Exhibitor Central

Load-in Hours - Freight and POV (Personally Owned Vehicles)
Wednesday, April 23rd, 8:00am-3:00pm
Thursday, April 24th, 8:00am-3:00pm

*Any deliveries made outside these times will be subject to a charge of $62.00 per 100 lbs.

Set-up Hours
Wednesday, April 23rd, 8:00am-4:00pm (Loading Dock closes at 3:00pm)
Thursday, April 24th, 8:00am-7:00pm (Loading Dock closes at 3:00pm)

Dismantling Hours and Load-out Hours
Sunday, April 27th, 5:00pm-10:00pm (POV's only)
Monday, April 28th, 8:00am-12:00pm (Common carries must be checked in by 12:00pm)

Set-up

• Exhibitors may hand-carry small items, but we ask that they refrain from using handcarts, flatbeds, or dollies. Our Material Handling Staff is on hand to facilitate such moves.
  
• Rolling racks and carts will no longer be allowed in the passenger elevators. please use the freight elevators. also, the unloading of product on the north and south drives of the merchandise mart is prohibited.
• Use of Common Space: all display pieces and items for sale must be placed within your booth, not outside of it. Mannequin stands, clothing racks, shelving units, etc. have started to bleed into the aisles over the years. This is not only against the rules, but also unfair to other artists who are abiding by the rules. Items partially or fully in the aisle are tripping hazards, a liability and put the entire show at risk of being shut down by the fire marshal.
• Common walls display usage: putting 2D artwork on common walls is not allowed without approval of Show Management.
• Column/pillar display usage: if you are in a corner booth and have an outside column, you may hang a flat display on all four sides of the column – nothing however can be setup on the floor on the two sides of the column outside your lease line (facing the aisles) If you are in an inline booth with a column in the front you may share the front of the column with your neighbor. If your neighbor relinquishes use of the column space, you are welcome to use the entirety of the front surface.
• Artist in Attendance: artists must be on-site for the duration of the 3-day show. This is a prerequisite for acceptance and an essential element to your participation. Sending assistants in your place is not acceptable and will not be allowed.

Dismantling Procedures

• Any artists breaking down their booth prior to the show closing (5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27th) will be fined $1000. Please arrange travel accordingly.
• All booths must be left in a reasonable state that enables them to be easily repaired and repainted. All nails, Velcro, staples, paper or other materials applied to the booth walls must be removed prior to vacating the booth. Exhibitors will be assessed repair charges based on time and materials if they choose not to comply.
• Please note that every effort to return empty boxes as quickly as possible at the close of the show will be made, but it may take several hours for all empty containers to be returned. Please make travel plans accordingly.
• If bringing down merchandise from your booth during Load Out, please make sure that you have room in your vehicle for all merchandise. An hourly charge will be assessed to the artist for any merchandise that has to be returned to your booth because it does not fit.
• If you are unsure if your display requires labor, submit the Customization Order Form and our Operations Team will gladly respond.
• Display materials must adhere to Chicago Fire Department Rules and Regulations. If you require further information, please contact Exhibitor Services Team at [email protected].

The move out procedure for all artists traveling by POV (personally owned vehicle) will include signing up pre-show for a group/time. A live form will be available on April 4 at 3pm CST to give all artists the same opportunity to select their preferred day/time. The group number will be associated with an approximate move out time range. For example, Group 1 will be moved out from approximately 6pm-6:30pm, Group 2 will move out from approximately 6:30-7pm, etc. Please note, there will no longer be a specific number within your assigned group. All groups will be an approximate window of time.

Please be realistic as to when you anticipate being ready to load out, based on the time it takes to pack up your booth. Please keep in mind that if you are not ready when it is your turn to be loaded up, you will be moved to the end of the line. If you are shipping via a freight company, you do not need to fill out the form.

The form for the Spring 2025 Show will be availble in March.

2025 One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale®
(Your Company Name)
(Your Booth Number 7 - XXXX) 7^th Floor
c/o MMPI
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654

• Consolidate all freight—booth, merchandise, literature, etc.—into one shipment.
• Clearly label all packages with show name, company name, and booth number. Remove all old labels.
• All freight must be no larger than 5’ wide x 10’ long x 5’8” high and weigh less than 2,000 pounds. Any freight that exceeds these measurements and MMPI does feel safe to turn on its side will be charged a handling fee of $50 per item, per trip. MMPI is not responsible for damage or loss to product during turning. Any items too large to move will be held at the loading dock for unpacking. An hourly surcharge will be applied and your booth set-up will be delayed.
• Create a detailed inventory sheet of every item you are shipping or bringing to the show. Be able to provide the number of units, item descriptions (i.e. cartons, cases, crates, and/or individual items), and weight for all shipments being delivered to the Show.
• All shipments should include piece count to ensure proper tracking, manifesting, and delivery of freight.
• Insure your merchandise against theft, damage, and loss from the time it leaves your facility until it returns.
• A handling charge of $57.00 per 100lbs is applied to shipments that arrive outside the designated shipping schedules OR to shipments that exceed the freight size limitations.
• You will not be permitted to use handcarts, rolling racks, flatbeds, or dollies however small luggage carts are acceptable.

