Short answer: the OFEC exhibitor rules come in two layers. The venue sets fixed rules for every show: no woodworking machines or spray paint in the halls, no fixings into the building, approval for anything over 3.0 m high, and declared, protected crews. On top of that, each organiser publishes its own manual with height limits, drawing deadlines and build times. In practice, the rules mean one thing: your stand must arrive fully prefabricated.
This guide explains the OFEC exhibitor rules in plain terms, based on the organisers’ 2026 exhibitor manuals and contractor forms for shows at the Casablanca fairground. It is not a substitute for your own manual, so always check the version for your show.
Venue rules: what you cannot do in the OFEC halls
- No wood-cutting machines: circular saws, jigsaws, mitre saws and carpentry machinery are banned inside the fairground. You may only assemble, fit, adjust and do light finishing.
- No spray paints, oil-based paints or thinners inside the halls.
- Hot work only outside the halls, and only with a permit. You may sand only with machines that extract their own dust.
- No fixings into the building: you cannot screw, drill, nail or paint on floors, walls or pillars, so stands must stand on their own.
- Fire-proofed materials: treat every construction and decoration material to the venue’s fire regulations.
- Clear exits: emergency exits and fire hose cabinets stay clear at all times, and you cannot store empty crates in the halls.
Structures that need approval under the OFEC exhibitor rules
The rules allow some designs, but only with prior approval. According to the 2026 manuals, these include:
- Anything over 3.0 m high.
- Structures that need bracing, a double deck, or a platform above 600 mm.
- Floor loads above 1,000 kg per square metre, which also need spreader plates.
- Anything overhead or spanning an aisle. Hanging items from the fairground requires the organiser’s written permission and carries a cost.
For complex structures, the request usually needs a risk assessment, a method statement and structural calculations. Therefore, we raise these points at the design stage, while changes are still cheap.
OFEC exhibitor rules on height: they depend on the organiser
There is no single OFEC height limit. Instead, each organiser sets its own. For example, Textech Morocco 2026 allowed special-design stands up to 12 feet (about 3.66 m), and 10 feet (about 3.05 m) where a booth sits under a staircase. Shell-scheme booths stopped at 8 feet (about 2.44 m). At SIEMA Food Expo, the manual sets a self-build height limit that cannot be exceeded without written approval.
OFEC exhibitor rules for crews, safety and paperwork
- Declared in advance: you declare every worker and vehicle before the build, and every person shows ID at the gate.
- Subcontracting: it needs a written agreement stamped by both companies.
- Protective equipment: safety shoes, gloves, a high-visibility vest and a hard hat are the minimum.
- Drawings: space-only exhibitors submit stand drawings and 3D designs for approval before the show, and must report any change to an approved plan.
- Services: space-only stands include no services, so you order carpet, furniture and electrics separately.
What the OFEC exhibitor rules mean for your stand
Put together, the rules leave one workable method. Nobody can legally build a stand at OFEC by cutting, painting or welding on site. In contrast, a stand that is fabricated, painted and test-assembled in a workshop, then delivered numbered and in build order, fits every rule and every short build window.
That is how we work from our own workshop in Casablanca. For example, we built 67 stands in two days at SIEMA Food Expo 2026 and three stands in one build day at EVS Morocco 2026. See also how long the build window is in our guide how long it takes to build a stand at OFEC.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use power tools to build my stand at OFEC?
Only for assembly and light finishing. The fairground bans wood-cutting machines such as circular saws, jigsaws and mitre saws, and allows hot work only outside the halls with a permit.
Can I paint my stand in the hall at OFEC?
No. The halls ban spray paints, oil-based paints and thinners, so we paint stands in the workshop before delivery.
What is the height limit at OFEC?
It depends on the organiser. Textech Morocco 2026 allowed 12 feet (about 3.66 m) for special-design stands. Under the venue rules, anything over 3.0 m needs prior approval.
Can I fix my stand to the floor or walls at OFEC?
No. You cannot screw, drill, nail or paint on floors, walls or pillars, so every stand must be freestanding.
Do I need approval for a double-deck stand at OFEC?
Yes. Double decks, platforms above 600 mm and braced structures need prior approval, usually with a risk assessment, a method statement and structural calculations.
What safety equipment do crews need at OFEC?
At least safety shoes, gloves, a high-visibility vest and a hard hat. You must also declare every worker and vehicle in advance, and everyone shows ID at the gate.
Source: organisers’ 2026 exhibitor manuals and contractor forms for shows at OFEC Casablanca. Rules change, so always confirm them in the manual for your show.
Exhibiting at OFEC?
Read our OFEC Casablanca stand builder guide, the Morocco trade show calendar 2027 and the ATA carnet and customs guide. In French: règles de l’exposant à l’OFEC. Or send us your show and stand number.