PRIORITY ASSIGNMENT PROCESS
Booth Space Assignment Process
Exhibitors who submitted their space application and 50% booth space deposit by June 5, 2026, are eligible to be included in the Priority Assignment Process. Space assignment priority is determined by the Priority Formula and designated Product Concentration Areas.
Exhibitors not eligible for the Priority Assignment Process will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis according to application submission dates.
Key Dates & Timeline
Priority Space Assignment Process
June 5, 2026
Space application and 50% deposit deadline to participate in the Priority Space Assignment Process.
Early October 2026
Outdoor exhibitors (20+ priority points) receive Virtual Space Assignment Appointment date & time slot.
Early October 2026
Indoor exhibitors (20+ priority points and more than 400 sq. ft.) receive Virtual Space Assignment Appointment date & time slot.
Late October to Early November 2026
Virtual Space Assignment Appointments take place.
November 2026
Indoor exhibitors (20+ priority points and less than 400 sq. ft) will be placed by show management in order of priority points.
Booth Assignment Process (Post-Priority)
Following the Priority Space Assignment Process
Show Management assigns space to all other exhibitors based on a first-come, first-served basis according to application submission dates.
Late November to Early December 2027
Booth assignment confirmations are emailed to all exhibitors.
After December 2027
Applications submitted after December 2027 will be assigned space as determined by Show Management and will receive a booth assignment confirmation email after their application is approved.
Who is Eligible for the Priority Space Assignment Process?
Indoor Exhibitors Requesting 400 Sq. Feet or More
Indoor exhibitors will be invited to a Virtual Space Assignment Appointment if they:
- Submitted their space application and 50% booth space deposit by June 5, 2026 AND
- Have 20 or more Priority Points (see priority formula below) AND
- Requested 400 square feet or more of exhibit space
During their appointment, exhibitors will meet with Show Management to view available space within their product group and requested booth size.
Indoor Exhibitors Requesting Less Than 400 Sq. Feet
Indoor exhibitors requesting less than 400 square feet will not receive a virtual appointment, but will be placed in priority order if they:
- Submitted their space application and 50% booth space deposit by June 5, 2026 AND
- Have 20 or more Priority Points (see priority formula below)
Show Management will assign these exhibitors the best available booth space in order of their priority number.
Outdoor Exhibitors
Outdoor exhibitors will be invited to a Virtual Space Assignment Appointment if they:
- Submitted their space application and 50% booth space deposit by June 5, 2026 AND
- Have 20 or more Priority Points (see priority formula below)
During their appointment, exhibitors will meet with Show Management to view available space within their product group and requested booth size.
Not Eligible?
Applications Submitted After June 5, 2026
Exhibitors who submitted their application and deposit after June 5, 2026, will be assigned space on a first-come, first-served basis in the order completed applications were received. Product categories will also be taken into consideration when placing on the show floor.
Applications With Less Than 20 Priority Points
Exhibitors with fewer than 20 Priority Points will be assigned space on a first-come, first-served basis according to application date and requested product categories.
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS FOR PRIORITY PROCESS
Frequently asked questions about the virtual space appointments planned for the Priority Space Assignment Process.
Definition of Years of Membership
Show Management chooses the company/division with the greatest number of years as an AEM member. An exhibitor must be a current member in good standing with AEM in order to have its years of membership used in calculating the membership number.
Definition of Past Participation Number
Show Management uses the total square footage purchased by an exhibitor for The Utility Expo 2025. If a company acquired another company, the parent company can use the newly acquired company's exhibit space.
To receive an appointment, exhibitors must:
- Have submitted an application and 50% deposit by June 5, 2026
- Have at least 20 Priority Points
- Have requested an outdoor booth OR requested at least 400 square feet if exhibiting indoors
Exhibitors who submitted the application and 50% deposit by June 5, 2026, and have at least 20 or more Priority Points are still a part of the Priority Space Assignment Process, but they won't be invited to a Virtual Space Assignment Appointment. Instead, Show Management will assign you the best available booth space in order of priority number.
Virtual appointments are currently planned to take place starting in late October and into early November 2026.
Eligible exhibitors will receive appointment details by email in early October 2026.
This appointment email will be sent to the Primary Exhibitor Contact listed on the space application, and they will be asked to fill out a confirmation form acknowledging that they received the email.
No. Appointments are scheduled according to priority number. You will not be able to choose your date and time. This process requires strict adherence to an appointment schedule.
Because this process follows priority order, exhibitors cannot move the date or time of their appointment. Anyone who cannot attend should plan to send another representative to attend the appointment.
If your company does not attend the space assignment appointment, Show Management will assign the next best available spot for you. Relocations may be requested but are not guaranteed.
Yes. Because exhibitors are unable to move their scheduled appointment, anyone who cannot attend should plan to send another representative to attend the appointment.
You can provide the name of the alternate representative on the confirmation form (sent to primary contacts when the appointment date is sent via email).
Appointments are only available in 10-minute time slots. We request that you join the meeting 5 minutes prior to your scheduled start time on the date of the appointment.
The virtual space assignment appointments will take place on Teams. A meeting link will be shared in advance; use this link to join the meeting 5 minutes prior to your scheduled start time on the date of the appointment.
If your company does not attend the space draw appointment on the assigned date and time, Show Management will assign the next best available spot for you.
Relocations may be requested but are not guaranteed.
Every effort will be made to accommodate requested booth locations, preferred Product Concentration Areas and booth dimensions; however, placement cannot be guaranteed.
For the best possible chance of receiving your preferred location, you should attend your assigned virtual space assignment appointment.
A few days prior to your appointment date, the primary contact (or the representative you designate to attend the appointment) will receive a reminder email with a link to view the live floor plan.
Yes. Show Management reserves the right to reassign exhibit space during show planning if necessary.
For questions specific to the priority assignment process, please contact our Customer Success Team:
Call: +1 (414) 272-0943
Text: +1 (414) 409-6400
Email: exhibitors@aem.org