How to Prepare for IWF 2026

Dear IWF 2026 Exhibitor:

Thank you for committing to IWF 2026, North America’s largest woodworking event and the industry’s must-attend show. You’re coming to Atlanta to do business with a huge population of attendees from across the U.S. and around the world. We’re here to make sure your IWF experience — before, during and after the show — is all that it can be. We also want to make sure you have all the tools, resources and opportunities available to optimize your IWF investment. So, let’s get started here and now.

1. Make sure all information is forwarded to your staff, your exhibit house and your appointed contractors. All parties need all details to meet essential deadlines, comply with all show rules and order booth furnishings and services.

2. Honor your assigned freight arrival and assigned freight removal dates. Some freight arrival and removal dates are on overtime days and you should budget for the potential added expense for material handling and labor services for those days.

3. Pay close attention to advance order deadlines. In many cases, you will save money and avoid possible delays by ordering in advance.

4. Pay close attention to GES Discount Packages. You will save money.

Sincerely,
Kevin Holtzclaw and the IWF Team

IWF Show Management Office
3520 Piedmont Road NE, Suite 120
Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Phone: 404-693-8333
Fax: 404-693-8350
Email: ExhibitorServices@iwfatlanta.com
Website: www.iwfatlanta.com

Review the move-in and move-out freight schedule for your booth’s building.

Building B – Assigned Freight Schedule

Building BC – Assigned Freight Schedule

Building C – Assigned Freight Schedule

Below are specifications for the exhibition areas at the Georgia World Congress Center.

An Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) is any company other than the official contractor (GES) that an Exhibitor hires to work in their booth inside the exhibit hall before, during or after the show. Review the instructions linked below. Then register your EACs in your Exhibitor Resource Center.

The official general contractor for the show is GES (Global Experience Specialists). Additional suppliers have been assigned responsibility for other show-related services. Find all Official Contractor contact information below.

Audio Visual & Computer Rental
Pearson Technology
Phone: 866-610-3971
Email: help@gopearsontechnology.com
Website: www.pearsontechnology.info/iwf-exhibitor-form

Catering
Levy Restaurants
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313-1591
Contact: Linda Bordeaux
Phone: 404-223-4500
Fax: 404-223-4511
Email: foodservicesgwcc@gwcc.com
Website: www.gwcca.org/food-services

Customs Broker & Freight Forwarder
DSV Solutions LLC
1100 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste. B, Venice, FL 34285
Contact: George Jacob
Phone: 786-577-6756
Email: george.jacob@dsv.com
Website: www.dsv.com

Electrical/Air/Steam/Water/Drainage
Georgia World Congress Center – Edlin Electrical
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313-1591
Contact: Engineering Department
Phone: 404-223-8400
Fax: 404-223-4003
Website: www.gwcc.com

Floral & Plants
TLC Florist
121 Pine Dr, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Contact: Caprice Walker
Phone: 770-507-6777
Fax: 770-474-4676
Email: plant@tlc-florist.com
Website: www.tlc-florist.com

Hostess / Models / Interpreters
Image
885 Woodstock Rd, Suite 430-#400, Roswell, GA 30075
Contact: Tamera Robertson
Phone: 404-906-6745
Email: images@imagesmodelagency.com
Website: www.imagemodeltalentagency.com

IWF Housing & Travel
Maritz
Phone: 864-208-2953
Email: iwf.exhibitor@maritz.com

Lead Management Systems
Maritz
Phone: 877-623-3487
Email: iwf.exhibitor@maritz.com
Order Online: exhibitor.experientswap.com

Liability Insurance
Rainprotection
Contact: Catherine Cammareri
Phone: 800-528-7975 ext. 107
Email: catherine@rainprotection.net
Order Online: www.rainprotection.net

Motorized Wheelchairs & Scooter Rentals
Mobility Georgia
Phone: 470-357-6130
Email: support@mobilitygeorgia.com
Website: www.mobilitygeorgia.com

Photography
Redman Photography
Phone: 678-232-7398
Email: tim@redmanphoto.com
Website: www.redmanphoto.com

Security
Dupree Security Group, Inc.
104 Sycamore Pl, Suite B, Decatur, GA 30030
Contact: Mary Brown
Phone: 404-350-8355
Fax: 404-350-6991
Email: marybrown@dupreesecurity.com

Telecommunications
CCLD
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313-1591
Phone: 404-222-5500
Fax: 404-222-5514
Email: info@ccld.net
Website: www.ccld.net

Ensure that your booth design complies with the Display Regulations.
Pay close attention to height restrictions and graphic placement.
View IWF 2026 Display Regulations

The Georgia World Congress Center does not have dust collection systems. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to provide for their own dust collection.

