Wednesday Apparatus and Equipment Exhibitor Move-In Instructions

For Apparatus and Equipment Exhibitors moving in on Wednesday:

All Wednesday exhibitors, both apparatus AND equipment exhibitors, should first go to Keeter Training Center (KTC) before going to the Raleigh Convention Center to move onto the expo floor.  Apparatus will need to be inspected and staged at KTC before going to the Raleigh Convention Center (RCC), as well as check in at the all white mobile command unit that will be located at KTC this year, not at RCC as in year’s past. You will not be allowed to load in without having been inspected and checking in at the command unit at KTC prior to arrival at RCC. Once inspected and checked in, you will receive a form saying you have been inspected/checked in and you will be called over when your time slot approaches.

Once your move-in time comes, staff will direct you. Please follow these move-in instructions carefully to ensure a smooth move-in day for everyone. It is important to be ready at your designated time, as failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of your space and space fees.  

Once cleared to go to RCC, approach from Lenoir Street, between Dawson and S McDowell, and enter from behind the Red Hat Amphitheater. Volunteers will be stationed at the gate that leads to the loading dock tunnel, they will verify that your apparatus has been inspected and ensure exhibitors have checked in with the command unit before you proceed to the expo floor.

Please note that, due to a new city mandate, Lenoir Street will not be closed to vehicular traffic as it has been in previous years. Please exercise caution when approaching.  See the map below for reference and move in schedule for your time block to arrive.

• Apparatus will initially stage at the Keeter Training Center, located at 105 Keeter Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603. Directions are available here.
• All apparatus and equipment sales exhibitors will move into the Convention Center on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
• Each apparatus and equipment sales exhibitor is assigned a specific move-in time and must adhere to this schedule (see details below).
• Exhibitors who are not ready at their scheduled move-in time will forfeit their show space without a refund and may lose early registration opportunities for the following year.
• It is the responsibility of each apparatus exhibitor to ensure their apparatus is clean before moving into the Convention Center. Washing services will no longer be available at the staging area due to stormwater drainage regulations.
• Tire dressings must be applied outside the Convention Center. No tire treatments are allowed once the apparatus is parked on the show floor.
• Each apparatus must have its water tank, pump, and all piping drained before entering the Convention Center.
• All fuel tanks must be at no more than 1/4 full. This is a strict rule enforced by RFD Fire Inspectors. Apparatus with more than 1/4 tank will not be allowed into the show area. There will be no method to offload fuel. Fuel gauges will be checked by RFD Fire Inspectors at KTC.
• Fuel fill caps must be secured with locking fuel caps or tape covering the cap.
• The battery disconnect on each apparatus must be activated.
• Other appropriate safety measures must be taken to mitigate any hazards around or on the apparatus.
• Apparatus must maintain a minimum 3-foot easement from the vehicle’s edge to the exhibit space border when adjacent to another apparatus exhibitor. This ensures a clear circulation path around exhibit spaces. Aisles must remain clear of open doors, compartments, awnings, and outriggers on aerial ladders.
• Soliciting, including distributing marketing materials or promotional items, is not permitted outside of your exhibit space.
• Apparatus inspections and check-in will take place at KTC, and each driver will receive a colored slip of paper to present to SAFRE staff upon arrival at the convention center. Without this paper, you will not be permitted to drive onto the show floor.

Wednesday, August 12

9am – 10am GROUP A 

1. East Coast
2. Wil-Burt Company
3. First Choice Fire & Safety Inc.
4. Whelen Engineering Co Inc
5. All Pro Fire & Safety
6. Safe Air Systems

10am – 11am GROUP B

1. NAFECO
2. Fully Involved Leatherworks
3. Anchor-Richey EVS
4. Mid-Atlantic Rescue Systems
5. Southeastern Specialty Vehicles
6. AEST

11am – 12pm GROUP C

1. Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus
2. Atlantic Coast Fire Trucks

1pm – 2pm GROUP D

1. Newton’s Fire and Safety
2. Fire Connections
3. Safe Industries

2pm – 3pm GROUP E

1. Toyne/Melton Fire Group/Riverside Apparatus 
2. Super Vacuum
3. Safe Industries
4. Mountain Tek
5. Victory Steele
6. HiViz LED Lighting/FireTech

3pm GROUP F

1. C.W. Williams Fire

• Credentials can be picked up at exhibitor check-in, located at the all-white mobile command unit at KTC. All exhibitors and their staff must be registered and wear their provided credentials during show hours. There is no charge for additional credentials, and each exhibitor can request as many as needed for their team. Please send your list of names to tabitha@ncsfa.com before the show so we can prepare them in advance.

Parking:

Exhibitors can park their vehicles in the surrounding parking lots and garages. However, oversized vehicles and vehicles towing trailers will no longer be permitted to park in the lot at South & Dawson Streets (Lot G). Unauthorized vehicles parked in Lot G or any other lot will be subject to ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense. The map below denotes paid lots.

SAFRE and NCSFA are not responsible or liable for any vehicles, trailers, or items left in any parking facility. NCSFA or SAFRE security team members do not monitor downtown parking lots.