Exhibitor Resource Center

November 29 - December 1, 2022 / Austin Convention Center

Safety & Emergency Information

Below you will find safety and security recommendations, as well as the Emergency Response Plan for the event. Please take a moment to review and familiarize yourself with this information in advance of the event and share it with any of your staff who will be on-site at the event.

Safety Information
  • Event Management works diligently with the facility prior to each show to ensure the safety and security of all exhibitors, attendees, and the event. If you have any security concerns leading up to the show or on-site, please bring them to the attention of Event Management through email (emorton@divcom.com) or at the The Running Event Registration Desk on-site in the Atrium on Level 1.
  • All persons in the exhibit area must wear a badge.  This includes during move-in, show hours, and move-out. Exhibitors are responsible for ordering badges for their workers and staff.  
  • Security guards will "sweep" the halls at the close of the event each day to clear them of all visitors and personnel. Only exhibitor personnel who have requested special permission will be allowed in the halls after closing.
  • Any thefts or damage to property must be reported to event security immediately.
  • Even with security as protection, exhibitors are asked to take precautions in guarding their exhibits. Remember that move-in and move-out hours are particularly sensitive times when thefts are most likely to occur. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BOOTH UNATTENDED. If you need to leave, we strongly recommend packing up all items and hiring private security for your booth.
  • Be Careful! 24-hour security service will be provided to protect the show as a whole. However, it is up to you to exercise prudent judgment and to safeguard your personal property and belongings. At the end of each day, remove anything of value that can be easily removed.
  • Notify event management, or security immediately if you notice a safety hazard in the building or witness anyonebeing injured anywhere in the building or nearby outside spaces. If you notice any potential safety hazards such as wires/power cords on floor that have not been taped off, metal structures extending into the aisles, etc., be sure to notify either Show Management, Freeman (the show’s general contractor), or security to get it taken care of before anyone gets hurt.
  • Be aware and be prepared. When you leave the facility at the end of the day, be sure to remove your badge. Program the emergency numbers from this document into your cell phone or carry the document with you.
  • Walking at night? Be sure to travel in pairs or call a cab. Be aware of your surroundings and take caution if new to the city. Leave your cell phone on overnight in case of an emergency.

Security Tips on Safeguarding Booth Property
  • Coordinate shipping and deliveries. Try to be onsite when your product is being delivered to your booth.
  • Conduct an inventory. Once your product has been delivered, note any missing or damaged items. Note display locations.
  • Store any excess product/giveaways and extra electronic devices in a locked cabinet. Do not leave purses, briefcases, or valuables behind drapes or underneath tables, this is the first place any thief will look.
  • When arriving in the morning, go directly to your booth to prevent any early personnel from free shopping in your booth.
  • Plan to have staff manning your booth during all times when the exhibit floor is open to attendees and other exhibitors.
  • If your booth contains a lot of valuables which are difficult to secure or time-consuming to setup or teardown on a daily basis, it is recommended that you hire your own security guard overnight.  The expense will be justified should you lose one item.  Security can be arranged by contacting ACCD Security Services Division at 512-404-4110 or submitting the Exhibitor Booth Security Form in the ordering services section.
  • Cover your displays with a tarp or other non-see through materials; it creates a mental block to any perpetrator.
  • Blocking the entrance to your booth prior to leaving provides a mental barricade to any perpetrator. Use either caution tape or place chairs at the entrance.
  • Try to greet anyone that comes into your booth as this will send a signal that you are aware of their presence; this will discourage any perpetrators from attempting to steal.
  • During the start of move-out, please stay with your booth until you either pack it or the official decorator brings your empties and packs it. Do not leave your booth immediately; spend some time in your booth until the floor clears. This is one of the premium times during which theft occurs. Schedule outbound travel accordingly.
  • Obtain proper insurance coverage for your goods, including transit to and from the show site.
  • Do not leave any prototype product unsecured in your booth!
 

The Running Event Emergency Response Plan

The purpose of the The Running Event Emergency Response Plan is to provide guidelines to prepare for potential crisis or emergency situations. One of the primary purposes of this document is to ensure all Exhibitors are provided with important information and proper communication during an emergency. If you have any questions, please contact our team at emorton@divcom.com.

