guide: COMING SOON
Please note that this page is always being updated as new information becomes available.
Move-In Schedule
Each vendor will be assigned a specific date and time to set up their booth. These assignments will be communicated via color-coded map posted below 30 days prior to move-in. Driving into the building, if feasible, is only allowed during your assigned date and time. Hand carry or pushcart move-in is allowed any time during and/or after assigned time.
If a vendor will be using a vehicle as part of their booth space, vehicles Keys MUST be given to Show Management once parked in booth.
*Please note the move-in map is for zone reference only and may not show your exact booth size, as it is created well in advance. Your booth will be set up according to your contract.
Vendor badges are NOT mailed out prior to the show. Badges can be picked up at Vendor Registration (located behind the box office) during move-in and during show hours. Complimentary plastic badge holders are provided. Vendor
badges are required to identify you as an authorized Vendor. Vendors will not be allowed access to the show floor during show days without a badge.
Each company will be provided an allotment of 5 badges.
Badges can be picked up at the show office during move-in or at Will Call near the main show entrance.
Show Decorator | Gilbert Exposition Management Services
Vendors are responsible for flooring (required for all booths.) You may supply your own tables and chairs or rent from the show decorator. An advanced purchase discount is offered & will ensure availability of all needed items.
As an vendor, you will automatically receive an introduction email from GEMS with a Username and Temporary Password.
After you’ve logged on you will be able to order services. Should you have any questions or need to have the introduction e-mail resent, please contact GEMS by phone at 214.388.5722 Ext 1 or e-mail orders@gemsevents.com.
To purchase any of these services please visit the EMC Expo Center website or contact Exhibitor Services at 515.564.8018. An advanced purchase discount is offered.
*ONLINE ORDERING WILL OPEN 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EVENT DATES.
Each Vendor will receive 40 complimentary e-tickets. These will be emailed 30 days prior to the show. Tickets will only be emailed if your booth space has been paid in full. Additional admission passes can be purchased at the discounted price of $7.00 each ($14 at the box office). Please contact the Show Coordinator, Nicole Pasley, at NicoleP@mpeshows.com to order these discounted tickets.
If complimentary tickets or badges are given to visitors, the Vendor responsible will not be allowed to exhibit in future events and may be asked to leave the current show immediately. Use your tickets to invite potential customers to the show, or for friends and family.
Complimentary and discounted tickets are NOT to be distributed in the LOBBIES, FOYERS or PARKING LOTS of the EMC Expo Center. If complimentary or discounted tickets are given to visitors in these areas, the vendor will not be allowed to exhibit in future events and may be asked to leave the current show immediately.
Food Sampling
The City of Des Moines & the EMC Expo Center requires that all vendors sampling food during the show have a temporary food service permit.
Show Management reserves the right to refuse entry or to have removed at the vendor’s expense, any display that is not in accordance with these rules and regulations. If any doubt exists, the vendor must provide details and have such exhibits approved by show management. Management may require vendors to make such alterations to their displays as it deems necessary to the proper conduct of the exhibition and, or failure to comply, may order the immediate removal of the entire exhibit without compensation and at the vendor’s expense.
Exhibits must be designed and constructed so they do not obstruct the general view of the show or detract from other exhibits. All sides and surfaces, front and back of exhibits which are exposed to view must be properly finished and decorated by exhibitor at their own expense and to the satisfaction of neighboring vendors and Show Management. No advertising is allowed on the reverse of an exhibit without prior approval by show management.
Certain areas within the facility have ceiling height restrictions. Absolutely no tents of any kind are allowed without show management prior consent. No exhibits will be permitted which interfere with the use of other exhibits or impede access to the free use of the aisle.
No spraying of scented fluids is allowed during the show. All inventory and personal items must be stored COMPLETELY OUT OF SIGHT. Your booth should look professional and inviting to the attendee. Holiday décor is welcome and makes your booth
more appealing to consumers! Vendors must make arrangements to dispose of any shipping crates or other rubbish created through the building or dismantling of their individual display.
It is requried that vendors always have a staff member in their exhibit during show hours. Show management does not assume any resposibility for losses.
Required to confine your sales activities within your own booth space.
Table Skirting
IT IS MANDATORY THAT ALL TABLES ARE PROPERLY SKIRTED. Skirting must go
from the edge of the table to the floor on all four sides. All skirting must be pressed and neat. Use
of plastic tablecloths, sheets, shower curtains or any type of makeshift tablecloths is NOT
permitted. We strictly enforce this and will skirt all incorrectly skirted tables at the exhibitor’s
expense.