UPS/Fed Ex/Small Package Services
All packages will be received through the loading dock. Please note that piece counts cannot be guaranteed for such shipments. Where possible, exhibitors may avoid delays and extra charges by having express deliveries shipped to their hotel. Any packages received outside of the designated shipping schedule will be billed at a rate of $57.00 per 100lbs.

You may ship your materials to and from the show via any carrier. You are required only to contact your carrier, pack your materials, and file a Bill of Lading with the freight desk. Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. assumes no responsibility for shipments until they are collected from the exhibitor’s booth. A representative of the exhibitor should remain with their property until this has been done.

The exhibitor is free to choose his/her means of shipping. Most exhibitors use UPS and FedEx. To aid in your shipping needs, One of a Kind Show and Sale® commonly works with the companies listed on the left for domestic ground transportation services:

Airways Freight is the official carrier of the One of a Kind Show. They will be available on site to answer outbound shipping questions. You can contact Airways Freight at (630) 221-8850 for advanced questions and scheduling.

Airways Freight
Ed Andel
[email protected]
Tel: (630) 221-8850
Fax: (630) 260-8056

Art in Motion specializes in the transportation of art work to and from several shows throughout North America. They should be contacted in advance for shipments in and out of the One of a Kind Show. Art in Motion will not be on site for the show.

Art In Motion
Johan Westenburg
[email protected]
www.artmoves.biz
Tel: (860) 580-9643

Important
These shippers are provided for your convenience only. MMPI makes absolutely no representation or warranty as to the ability, quality or expertise of any shipper, and disclaims any liability for any loss, cost or damage to any artwork in the care, custody or control of any shipper.

Exhibitors must maintain their own insurance, as customary insurance provided by shippers is usually inadequate. Please see your shipper for additional technical details.

The international shipping company listed below can handle all of your shipping needs including; customs brokerage, recommendations on transport carries both internationally and locally, advice on accurate documents and customs procedures, and any arrangements regarding importation and exportation rules.

Broker's Services
Upon arrival in the United States your shipment must go through customs. You may accompany your own shipment through customs or make arrangements with your shipper to receive the shipment and file the appropriate papers with U.S. customs. MMPI accepts no liability for inaccurate information provided to customs brokers or the U.S. Customs Service regarding contents and descriptions of shipments.

Important

• U.S. Customs has experienced unusual delays that may compromise the timely delivery of your shipment. Please plan your shipment accordingly.
• Exhibitors must maintain their own insurance, as customary insurance provided by shippers is usually inadequate. Please see your shipper for additional technical details.

International Shipments - Clearing Customs
MMPI is available to receive freight directly at the trade show facility and will operate all drayage services in the trade show facility.

However, pursuant to all applicable laws, MMPI is not the importer or the appointed agent of any exhibitor or tenant of a trade show. Therefore, MMPI will not provide its federal tax identification number to act as the importer of record for US customs clearance of any international shipments for exhibitors/tenants of the trade shows it manages. If you require a FEN of a consignee, we need to review your custom broker shipment paperwork for approval. Each tenant or exhibitor must work directly with a customs broker to clear trade show shipments in the broker’s name or in the exhibitor’s name through a customs power of attorney form.

Airways Freight
Ed Andel
[email protected]
Tel: (630) 221-8850
Fax: (630) 260-8056

Important: These shippers/brokers are provided for your convenience only. MMPI makes absolutely no representation or warranty as to the ability, quality, or expertise of any shipper, and disclaims any liability for any loss, cost, or damage to any artwork in the care, custody, or control of any shipper.

Booth Staffing
For your temporary booth staffing needs please refer to the GCJ Hospitality order form located here.

Business Services/Service Desk
The Exhibitor Service Desk, located on the 7th floor, offers business services, including photocopying and faxing. The Service Desk can also respond to questions about shipping, materials handling, and billing, and will be happy to assist you in placing orders for booth services or equipment.

Catering
A number of food-service providers conveniently located within The Merchandise Mart are prepared to meet your catering requests. Please see most-used catering contacts below.

• Foodstuffs - Full Service - Contact: Jay Liberman (847) 328-7710 x114
• Marshall's Landing - Full Service - (312) 610-8650

Central Cashier Program
MMPI will provide an optional Central Cashier Program at the show for our international vendors who are unable to accept U.S. currency as payment. This convenient and affordable service can streamline your on-site money handling at the show and can benefit you in many ways, specifically by:

• Handling all sales transactions for you for a small fee throughout the duration of the show.
• Filing all required state and local sales tax paperwork for you.
• Accepting payment in the form of cash, check and/or credit card on your behalf.
• Eliminating the risk of storing cash in your booth.
• Providing you with daily detailed sales reports.

