Cleveland’s I-X Center Opens Doors to Outside Contractors for Trade Shows

February 3, 2018

For the past 30 years, the 9th largest convention center in the United States hasn’t permitted outside contractors, until now.

Cleveland, Ohio’s 2.2 million square foot I-X Center now will allow trade shows to utilize outside decorating providers specializing in exhibitor services and experience.

Since 1985, the I-X Center exclusively has provided on-site services, which covered all facets of decorator services for trade shows and large corporate events.

The new policy, effective immediately, provides new opportunities for the convention center and planners worldwide.

“After conversations with potential tradeshow partners and outside contractors, we felt this change in philosophy makes sense not only for our business, but also to allow clients to maintain existing relationships with their current service provider,” said Lisa Vo, I-X Center’s executive vice president.

She added, “Our goal is to offer an option in Cleveland to trade shows that previously wouldn’t consider the city.”

With this change in philosophy, the I-X Center still maintains its long-time reputation of outstanding customer service along with the ease and flexibility of a top 10 convention center.

Conveniently located adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the I-X Center offers 1 million square feet of exhibition and conference space, which includes 845,000 contiguous square feet on one level.

Surrounding the building are 30 truck doors, plus seven over-size drive-in doors for added convenience and 55’ to 77’ ceilings for easy move-in of oversized equipment.

“It is exciting to learn that the I-X Center will now be an open building,” said Richard L. Maples, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Shepard.

He added, “This philosophical change now gives exposition organizers another great option in the Midwest especially with the size of the I-X Center.  We look forward to developing a great partnership with them in the near future.”

The I-X Center has hosted more than 1,500 events attracting 50 million visitors during the last 30+ years, including the Cleveland Auto Show, The Great Big Home and Garden Show and Ceramics Expo.

The convention center also self-produces five Signature Events annually including:  I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama, I-X Christmas Connection, I-X Trick or Treat Street, I-X Indoor Amusement Park and I-X Get Fit, which provides them a unique decorating insight into making a show successful.

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