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JOint Expo and Operator Days


Exhibitor Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get a booth at Joint Expo?

Booth sales for the 2027 Joint Expo & Operator Days open Wednesday, October 28 at 8:00 a.m. Booths are purchased online through the MI-AWWA website.

Booth location is not selected at the time of purchase. Exhibitors select their booth during an assigned appointment period. Both your Exhibitor Priority Points and the date you purchase your booth are used to determine booth selection order.

Purchasing early gives you the best opportunity for an earlier booth-selection appointment.

Booth space must be paid before a booth can be assigned.

How much does a booth cost?

A standard 10' x 10' inline booth is:

  • $870 per 10' x 10' when purchased October 28 through December 18
  • $970 per 10' x 10' when purchased after December 18
What is included with my booth?

Most booths are 10' deep x 10' wide. A standard booth includes:

  • 8-foot-high flame-retardant backdrop
  • Two 3-foot-high side drapes
  • One 2' x 8' skirted table
  • Two chairs
  • Booth number
  • Wastebasket
  • Standard 120-volt AC power, if requested
  • Booth carpet for exhibitors not displaying heavy equipment
  • Low-speed Wi-Fi
  • Lead retrieval

Additional furnishings and services may be ordered separately.

Is electricity included?

Yes. Access to standard 120-volt AC power is included with your booth.

During registration, you will be asked whether your booth requires power. Providing electrical service only to exhibitors who need it helps reduce event costs and keep exhibitor registration rates as low as possible.

If using power, please bring a power strip or short extension cord for adjustments within your booth.

Can I purchase more than one booth?

Yes. Exhibitors may purchase up to 12 contiguous 10' x 10' booth spaces.

An exhibitor may have up to two non-contiguous booth locations, with a maximum of 12 10' x 10' spaces in each location, for a total maximum of 24 booth spaces.

Can I bring large equipment?

Yes. Joint Expo offers nearly 30,000 square feet of exhibit space and can accommodate large equipment.

Exhibitors bringing large equipment or vehicles must provide the length, width, height and weight of each item in advance so it can be considered during floor planning and booth placement.

Additional requirements apply to vehicles and equipment with batteries and fuel tanks. Please review the Exhibitor Prospectus for complete requirements.
How are Exhibitor Priority Points calculated?

Priority Points recognize an exhibitor’s participation and sponsorship of Joint Expo and the annual MI-AWWA and MWEA conferences.

For the 2027 Joint Expo booth-selection process, Joint Expo participation from 2022–2026 is counted, along with participation in the 2026 MI-AWWA and MWEA annual conferences.

Joint Expo Points – 2022 through 2026

For each year:

    • 1 point for each Joint Expo booth purchased
    • 1 additional point for sponsoring the Tuesday Mixer

Joint Expo points accumulate over the most recent five years. As a new year is added, points older than five years drop off.

2026 Association Conference Points

Points are awarded for exhibiting and sponsoring at the most recent MI-AWWA and MWEA annual conferences.

MI-AWWA Annual Conference
    • Exhibitor = 1 point
    • Bronze Sponsor = +1 point
    • Silver Sponsor = +2 points
    • Gold Sponsor = +3 points
    • Platinum Sponsor = +4 points
MWEA Annual Conference
    • Exhibitor = 1 point
    • Huron Sponsor = +1 point
    • Michigan Sponsor = +2 points
    • Superior Sponsor = +3 points
    • Great Lakes Sponsor = +4 points

Sponsorship points are added to exhibitor points. For example, a company that exhibited at the 2026 MWEA Annual Conference and was also a Superior Sponsor would receive 4 points: 1 exhibitor point + 3 sponsorship points.

MI-AWWA and MWEA conference points are calculated separately and added to the exhibitor's five-year Joint Expo point total.

Sponsorship points are added to exhibitor points.

For example, a company that exhibited at MI-AWWA in 2026 and was also a Gold Sponsor would receive 4 MI-AWWA points: 1 exhibitor point + 3 Gold Sponsor points.

MI-AWWA and MWEA points are calculated separately and then added to your five-year Joint Expo total.

How do Priority Points affect booth selection?

Exhibitors are ranked using their Priority Points and booth purchase date. Booth-selection appointments are then assigned based on both factors.

This means purchasing early still matters, even if your company has a high Priority Point total.

When will I know how many Priority Points I have?

A Points Statement will be provided before booth sales open on Wednesday, October 28 at 8:00 a.m.

Your statement will include a breakdown showing how your organization’s total was calculated.

When will booth selections take place?

Booth selection is completed by 10-minute Zoom appointments beginning November 4, 2026. Your appointment period is based on when you purchase your booth, with Exhibitor Priority Points and purchase date used to determine selection order.

During your appointment, MI-AWWA staff will share the current floor plan on screen and can:

  • Answer questions about booth setup and layout
  • Identify exhibitors in surrounding booths at the time of your selection
  • Explain how to register your booth staff
  • Confirm your booth number, which will also be your publication number

MI-AWWA will make every effort to keep direct competitors separated when assigning booth space. However, exhibitors select their own booth location, and MI-AWWA cannot prevent an exhibitor from selecting a space near an already established competitor.

Booth Selection Schedule
  • Purchased Oct. 28–Nov. 3 → Selection Nov. 4–6
  • Purchased Nov. 4–11 → Selection Nov. 12–13
  • Purchased Nov. 12–19 → Selection Nov. 20
  • Purchased Nov. 20–Dec. 1 → Selection Dec. 2
  • Purchased Dec. 2–16 → Selection Dec. 17
  • Purchased Dec. 17–Jan. 5 → Selection Jan. 6
  • Purchased Jan. 6 through the show → Selection on a rolling basis

If you are unavailable for or miss your scheduled appointment, your booth will be placed at Show Management’s discretion.
Does purchasing a booth register my booth staff?

No. Purchasing a booth does not automatically register you or your booth staff.

Anyone who needs access to the Exhibit Hall after move-in must be registered and have an exhibitor badge.

Once your booth has been assigned, register your booth staff online. You will need your booth number to complete registration.

Is there a charge to register booth staff?

Booth staff registered on or before February 5, 2027 receive complimentary name badges.

Badge requests made after February 5 must be completed onsite and will incur a $10 processing fee per person.

Is lunch included for exhibitors?

No. Exhibitor lunches are available for advance purchase when registering booth staff.

Lunch orders must be placed by January 22, 2027.

Concessions will also be available for purchase onsite.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Low-speed Wi-Fi is available in the Exhibit Hall for paid exhibitors and is intended for basic web browsing and email.

If you require high-speed internet, it can be ordered separately onsite from your personal device.

Is lead retrieval available?

Yes. Lead retrieval is included as part of the 2027 Joint Expo. Information on accessing the system will be provided before the show.

Will exhibitors receive an attendee list?

Yes. Exhibitors receive the names and physical mailing addresses of individuals pre-registered for the show approximately 14 days before the event and again approximately 14 days after the event.

Email addresses are provided only when the attendee has given permission to share them.

Telephone numbers are not provided.
Are sponsorship opportunities available?

Yes. Joint Expo & Operator Days offers several sponsorship opportunities exclusively for exhibiting companies, providing additional visibility and recognition throughout the event.

  • Tuesday Mixer Sponsorship – $550: Limited to 12 sponsors. Includes recognition at the Tuesday evening Mixer, event signage, welcome reel recognition, a floor decal near your booth, and one additional participation point toward future booth placement.
  • Lanyard Sponsorship – $3,250: Exclusive opportunity featuring co-branded lanyards distributed to Operator Days and Exhibit Hall attendees. Includes welcome reel recognition, a floor decal near your booth, and additional event recognition. Exhibitors receive a separate lanyard.
  • Breakfast Host Sponsorship - $1,000 / $2,000 Four opportunities are available across the Operator Days and Managerial tracks on Tuesday and Wednesday. Includes breakfast signage, welcome reel recognition, verbal acknowledgment, a floor decal near your booth, and an opportunity for up to two company representatives to greet attendees at a designated hospitality table.
  • Attendee Registration Giveaway Sponsorship - $5,500 Exclusive opportunity to sponsor branded notebooks and pens distributed to approximately 1,600 attendees. Includes registration signage, welcome reel recognition, verbal acknowledgment, a floor decal near your booth, and one additional participation point toward future booth placement.