Show management reserves the right to restrict the operation of any equipment expelling fly waste that, in the opinion of Management is excessive, hazardous, or interferes with the rights of others. In addition to operating restrictions, Management may also require the installation of special cleaning systems and/or plexiglass walls or other barriers to prevent fly waste from flowing into the aisles or other booths.

The following companies have available dust collection systems for sale or lease/rental. Please contact them directly with your requirements.

Castaly Machinery Corp
Jeff Ou
Phone: 203-389-9595 ext. 105
Email: jeff@castalymchine.com
Website: www.castalymachine.com

Nederman
Rob Williamson
Phone: 336-821-0823
Email: rob.williamson@nederman.com
Website: www.nederman.com

Northtech Machine, LLC
Brandon Koetter
Phone: 812-967-7400 ext. 101
Email: brandon@northtechmachine.com
Website: www.northtechmachine.com

Oneida Air Systems
Lauren Ledda
Phone: 800-732-4065 ext. 100
Email: info@oneida-air.com
Website: www.oneida-air.com

Exhibitor Badges & Housing is open and accessed through your ERC dashboard. Log into your ERC dashboard and click on “Exhibitor Badges & Housing” under the Registration & Housing tile. Register booth personnel and reserve hotel rooms at the same time through the online process.

You can make changes to badge names or hotel reservations online until August 1 (for mailed badges, deadline is July 9).

• If you have booked a block of rooms previously, you can assign your registered personnel to individual rooms.
• All assigned rooms must be guaranteed with a credit card at time of assignment.
• Deadline: All reserved rooms must be assigned to a registered person by June 22, 2026. After June 22, unassigned room nights will be released and made available to other participants.
• Deadline: Housing closes July 24.

Go to Exhibitor Resource Center (ERC)

Access all of the services and information related to exhibiting with the online Exhibitor Resource Center. In the ERC, you can add your company description and product categories for the online exhibitor directory to help drive business to your booth. You can also find reminders about important dates, register your booth personnel, make booth payments online, order show services and lead retrieval, and access the online Exhibitor Services Manual.

Go to Exhibitor Resource Center (ERC)

IWF assumes no responsibility or liability for loss, damage, or theft of items in your exhibit. As an Exhibitor, you are responsible for your property at all times.

Exhibitor shall purchase commercial general liability insurance, placed with a financially stable insurance carrier, which insures Exhibitor’s operations and obligations under this agreement. Said policy shall have limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Exhibitor shall cause Management to be named as an Additional Insured under the foregoing policy.

The foregoing insurance is a minimum requirement and shall in no way limit the liability of Exhibitor. Exhibitor shall furnish evidence satisfactory to Management that Exhibitor has secured and is maintaining the foregoing insurance policy.

In-Booth Hospitality Events must be scheduled and approved by IWF Show Management. Any hospitality event in a meeting room or in-booth where alcohol will be served cannot begin until the show closes at 5:30pm. Exhibitors can apply to hold an in-booth hospitality event by downloading and completing the In-Booth Hospitality Event Application. IWF Show Management will review the application and confirm approval by email.

Under no circumstances can ALCOHOL be served during show hours 8:30am-5:00pm Monday–Thursday or 8:30am-2:00pm Friday. Alcohol must be served after hours only.

1. You must be an exhibitor in good standing to secure meeting space or schedule an in-booth hospitality event. Should you cancel your exhibit space, your meeting space or event will be automatically cancelled.

