Vendor Policies & Registration

Insurance requirements

Certificates are due no later than 14 days before the event date. A vendor without a compliant certificate on file cannot be admitted, and the client acknowledges this in their signed contract.

• General liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, including contractual liability, premises operations and personal injury.
• Where applicable, workers compensation at statutory limits, employers liability of at least $500,000 per occurrence, and automobile liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.
• Nicholson Events Inc., The Knowlton LLC and Knowlton Events LLC, including their trustees, officers, employees and volunteers, listed as Additional Insureds.
• A Waiver of Subrogation in favour of Nicholson Events Inc., The Knowlton LLC and Knowlton Events LLC.
• Vendors serving alcohol also carry liquor liability, even though all alcohol is supplied by the venue.

Conduct and parking

• No smoking, vaping or consuming alcohol on the premises during setup, the event or breakdown.
• Vendor vehicles park only where venue management directs, never in guest or tenant parking, and move immediately once unloading is done.
• Disruptive, unprofessional or unsafe behavior is grounds for immediate removal and exclusion from future events.

Load-in, setup and breakdown

• Use the designated loading and unloading areas, and coordinate load-in and load-out schedules with venue management.
• Doors may only be propped open with prior approval. Removing door frames, locks or mechanisms is prohibited.
• Arriving outside your scheduled slot may mean being denied entry, or additional staff overtime charges.
• Only low-tack gaffers tape. No duct tape, electrical tape or any adhesive that leaves residue or marks the wood floors.
• Cables crossing walkways must be secured with wire ramps or approved cable covers.

Open flame, candles and sparklers

This is the section vendors most often get caught by, so read it before you quote the job.

• No real candles anywhere. LED only. No oil lanterns, urns, candelabras or taper candles.
• No open flame inside the building or within 15 feet of any building.
• Sky lanterns and air release lanterns are not permitted and are illegal.
• Flame-based sparklers are prohibited. Only CSA or UL listed electronic sparkler machines are permitted indoors, with prior approval, a sparkler training certificate and insurance on file.
• A Class D fire extinguisher must be on site whenever a sparkler machine is used, and a fire inspector attends before the event to confirm the equipment.

Atmospherics, confetti and glitter

• Low-lying fog via dry ice is the only fog permitted, and only briefly for photographs during the first dance.
• Hazers and fazers require prior approval from management. Snow machines are not permitted.
• Confetti and glitter require prior arrangement with the client, and carry a cleaning fee.

Decor, drapery and signage

• All drapery, curtains and fabric installations must be NFPA 701 flame-spread certified, with the certificate submitted alongside the COI 14 days before the event.
• Exit doors marked as egress must stay clear at all times. Blocking one carries a substantial per-location fine from City of Bridgeport Fire Prevention.
• Rose petals stain floors, carpet and exterior stone, so only artificial petals may be used indoors. Outdoors, fresh white petals only.
• Nothing may be nailed, screwed or otherwise attached to columns, walls, vents, ceilings, floors or furniture. Signage must be free-standing or on an easel, approved in advance, and removed at the end of the event.
• Displays and decorations are subject to prior written approval. The venue carries no insurance on vendor property and is not responsible for loss or damage.

Sound and noise

• Vendors providing sound coordinate with venue management to stay within local noise ordinances and venue limits.
• Volume levels are set by venue management. Failure to comply can mean immediate shutdown of that vendor without refund.

Drones

• Drones may be flown outdoors only, by licensed and insured pilots, with prior approval.
• A certificate of insurance covering drone operations is due 14 days before the event.

Damages, leftovers and compliance

• All equipment, decor and rentals must be removed at the end of the event. The venue is not liable for theft, loss or damage to vendor property.
• Vendors are financially responsible for damage caused by their staff, contractors or equipment, and must report it immediately.
• Vendors are responsible for their own permits, licenses and health department approvals.