Ag Trades Show FAQs

Subscribe to or update your GovDelivery preferences to receive email news alerts and updates. Opportunities are posted as available. All interested participants must complete the interest form, which typically opens several months before the show.

Please view the estimated rates sheet for more detailed pricing. Prices as of May 2025:

• The standard booth rental rate is $415 for an 8x10 booth with one table and two chairs and shared electricity.
• Booth prices vary for machinery, tools, and equipment booths, or change orders (i.e., add more chairs or tables, booth only – no table, chairs, etc.)
• Standard conference session rate is $50 for a two-hour session for one day. Prices vary for shorter or longer rental options, special room layouts, specialized A/V requests, food and beverage orders made with the venue, etc.
• Room rentals are available for non-conference sessions. Prices start at $100. Specialized A/V, security, food and beverage costs, and service fees may apply.
• The "Maine" Stage is available for $75.
• Sponsorship options vary. Examples include hospitality suite snacks, special A/V services for digital recording, or streaming.
• There is no fee to offer complimentary business coaching at the Listening Post.

The show brings together people to network and connect with Maine agriculture and related natural resources. Applicants can learn more by reviewing the FAQs and the show's Terms and Conditions.

MDACF's priorities for selecting Maine Ag Trades Show participants:

• Supports Maine-based producers, agricultural groups, equipment suppliers, and service providers.
• Products, services, etc., directly linked to the agriculture or forestry sectors.
• Crops/products commonly grown or produced in Maine and licensed or programmatically supported by DACF.
• Content enhances attendee networking and year-round enrichment opportunities of Maine's natural resources business sectors.
• Achievable event logistic coordination, space availability, participants who can submit timely payment via the State of Maine invoicing system and required documents to participate in the show.

These are the common ways to participate in or support the show. Please use the interest form to request your preferences and add your contact information so that show organizers can follow up as the show planning progresses.

• Exhibit booth: Rent booth space for outreach and promotions to attendees seeking agricultural services, supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Listening Post: Home to volunteer-led, complimentary business coaching, plus daily networking meet and greets, and the show's hospitality suite.
• Conference Sessions: Rent space to host annual meetings, forums, and workshops; share research and development updates; offer continuing education training focused on agriculture, food systems, and/or natural resources.
• The "Maine" Stage: Showcases topics with broad audience appeal. Examples include farmer spotlights, Maine farm product demonstrations, and public speaking or interviews.
• Room Rentals—non-conference: Do you need to host a focus group, awards competition, or other agriculturally focused activity during the show? Room rentals are available.
• Sponsorship: All participants help support the show in some way. Other ways to get involved include supporting hospitality suite snacks, A/V activities to record or stream selected content for the show's digital library, or something different.

Several features make this conference different than others. Here are some examples:

• Most ATS conference sessions are led by farming, food, and forestry groups. Sessions include talks, membership meetings, networking meet-ups, and training.
• The show is open to everyone, and people with all levels of experience attend.
• Most conference sessions are free thanks to the support of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, show participants, and supporters.
• Some sessions may require sign-up or payment. This is typically because hosts provide special materials for attendees, it's a workshop, or producer organizations host membership meetings and collect dues or fundraising monies.
• The conference occurs alongside other events, including exhibit displays and free business coaching.
• Maine's Agricultural Trades Show has brought people together since 1941. The mix of conference sessions, Listening Post, exhibits, and other activities makes this an important networking event for farms, food producers, agricultural service providers, businesses, and many others.

The Department publishes selections on the show webpage. The general order of selection announcements will be:

• Forms submitted by June 1, look for announcements in the second week of July.
• Forms are submitted between June and August; look for announcements by the third week of August.
• Waitlisted applicants announced as available.

The Department anticipates sharing the conference information in two steps:

• First: Emailing a tentative agenda to conference participants as soon as September 1.
• Second: a tentative agenda will be published online by early November.
• Printable agendas will be available for download before Dec. 1.

Organizers use the interest form to track all requests and selection preferences. It's also the primary way to gather contact info and planning details.

This will depend on your topics and reasons for hosting a session. These are suggestions from show organizers, past attendees, and participants.

• Do you want to expand your outreach? Try partnering with another organization to host a longer session. Include shorter talks as part of a longer agenda on a single day.
• Do you want to offer training to as many attendees as possible? Try shorter sessions on multiple days.
• Are you hosting a regularly scheduled meeting, and would like to add something interesting and engaging? Try a panel of peers who can share their experiences.
• Self-promotion and outreach can help. Start gathering feedback before you apply. Learn from and ask what interests your potential attendees. Use newsletters, websites, and social media to invite people to your session. At the end of your session, ask attendees to share their feedback.

