Bump In - Fast Facts
Bump-in is your opportunity to prepare your stand, organise your display and ensure you're ready to welcome visitors. We encourage exhibitors to arrive early, allow plenty of time for unloading and setup, and have everything in place before the Trade Preview begins. A well-prepared booth creates a professional first impression and helps ensure you can focus on meeting visitors rather than rushing to finish your setup once the event is underway.
Bump-in at The Drink Show is designed to be a simple, hassle-free experience. This page has been prepared to help familiarise you with the process and answer the most common questions exhibitors ask before arriving.
The questions we receive most often relate to access times, vehicle access and parking, so we've outlined everything you need to know below.
Access Times
The venue and loading dock doors will open to exhibitors from 9:30 am, giving you until 1:00 pm to set up your booth before the Trade Preview begins, followed by public entry at 1:30 pm.
When you arrive, please check in with our event staff and say hello. We'll be happy to confirm your booth location, answer any last-minute questions and help make your arrival as smooth as possible.
Bump-out commences at 5:00 pm and is expected to take no more than 45 minutes.
One of the major advantages of the Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre is that exhibitors are permitted to drive their vehicle into the venue to unload and reload stock during both bump-in and bump-out.
To ensure the process runs smoothly:
Please walk into the venue first to locate your allocated booth before driving in.
Drive slowly and with caution at all times inside the venue.
Once you have reached your booth, switch your vehicle off immediately while unloading.
We estimate most exhibitors will require approximately 15 minutes to unload their vehicle.
Once unloaded, promptly move your vehicle to the designated exhibitor parking area before completing your stand setup.
With almost three and a half hours available for setup, there is plenty of time to create a professional display without feeling rushed. Our team will be on hand throughout bump-in to assist if you need anything.
We are not too sure if we will have a vehicle marshal assisting us at this stage - so common sense prevails.
1. Enter the Venue via Browns Road
All exhibitor vehicle access is via the Browns Road entrance to the Newcastle Showground.
Step 1 – Park Up & Say Hello
On arrival, park your vehicle and come inside to say hello to The Drink Show Team. We'll check you in, confirm your booth location and answer any last-minute questions before you start unloading.
Step 2 – Scope Out Your Booth Space
Take a quick walk around the exhibition hall and locate your booth before bringing your vehicle inside.
Every booth space will be clearly marked out with tape and identified by your booth number.
Too easy!
Step 3 – Drive Into the Venue
Once you've found your booth, return to your vehicle and drive into the exhibition hall via the loading dock.
Please drive slowly and carefully at all times.
Unload your booth equipment and stock as efficiently as possible. We ask exhibitors to keep unloading to around 10 minutes wherever possible so everyone has a chance to access the loading area.
Step 4 – Move Your Vehicle
Once you've unloaded, please move your vehicle to the designated exhibitor parking area outside the venue.
If the loading dock parking area is full, simply exit via Browns Road and park in one of the nearby parking areas before returning to complete your booth setup.
💡 Tip – Don't Bring Everything In
You don't need to unload all of your stock during bump-in.
We recommend bringing in approximately 50% of your stock and leaving the remainder securely stored in your car or van (covered with a blanket or out of sight).
Throughout the afternoon, you can easily top up your stand using the organiser's trolley whenever required. This helps keep your booth tidy and avoids unnecessary clutter during the event.