Potential Crisis Situations

The Running Event Exhibitors should be aware of the below possibilities and should report any suspicious activity as soon as possible. To report suspicious activity, contact the ACCD Security Operations Center immediately by dialing 4111 from any house phone or calling 512-404-4111, and describe specifically what you observed, including: who or what you saw, when you saw it, where it occurred and why it's suspicious.

Terrorist Attack | Inclement Weather | Fire | Bomb Threat | Medical Emergency | Civil Disorder | Active Shooter

Austin Convention Center Emergency Protocol
EMERGENCY & SECURITY PHONE NUMBERS:
   – ACCD Security Operations Center:  512-404-4111 | From a house phone: Dial 4111
   – Dialing 911 from a landline or cell phone may also be used (additional notification of ACCD staff should be made)
 
It is important to stay calm when reporting an incident. Give your name, location and specifics involving the emergency. Stay on the phone until directed to hang up. 
The 24- hor ACCD Security Operations Center number 512-404-4111 (or 4111 from house phone) is the primary emergency number for the facility and the Security Operations Center will designate an Incident Commander to the emergency situation who will notify the appropriate ACC safety & security personnel and external emergency responders.  Paramedic services (EMS) will be on duty during move-in, event hours and move-out. 
 
FACILITY EVACUATION OR LOCKDOWN:
An evacuation could occur or be ordered due to any number of emergency incidents or a combination of incident types. When a general alarm sounds, evacuation of the facility is required.  Additional important information may be provided over the public-address system. Strobe lights will also activate during the emergency announcement.  Follow the direction of Security and the ACCD Event Staff for the evacuation procedures.
 
IN THE EVENT OF AN EVACUATION:
1. An announcement over the public-address system advising all persons to proceed to the nearest exit is made. 
2. Remain calm and proceed in an orderly manner to the nearest exit outside. If there is a need to move away from the facility, ACCD staff will direct evacuated persons to alternative areas of safety.
3. IF YOU ENCOUNTER SMOKE ON YOUR WAY TO AN EXIT, TURN AROUND AND USE ANOTHER EXIT.
4. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ESCALATORS OR ELEVATORS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. Elevators will return to level one for emergency personnel use only.  Evacuation chairs are available to assist with mobility impaired persons.
5. ACCD Incident Command (IC) personnel, Security and other staff will respond. The ACCD IC will coordinate with emergency first responders to determine when the emergency has passed and the facility is safe. The ACCD IC will coordinate with the ACCD Event Planning Staff to manage an orderly re-entry plan.
6. NO PERSONNEL WILL ENTER THE FACILITY UNTIL THE “ALL CLEAR” ORDER HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE ACCD IC.
 
IN THE EVENT OF A LOCKDOWN:
A facility “lockdown” may occur if there is a significant incident of an emergency nature occurring in close proximity to the ACCD facility location and the incident warrants that the safety and security of those in the facility may be seriously compromised unless the facility is temporarily secured or put in “lockdown.” During a facility lock-down, facility entry and/or egress may be restricted. The ACCD IC will communicate the status of an incident that requires a lockdown with Event Planning Staff.  Follow the direction of the Security and the ACCD Event Staff for the lockdown procedures.

Additional Emergency Phone Numbers 
National Weather Service- Austin 830-629-0130
Austin Police Dept. Emergency: 911 Non Emergency: 311
Austin Fire Dept 512-974-0130
Ambulance-Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service 512-972-7200

Nearby Pharmacies, Urgent Care & Hospitals
CVS Pharmacy 5th St/500 Congress Ave 512-474-2380
Walgreens Pharmacy 4501 Guadalupe St. 512-323-6098
MedSpring Urgent Care 3906 N Lamar Blvd 512-861-8040
Dell Seton Medical 1500 Red River St. 512-324-7000

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Questions?

Please feel free to e-mail us at customerservice@divcom.com, use the chat feature below, or call +1-207-842-5508. We look forward to working with you in preparation for a successful event!