Holiday Decor Requirement
It is required for all vendors to incorporate holiday decor in your booth.
Parking is available north of the Iowa Events Center for a fee, with entrances off the following streets: 3rd Street 5th Avenue Crocker Street
The Iowa Events Center surface parking lots offer the closest and most convenient access to the facility. ADA Accessible parking is available at the Iowa Events Center by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. Debit and Credit Cards are all accepted for payment. Parking lots are cashless.
City parking garages are located throughout downtown with convenient skywalk access to the Iowa Events Center. Street parking is available throughout downtown with the convenience of parking meters.
Vehicles may unload their product, equipment, etc. at the building, but quickly move to these designated areas after unloading. Throughout the scheduled event, if trucks need to restock, opportunities for unloading will be accommodated.
Vendors are able to park their trailers in the far North parking lot located off of 5th street. *Based on availability
Vendors are able to park their trailers in the far North parking lot based on availability. We encourage the trailers to park in the Northernmost part of this lot to allow flexibility when leaving the lot. It is $13/stall per day that they are parked. For example, if you have a trailer that takes up 2 spaces and is parked for 4 days, it would be $26/day for 4 days for a total of $104.00. There is no upcharge for parking overnight. Vehicles will receive a hangtag to put in their rearview mirror during the event. In the instance that the parking department is not staffed when they park, vendors can park but will need to arrange payment for parking the next day when they arrive.
If you are parking a trailer you will need to bring your own blocks to put under your trailer.
Hangtags will be available for purchase COMING SOON in the green lot booths off 5th street for vendors.
Girls Night Out
INTERESTED IN GETTING YOUR NAME OUT THERE? DONATE ITEMS FOR GIRLS NIGHT OUT.
On November 6th from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Holiday Boutique turns a unique shopping experience into a party with a special Girls Night Out on Friday - complete with music, entertainment and fabulous door prizes!
You can reach shoppers and gain more exposure at the show by providing a gift certificate from your business.
COMING SOON to donate to Girls Night Out
Deadline to donate is COMING SOON
Artisan Vendors
Want additional exposure as an Artisan?
Our Artisan designation only cost $60, and you get the following benefits.
12”x12” floor decal on the aisle in front of your booth
Listed as an Artisan on our feature page of the website under “Artisan Vendors” with your logo and booth number.
Potential for onsite PR (no guaranteed) if requested by media.
Contact your sales consultant for more information.
Deadline is COMING SOON
Rules & Regulations
Alcohol Policy
In compliance with Iowa State Law, all alcoholic beverages must be supplied and served by OVG Hospitality, our exclusive in-house caterer.
No alcoholic samples may be distributed unless purchased and distributed by OVG Hospitality staff members.
OVG Hospitality reserves the right to refuse service to intoxicated persons.
In accordance with state regulations, we reserve the right to request state issued photo ID of any person to verity their age and to refuse service to those underage or failing to produce a photo ID.
There is a two per photo ID maximum per transaction.
Alcoholic beverages may not be removed from the EMC Expo Center.
Animals
Animals/pets are not permitted in the EMC Expo Center without prior approval of Show Management and EMC Expo Center. Including move in/move out except in conjunction with an exhibit, display or performance.
The vendor is responsible for obtaining all appropriate permits.
Guide, signal or service dogs (as defined by law) are allowed in EMC Expo Center. All sanitary needs for the animal are the sole responsibility of the vendor.
Balloons
ANY TYPE of balloon in the EMC Expo Center is NOT ALLOWED. If helium balloons become detached from a
display, the labor cost to retrieve the balloons will be charged to the vendor.
Display Vehicles
Vehicles MUST be approved by Show Management.
Any vehicle utilizing flammable fuels, which are placed on display inside the EMC Expo Center shall have not more than 1/5 tank or five (5) gallons of fuel in the tank.
All fuel tanks shall be locked or effectively sealed and at least one battery cable shall be disconnected from the ignition system
Drilling
Floor, wall and ceiling drilling are prohibited.
Portable Unvented Heaters
Operating portable, fuel fired heaters for display during trades shows are not allowed in accordance with the fire code. You are allowed to display your heaters, but you shall not operate them. 603.4 Portable unvented heaters. Portable unvented fuel fired heating equipment shall be prohibited in occupancies in Groups A, E, I, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4. Group A occupancies are assemblies such as Wells Fargo Arena, Vet's Auditorium, etc. Additionally, the fire code commentary states "portable space heating appliances are moved around at will by the occupants and might be placed too close to combustibles or where they are susceptible to being hit, tipped over, etc. Because of the potential misuse, such appliances are considered an unacceptable risk in the listed, higher life hazard occupancies".
