Encore is the preferred provider of audio/visual services at the Greenville Convention Center (Center) and operates an office on site. Order forms for audio/visual equipment and services and a schedule of costs are available from the Center and can be provided to show management for distribution to exhibitors.

The Greenville Convention Center will provide janitorial service during normal operating hours in aisles, corridors, open spaces and restrooms, plus one thorough cleaning of these same areas during the hours when the Center is closed. Specific times are to be coordinated with building services. Cleaning of exhibit booth areas is not the responsibility of Center personnel.

Events such as food shows, which require continual janitorial service throughout the facility, should make special arrangements with the Center for additional personnel.

Licensee is responsible for cleaning carpeted aisles and carpeted registration areas, lounges, etc. Licensee is also responsible for removal of all crates, pallets, lumber and packing materials prior to the opening of the show and following move-out.

Service contractors are to clean daily any freight entrances, docks or crate storage areas in their care or control as well as removing all floor tape and any tape residue. Failure to remove such tape and/or residue will facilitate a charge to the licensee for such removal.

Licensees shall comply fully with all laws, rules and rights of others applicable to the reproduction or performance of proprietary or copyrighted materials and works of third parties. Licensee agrees to make any and all payments to third parties as may be necessary to lawfully perform publish or reproduce such works.

All decorations used in the building must be flame-proofed according to the City of Greenville fire regulations. No decorations may be fastened to walls, columns or drapes, and nothing may be suspended from the ceiling without prior written permission from Center management.

Adhesive-backed stickers may not be used or given out on the premises.

The use of helium balloons within the facility is strongly discouraged. Balloons cause a safety hazard when they rise to the lighting and electrical system housed in the ceiling, as well as a future hazard when facility personnel are required to retrieve stray balloons that become entangled in the facility structure. Helium balloons are allowable only under the following conditions:

• They are tethered or strung together (i.e. arches).
• They are removed from the premises at the end of the event.
• There will be a $10 per balloon charge to remove any balloons that rise to the ceiling in the meeting rooms or exhibit halls.
• Absolutely no helium balloons may be given inside the facility.
• All use of helium balloons must be approved by Center management prior to the event.
• No balloons are allowed in the atrium or pre-function areas of the Conference Center.

Confetti may be used with prior approval from Center management. There will be a $250 cleanup charge for events using confetti. Birdseed may be thrown outside the Center but should not be used within the facility.

Equipment rentals are available through the Event Services Office.

An event manager is assigned to all events upon return of a signed License Agreement.  After our receipt of the executed License Agreement, your event manager will be in contact with you to finalize details for your event.

The Center is the sole healthcare provider for all events. The Center schedules medical personnel for all public shows, trade shows and events advertised to the public where expected attendance is more than 1,000 guests. The service is charged at an hourly rate and is normally scheduled during event hours.  Your event coordinator will confirm the first aid schedule in advance of the event. Rates will be made available upon request. 

OVG Hospitality is the exclusive food and beverage provider for the Center.  No outside food or beverage of any kind may be brought into the facility.  A representative will be happy to assist with all arrangements for catered events, concessions and food & beverage sampling. 

The Center features a permanent concessions outlet with seating in Exhibit Hall 1.  In addition, portable stands may be used in other locations throughout our facility.  Event planners interested in having concessions outlets are encouraged to communicate their request early in their planning process as this will maximize the benefits of food service within your overall exhibit floor plan.  For first time events and events with low historical sales, food and beverage minimums may apply.  Menu selections and operating hours are at the discretion of OVG Hospitality.  Your event manager or catering sales manager will be happy to assist you in determining concessions needs and locations.

Licensees and exhibitors wishing to distribute or dispense samples of food or beverage without charge MUST obtain written permission in advance of the event.  These products MUST be the exhibitor’s primary product and relate directly to the nature of the show.  A Food and Beverage Sampling Request Form is available under the FORMS tab on this site or you may ask your event coordinator for a copy. 

Any food and beverage items used to promote booth traffic (i.e., popcorn, snacks, etc.) must be obtained through the Center’s in-house catering department. 

The Center does not accept freight shipments for exhibitors.  All shipments must be consigned to the show’s official general contractor or its agent and delivered to the Center during the scheduled move-in.  The Center is not responsible for shipments of freight leaving the building.  Materials for seminars and conferences will be accepted no more than five (5) working days in advance of an event and a shipping/handling fee will be charged. 

Licensees may select their vendor of choice for these services.

Licensees must have insurance coverage in effect during the entire License Agreement period, including move-in, event days and move-out. Details concerning insurance coverage are specified in the License Agreement. 

All certificates and endorsements shall be furnished at least 30 days before the first day of occupancy by the licensee.  Certified copies shall provide that such coverage may not be canceled without 30 days advance notice to the Greenville Convention Center and the City of Greenville. 

The General Manager, or his/her designee, reserves the right to cancel the event or to cause the License Agreement to be null and void upon failure of licensee to provide proper verification of insurance within the specified period. 

The Greenville Convention Center is the exclusive provider of all wired and wireless internet services within the facility.  For the convenience of our visitors we provide free wireless service throughout the facility.  Please note that it is intended for casual use such as checking emails.  We make no guarantees regarding the availability or quality of wireless service.   If internet access is critical to the success of your exhibition, presentation or meeting we strongly recommend wired internet services for important event activities.

Any wired or wireless internet access made available for use by the Greenville Convention Center or a third party, whether for public or private use, fall outside of the center’s PCI DSS compliance scope.  Networks should be treated as open, public networks and all cardholder data should be handled in an encrypted manner. Users of any internet/network are responsible for their own security and the Greenville Convention Center is not liable for damages due to the user’s failure to follow PCI DSS procedures.  Usage of any third party internet/network within the Greenville Convention Center campus constitutes acceptance of this policy.