All sponsorships include recognition in Michigan Water Works News and Michigan Water Matters. Sponsorship opportunities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Breakfast Host Sponsors may indicate their preferred day and program, with assignments based on availability.

How can I promote that my company is exhibiting?

Once your booth is reserved, your company will be added to the exhibitor resource page.

Exhibitors can download a Joint Expo e-badge to use in email signatures, websites and social media to let customers know they will be at the show.
When can I move in?

Monday, February 8: 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 9: 6:00–8:30 a.m.

All exhibits must be completely installed by 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

What are the Exhibit Hall hours?

Tuesday, February 9: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 10: 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

When is move-out?

Move-out is Wednesday, February 10 from 2:00–6:00 p.m.

Exhibitors may not dismantle or remove exhibits before the Exhibit Hall closes at 2:00 p.m. Early removal may result in the inability to exhibit the following year.

Can I ship materials to the Lansing Center in advance?

No. All advance freight must go through Art Craft Display. The Lansing Center will not accept advance freight.

Shipping instructions and deadlines will be included in the Exhibitor Kit.

Can I order additional tables, furnishings or booth services?

Yes. Additional tables, displays, decorating and other booth furnishings can be ordered through Art Craft Display, the official show decorator.

Ordering information and deadlines will be included in the Exhibitor Kit.

Can I hang a sign above my booth?

Yes. Large overhead signs may be installed directly above your assigned booth space, but installation must be completed by the Lansing Center and its designated partners.

Rigging orders are due by January 23, 2027. Standard overhead rigging is $250, with additional charges possible depending on the complexity of the installation.

Can I bring food or beverages into my booth?

Food and beverages consumed on the exhibit floor must be purchased through the Lansing Center. Outside food and beverages from other vendors may not be brought into the Exhibit Hall.
Is there an exhibitor hotel block?
 

Yes. Hotel accommodations are the responsibility of each exhibitor.

 

Hotel room blocks open October 28, 2026. Two hotels are available at special event rates:

 

  • Courtyard by Marriott Lansing Downtown – $172 per night, plus taxes and fees. Located a short walk or drive from the Lansing Center. Reservations must be made by January 25, 2027.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Lansing – Single occupancy room for $164 per night, plus taxes and fees, including breakfast. Conveniently connected to the Lansing Center by an enclosed skywalk, allowing guests to access the convention center without going outdoors. Reservation deadline is tentatively January 9, 2027, pending confirmation.

 

Hotel reservation instructions and booking links are available on the Joint Expo website as they are confirmed.

 

Exhibitors are encouraged to reserve rooms early, as room blocks are subject to availability.

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What is the booth cancellation policy?

All cancellations must be submitted in writing and receipt confirmed.

For a complete withdrawal from the show:

  • On or before December 18, 2026: Refund less a $250 non-refundable processing fee
  • December 19, 2026 through January 10, 2027: 50% refund
  • After January 10, 2027: No refund
Can I reduce the amount of booth space I purchased?

Yes. One space reduction is permitted on or before December 18, 2026 at no charge.

Beginning December 19, a $250 fee per occurrence applies to reductions in reserved exhibit space.

If your exhibit space is reduced, Show Management reserves the right to relocate the remaining booth space.
Still Have Questions?

For additional questions about exhibiting at Joint Expo & Operator Days, contact:

Rebecca Chesnut, CMP
MI-AWWA - Events Manager
517-258-7126
rebecca@mi-water.org

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