We are excited to be coming back to historic St. Paul and home to our world headquarters for AAW 39th Annual International Symposium. This event is the largest convening of woodturning professionals from around the world. With 80+ live demonstrations, presentations and panel discussions, there is a lot to experience. AAW’s Symposium features the industry’s largest and most attended tradeshow (showcasing companies of all sizes) and awe-inspiring galleries, exhibitions and auctions featuring unbelievable wood art from across the world. Read more about the Symposium here. The Symposium will take place at RiverCentre in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota from June 12-15, 2025. The event will be held in person with a selection of hybrid demonstrations. Below you will find valuable information to help prepare you as an exhibitor/vendor:

Vendor Communications

2025 Symposium Location

Saint Paul RiverCentre

175 Kellogg Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55102

Close to the host hotels
Close to the Gallery of Woodart in the historic Landmark Center at 75 5th St West
Adjacent to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Xcel Energy Center, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Free Wi-Fi

Key Dates

March 7 - Final booth payment due | Submit sales tax registration
March 15 - Order Name Badges (online forms sent to Exhibitors)
April 15 - Exhibitor Kits are e-mailed to Exhibitors (Link to Electrical & AV service order forms below)
Before Arrival - Be sure to have a copy of your Trade Show Insurance Certificate (see below for more information) | Review Safety Regulations

Hotel Accommodations: to ensure your stay is comfortable, we have partnered with several hotels in the area.

Official Host Hotel: Intercontinental Hotel Riverfront

11 East Kellogg Boulevard

St Paul, MN 55101

Discounted Room Rate (limited availability):

$173 per night preferred rate plus taxes and fees.
Reservations must be made by Monday, May 5, 2025 (or until our block is filled). Click here to BOOK A ROOM

DoubleTree by Hilton

200 7th St W

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Discounted Room Rate (limited availability):

$154 per night preferred rate available while supply lasts (the room blocks fill quickly).
Reservations must be made by Friday, May 9, 2025. Click here to BOOK A ROOM

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Paul

411 Minnesota Street

Saint Paul, MN 55101

Discounted Room Rate (limited availability):

$179 per night preferred rate available while supply lasts (the room blocks fill quickly).
Reservations must be made by Thursday, May 8, 2025. Click here to BOOK A ROOM

Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown

175 W 7th St

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Discounted Room Rate (limited availability):

$169 per night preferred rate available while supply lasts (the room blocks fill quickly).
For your convenience, the Holiday Inn offers complimentary shuttle service to the Union Lot (and within a 5-mile radius of the hotel) upon request.
Reservations must be made by Thursday, May 15, 2025. Click here to BOOK A ROOM

Hotel Scammers

Every year scammers pose as third-party hotel booking agents supposedly working on our behalf. It has been recently reported these scammers are actively praying on our attendees so do not fall victim to this! AAW does not authorize any company or individuals to contact vendors or attendees on our behalf. If you are contacted by anyone, let us know. Scammer Caller ID numbers are difficult to trace and are replaced with new numbers frequently.

Tradeshow Insurance
It is necessary for you to bring proof of general liability coverage from an insurance company in good standing with minimum policy limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in aggregate. AAW has put together an affordable plan if you require a temporary general liability insurance policy for the duration of the AAW Symposium in St. Paul. The link below leads to a complete and short, online questionnaire. This will facilitate purchasing this coverage over the duration of the Symposium for $75.00. Proof of alternative coverage, satisfying these minimums, or secured coverage through the link provided above must be in place prior to your scheduled move-in date. You will not be allowed to move-in/exhibit without proper insurance coverage in place. The insurance carrier will provide support with questions, either by calling (617) 993-0634 or by signing up through this LINK.

Tradeshow Schedule

Move-in Date:

Thursday, June 12, 2025
- 7:00 am - 5:00 pm – Trade Show Move-in

Expo Hours:

Thursday, June 12, 2025
- 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Trade Show Preview and Opening Reception
Friday, June 13, 2025
- 8:30 am - 6:00 pm – Trade Show Open
Saturday, June 14, 2025
- 8:30 am - 6:00 pm – Trade Show Open
Sunday, June 15, 2025
- 8:30 am - 1:00 pm – Trade Show Open

Move-out Date:

Sunday, June 15, 2025
- 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Trade Show Move-out

RiverCentre Parking

Onsite, covered parking is available at RiverCentre. The entrance ramp is located across the street from the building and is connected via skyway system to the garage. The garage does not accommodate RVs, campers, trucks with trailers and similar oversized vehicles. Overnight parking is prohibited. Information and maps can be found here for all street and area parking lots in downtown St. Paul.

