International Exhibitors Visa Information & Tips

Exhibitor Visa Information
Tips for International Exhibitors
General Contractors vs. Multiple Contractors
Shipping
Ordering Electrical Services
Basic Visitor Information

Exhibitor Visa Information

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are now subject to enhanced security requirements. All eligible travelers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization using the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) process.

Applications must be effected at least seventy two hours before travel and you must wait for approval.
The US government requires residents of some countries to obtain a Visa before entering the US. Changes to the Visa application process have increased the length of time required to receive your Visa. The information below provides important links and details that help to make the process easier.

Helpful Hints

• Visit the US Department of State website to review for changes to the Visa process that may affect you.
• Apply early for your Visa and download Visa forms.
• Check your passport for expiration date.
• Register online for OFC/NFOEC 2011 before obtaining your Visa.
• Request a Letter of Invitation.

Visa Application Process

Changes to the Visa policy and procedures are expected to increase the amount of time it takes to obtain a Visa. It is VERY important to apply for your Visa early. We recommend that you start the Visa application process as soon as possible. The US Department of State provides the approximate wait times on its website.

Requesting a Letter of Invitation from OFC/NFOEC for Your Visa Application
Important Facts:

• Only Letter of Invitation requests submitted online will be processed.
• A Letter of Invitation covers one individual only. If additional show participants from a company require Letters of Invitation, separate requests must be submitted online.
• Only Letter of Invitation requests meeting WSA's eligibility requirements will be processed.
• Obtaining a Letter of Invitation for OFC/NFOEC does not necessarily guarantee approval of a Visa. The letter is merely supplementary information that helps explain a Visa applicant's personal situation in determining eligibility.

Click here to request a Letter of Invitation.

You must include:

• Participant's email address
• Participant's date of birth
• Participant's job title
• Participant's passport number and/or ID Number
• Participant's Booth, Showroom, or Suite number
• City of US Consulate for participant's interview

Visa Interviews
A personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of this process. This can increase the processing time. It is expected fewer waivers will be granted for the interview portion of the process. OFC/NFOEC cannot assist you with the interview process, nor can anyone representing OFC/NFOEC call the embassy or consulate on your behalf to provide support for granting a Visa. If you are denied a visitor Visa, you may reapply if there is new evidence to overcome the basis for the refusal. In the absence of new evidence, consular officers are not required to re-examine such cases.

How to Find the US Embassy or Consulate in Your Country
Find the US Embassy or Consulate in your country here.

Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a Visa. Not all countries participate in the VWP. Visit the US Department of State Website here for VWP requirements and a complete list of participating countries.

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Tips for International Exhibitors

Exhibiting in a show is a very detailed process and is compounded when planning a show in another country. For our international exhibitors here are a few helpful hints to ease your way.

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General Contractor vs. Multiple Contractors

In the United States one company/vendor known as the General Contractor is the exclusive provider of the following services at the convention center: all hanging signs, booth cleaning, freight handling, freight storage/transfer, all display or sign assembly/disassembly. They may also provide display assembly/disassembly labor.

The general contractor for the 2011 OFC/NFOEC is Hargrove: +1 301.731.2505 or exhibitorservices@hargroveinc.com.

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Shipping

US Customs regulations for the importation of Ocean Freight to the USA
10 + 2 Rule

Summary
The US Department of Homeland Security has introduced new measures to identify ocean cargo that may pose a security threat before it is loaded on board a vessel bound for the USA. The new regulation requires that specific information about the cargo, where it was manufactured, who shipped it, where it is destined in the USA and who the importer is, be filed with US Customs (CBP) in advance of the goods being shipped.

The details required as part of this process are standard in the commercial shipping process. The difference with this regulation is that these details must be filed before a shipment is made overseas, rather than once it arrives at US port. This will impact all overseas exhibitors shipping materials to the USA by sea freight.

Effective dates: Phased in starting 26 January 2009, with a full implementation on 26 January 2010.

Necessary steps to take:
The following information, called the Importer Security Filing (ISF) must be filed with U.S. Customs (CBP) at least 24 hours before the vessel sails from the overseas port. This rule is more commonly referred to as the 10+2 Rule because of these ten pieces of information that the importer must provide, along with two additional items by the shipping line (the vessel stowage plan and container location):

1. Manufacturer (or supplier) name & address
2. Seller name & address
3. Buyer name & address
4. Ship to name & address
5. Container stuffing location
6. Consolidator name & address
7. Importer of record number
8. Consignee number
9. Country of origin of goods
10. HTS number (6 or 10 digit level).

TWI Global will complete the ISF filing for all exhibitor shipments sent through the TWI Global network.  If you choose to use another forwarder, please make sure that they have experience and a detailed knowledge of trade shows as well as ISF requirements related to exhibition shipments.

If the ISF is not filed at least 24 hours before the vessel sails, the shipment will not be loaded on board the vessel.

Additional information is available at www.cbp.gov and questions may be sent to Security_Filing_General@cbp.dhs.gov, or by contacting TWI Global’s Greg Batulanon at gbatulanon@twiglobal.com.

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Ordering Electrical Service

• Voltage in the United States is typically 120/208-volt, 3-phase @ 60 Hz
• European voltage is typically 220/400-volt, 3-phase @ 50 Hz
• US power use capacity is typically measured in wattage or amperage
• European power use capacity is typically measured in KW (kilowatts)
• The LA Convention Center has power transformers (also known as a buck and boost) to convert US voltages to European voltages with capacities of up to 225 amps. A transformer must be ordered for voltages higher than 208 (up to 230-volt)
• 308-volt is not standard and requires a transformer to be placed in your booth (call for quote)
• Conversion of 50 Hz to 60 Hz is rarely required (solid state converters are available, but very expensive to rent)
• Equipment with DC (Direct Current) solid-state motors and controls do not require Hertz conversion
• Equipment with AC (Alternation Current) motors may require Hertz conversion due to an output shaft speed increase of 20%
• Information for international electrical issues are listed below:
• Ordering Hints for International Exhibitors
• Cost Saving Tips
• Power Usage Guide
• Floor Plan Grids
• Equipment Glossary (with photos)

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Basic Visitor Information

Currency
The legal tender is the US dollar (USD): Currency Converter.

Time
During OFC/NFOEC, Los Angeles will be in Pacific Standard Time.

Electricity
The voltage is 120 volts, 60 cycles (60hz). Flat blade Type A and B plugs are used.

Climate
The weather in Los Angeles in March can include late-winter rains or be reasonable dry.  Visitors should consider packing a mid-weight jacket and long-sleeved shirts and/or sweaters.  Average monthly temperatures.

Language
English is the official language of California. However, in reality California is a multilingual state. Spanish is very widely spoken by California's large Hispanic population, and the state is highly influenced by the Spanish language.

Tips
Tipping in Los Angeles is technically the same as elsewhere in the USA In restaurants, this means a tip of 15-18%. At bars, $1 to $2 per drink is customary. You should plan on $1-$2 per night for hotel housekeeping/maid service, and $1 per bag for the bellman/porter. For taxis, a 10-15% tip is customary.