Demonstrator FAQ's

What is provided in our demonstrator station located in the Pavilion?
What is the Pavilion Equipment Form and what do I include on it?
How do I rent equipment for my station in the pavilion through the DEMO preferred vendor?
What items are not approved as DEMO product giveaways?
Do I have to ship materials to the Freeman warehouse? Can I ship directly to the hotel?
How will DEMO demonstrators access the internet onsite?
What type of cellular service is suggested for product demo’s in the pavilion and stage area?
I am trying to plan my travel schedule, when should I arrive/depart for DEMO?
When is the stage demo rehearsal schedule released?
When do we find out when our on-stage presentation opportunity is scheduled for?
What are the on-stage script and presenter audiovisual form?
How can I prepare for my on-stage presentation?
Can I see company demonstrations from past DEMO’s to help me prepare for my on-stage demonstration?
What is the difference between the stage technical rehearsals and the non-technical practice rooms?
When can we announce our company’s participation at DEMO?
Are the media I include on my media wish list automatically invited?
How can I book hotel accommodations for myself and my staff?
How can I register myself and my staff for the conference?
Where/how do I pick up my badge and other conference materials?
Where and when is the mandatory demonstrator meeting onsite?
How do I win a DEMOgod award?
What is the DEMO Conference dress code?
What if I am having trouble making a deadline?

What is provided in our demonstrator station located in the Pavilion?

All demonstrators have uniform stations. We provide you with 1 counter-top kiosk, 2 stools, power, 4 electrical outlets (2 holes provided in counter-top to provide electrical access), shared Internet connectivity and Signage (24-by-37). PLEASE NOTE - the pavilion area is separate from the main ballroom where the general session program & on-stage demonstrations will take place. Please see the Pavilion section for more information.

What is the Pavilion Equipment Form and what do I include on it?

Beyond the ballroom where the general sessions & demonstrator on-stage presentations take place, DEMO has a demonstrator pavilion where every demonstrator has their own spot, what we call your demonstrator station. Each demonstrator can bring equipment for demonstrating their product in the pavilion. Please include on this form what equipment you will be bringing and/or ordering; you should also include any special needs you have as well. All items that you bring to the pavilion must be approved prior to the show or it may be removed from show site. Please see the Vendor section for more information and to order any equipment needed that you are not bringing on your own.

PLEASE NOTE — This form is separate from your on stage demonstration which will be handled through Karyn Williams & the DEMO Production Company.

How do I rent equipment for my station in the pavilion through the DEMO preferred vendor?

Review the SmartSource section. It includes their order form as well as contact info. Subject to availability, any order received after 5:00pm on September 8 or on the Show Floor will be subject to a 20% late fee. If you use your own vendor, which is allowed as well, you will need to coordinate delivery to the pavilion between 1:00 - 5:00pm on September 21 only. You will also need to be prepared to meet them, anyone without a conference badge will not be allowed in the pavilion.

What items are not approved as DEMO product giveaways?

Please check out the product giveaway policy. Product giveaways are distributed from your demonstrator station in the pavilion. Giveaways must be cleared before the conference or they will be removed onsite (due September 8). Do not ship your giveaways until you have received approval. Allow at least one week to receive approval once giveaway plans have been submitted to Jackie DiPerna.

Do I have to ship materials to the Freeman warehouse? Can I ship directly to the hotel?

You must ship all materials to the Freeman warehouse, the hotel does not allow show site shipments. If you can hand carry equipment, that is fine as well. Once shipments arrive at the Freeman warehouse, they will then be delivered to your demonstrator station in the Pavilion for on September 21 between 1:00 - 5:00pm. This will be when you can first get to any equipment shipped through Freeman. If you have a stage rehearsal before 1:00 pm on September 21 and you will need to get to your equipment before that time, you can still ship through Freeman. Please let Jackie DiPerna know this is the case and we can coordinate a time to let you into the pavilion before it officially opens and before your rehearsal time. PLEASE NOTE — this is only allowed for those with rehearsals before 1:00 pm on September 21. Review the Freeman section for more information.

How will DEMO demonstrators access the internet onsite at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina?

The Demonstrator Pavilion will access the Internet through a partial DS3 connection. Each demonstrator station will be provided one (1) RJ-45 connection for a single computer or NAT router hookup. Onsite, basic connectivity is provided via a NAT routed DHCP address. A single static address can be made available if you choose to connect more then 1 device. You must test all equipment and internet access during pavilion set up on September 21.

The internet connection is shared and is to be equally accessible to each participating demonstrator. It will be monitored throughout the event to ensure equal access to all. The network is designed for typical Web browsing and network activities. Although DEMO strives to ensure equal access, the typical internet experience during the event is 512k (1/3 the speed of a T-1 line). As utilization varies, actual experience may vary. Review additional internet access information in the Vendor section.

What type of cellular service is suggested for product demo’s in the pavilion and stage area?

If your product has cellular service needs, please contact Jackie DiPerna as soon as possible.

I am trying to plan my travel schedule, when should I arrive/depart for DEMO?