Please submit the interest form so that you can be placed on the waitlist. If spaces become available, show organizers will contact you.

Generally, no. Please consider a future year instead. You can complete the interest form to join the waitlist. If spaces become available, show organizers will contact you.

• You may view a Diagram of booth dimensions (PDF).
• Standard booth size is 8 feet deep by 10 feet wide with one table, two chairs, and shared access to electricity. (Standard booth is $415/booth)
• Non-equipment booths are divided by a full-draped rear and a half-draped side.
• Equipment spaces have no dividers or draping.
• You should bring your own signage, display materials, etc.
• Use your invoice to review the dimensions of your space.
• Spaces are assigned a few weeks before the show, and may be adjusted on-site without advance notice.
• You may view a Diagram of booth dimensions (PDF).
• Standard booth size is 8 feet deep by 10 feet wide with one table, two chairs, and shared access to electricity.
• Non-equipment booths are divided by a full-draped rear and a half-draped side.
• Equipment spaces have no dividers or draping.
• You should bring your own signage, display materials, etc.
• Use your invoice to review the dimensions of your space.
• Spaces are assigned a few weeks before the show, and may be adjusted on-site without advance notice.

Unless you have an email from organizers with an approved exception, all exhibitors should follow this timeline:

• Heavy equipment: Set up between 7:30 and 11 AM the day before the show opens to the public. The north end exhibits will be followed by the south end.
• Other exhibitors: Set up between 12 and 3 PM the day before the show opens to the public. The auditorium closes at 4 PM.

• Tear down begins immediately when the show closes on the last day of the show.
• The south end booths load out first. All heavy equipment and machinery move out last.
• Use the south end auditorium access, or the main building north and south entrances; please avoid the main building lobby entrance.

• Start by submitting the interest form, which collects contact information and details.
• By November, MDACF will contact coaches to confirm their availability and schedule.
• Attendees have the choice to reserve an appointment or drop in with an available coach.
• Meeting tables are pre-set in the Franklin room, a shared space for all coaches.
• Coaches can set up their "station" as early as 8:30 AM daily.
• Coaches may bring their own coaching materials, electronic devices, promotional literature, notepads, pens, etc.

• MDACF uses digital newsletters, social media, and print to promote the service and to encourage advance reservations.
• Business advisors should share the reservation link to their services to help encourage reservations before the show.

Please refer to the Common Room Layouts (PDF) for room rental and conference session choices.

• By default, conference room layouts are theater-style seating, with screens and projectors at the front.
• You select the standard layout or an alternative when you submit your interest form.
• Day of change order requests may be subject to a venue surcharge.

• A projector and screen are available in presentation rooms.
• Session hosts are responsible for providing computers, laptops, slide decks, etc., and setting up devices for any presentations that use A/V.
• Mac computer users should bring a VGA adapter to connect to the venue projectors (or BYO projector).
• You may bring a web camera for teleconferences, pointers, visual aids, etc. Please carry in/carry out.
• Shared public Wi-Fi is available at the show.
• Professional streaming and recording are permitted. If you wish to use the same vendor that show organizers use, please request this when you submit your interest form. Additional fees apply
• If you need help connecting laptops, etc. to projectors – please email show organizers by Dec. 1 so they can plan accordingly.

We encourage presenters to add the generic series of slides encouraging attendees to see other parts of the show, such as the Listening Post, exhibits, classifieds, etc., plus scan the QR code to share event feedback.

Set up happens on the day of your session between the scheduled start and end times.

• Set up and tear down are the same day. You have a 15 to 20-minute buffer before and after your scheduled time to adjust the layout, test A/V connections, organize supplies, etc.
• The stage is pre-set with handheld and lavalier microphones, screen, and projector.
• You may temporarily place items in a make-ready area near the stage.

• The applicant or designated billing contact listed in your interest form receives an email from ARDBilling.ACF@maine.gov. The email includes payment instructions and an invoice.
• You can pay online, using ACH or a credit card.
• Or you can mail a check or money order.
• Internal customers should use the internal payment system.
• Invoices are distributed in batches, starting with booths, room rental/conferences, "Maine" Stage. Review the ways to pay, including online payment.

• Review the FAQs for set up/tear down info, directions, Welcome kit guides, etc. Review the show webpage before December 1.
• Communicate with your team – volunteers, staff, etc. for event coverage, packing supplies, sharing FAQs, etc.
• Remember to label your personal devices, supplies, and important items, so they may be returned if misplaced. Include a phone number.