Download the Passport Parking App

Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Quick and Easy Registration – Set up in 2 minutes or less!
Pay and Extend On-the-Go – Need more time? Easily extend your parking from your phone.
Stay On Top of Time – Track your remaining time and receive reminders 10 minutes before it expires.
Parking Zone – Use Zone 651 for St. Paul parking meters.

RV Camping near the RiverCentre in St. Paul

There are several RV parks located within 10-15 miles of the RiverCentre - click here to find a list. While there is daytime street parking available (managed through the Passport Parking App), please note that downtown St. Paul garages have low clearance, which limits RV parking options. We recommend parking your RV at one of the listed lots and using a ride-share service or public transportation to reach the RiverCentre.

Parking Zone – Use Zone 651 for St. Paul parking meters.

Exhibition Services & Material Handling
We have partnered with Fern Expo & Events as the official decorator for this year’s AAW Symposium. Fern will support all your onsite booth, table, and drayage needs.

Exhibitors are allowed to move materials to and from their booth from a personally owned vehicle (POV) parked in the venue's designated loading zone(s). Materials can be moved by hand or with a two-wheeled moving device. To help expedite the unloading process and accommodate limited space at the dock, AAW has arranged for Fern to provide complimentary porter/cart services. This includes a flat fourwheeled cart and a laborer to assist with loading and unloading your POV.

Please note: Porter service does not apply to shipments sent via a carrier (UPS, FedEx, XPO, DHL, etc.) or those requiring forklift services. These shipments will incur material handling charges. The material handling rate is $1.47 per pound, with no minimum cost or rounding. Shipments over 800 lbs (e.g., machines or large wood shipments) will be charged at a reduced rate of $0.79 per pound. All shipments sent to Fern’s advanced warehouse will also incur the $1.47 per pound material handling fee.

In April, you will receive a link from Fern to set up your account and access the exhibitor services kit, where you can order any additional materials.

Load-in/Check-in Logistics

Please proceed to the Main RiverCentre Loading Dock, located at 310 Eagle Street, St. Paul. Directions to RiverCentre and the loading dock can be found here. Upon arrival, dock agents will direct you to our Fern staff, who will assist with check-in and the unloading of your materials to your booth.

Important: The loading docks are strictly for unloading materials only. Parking in the loading area is not permitted.

During check-in on June 12th, our conference staff will provide you with an exhibitor packet containing the following:

Preprinted name badges (required for entry to the show floor)
Internet network and password information
Conference staff mobile contact numbers

Vendor Parking

In previous years, we have offered parking for oversized vehicles in a nearby lot. Unfortunately, the city no longer provides a facility we can lease for this purpose. Exhibitors in need of oversized vehicle parking are encouraged to contact the Union Depot Lot D at 651-202-2741 to make arrangements. Please note that parking reservations require 48-hour advance notice, and pre-payment is required. Parking availability in this lot is limited.

For your convenience, the Holiday Inn offers complimentary shuttle service to the Union Lot (and within a 5-mile radius of the hotel) upon request.

Internet

There will be access to internet services in the Exhibit Hall throughout the move-in and the Symposium. You will receive the network information and password at vendor registration on the loading dock along with your badge credentials.

Safety Consciousness

Reminder: An approved safety shield is required for all demonstrations. Exhibitors who do not use an approved safety shield will not be allowed to demonstrate until one is provided. Please note that AAW does not supply safety shields for exhibitors. For detailed safety requirements, refer to the safety stipulations in your exhibitor contract, and ensure you review the related terms and conditions.

Minnesota Tax Information

All exhibitors are required to register to collect Minnesota sales tax for all retail sales during the Symposium. If you are not registered for sales and use tax, you must contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue and register to collect and report taxes. Call Business Registration at 651-282-5225 or 1-800-657-3605 (toll-free).

Pen Turning

We’re excited to bring back pen turning instruction in the Exhibit Hall during this year’s Symposium. To enhance the experience, we’ll be featuring a list of exhibitors selling pen turning supplies on our signage. If you plan to sell supplies, please let us know so we can include your business!

Logistics Questions?

Our event manager, Noelle Grinley at ConferenceDirect is available to assist with any logistical needs or questions at Noelle.Grinley@ConferenceDirect.com or via phone at 727-224-6019.