Demonstrator staff involved with the stage presentation should arrive by Sunday, September 20th. Onsite stage presentation rehearsals will start on Sunday morning and continue on Monday, September 21. All other staff can arrive Monday morning. On Monday afternoon the demonstrator meeting & pavilion set-up will take place followed by the welcome reception Monday evening. The DEMO schedule goes through Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm. Please see the full schedule for more details – http://www.demo.com/handbooks/demonstrators/DEMOfall09/schedule/index.php.
Please note this is a tentative schedule and can change as the event gets closer.

When is the stage demo rehearsal schedule released?

Once all company slots are filled (August), Karyn Williams, Conference Program Manager, will work on the rehearsal schedule along with our production company. You will be assigned your rehearsal day/time and sent an email with this information in mid to late August. You will also find out the day/time your live on-stage demo is scheduled for as well as your pre-show conference call with the DEMO production company. Review the Stage DEMO section for more information.

When do we find out when our on-stage presentation opportunity is scheduled for?

Once all demonstrating companies have been selected in August. Chris Shipley and Karyn Williams will work together on the conference program. Each company will then be contacted by Karyn Williams and told of their day and time during the DEMO Conference (Tuesday or Wednesday). Also included will be the time of your onsite technical rehearsal (Monday) and the day and time of your pre-show conference call (taking place week of August 24). Review the Stage DEMO section for more information.

What are the on-stage script and presenter audiovisual form?

The script is the glue between your team and the DEMO production company Evergreen Creative. We require that all scripts are in our standardized format using Microsoft Word and include audio visual cues. Upon submitting, your script will be reviewed during your pre-show conference call with our production company to ensure you are appropriately prepared for your presentation. It is perfectly fine for the first draft of the script to be in outline form only and you can make changes after its submitted. The audiovisual equipment order form should contain all necessary equipment/materials you need to make your on-stage demo successful. The DEMO staff needs to know in advance what you will be bringing on stage with you. This will be discussed on your pre-show conference call with our production company. Please see the Stage DEMO section for more information.

How can I prepare for my on-stage presentation?

Most importantly, check out the "Stage DEMO" section of the handbook. It will help prepare you as well as instruct you on deliverables you need to complete.

Can I see company demonstrations from past DEMO’s to help me prepare for my on-stage demonstration?

Yes, you can! We encourage you to view demonstrator presentations from past DEMO events to see what was done and to help give you ideas for your own stage presentation! For all DEMO Conferences, please visit the DEMO website to see past demonstrator videos. Please also visit the helpful presentation tools page to view our training webcast and other valuable resources.

What is the difference between the stage technical rehearsals and the non-technical practice rooms?

These are two separate areas onsite. The stage technical rehearsal is a walk through of your stage DEMO on stage with everything set up exactly how it will take place live during DEMO. The DEMO production company will be present to guide you through your stage rehearsal. Stage rehearsals will take place September 21. Scheduling will be distributed in mid to late August.

The non-technical practice rooms are separate meeting rooms used as an additional resource to help you practice. The room is setup classroom style with a podium. Internet access will be available, however, this will not be the same access you will have on stage or at your station in the Pavilion. It will be basic service to enable you to access the web. We ask that you proceed with practicing your presentation verbally if you experience issues accessing the internet. Our internet access vendor will not be staffing these rooms. These rooms will be available September 20 & 21. Sign up information will be distributed in mid September.

When can we announce our company’s participation at DEMO?

Your product/technology can not be announced/launched until September 21, 2009 at 7:00 am EST. Please see the PR/Press section for more information.

Are the media I include on my media wish list automatically invited?

No, but this is a valuable guide for the DEMO PR Company during the media invitation process. They try to invite as many of those as possible. Please remember to keep the list to 5 people or publications and that reporters from niche publications that would only be interested in one or two demonstrators are unlikely to attend. Please see the Press/PR section for more PR related information.

How can I book hotel accommodations for myself and my staff?

You can make your reservations by calling the Sheraton at 877-734-2726 or you can also make them online. You should do so as soon as possible (no later than August 28) to receive the discounted rate at the resort and ensure there are still rooms available. The room block can sell out at anytime, only the discounted rate is guaranteed through August 28. Your hotel reservation is separate from your conference registration. Please see the Hotel & Travel page for more information.

How can I register myself and my staff for the conference?

DEMOfall 09 registration details can be found in the registration section of this manual. Directions are included on how to register your staff for the conference. Please contact Jackie DiPerna with any conference registration questions.

Where/how do I pick up my badge and other conference materials?

Onsite check in will be at our registration desk starting at 11:00 am on September 21 near the Grande Ballroom. Please make sure all of your staff checks in first to obtain their conference badge and other conference materials (including the program guide, attendee list etc.). Most importantly, make sure all staff is registered as soon as possible. If you want to double check to make sure everyone is in the system, please let the DEMO Registration Team know and they can assist you with that.

Where and when is the mandatory demonstrator meeting onsite?

It is on September 21 in the Grande Ballroom at 12:00 pm PST at the Sheraton. We encourage your entire team to attend, but at least one representative must be present for this informal session. This is your opportunity to meet and talk with the DEMO team and other demonstrators. It is also time for the DEMO staff to review schedules and logistics with you, to discuss any last-minute issues, and to make sure that participation is trouble-free. You will also receive information in regards to the registered press list at this time.

How do I win a DEMOgod award?