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Attendee FAQs for The NAFEM Show

Find answers to our frequently asked questions about The NAFEM Show below or learn about our COVID-19 plan. If you don’t see an answer to your question, contact us directly.

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Frequently asked questions

This page was last updated on 3/9/21

Show details

Registration

Additional event policies

The NAFEM Show is Aug. 26-28, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), West Building, Orlando, Fla. Learn more

Attendees such as restaurateurs, chain executives, dealer/distributors and consultants come from all segments of the foodservice industry, including healthcare, schools, colleges & universities, business & industry, corrections and more!

The world’s leading foodservice equipment & supplies manufacturers exhibit at The NAFEM Show. See the 2021 exhibitor list.

You can expect social distancing, hand washing reminders, enhanced protocols and more. There also will be a medical expert onsite and access to an on-demand Medical Concierge through the show app. The 24/7 Medical Concierge is provided through Orlando Health’s Virtual Visit and allows you to connect with a physician at any time during the event.

In addition, members of The NAFEM Show team are GBAC-Trained Technician certified in infection and contamination control measures to ensure safe events and also completed the Pandemic Compliance Advisor course for meeting industry professionals.

GBAC

We are anticipating total attendance (exhibitors and attendees) of 10,000 people. Typically attendance at The NAFEM Show is 20,000. As always, all show attendees are anticipated to be foodservice professionals with equipment and smallwares purchasing power.

NAFEM cannot predict what international travel restrictions will be at the time of the show and are following all U.S. travel requirements for all participants.

The show will NOT have extended hours and will not stagger attendee access to the exhibit hall.

NAFEM will NOT host its traditional Kick-Off (Wednesday) and NAFEM Party (Friday) events. Both events will return in 2023 when we have optimal planning time and fewer limitations on how they can be the kind of networking events our exhibitors and attendees associate with The NAFEM Show.

There are many options for accommodations during the show. onPeak, the official housing provider for The NAFEM Show, can assist you in making your hotel reservations – simply visit our hotels and travel page to book now. You also can contact onPeak at +1.855.203.6329 or email them at NAFEM@onpeak.com.

sealOnly companies displaying this seal are official suppliers of The NAFEM Show.

Complimentary shuttle bus services are available to and from the Orange County Convention Center and all NAFEM show hotels – excluding those that are walking distance from the convention center.

Most hotels in our block have a 72-hour cancellation policy, so there is no anticipated risk for housing cancellation fees if the show is canceled. Also, while a credit card is required at the time of reservation through our housing coordinator, most hotels do not even charge the deposit until closer to the show. Please check your hotel reservation confirmation for details about deposit and cancellation policies for your specific hotel.

We are following all CDC, state, local and building guidelines. Here are a few of the updates we’re implementing:

  • Mask requirement for unvaccinated individuals
  • Hand sanitizer stations throughout show floor
  • Touchless sinks in the bathroom
  • Wider aisles for two-way traffic
  • Medical support onsite and through the show app
  • Exhibitor hand washing kits for safe food sampling
  • Social distancing reminders throughout show floor
  • Plexiglass shields at registration
  • Enhanced sanitation and cleaning protocols

Business casual or business attire is preferred.

The NAFEM Show Scholarship Program gives first-time attendees the opportunity to receive a $500 scholarship to offset travel expenses along with a free show badge. To learn more, visit our scholarship page.

Training Time is an additional hour (8 – 9 a.m.) before the official show opening on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28, providing manufacturers with time to conduct product training for their dealer/distributors, consultants and service agents. NAFEM distributes Training Time badges to registrants who are members of CFESA, FCSI, FEDA and all buying groups.

We offer complimentary Wi-Fi for all attendees while at the Orange County Convention Center.

The NAFEM booth is a place to get information on the show, learn more about NAFEM and meet with other participants. You also can find NAFEM’s channel partners MAFSI, FEDA, CFESA and FCSI here.

For show updates, foodservice news and industry insights, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Attendees can register here. If you’re an exhibitor, you must submit an exhibit space contract before registering for badges.

See badge prices and registration deadlines.

We currently do not offer a spouse/guest program. If you’d like to bring someone, have them register as an attendee.

Name changes are permitted. Please email requests to nafem@csreg.zohodesk.com to edit your personal contact information.

Please note that all badges are printed at the show. No badges are mailed. You may pick up your badge at the Orange County Convention Center, West Building, or at one of our satellite locations at the Orlando International Airport, the Hyatt Regency Orlando, the Hilton Orlando, the Rosen Centre Hotel and the Rosen Plaza Hotel.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

noon – 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 26

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 27

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 28

7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The NAFEM Show complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please email info@thenafemshow.org or call +1.312.245.1054 if you require special assistance while attending the show.

If you have any questions about your registration, contact nafem@csreg.zohodesk.com or +1.224.563.3764.

Any registration canceled on or before Aug. 10 receives a full refund of registration fees. After Aug. 10, all registration fees are non-refundable.

If NAFEM has to cancel the show, NAFEM’s intent is to refund all monies paid by participants and if necessary, would keep no more than 5 percent of a participant’s registrant’s badge/ticket fees. Our official registration refund policy is:

If for any reason beyond NAFEM's control NAFEM determines that The NAFEM Show must be canceled, shortened, delayed, dates changed, or otherwise altered or changed, Participant understands and agrees that NAFEM will use its best efforts to provide a full refund on registration fees paid to it by Participant.

If despite using its best efforts, NAFEM is not able to provide a full refund of registration fees due to its losses incurred in connection with the cancellation or change to The NAFEM Show, NAFEM may retain up to 5 percent of the registration fees paid to it by Participant and will refund to Participant the remaining balance of registration fees paid to it by Participant.

Children under 16 years of age ARE NOT allowed on the show floor at any time.

NAFEM uses the data you provide to NAFEM to inform you of its events including The NAFEM Show®, products or news that may be of interest to you; to facilitate networking between you and NAFEM members, and such other purposes which are within the scope of NAFEM’s exempt purpose and mission.

NAFEM will share the data you provide NAFEM with third-party vendors in order to process your registration, to make you aware of goods and services you may be interested in, to perform analytics on behalf of NAFEM, in connection with The NAFEM Show®, and for such other purposes as NAFEM may approve from time to time.

For information regarding your personal data rights, please review the NAFEM Privacy Policy.

Your consent is required at the time of registration