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 Value-Added Tax
 VAT is 16 percent. Depending on where your European stand builder is based, you may not have to pay VAT.
Many proposals and estimates do not include VAT in the total. Ask vendors about this in advance to avoid being blindsided by the charge.
 Music Rights
Should you intend to play music in your exhibit, you need to obtain a music license or pay for usage of the venue’s license and obtain prior approval from the show organizer.
 Garbage
Disposal of waste generated during I&D is the builder’s responsibility.
Exhibit cleaning services can be ordered through show services.
The exhibit builder determines disposal fees for
build-and-burn
exhibits. Since it will
be included in your
overall cost, you will
not see the disposal fee as a separate line item.
 Smoking
Smoking is prohibited inside show venues in Barcelona, but most will have designated outdoor smoking areas.
 Voltage
Exhibit halls use 220 V.
You will need adaptors for electrical equipment.
Ensure that your equipment will run on 110 V (U.S. standard) and 220 V (Spanish standard).
Fluorescent lights may not work since Europe runs on a different Hertz speed (50Hz in Spain versus 60Hz in the United States).
 Cell Phones
Spain operates on a GSM network.
Check with your cell-phone provider to
make sure international
calling is included in
your coverage.
If you need a temporary cell phone, purchase a pay-as-you-go phone with minutes at the airport.
 Emergency Help
Police/Fire/Medical: 112
U.S. Consulate General: 93-280-2227
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Safety
 Submit booth plans to the show organizer prior to the show. If your exhibit exceeds 8 feet in height or is multistory, a structural engineer will need to certify the design.
A structural engineer oversees the safety of booth structures. Fire safety is enforced by the venue. Electrical safety is enforced by the hall’s general
contractor, who can cut the power to any exhibit that is deemed unsafe. So be sure to abide by all regulations.
Check the show kit for rules concerning Plexiglas, which is restricted in many venues due to its flammability.
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Venues and Resources
Fira de Barcelona:
www.firabcn.cat
Spain Business, the combined Web site for Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) and Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Trade: www.spainbusiness.com
International Convention Centre (CCIB):
www.ccib.es/index_eng.asp
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Language
 Most Barcelonans speak Catalan, with Spanish being a common second language. However, Catalonians do not necessarily consider themselves Spanish and can be offended if you attempt to speak in Spanish.
Expect Spanish, English, and Catalan to be spoken. It is recommended to hire a local translator who speaks all three languages in your booth.
Print literature in English. Events in Spain will draw attendees from throughout Europe, and English is the common business language. If the show has a large Spanish population, consider printing collateral in Spanish as well.
Shipping
Allow at least three weeks from a U.S. port to Europe for customs clearance. Airfreight from the United States takes roughly two weeks.
All wooden crates and pallets must be heat treated, or your freight will be denied entry until it has been fumigated.
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Greetings
“Hola,” for “Hello,” will suffice.
Overall, Europeans are more formal than Americans. Professionals that are older and have executive titles should be addressed initially with Mr., Mrs., or Ms. It is better to err on the side of being too formal than too casual.
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Staff Attire
Business attire is preferred for trade  shows unless casual attire is tied to a particular booth theme.
Don’t wear a lot of jewelry or
show tattoos or piercings unless it is appropriate to your industry.
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Hospitality
 Hospitality
is common in exhibits, and typically includes cookies or other sweet snacks, and coffee, tea, juice, and other soft drinks or beverages.
Check with your show- venue’s catering service, or if you are free to bring in your own food and drink.
There are no restrictions on serving alcohol in your booth, though it isn’t common. When served, wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage at trade shows.
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Installation and Dismantle
Spain does not have labor unions in its exhibit halls. Many show organizers require your chosen labor contractor to fill out a health and safety form and a risk-assessment form.
Crews generally work eight or nine hours in a day. If you expect a 10- to 12-hour day, be sure to confirm this with your contractor in advance to avoid delays.
Most exhibit houses will quote a turnkey price for I&D, not an hourly rate.
Exhibit builders generally ask exhibitors to sign off on the installation prior to show opening.
Once you sign this, do not expect laborers to return to your space until after the show.
Drayage is becoming more common, particularly with large international shows. Check the exhibitor manual to see if the show you’re attending will charge for drayage.
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General Facts and Tips
Personal safety is a concern. There are thieves around major tourist areas in Barcelona. Don’t speak in a loud voice in English or display cameras, as it can mark you as a target.
 The Spanish eat dinner starting at around 9 p.m. Do not expect to find many restaurants open at 5:00 p.m.
During large international shows, hotel rooms are completely booked. So book six months to a year in advance to be safe.
The metro system is
efficient and easy to navigate, allowing you access to anywhere in the city.
It can be challenging to find someone to accept the work you need done. Shop vendors sometimes say they are too busy to complete your order. Show-service desks commonly tell exhibitors to buy furniture at the local Ikea, rather than renting it from them. Bottom line, don’t expect that the same U.S. services will be readily available in Spain.
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SOURCES:
Robert Campbell, vice president, Uniplan GmbH & Co. KG, Basel, Switzerland; Christopher Dorn, president, Idea International Inc., Tokyo; Jeffrey S. Hannah, president and CEO, Nuance International Inc., Lawrenceville, GA; Frank Liu, deputy general manager, Uniplan GmbH & Co. KG, Beijing; Lorraine Lorenzini, director of international account management, Freeman, Dallas; Matthew Pearce, president, Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia, Chatswood, NSW, Australia; Gino Pellegrini, president and design director, Inter-Global Exhibitions Group, Denver; Jeannine K. Swan, owner and president, Global Exhibit Management, Fort Worth, TX; Jori Wilmoth, manager of international services, Derse Inc., Milwaukee
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