2. Meeting rooms are available on a limited basis. Room assignments are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Exhibitors must provide the purpose of needing a meeting room. Complimentary meeting rooms are used for staff meetings or staff training. IWF will provide a one-hour Pop-Up room at no cost for brief appointments with buyers to discuss confidential business or close a deal. The one-hour limit will be enforced. If more than one hour is needed, there will be an hourly charge of $500. Daily rates are also available.

4. All food and beverages must be pre-ordered through Levy Restaurants for additional costs.

5. AV services must be pre-ordered through Pearson Technology.

6. Exhibitors must provide specific details for the in-booth hospitality event and a copy of the invitation. The invitation will be used for answering questions or directing people to look for your event.

7. All event guests must show badges and guests should be inside the hall at the close of the show. There are no in/out privileges for guests. Any guests found wandering the floor will be escorted out and off the show floor by security.

8. Depending on your booth size and number of guests, you are required to secure security for the duration of the event. IWF will determine the number of guards depending on the event size.

9. Security must be provided by Dupree Security.

10. Under no circumstances can ALCOHOL be served during show hours 8:30am-5:00pm Monday–Thursday or 8:30am-2:00pm Friday. Alcohol must be served after hours only. Exhibitors can have their own barkeeper to serve non-alcohol beverages only.

11. All additional charges related to your function, including but not limited to food and beverage and audio visual, are your responsibility to pay directly to the vendor(s) involved. Vendor contact information will be provided when application is approved by email.

12. IWF has the right to approve or deny applications for meeting rooms and in-booth hospitality events.

Download the official IWF 2026 Show Logos for your use at the link below.

Access IWF 2026 Logos

Stand out with sponsorship and branding options at IWF! Your brand + our opportunities show your products to tens of thousands of IWF attendees.

Explore Sponsorships & Branding

Meeting Rooms are available for staff meetings or staff training for exhibitors at the Georgia World Congress Center during International Woodworking Fair 2026. Exhibitors can apply for meeting room space by downloading and completing the Meeting Room Application. IWF Show Management will review the application and confirm reservation and room location by email.

Cost to reserve meeting room space is determined upon receiving application. Payment is due within 5 business days from the date of the confirmation if required and there are no refunds.

Under no circumstances can ALCOHOL be served during show hours 8:30am-5:00pm Monday–Thursday or 8:30am-2:00pm Friday. Alcohol must be served after hours only.

1. You must be an exhibitor in good standing to secure meeting space or schedule an in-booth hospitality event. Should you cancel your exhibit space, your meeting space or event will be automatically cancelled.

2. Meeting rooms are available on a limited basis. Room assignments are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Exhibitors must provide the purpose of needing a meeting room. Complimentary meeting rooms are used for staff meetings or staff training. IWF will provide a one-hour Pop-Up room at no cost for brief appointments with buyers to discuss confidential business or close a deal. The one-hour limit will be enforced. If more than one hour is needed, there will be an hourly charge of $500. Daily rates are also available.

4. All food and beverages must be pre-ordered through Levy Restaurants for additional costs.

5. AV services must be pre-ordered through Pearson Technology.

6. Exhibitors must provide specific details for the in-booth hospitality event and a copy of the invitation. The invitation will be used for answering questions or directing people to look for your event.

7. All event guests must show badges and guests should be inside the hall at the close of the show. There are no in/out privileges for guests. Any guests found wandering the floor will be escorted out and off the show floor by security.

8. Depending on your booth size and number of guests, you are required to secure security for the duration of the event. IWF will determine the number of guards depending on the event size.

9. Security must be provided by Dupree Security.

10. Under no circumstances can ALCOHOL be served during show hours 8:30am-5:00pm Monday–Thursday or 8:30am-2:00pm Friday. Alcohol must be served after hours only. Exhibitors can have their own barkeeper to serve non-alcohol beverages only.

11. All additional charges related to your function, including but not limited to food and beverage and audio visual, are your responsibility to pay directly to the vendor(s) involved. Vendor contact information will be provided when application is approved by email.

12. IWF has the right to approve or deny applications for meeting rooms and in-booth hospitality events.

The Qualified Distributor Program will once again be in place for IWF 2026. To participate in the Program, distributing companies MUST be invited by a contracted IWF 2026 Exhibitor.