The Greenville Convention Center requires that all devices directly or indirectly accessing our network have the latest virus scan software, security updates, system patches, and any other technological precautions necessary to protect yourself and others from viruses, malicious programs and other disruptive applications.  Any device which adversely impacts The Greenville Convention Center network may cause service interruptions to yourself and others which can lead to disconnection of your equipment from the network.

The Greenville Convention Center is not responsible for the programming or performance of personal (non-GCC) equipment.  Additional costs may be incurred to assist in programming or troubleshooting of personal equipment if the problem is not the responsibility of the Greenville Convention Center.

Any illegal usage of GCC internet services, including transmission, distribution or storage of material or conduct in violation of any applicable local, state, federal or foreign laws or regulations is prohibited.  Illegal usage of GCC wireless services will result in termination of service.

Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) it is illegal for any party to transmit or download copyrighted materials.  Any violation of DMCA copyright laws will result in termination of internet service and may result in legal action against the user.

Facilities and dates are considered confirmed or under contractual commitment only upon execution of a License Agreement by the event sponsor and the Center specifying all details of the commitment. Space and dates are considered tentative until that time. A License Agreement is required for all events held at the Center. 

A retail license should be obtained from the South Carolina Tax Commission in order to engage in retail sales at the Center. Retailers must report and pay a 6% (current tax rate) sales tax on the gross proceeds of sales. The taxes are due to the Tax Commission on or before the 20^th day of the month following the event.

Move-in/move-out hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Extended move-in/move-out hours can be arranged at an additional cost.

Compliance with OSHA regulations is the responsibility of the licensee and its contractors.

All parking operations are under control of the Center.  The daily parking fee currently is $5 per vehicle.

Payments to the Center can be made in the form of cash, check, credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover accepted), or electronic bank credit.  Inquiries regarding payments should be directed to the Finance Department.

Animals (other than service animals) are not permitted in the facility unless they are part of dog shows or other animal-related events.

Detailed floor plans are required for all exhibit hall events and activities in any public area of the Center, including meeting rooms, registration areas or lobbies.  Floor plans must be approved by Center management and the Office of the Fire Marshal of the City of Greenville.

Floor plans should be approved prior to confirming exhibit space sales to avoid unnecessary confusion later.  All physical arrangements and setup information must be presented to Center management a minimum of 15 days prior to the event.

Lobbies, pre-function areas, permanent food facilities, parking lots and exterior grounds at the Center are considered public areas and generally not under licensee control.  As such, the following guidelines apply: 

• All activities utilizing public areas, such as registration, special exhibits or displays, etc. must be approved in advance. Detailed floor plans with specifications are to be submitted for approval.
• Activities in public areas must take into consideration the requirements of other tenants utilizing the facility.
• Service desks and related “behind the scenes” workstations should not be set in public areas.
• Motorized vehicles, forklifts, gas or electric carts, etc. may not be operated in the pre-function areas or any carpeted area of the Center.
• Installation of carpet runners, show carpet or other temporary floor coverings over permanent carpet must be approved in advance.
• Heat tape and double-faced tape may not be used on permanent carpet.
• The passenger elevator and escalators are for use only in conjunction with meeting room rental or attendee access and may not be blocked or used to transport freight or equipment.

The use of pyrotechnic displays is prohibited unless approved in writing by the Center’s General Manager.

Licensee may be required to provide security in leased areas from initial occupancy until completion of move-out, depending on space utilization and type of event. Your event manager will contact you regarding security needs.

Smoking is not permitted inside the Center, nor within 10 feet of an entrance.

The Center provides trained, experienced personnel to assist with registration and other temporary staffing requirements.  Information is available from your event coordinator.

South Carolina Department of Revenue regulations require that any event with an admission charge may be subject to an admissions tax of 5% (current tax rate). With regard to ticket sales, the following options are available for management of shows and events open to the public along with applicable restrictions:

A. Show Management controlled sales in which the show producer is responsible for:

1. Applying for and obtaining a South Carolina Admissions Tax License using form L-514 from the South Carolina Department of Revenue website.
2. Providing and securing all monies, including daily change.
3. Scheduling and paying ticket handling personnel.
4. Furnishing tickets (event coordinators can provide specific regulations).
5. Remitting admissions taxes collected from ticket sales using L-511 from the South Carolina Department of Revenue website.
6. Furnishing the Greenville Convention Center with a daily ticket report.

B. Greenville Convention Center Controlled Sales in which the Center is responsible for:

1. Providing the use of Greenville Convention Center’s retail license.
2. Providing all monies for change.
3. Securing monies in the Center’s vault.
4. Scheduling and paying ticket handling personnel.
5. Furnishing all tickets.
6. Deducting and remitting tax from ticket sales to South Carolina Department of Revenue.
7. Providing ticket booths at no charge.\

Charges for Option B include:

1. Reimbursement for ticket handling personnel.
2. Handling fee, based on attendance:

0-3,000 – $250
3,001-9,999 – $450
10,000 and up – $700

Connections to Center utilities (electrical, compressed air, water and drainage) are exclusive services of the Center. Orders must be placed online (www.meetgcc.com).

Vehicles are not permitted in the Center without prior written approval of the Center management, or unless they constitute an integral part of a display.  Any vehicle that is on display must conform to the City of Greenville Fire Marshal’s regulations.

In an effort to maximize air quality, event organizers are requested to engage exhibitors and other vendors to limit vehicle idling to no more than ten minutes, when possible.