Best Practices

Get started searching exhibitors, products and services at the 2023 SME Annual Conference & Expo and CMA 125th National Western Mining Conference using the Map Your Show (MYS) Exhibitor Directory & My Show Planner.

Exhibitors, please make sure that if you have equipment that has openings while running that you install covers, guards, or screens to prevent accident or injury from someone sticking their hand in or getting clothing stuck.  SME requires as per the show’s rules and regulations that such precautions are taken prior to running your machines. SME will have our representatives from the Health & Safety Division walking through to ensure these guidelines are followed. 

While MSHA is not part of the governing resource for the trade show industry, it is SME’s policy that when working and displaying mining industry equipment, exhibitors should follow the same safety standards as a mine site.

Here are some helpful safety tips:

Equipment Safety Tips

• All equipment must comply with Federal, State, and local safety codes.
• The exhibit hall is governed by Colorado Convention Center (CCC) Fire Marshal and OSHA safety rules and regulations.
• Operating equipment must have protective covers, guards, or screens to safeguard employees and attendees from accidents or injury.
• Exhibitor personnel must be present at all times while equipment is running. If your personnel cannot be in your booth, they must turn off all operating equipment.
• All vehicles must have wheel stops/bumps placed behind the wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
• Safety stanchions, cones, chains, or triangles should be in place for parts of a machine that are at the edge of a booth or of particular danger to attendee safety.

Personal Safety Tips

• Use a ladder or contracted labor, not a chair for reaching high objects. Standing on chairs, tables and other rental furniture is unsafe and can cause injury to you or to others. These objects are not designed to support your standing weight.
• Be aware of your surroundings. You are in an active work area with changing conditions during move-in and move-out. Pay attention. Look for obstacles, machinery and equipment that are in use.
• Keep your eyes open for scooters and forklifts. The drivers of these vehicles may not be able to see you.
• Stay clear of dock areas, trucks and trailers. These areas can be particularly dangerous.
• Exterior and loading dock doors and fire doors may not be propped open.
• Exits in all areas of the facility should not be blocked or covered for any reason.
• Prevent electrical shocks, falling items and damage to materials.
• Do not attach signs or anything to the drapes or metal framework provided for your booth. They are not anchored and falling materials or the pipe and drape can cause serious injury or damage your materials.
• NO children under the age of 16 are allowed in the exhibit hall during installation and dismantle. During the show, children must be supervised by an adult at all times. No strollers permitted at any time.

Product Security Tips

• It is the responsibility of each exhibiting company to provide adequate insurance coverage for their booth.
• On-site personnel should have copies of all shipping information to verify the piece count upon arrival.
• Do not leave your swag/giveaway items or personal items such as handbags, wallets, briefcases, beepers, laptop computers, digital cameras or cellular phones under skirted tables, exposed or unguarded in the booth at any time during the show or after show hours.
• Irreplaceable articles/items and small, easily carried items should be removed from the hall at night.
• Report any stolen or damaged materials during the show to Show Management and CCC security.
• Company personnel should be scheduled so that at least one person is in the booth during move-in and move-out, and it is mandatory to have someone in the booth during official show hours.
• Always remove your badge prior to exiting the convention center or while in public areas of your hotel. You don’t want to advertise that you are visiting or where you are staying with your name badge info in plain sight.