This is a broad checklist of basic items you might consider or inspect when evaluating a facility. Using this as a starting point, you can create your own show-specific checklist.

Citywide considerations

• City building codes
• Exclusive availability of city-owned parking lots
• Fire and safety requirements for the convention center or hall
• Fire and safety requirements for exhibits
• Interstate transportation situation
• Local ordinances governing alcohol service
• Local events during show dates
• Planned construction and/or street repair near facility during show dates
• Taxi regulations and contracts
• Traffic control procedures during move-in/move-out
  

Labor considerations

• Labor situation/work stoppage possibilities
• Union contract requirements
• Union jurisdictions
• Policy on portable exhibits (drayage, installation & dismantle)
  
  

Facility specifications

• Access and accommodations for the disabled
• Available equipment and services for exhibitors
• Available equipment and services for show management
• Business services
• Catering facilities - capabilities, distance from food function areas
• Ceiling heights
• Column placements
• Concession stands - location, number
• Crate and other storage areas
• Distance to airport/train station/bus terminal
• Elevators/escalators
• Emergency medical facilities
• Entrances to hall - accessibility, locations, number, number of required open entrances
• Exhibit area limitations
• Exhibit hall "dead" areas (those in front of emergency exits, airwall storage areas, fire extinguisher locations, etc.)
• Exhibit space location in relation to entrances, meeting rooms, food function areas, etc.
• Expansion or remodeling plans
• Fire safety management systems
• Floor construction material
• Floor load limits
• Floorplan of exhibit area
• Freight acceptance
• Hall damage (dock doors unable to open or close, forklift holes in walls, etc.)
• Heating, ventilation, air conditioning control - number and location of vents
• In-house services available (audio visual, security etc.)
• Lighting - task and auxiliary lighting
• Service desk areas
• Shuttle bus access
• Signage
• Soundproofing/acoustics
• Storage and other specialized areas for exhibitor's lounge, press rooms, secured storage areas, show management offices
• Telephones - in hall line availability, number and location of public phones
• Trash storage areas and pickup schedule
• Truck/car access to exhibit floor - locations and number
• Utilities - availability, type available, water, drains, compressed air, electricity