• Use your website, e-mail lists, and social media to let people know you'll be at the show.
• Download optional digital assets and share Maine DACF social media posts about the event.

• The venue address is 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
• Use Exit 112 off Interstate 95. Follow the signs for Augusta Civic Center. Augusta is approximately 60 minutes north of Portland and 90 minutes south of Bangor. Read about visiting the Augusta area.
• The show opens to the public at 9 a.m. daily – there is no entry fee for attendees or participants.
• Public parking is available on site and shared by participants and attendees.
• There is no participant name badge – you are welcome to bring your own to wear.
• Accommodations are available within walking and driving distance of the venue.

Use the information below as a general checklist and packing guide. Adjust as needed for your role, and share with your fellow presenters or booth staff.

Before the Show

• The venue address is 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330
• Attend the call organizers host before the show – a good time to ask lingering questions
• Check the emails from show organizers for the most recent reminders – look for acfagtradesshow@maine.gov
• Check your assigned schedule for specific presentation times
• Update your Listening Post schedule and service details
• Place your food and beverage meal order (i.e., offering coffee, tea, snacks at a session, etc.)
• Save backups of your slides or files (USB or cloud)
• If you will have a booth, but also need to give a presentation and don’t have backup: Make a table top sign to let people know where you are, invite to sign up for contact list, etc.
• Invite people to see you at the show!

Suggested Supplies - What to bring (may vary depending on exhibit, conference, etc.): <

All Participants:

• Nametag(s) 
• Visual aids (posters, slides, banners, etc.)
• Promotional materials (flyers, brochures, business cards, signs)
• Props or demonstration tools 
• Laptop or tablet

Exhibit Booths - Printed Version (PDF)

• Towels, rags - for drying cleaned equipment and machinery
• Surge protectors, extension cords
• Dolly or storage box on wheels 
• Any required tools for setup, 
• Pens, sticky notes, clipboard, contact sign-up forms, etc. 
• Giveaways, supplies, products, display materials, etc. 

Conferences and/or "Maine Stage"

• Label cords and adapters to avoid mix-ups
• Cables (HDMI, USB, adapters for VGA Mac. to non Mac. connections, etc.)
• Any required tools for setup
• Presentation clicker or remote
• Cleaning supplies or wipes for post-presentation cleanup – especially with “Maine” stage food demos, sampling, etc.

Reminders about cooking appliances and food:

• Use the venue’s order form to request food and beverage service – Due Dec. 1
• Inside: Griddles, toasters, or hotplates with electric heating elements
• Outside only: Open flames, propane or gas-powered equipment
• Samples (if doing a food demo)
• Gloves, hand sanitizer, separate sampling items, trash bin, etc.
• Trash bag with receptacle 

At the Show

Exhibit Booths

• Heavy equipment: Use hose and warm water hookup to rinse road debris while in airlock, and before entering auditorium
• S-hooks are available on-site during load-in (near auditorium main entrance)
• Exhibitors may enter auditorium early – avoid the main lobby doors until 9:00 a.m.
• Carry in and carry out all supplies and materials
• Electrical is shared with neighboring spaces – temporary power outlets are completed at the end of load-in

“Maine Stage” Daily Overview

• Sessions are 45- to 60-minutes, beginning mid-morning, and ending late afternoon.
• 20-minute buffer before and after each session for DIY stage prep and transitions.
• On most days, there are four sessions; some days (like Wednesday) may include an additional late-afternoon session, while others (like Thursday) may have fewer.
• Select sessions may be recorded for streaming, or future on-demand viewing.

Conferences and Meetings Daily Overview

• Sessions typically start at 9 and end late afternoon, with a pause for a midday break.
• Select sessions may be recorded for streaming, or future on-demand viewing.
• On a typical day, most meeting spaces (nearly a dozen rooms) are booked to offer a variety of sessions. Sessions are led by producer groups, service providers, or a combination. They may be as short as 30 minutes, to as long as 4 hours, and feature unique or related topics.
• BPC and nutrient management-led sessions occur in the first-floor rooms adjacent to the lobby. Additional sessions are included in other sessions (i.e., producer group meetings), if approved beforehand by BPC and/or Nutrient Management

Conferences and Meetings Daily Overview

• Generally open throughout each show day
• Reservation and drop-in appointments are available to all show attendees
• Schedule varies upon business coach’s availability

Exhibits Daily Overview

• Foot traffic ebbs and flows – it’s most busy as soon as the show opens, during a midday bread, and then later afternoons.