Sponsor Guidelines
1. Application & Approval
Submission of a sponsorship application does not guarantee acceptance. The BIG Plant Expo carefully reviews all sponsorship applications to ensure they align with the Expo's audience, mission, and attendee experience. Please allow up to 5 business days for review.
The BIG Plant Expo reserves the right to approve, decline, remove, or limit sponsorship opportunities at its sole discretion if a business, product, service, or promotion is deemed inconsistent with the event's goals, audience, values, or operational requirements.
2. Event Dates & Hours
The BIG Plant Expo 2027 will be held April 24–25, 2027 at the Charleston Convention Center.
Saturday, April 24, 2027
• VIP Early Entry: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• General Admission: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, April 25, 2027
• VIP Early Entry: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• General Admission: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• VIP Last Deal Shopping: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
3. Sponsor Load-In
Sponsor load-in will take place Friday, April 23, 2027 from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A detailed load-in schedule will be provided closer to the event date. The building will be secured promptly at 6:00 PM.
4. Sponsor Breakdown
Sponsor breakdown will begin Sunday, April 25, 2027 at 5:00 PM and conclude at 8:00 PM. Early breakdown is not permitted.
5. Booth Space Requirements
Booth dimensions are measured in linear feet. Sponsors must keep all displays, merchandise, signage, equipment, and promotional materials within their assigned space and may not encroach into aisles or neighboring booths.
6. Professional Presentation
All sponsors are required to maintain a professional booth presentation. Company identification must be clearly visible through signage, banners, table coverings, displays, or other branding materials.
7. Sponsor Booth Sharing Policy
Sharing sponsorship space is permitted only with prior approval from The BIG Plant Expo. Any co-sponsor, sub-tenant, brand partner, seller, or business operating within a sponsor space must complete an application and receive approval before the event.
8. Sponsor Responsibilities
Sponsors are responsible for their own setup, teardown, staffing, equipment, displays, table coverings, signage, extension cords, and other operational needs.
Sponsors requesting electrical service must provide their own extension cords, power strips, and cable management materials.
9. Load-In Equipment
Sponsors should bring their own dollies and transport equipment. Venue equipment is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
10. Professional Conduct
Sponsors are expected to maintain a professional and respectful working relationship with attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, staff, creators, and fellow sponsors throughout the event.
11. Sponsorship Fees
Sponsorship fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
12. Sponsor Credentials
All sponsor staff working within the booth space must wear an official Expo credential. Sponsor badges will be distributed during check-in and must be collected by the designated sponsor contact.
13. Guest Admission
Guests, customers, family members, business associates, and product pickup customers must possess a valid event ticket or credential to enter the Expo.
14. Full Event Participation
Sponsors must remain operational throughout all public event hours. To preserve the attendee experience and overall presentation of the Expo, booths, displays, and sponsorship activations must remain fully operational until the event officially concludes on Sunday at 5:00 PM.
15. Marketing Materials
Sponsors are responsible for providing logos, website links, social media handles, advertisements, and any other requested marketing materials by the deadlines established by The BIG Plant Expo. Failure to provide materials by the deadline may result in reduced or forfeited marketing opportunities.
16. Sponsor Promotion
Sponsors are encouraged to promote their participation in The BIG Plant Expo through their social media channels, website, email marketing, and other marketing platforms to maximize the value of their sponsorship.
17. Payment Policy
Sponsorship benefits, booth locations, and activation opportunities are secured only after application approval and receipt of full payment.
The BIG Plant Expo will not offer sponsorship payment plans, deposits, or partial-payment options for the 2027 event.
18. VIP Giveaway Contributions
Sponsors contributing VIP giveaway items should deliver those items during Friday check-in unless alternative arrangements have been approved in advance.
Please ensure your company logo, business name, website, social media information, or promotional materials are included whenever possible so attendees can easily connect with your business after the event.
19. Promotional Items & Giveaways
Any samples, giveaways, raffles, contests, coupons, promotional materials, or sponsored activations must comply with all applicable laws, venue policies, and Expo guidelines.
20. Sponsor Activations & Experiences
Any large displays, interactive experiences, contests, product demonstrations, sampling activities, games, or special activations must be approved by The BIG Plant Expo prior to the event. The BIG Plant Expo reserves the right to deny or modify activations that create safety concerns, operational challenges, excessive noise, venue conflicts, or negatively impact the attendee experience.
21. Insurance & Responsibility
Sponsors are responsible for maintaining any insurance coverage required for their business operations. Sponsors are responsible for their products, displays, equipment, staff, and activities during the event.
22. Photography & Media
Photographs and video recordings may be taken throughout the event. By participating, sponsors grant The BIG Plant Expo permission to use images, video, booth displays, logos, and event-related content for future marketing, promotional, educational, and social media purposes without additional compensation.
23. Compliance
Sponsors are responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and tax obligations related to their products, services, promotions, and business operations.
24. Event Operations
The BIG Plant Expo reserves the right to make adjustments to booth locations, sponsorship activations, floor plans, schedules, and event operations if required for venue requirements, fire code compliance, safety regulations, operational needs, or attendee experience.
25. Force Majeure
In the event that the Charleston Convention Center is unable to provide facilities, utilities, access, or services due to circumstances beyond the control of The BIG Plant Expo, including force majeure events, emergency orders, natural disasters, public safety concerns, government actions, or venue actions, such circumstances shall not be considered a breach of contract. The BIG Plant Expo shall not be liable for consequential damages resulting from such events.
26. Removal & Future Participation
The BIG Plant Expo reserves the right to remove or deny future participation to any sponsor who violates Expo policies, engages in unprofessional conduct, misrepresents their business, creates safety concerns, or otherwise negatively impacts the event experience.