All cash proceeds for sales through Saturday evening will be paid in US dollars to the exhibitor on Sunday morning before the opening of the last day of the Show. All additional payment proceeds will be paid out in a check format within fifteen business days after the close of the Show.

Convenient Central Cashier Kiosks will be located strategically on the show floor. Your customer will supply a sales ticket to the cashier, and the cashier will finalize the sale. Once complete, the customer will supply you with a proof of purchase receipt, so they may remove their paid in full item from your booth. To apply for this opportunity, please see the link HERE.

Gratuity
All members of theMART staff are a team. Show Management requests that exhibitors do not offer gratuity for labor.

Photography, Videotaping & Broadcasting
Photographing, videotaping, filming, or sound recording of other artists is prohibited without the prior written consent of Show Management. Please get permission before recording or taking pcitures of other exhibitors, and/or their product.

Security
Show security will be on duty 24 hours a day from move-in to move-out, but cannot and should not be counted on to provide more than a presence to inhibit theft. To help provide for the security of merchandise in your booth, we advise you to staff your booth at all times and not to leave valuables unattended. Any exhibitor requiring special guard services may request such services with the approval of Show Management.

MMPI Security/Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (312) 527-7700 or Email: [email protected]

Steamer Rental
A limited amount of steamers are available on a first come, first serve basis at the Exhibitor Service Desk. The rental charge is $35/hour.

Mannequin Rental

• Jolly Browne | Contract Trideep | 800-308-3120
• Dress Rite | 847-676-1510 | Orders can be place online at https://www.dressriteforms.com/. They also offer Plus Size Mannequins in size 12 and 14.

Table Drapes/Linens

THE MART does not provide linens for tables. You can make arrangements for table linens by contacting Mimi Pruett with Marquee Event Rental .

Water Services
Bottled water services can be ordered through Hinckley Springs by calling (773) 586-8600.

A 10.25% sales tax must be charged on all art being sold in the State of Illinois and remaining in this State. It is each exhibitor’s responsibility to collect and remit this sales tax.

If your work is sold in the State of Illinois, but shipped to the buyer who resides outside of Illinois, no sales tax needs to be collected. It is recommended that the exhibitor retain all shipping receipts indicating an out-of-state destination. If an out-of-state buyer purchases a work of art and takes possession of it within the State of Illinois, then sales tax must be collected.

Sales tax charged on your work sold during One of a Kind Show must be filed with the Special Events Bureau of the Illinois Department of Revenue. THe 2025 Sales Tax form will be available here in January.

IDOR-6-SETR/Special Event Tax Collection form is intended for anyone Out of State or In State that does not have a valid Illinois Business Tax Number. Any questions regarding this Sales Tax should be directed to IDOR.

Those exhibitors who have a valid Illinois Business Tax Number should file according to the requirements set by IDOR and your company.

Out-of-State Exhibitors
If you participate in three or more trade shows, art fairs, etc. based in Illinois a year, you must apply for an Illinois Business Tax Number. Once you are registered, you will receive a ST-1 Form along with payment instructions. If you participate in less than three trade shows, art fairs, etc. based in Illinois a year, you must use the IDOR-6-SETR/Special Event Tax Collection form. This form will also be available on-site at the Show Office.

You should return the completed form and sales tax monies within ten (10) days after the end of the show to:

Illinois Department of Revenue
Attn: Barbara Wagner
Special Events Coordinator
9511 Harrison Avenue
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Tel: (847) 294.4475
Fax: (847) 294.4214

**The City of Chicago has confirmed that One of a Kind is allowed to purchase the city licenses for each exhibitor at the upcoming show. This $25 fee has already been included in your account. If you previously purchased an annual license through the city, please send us a copy of this license and we will deduct the $25 fee from your account. Otherwise, no other action is needed from you regarding this license.

The OOAK is hosting an Aritst Webianr on October 17th. You can RSVP for this Webinar HERE.

The goal of The One of a Kind Artist Ambassador Program is to formally recognize exceptional One of a Kind returning artists who consistently support the show by encouraging other top tier artists to participate and by being a mentor/resource for new OOAK artists. If selected, Ambassadors will have the opportunity to earn $100 off their booth fee for each referral who contracts with the show (referring artist must be named on the application).

For more information on this program, plese click here.

To apply for this opportunity, please click here.

To connect with an Artist Ambassador, please click here.

We are excited to share another year of the Artists Awards Program being offered at the 2024 Spring show. "Patron's Choice at One of a Kind Show Chicago" is an opportunity for One of a Kind shoppers to vote on their favorite artist booth. The top 5 artists will be recognized with numerous promotional opportunities and the top 3 of those 5 will receive the following credit towards their Spring 2025 booth.

1st place - $1000
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $300