Broward Convention Center: LED, rigging and permits in Fort Lauderdale

Who approves and who may perform each task?

Track five separate checks: authority permit, venue condition, organizer rule, contractual exclusivity and technical design review. Each exhibition organizer may add booth, height or circulation limits; its acceptance replaces neither venue nor authority approval.

Everlast Productions exclusively supplies motors, truss and rigging equipment, reviews and approves all rigging plans, and provides a supervisor for installation, operation and removal. IATSE Local 500 is the exclusive technical workforce for covered AV work, including load-in, setup, production and load-out. Outside contractors may supervise without displacing that workforce. Confirm task and space assignments before hiring.

What should I submit for hanging LED, audio, lights or signs?

Prepare a revision-controlled rigging plot with location, bottom height, inventory, full equipment/accessory weights and calculated point loads. Request the specific hall or ballroom’s point plan and limits from Everlast. If information is missing, do not assign points, motors or capacities by analogy with Miami Beach, another building or an architectural drawing.

The trade-show aisle-signage exception does not authorize an outside AV supplier to install a screen or use its own motors. The manual requires in-house technical personnel for banners in ballrooms and meeting rooms. Separate signage, load-bearing rigging and house-sound connections; notify the Event Manager when using outside AV.

The scaled overall plan must show booth bases, heights and locations, stages and registration; aisle widths, exits, fire devices, storage and floor ports. Submit to the Event Manager for Fort Lauderdale Fire Department review before selling or leasing exhibit space. If returned with comments, correct the revision and resubmit.

What should I check for floor-supported LED and cases between West and East?

The West Building Ground Floor sheet lists 250 lb/ft² for exhibit hall flooring. That is not a point-load rating or authorization for ballast, wheels or East Building. Provide weights per support, base, ballast and wheel, and obtain confirmed area and route capacities. East sheets still show TBD for doors and service elevators: do not fill those dimensions with West values.

The manual prohibits forklifts in ballrooms and requires carpet protection and nonmarking tires for lifts. Another rule prohibits motorized equipment, dollies and pallet jacks in lobbies, pre-function areas, meeting rooms and ballrooms. Protection is not access permission: obtain the accepted route and equipment in writing. Do not use passenger elevators or escalators for freight.

Coordinate the dock, delivery window and service contractor; the manual says the venue accepts no advance freight and has no on-site marshalling yard. Waterfront Plaza allows furniture only on turf, with no carts or heavy equipment. Define bases, wind, rain and a route off that surface before proposing an outdoor structure; infer no ballast capacity.

What should I check if LED power or the control link fails?

First compare Edlen’s order with the location, voltage, phases, connector and equipment demand. The description of 100 A three-phase service every 30 ft applies to the main first-level halls; it guarantees neither an available connection nor the same distribution everywhere. Confirm energization and distribution before treating lost power as an LED fault.

Permanent wall or column outlets require written approval. The manual says Center management and the website Show management: confirm who issues authorization for the event and arrange service with Edlen. Do not change connections or access utilities yourself.

For Internet control, distinguish BCCC-GUEST from the ordered service: the website offers basic Wi-Fi only in pre-function space. Confirm location, capacity and network circuit with IT; seeing the network from a hall proves neither coverage nor a dedicated link. For house audio, confirm the patch and responsible service before changing the console or wiring.

How should I prepare permits, lasers, haze and plan deadlines?

Fort Lauderdale Fire Department reviews the venue floor plans. Keep exits, signs and fire equipment accessible. The manual requires at least 10 ft aisles and no booths or registration within 20 ft of main entrances and exits; those dimensions replace neither actual plan review nor final occupancy with LED and staging.

The manual prohibits Class II or higher lasers in exhibit halls. Florida DOH registration or FDA documentation does not make that use permissible; FAA is another layer for skyward projection. Obtain written venue and authority determination before including a different space or proposal in the show. Hiring an operator does not approve the effect.

The manual requires Fire Watch for smoke or hazardous machines indoors. Submit machine, fluid, SDS, position and rehearsal/show schedule to the Event Manager to establish acceptance and controls with Fire Prevention. Do not cover sensors or disable detection. Pyrotechnics and flame need their own assessment; retain a show version without the effect while acceptance is missing.

Which labor rates apply, and how should changes be recorded?

Use Production Rates effective 2026-10-01 through 2027-09-30 as a dated reference. It includes contractual benefits and payroll administration; request a final quote separating taxes, surcharges, equipment, power and removal. The manual’s 2024–2025 price list does not itself update this sheet or special-service prices.

The sheet sets a 4 h minimum call and 8 h for operators. Time and a half applies Sundays, after 8 h in a workday and between 00:00 and 07:00; it provides a meal penalty after 5 h without a break and fractions paid to the hour. Confirm category, staffing and the complete schedule, including rehearsals, load-in and load-out.

The checklist asks for the signed estimate and payment 15 days before the event, while Ancillary Estimate requires 100% at least 14 days before facility use. Confirm the milestone and contract terms; payment does not approve installation. Mark changes to weights, points, bases, circuits, equipment and schedules and resubmit to each affected reviewer. Keep the earlier revision only while the configuration matches. The worksheet records open items; it calculates no loads and evidences no permits.