Vendor - Exhibitor Information

You can click here to view the floor plan of the Exhibit area of the Oakland Convention Center and see where the different components of Black Expo are located.

You can click here to go to our downloads section to obtain a vendor application online, or send us an e-mail to request an complete package by mail.

Each booth is 8 ft. x 10 ft. wide. Larger booth sizes are available at an additional cost. Inclusive with each booth are the following: 8ft high flameproof back wall drape, 3 ft. high flameproof side-rail drape, one booth identification sign, one decorated display table, two folding chairs, and one wastepaper basket.

In order to conform with current union contract rules and regulations, it will be necessary for all exhibitors to utilize qualified union personnel for display work and material handling at all times during the show. The placing or setting out of merchandise that is to be displayed does not require union labor and may be done by the exhibitor. In addition, the installation, or dismantle of an exhibit, which does not require the use of tools, or more than one person, and can be accomplished within thirty minutes or less, may be performed by the exhibitor.

If you are interested in having a place in our Food Court section, please send us an e-mail as soon as possible. Booth fees and insurance requirements differ for Food Court vendors. Please contact us to receive more information.

SET-UP BREAK DOWN: Black Expo 2008 load-in day is Thursday, July 17, 2008 (not Saturday morning). Load-out and break down is Sunday evening, July 20th. You can, of course pre-ship materials and we would be glad to assist you in this. Storage and other costs will be charged to your company, as well as the cost of special services, such as electricity or telephone services. We will provide order forms for any special services you need. Handling costs will be added for product shipments and exhibits.

Set up for Job Showcase 2008 & for Procurement Fair 2008 is Thursday, July 17th from 9 am until 10:30 am. Breakdown is from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. (for those vendors not also participating on the weekend). Those participating on the weekend must pack up their materials to be moved to their weekend booth location on Friday.

Black Expo 2008 will provide 8 exhibitor wristbands and 4 complimentary tickets per small business or non-profit booth; 12 exhibitor wrsitbands and 6 tickets per Federal/State/ County/City Agencies booth; and 24 exhibitor wrsitbands and 10 tickets per corporate booth (non-sponsor).

Exhibitors providing their own insurance policy must contact Black Expo 2008 to obtain a copy of the “Additional Insured Addendum to Certificate of Insurance.”

In addition, by being a part of this event, Exhibitor agrees to the following:

Exhibitor agrees to protect, defend, indemnify and hold the City of Oakland and its Council, Integrated Services Corp., Oakland Renaissance Associates, Park Lane Hotels International, and their respective Boards of Directors, shareholders, partners, officers, representatives, agents and employees (each an Indemnified Party), free and harmless from and against any and all losses, penalties, damages, settlement costs, changes, professional fees or other expenses or liabilities of every kind and character (collective Loss) arising directly or indirectly of out of this agreement and/or performance hereof, or Exhibitor’s use of any portion of the Convention Center, unless such Loss arose as the result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Indemnified Party.

The same indemnification and protection also applies to the Black Business Listings, Black Expo 2007, Black Expo Ltd., SEEDS, and C. Diane Howell, event producer.