Farm & Forest Expo

The Expo itself is a non-profit organization, overseen by a volunteer board of directors representing agriculture and forestry interests statewide.

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel (formerly the Radisson), 700 Elm St., Manchester (click here for map)

Event website: http://www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org/

Hours for GSA Volunteers (most shifts are about 3 hours long):

Thursday, January 31 (exhibitor load in): 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, February 1: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 2: 7:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.

GSA Duties
GSAs and Future Leaders of NH are eligible to volunteer

• Exhibitor Registration Table (not booth) – Pass out exhibitor packets and passes, answer questions. NOTE: This position is very busy first thing in the morning on Friday and Saturday, you will have a long line of people waiting for passes
• Back Door Monitor – Before the show opens on Friday and Saturday, make sure that only exhibitors are entering the hall through the back doors
• Door Counters – There will be separate entrance and exit doors this year. You will be counting how many go in and out using our manual people counters. GSAs on the exit door will be directing guests to the entrance doors.
• Ticket Sales/Register – Sell tickets using the cash registers. We will be accepting credit cards at the registers this year, please only sign up if you will be comfortable doing this.
• Hand Stamper – Stamp hands after guests pay
• Expo Support – Walk around the Expo in your designated section, assisting guests and exhibitors as needed
• Surveys – Walk around, engaging with guests asking questions about how they heard about the expo, favorite booth…
• NH Tourism Booth – Staff the NH Tourism Booth, representing the NH Division of Travel & Tourism. Pass out state literature and answer guest questions about things to do and see in NH

Parking Info for Volunteers: GSAs who are volunteering at the Expo may park in the garage at the DoubleTree free of charge. Bring your parking ticket in to the GSA Manager on Duty to be validated. Parking in the garage for exhibitors and guests can be validated in the Expo hall so that it will cost $6.

If the garage is full, which often happens on Friday afternoon, there is on-street parking (free on Saturdays, except for Elm St., $0.75 per hour otherwise) or several other garages a few blocks away from the DoubleTree.  Don’t forget about The Green Dash – Manchester’s free shuttle that loops downtown Monday – Friday.

Orientation Information: Please plan to attend the orientation meeting on Thursday, January 31 at 1:30 p.m., even if you have volunteered at this event before. We will meet outside of the show office (the Spaulding room). Event orientations give the event managers the opportunity to address the volunteers in person with up-to-date information about the Expo. There will be a tour of the Expo hall following the orientation. Attendees will receive one volunteer service hour.

Useful Links

Workshop Schedule
2019 Exhibitor List

Dress code: GSA uniform – Green GSA shirt, name tag, and khaki pants. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, since parts of the Expo Center can be chilly. Extra layers should be worn underneath GSA shirt if possible. No purses, pocketbooks or backpacks please. Fanny packs are allowed.

Event difficulty level: Please expect to stand for your entire shift, unless otherwise noted. If you need to get off your feet for a moment the GSA Manager or one of the Expo Support volunteers can cover your position.

Perks
Come early or stay late after your shift to enjoy the Expo free of charge

Questions?
E-mail or call Kelly: kelly@nhgsa.com / 603-960-0272
Onsite GSA Staff Manager: emily@nhgsa.com / 603-244-0757