Exhibitors can begin inviting distributors to the program via their Registration and Housing Portal on January 27, 2026. Please be sure to invite your distributors EARLY so they can take advantage of the program!

• NEW for 2026: The Qualified Distributor invitation system has been improved with additional management tools. Exhibitors can now update emails, resend invitations and copy themselves on invitations, for ease of forwarding to avoid spam filters.

Exhibitors, invite distributors in the Registration & Housing Portal of your ERC.
Go to Exhibitor Resource Center (ERC)

Distributors who are WIA member companies will automatically be invited to the program, but they must register to participate.

• Distributor members will receive their invitation by email on January 27, 2026.
• The invitation will contain a unique link allowing them to register and create their own Qualified Distributor Registration & Housing portal.
• All registered Qualified Distributors who are WIA members will be listed on the IWF Atlanta website as participants in the show.

If you are a WIA distributor member and have not received your invitation, please email Liz Hosp to request one.
Email Liz Hosp for Invitation

Qualified Distributors can register and book hotel rooms starting January 27, 2026.

Registration & Guest Passes

• WIA Qualified Distributor members can register all personnel for free; will receive 5 free Guest Passes to invite their top customers to the show; and can purchase additional Guest Passes for $5 each.
• Non-member Qualified Distributors can register up to 6 company personnel for free and purchase Guest Passes for their top customers at $10 each.
• A Guest Pass allows one free registration for an attendee.
• Guest Pass invitations will be available to send after March 3, when Attendee Registration opens.

Housing

• Qualified Distributor companies have access to a distinct block of hotel rooms reserved specifically for them.
• All hotel rooms booked by a Qualified Distributor must be assigned to registered personnel by June 22, 2026. Any unassigned hotel rooms will be released after June 22.

After Group registration, Qualified Distributor contacts can re-access their portal at the link below, or from the dropdown menu on the IWF website: Under “Exhibitor,” click “Qualified Distributor Registration.”

Go to Qualified Distributor Registration Portal

Exhibit Floor Access. Qualified Distributors are allowed access to the exhibit floor on the Monday prior to the show opening and during all exhibitor hours on show days.

Onsite Registration. Qualified Distributors can register onsite, but their company must be invited online and approved prior to registration. For assistance in facilitating onsite approvals, Qualified Distributors can reach out to Liz Hosp.

Email Liz Hosp for Onsite Registration Assistance

IWF assumes no responsibility or liability for loss, damage, or theft of items in your exhibit. As an Exhibitor, you are responsible for your property at all times. We highly recommend that you provide your own insurance coverage against all contingencies.

IWF Show Management is very security conscious. We go to great lengths to provide a safe and secure environment where exhibitors and attendees can transact their business without distraction. With heightened security measures becoming part of our everyday lives, we encourage you to be aware of your property and surroundings at all times while at the show. All your booth personnel should be advised to wear official IWF exhibitor badges at all times as a security measure and must use the official IWF Property Passes when removing items from the Exhibit Hall.

IWF Show Management basic security arrangements include the following:

1. Uniformed Guards – Guards will be stationed at entrances and exits 24 hours a day and will patrol the exhibit floor during non-show hours. If you would like to hire a private guard for your booth, you can do so through Dupree Security, the official security contractor.

2. Overnight Storage Room – A secured storage room will be available for exhibitors to store valuable items. We recommend items that are especially vulnerable to theft or pilferage be kept in the overnight storage room during non-show hours and during installation and dismantling.

3. Property Passes – These are special forms issued by Show Management. When properly filled out and signed by the Exhibitor, they tell the security guards that removal of an item from the exhibit floor is authorized. You must use an Official IWF property pass pre-show, during the show and after the show closes to remove items from the exhibit floor.

Before you ship your exhibit material, please take a few minutes to review this list and keep security in mind:

Inbound Security

• Never identify contents on the outside of your shipping cartons or boxes. Use coded labels instead.
• Use black shrink wrap instead of clear so that no one can see the contents of your shipment.
• Give special consideration to prototypes, irreplaceable, and highly valuable articles.
• Use a three-digit combination lock. Give the code only to responsible personnel.

