Interior Signage and Ceiling Rigging
2.7

PURPOSE
The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and the Georgia Dome (Dome) provide these guidelines to describe requirements and approvals for rigging in the facility and installation of signs.

PLANNING
The GWCC and Dome wish to accommodate customers’ requests to promote events with interior signs, banners and other forms of promotional advertisement, including exhibitors’ requests for signage above booth areas. With the multitude of events scheduled at these facilities, these guidelines have been developed to protect the interests of all users of these facilities and maintain an appropriate building environment. Additionally, these guidelines address safety and maintenance considerations of the buildings.

Generally, these guidelines do not apply to floor installations by individual exhibitors within exhibit booths. These guidelines do apply to any installation connected to the facilities’ structural elements (e.g., ceilings, columns, beams, windows) and any proposed installation in the common (public) areas of the facility (e.g., meeting room and entrance concourses, pre-function areas, etc.).

All preliminary requests for installation of show banners, signs and any rigging should be submitted to the Event Coordinator approximately six (6) months prior to the event. Final requests are to be included in the Plan of Operation required at least sixty (60) days prior to the event. The plans should include a full description of the proposed installation including proposed location of sign or banner, proposed copy, name of contractor and dates of installation and removal. Large complex signs and banners will also require weights, proposed rigging and anchoring methods and other relevant information for the facility’s engineering review. The GWCC or rigging consultant may require the additional services of the facility’s structural engineer consultant to verify adequacy of connection to the building. In the Dome, all requests for rigging must be submitted to the Event Coordinator and will be reviewed by the Dome’s structural engineer at the event organizer’s expense.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING RIGGING REVIEW AND APPROVAL
The review of all signs, banners and rigging by the GWCC or Dome is restricted to general conformity to these policies, procedures and guidelines. Any review by the facility’s structural engineering consultant is restricted to the capability of the structure to accept the loading of the proposed installation. The GWCC, Dome and its structural engineering consultant assume no responsibility nor liability and make no representation regarding the structural adequacy and integrity of the signs, banners, lighting trusses or equipment to be rigged, including the connection devices used to attach the devices to the facility.

GUIDELINES PUBLIC AREAS, CONCOURSES, ETC (GWCC AND DOME)
A. Plans for all directional and informational signs—as well as plans for banners, special graphics or decorations in public concourses and meeting rooms—will be reviewed for general conformity to event purposes, plans and schedules.

B. In consideration of other users of the facilities, signs in entrance concourse areas should be installed just prior to an event opening and promptly removed at the close of the event. Schedule of installation and removal must be coordinated and approved by the Event Coordinator.

C. Commercial exhibitor advertising is not allowed in the public areas of the GWCC without payment of additional  compensation to the GWCC. The current rate for all public areas is fifteen percent (15%) of show management’s gross revenue. Show will be required to furnish the GWCC with a list of all advertising sold in public areas 30 days prior to the  first day of move-in, including a rate card and copy of invoice.

Permanent facility and commercial signage is found throughout the GWCC and may not be visibly blocked in any manner. This signage includes directional graphics, emergency exits, rest rooms, concessions, exhibit hall signs, exhibitor service signs, commercial advertising, etc. Show signs and/or decorations may not be attached to the permanent facility graphics, and the removal of such is strictly prohibited.

Banners and signage may be attached to the facility only in locations and by methods approved by the Event Coordinator.

GWCC permanent digital monitors and video walls are available for rental inside all three buildings.

D. Permanent facility signs and directional graphics may not be blocked in any way, nor may event signs be attached to them.

E. Signage on and around escalators and stairwells may be restricted for safety reasons.

EXHIBITION HALLS (GWCC ONLY)
A. Show-related signs, banners, directional graphics, aisle signs, etc., may be installed in exhibit halls under the direction of the show service contractor following Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Rigging Guidelines and Requirements.

B. Building signs for restrooms, concession stands and all fire exit doors and fire exit signs shall not be covered or blocked in any manner.

C. Any proposed rigging to the structure or ceilings of the exhibit hall must be submitted for review and approval. Installation should be provided by the official service contractor or approved rigging contractor. Rigging plan must go through approval process, fees may apply.

STADIUM
A. Exhibit booth signs, banners, booth ceilings or canopies, lighting grids or other related equipment should be freestanding and floor-supported.

Exterior Show Banners and Signs
3.1

PURPOSE
The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and the Georgia Dome (Dome) provide these guidelines to describe restrictions and requirements for planning any signs, banners or other temporary show installations on the grounds or exterior of the facility.

PLANNING
The GWCC and Dome wish to accommodate customers’ requests to promote events with outdoor signs, banners and other forms of show promotional advertising. With the multitude of events scheduled at these facilities, Centennial Olympic Park and Philips Arena, these guidelines have been developed to protect the interests of all users of these facilities and maintain an appropriate and welcoming environment. Additionally, these guidelines address traffic and safety regulations on the public roadways within the campus and safety and maintenance considerations of the buildings.

All preliminary requests for installation of exterior show banners, signs and any rigging should be submitted to the Event Coordinator at least six (6) months prior to the event. Final requests are to be included in the Plan of Operation required at least sixty (60) days prior to the event. The plans should include a full description of the proposed installation  including proposed location of sign or banner, proposed copy, name of contractor and dates of installation and removal. Large complex signs and banners will also require weights, proposed rigging and anchoring methods and other relevant information for the facility’s engineering review.

At the time of installation, a representative of the facility shall be present to verify with the customer’s installer the condition of the area. Following removal, a re-inspection shall document any damages.

GUIDELINES
1.   The following locations (only) at the GWCC have been designated for use by GWCC events for exterior show only promotion banners and signs:

• Building A entrance lower beam (only) over entrance doors
• Buildings A and B entrance logo boxes (steel framework)
• Buildings A and B entrance bus loading canopy column kiosks
• Andrew Young International Boulevard sidewalk bollards
• Building B Ballroom wall (east side facing flagpoles)
• Building C entrance (four cable locations facing west)
• Building C north exit (one cable location)
• Building C sidewalk bollards
• Building C banner poles (27)

All exterior banners and signs must be approved by the Event Coordinator on a per event basis.

2. No exterior banners or signs may be installed on International Plaza, East Plaza or West Plaza without express written permission from the GWCC Event Coordinator. Generally, signs and banners are also prohibited at Centennial Olympic Park unless they are associated with a licensed event in the Park.

3. The following outdoor areas are open to (one) long-term (1-3 years) corporate advertiser. Once the contracted term is
complete the advertiser will have the first option to renew advertising agreement.

• International Plaza
• West Plaza
• East Plaza
• Top entrance to Red Parking Deck
• Bottom entrance to Red Parking Deck

4. The GWCC and Dome reserve the right to review all exterior sign copy. Signs and banners should relate to show promotion, related show activities and be consistent with acceptable exterior (public) display criteria.

Advertising, commercial sponsorship or exhibitor advertising is not allowed on exterior public areas of the GWCC, including parking lots, without payment of additional compensation to the GWCC. The current rate for all exterior public areas is fifteen percent (15%) of show management’s gross revenue. Show will be required to furnish the  GWCC with a list of all advertising sold in exterior public areas 30 days prior to the first day of move-in, including a rate card and copy of invoice.

Additional opportunities for outdoor advertising and exhibitor sponsorship are available using the GWCC full-motion digital billboard and two marquees.

5.  Exterior signs and banners shall be inspected daily or more frequently to ensure stability and secure installation. Necessary repairs shall be made promptly or the sign/banner will be removed.

6.  In accordance with Department of Transportation regulations, no signs or banners may be installed within the right-of-way of the public roadways.