Ignition keys for vehicles on display shall be kept by a responsible person at the display location for removal of such vehicles from the building in the event of an emergency.
Carpeting or Visqueen must be placed underneath the vehicle for any possible leakage.
Smoking Regulations
No smoking is permitted within the EMC Expo Center. Anyone caught smoking in the EMC Expo Center by the Fire Marshall
will be tagged and removed from the facility for the day.
Tape
Tape of any type is prohibited in all areas of the building. Tape should not be placed on tables,
chairs, walls, etc. The vendor will be billed for any damages resulting from the removal of taped
items (i.e., repainting walls and doors, due to peeling paint, etc.)
YOUR COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DAMAGES TOTHE FACILTY.
Vendors will have to pick the show from a drop-down list that includes shows other than just those run by MPE.
Marketplace Events is not selling this insurance and doesn’t profit from it in any way. This is simply a resource for those vendors who don’t already have the required insurance coverage per their contracts. They do not have to purchase this.
The Insurance clause is #5 on the Terms and Conditions page of all booth space contracts. For easy reference, vendors are required to have:
Comprehensive General Liability and All Risk Property insurance
Coverage must be from the start of move in to the end of move out
Coverage of at least $1,000,000 for each separate occurrence
Name Marketplace Events LLC and the venue as additional insured
Des Moines, IA sales tax is 7.00%. Sales tax must be collected & reported to the State of Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Revenue has changed their guidelines. They now require Marketplace Events to obtain documentation from each retailer (vendor) appearing at the event, as follows:
1) Proof that the vendor possesses a valid Iowa Sales Permit, OR
2) A written statement from the vendor indicating that the product or service being sold is not subject to Iowa sales tax
Questions? Contact Taxpayer Services, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:15pm.
Beginning July 1, 2016, the State of Iowa will no longer provide temporary sales tax permits. Vendors will be required to obtain their own permanent tax permit by going to https://tax.iowa.gov. You must obtain your permanent permit prior to the event. You can charge and collect tax as soon as you submit an application, even if you have not yet been issued a permit number. If you are required to have a state sales tax permit and you make taxable retail sales in Des Moines, you will also have to have a Des Moines permit. If you have questions pertaining to State of Iowa sales tax permits, please contact taxpayer services at 515.281.3114 or idr@iowa.gov.
For more information regarding sales taxes prior to the event please visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website.
Enhance Your Company's Online Vendor Listing
Maximize your business’s exposure and attract more customers by upgrading your vendor listing. As a vendor, you have a basic listing live on the website, and now you can Enhance It! This is included in the contracted space cost and is no additional charge.
Within 24 hours, you will receive an automated email providing a link to elevate your listing. This link gives you the flexibility to make updates and changes to your listing as frequently as you like until one day after the show ends. Your listing will stay active for as long as you participate in the show.
If you have any questions regarding the online vendor listing or if you do not receive the email with the link, please email our digital coordinator at JenK@mpeshows.com.
For any assistance with your listing, please consult the FAQ section.
We believe this opportunity will greatly benefit your business and we are excited to assist in maximizing your presence at the show.
Learn more about the benefits of creating your enhanced listing.
We have negotiated discounted rates at the following hotels:
Hilton Des Moines Downtown 435 Park Street Des Moines, IA 50309 515.241.1456 CLICK HERE to reserve your room.
Discount Deadline is Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Social Media Kit
#LetsGetSocial
Share your show pics or your holiday décor and celebrations with us.
Hashtags: ##DSMHolidayBoutique #HolidayBoutique
In efforts to protect potential joint customers from fraudulent events and scammers, we request that you do not create your own Facebook Event. This helps us manage ticket sales for the event, and ensures that our team are available to support both exhibitors and potential attendees with any questions, comments, or concerns that they have. Please feel free to reach out to your show manager or show marketing manager with your companies’ Facebook page and we can add you as a co-host to the official event.
There have been a number of spam emails offering our attendee lists. These are scams and the senders are unauthorized to use the Marketplace Events’ name. These scammers are attempting to receive monies from exhibiting companies without providing anything in return. These emails are not approved by Marketplace Events, and Marketplace Events would never ask for bank information or other sensitive information over email.