On-Site Security

• Hire a private security guard to serve as a deterrent and to protect your booth valuables.
• Attach demonstration computer equipment to titanium cables.
• Do not carry a laptop, cell phone, purse, PDA or other items of value on the show floor unless you have a secure place to lock them up.
• Consider renting a security cage or use the overnight storage room for small valuable items.
• Do not place anything of value in any crates marked “EMPTY.”
• Schedule booth personnel with security in mind.
• Who will be in charge of security during installation and dismantling?
• Will an inventory list be available to confirm complete delivery during installation and complete shipment after dismantling?
• Will someone be on duty at least a half-hour before and after exhibition hours?

Outbound Security

Most thefts occur during move-out time. Because tear-down makes the activity on the show floor somewhat unpredictable, employees may not have security on their minds. Make sure someone in your booth is in charge of security and remains with all valuable items until they are packed and shipped.

Due to the volume of crates and limited space for setting up, a Clean Floor Policy will be enforced.

To avoid any additional charges, empty all wood crates and label them for removal no later than the following times:

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Monday, August 24, 2026

For security reasons, if you need to work later than 6:00 PM, please notify IWF Show Management in the Show Office, Room B208 before 3:00 PM of the same day for approval. Upon approval, you will receive a late work sticker which you must always wear after-hours to remain in the building.

If you plan to spray substances in your booth during IWF, you must complete and submit the spraying request form. Additional information related to your plan must also be submitted and is outlined on the form.

Travel to the U.S. from all countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program does require a visa. The United States has instituted tighter visa requirements for non-immigrant applicants. This may increase the time it takes to process your visa application. Start early, and use the information below to help prepare.

Currently 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, allowing their citizens to visit the U.S. without a visa for tourism or business trips lasting less than 90 days. However, there are some restrictions and additional requirements.
Learn About the Visa Waiver Program

Begin by familiarizing yourself with U.S. visa requirements, policies and procedures.
Learn About U.S. Visas

Verify fees and requirements specific to your country.
Use the website for your country’s U.S. embassy to find detailed information and start your application process.
Find the Website for Your Country’s U.S. Embassy/Consulate

Begin your visa application well in advance of your travel dates.
Visa applications in some countries can take as long as two to three months.
See Visa Appointment Wait Times by Country

Register for IWF and request an invitation letter.
During the online registration process for IWF, request an invitation letter to include in your visa application. You can receive an invitation letter without registering, but it is helpful to include the registration in your application.

Completely fill out all official documents.
Answer every question completely. Avoid using “n.a.” or “not applicable” on your forms. Instead, answer “no” or “none.”

Schedule an appointment with your embassy.
As soon as all of your materials are complete and you have received your letter of invitation and registration confirmation, make your appointment with your embassy. Schedule early as visa wait times can be long in some countries.

Travel with an official embassy delegation.
Traveling with a delegation organized by your local embassy or trade organization can improve your chances of visa approval.

Interviews are generally very short in length. Questions focus on your travel plans and your ties to your home country, ensuring your return. Use the following tips to be as prepared as possible. This can help improve your likelihood of being approved.

Bring IWF materials.
Bring your letter of invitation and any other materials you have received from IWF to your interview (promotional pieces, registration materials, Education Conference information, etc.). This will help demonstrate that IWF is a legitimate business event.

Show proof of “strong ties” that bind you to your country.
The consular officers conducting visa interviews look for proof that you will return to your country. Evidence of “strong ties” includes proof of business ownership or employment, as well as social and family relationships.

Demonstrate previous business visits and returns.
If you have traveled to the U.S. previously, provide documentation demonstrating that you returned to your country on time (reservation receipts, airline boarding pass, passport stamps, etc.). Show proof that you returned within the time frame of a previous visa. Or provide materials that show you attended a business conference or meeting.

The International Woodworking Fair, LLC (IWF) does not assume any financial, legal or other type of responsibility for any person during their attendance at IWF, and is not responsible for denied visa applications.