Frequently Asked Questions

SITE VISIT

Feel free to contact us anytime via e-mail or phone +1 212-512-4560 to coordinate a time to walk through and familiarize yourself with our conference center.


RESERVATIONS

How do I make a reservation?
We need a request in writing with all your contact information in order to put space on hold. Please include the specific hours you will need - including set-up and break down. There is a (4) hour minimum for room reservations (except private dining rooms). We do not hold space from a verbal request. Once we receive the request in writing, we will generate a contract to be signed. When the signed contract is returned to us, the rental space is confirmed.

What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel within (3) months of the event, you will be billed 50 percent of the cost of the room.
If you cancel within (1) month of the event, you will be billed 75 percent of the cost of the room.
If you cancel within (2) weeks of the event, you will be billed 100 percent of the cost of the room as well as any applicable food and beverage expenses.

Are you open on the weekends?
Unfortunately, the McGraw-Hill conference center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.


ATTENDING

Where do guests go when they arrive?
Guests for just the auditorium/gallery can enter the building and head directly up the ESCALATORS to the 2nd floor foyer. They do not need to check in with security in the lobby.

Guests attending the conference rooms need to check in at the security desk in the lobby. They will need to provide government issued photo ID. They will then show their building pass to access the ELEVATORS to the 2nd floor.

Guests attending McGraw Hall, the Signature Room or any Dining Rooms need to check in at the security desk in the lobby. They will need to provide government issued photo ID. They will then show their building pass to access the ELEVATORS to the 50th floor.

Do I need to provide a list of attendees?
Yes. Please provide a list of names in advance. The preferred format is an excel document with three columns: last name, first name, company(optional). We will put the names into the visitor system to minimize delay during check-in at the security desk. If additonal attendees arrive who are not on the list, they can be added when they arrive. Currently a list is not required for the auditorium events, but that is subject to change.


DELIVERIES

What is your freight address?
137 W 48th St., NY, NY 10020 - open from 8am-6pm. The freight can be reserved earlier and later but additional fees apply.

Can I load in from the street?
There is metered parking on the street for commercial vehicles as well as parking garages in the area. If you can carry in your materials then they can be brought through the main lobby. You can't roll anything through the main lobby except small luggage. Everything else would have to be brought through the freight entrance.

What is the procedure for the freight?
Government issued photo ID is required. From street-level, the vehicle and/or packages will be examined by a bomb-sniffing dog. You will then proceed to a truck lift which will take you down to the C3 level (mailroom) in the basement. From that point you will need to navigate to the freight elevators to get to the 2nd floor.

Can I drive in or park my car in the freight area?
Only commericial vehicles can enter the loading dock. The delivery company must have a COI (Certificate of Insurance) on file with the building. This information can be provided in advance. Vehicles can only stay in the loading dock for 30 minutes. Only box trucks and vans can enter. NO tractor trailers.

What are the freight dimensions?
The truck lift can accommodate...
60,000 lbs.
Width = 11 feet
Depth = 49 feet
Door = 11 feet
Height = 13 feet

The largest freight elevator can accommodate...
6,000 lbs.
Width = 110"
Depth = 81"
Door = 72"
Height = 168"

If you are delivering any heavy shipments, we need to know in advance so that we can arrange for masonite to be placed along the path to your conference room to protect the marble floor. Additional fees would apply.


SHIPPING

Can I send materials in advance?
Yes. Please send your materials up to a week in advance. We don't have a lot of storage space so try to give us advance warning if you are shipping a large volume of materials. Try to avoid having materials delivered the day of your event. Ship your materials to our attention, but CLEARLY mark on the shipment the name and date of your meeting so that they don't get mixed up with another event.

What about shipping out after the meeting?
We can provide you with assistance packing up your materials and getting them labelled to be shipped out. You will just need your FedEx or UPS account information. If you need to schedule a messenger to pick them up, send them to our attention and we will help them retrieve your materials and give them a building pass to get the materials out of the building.


SIGNAGE

Can I put a poster/sign in the ground floor lobby?
No. On the McGraw Hill floors (2nd and 50th) we can provide easels for you to place posters by your reserved rooms. On the 2nd floor, there is a video monitor directing attendees to the different meeting rooms.

What size should my sign be to cover the podium?
20"h x 30"w will cover the large podium in the auditorium.
15"w x20"h will cover our smaller podiums.

Can I hang banners?
If you let us know in advance, we can schedule a carpenter to assist with the hanging of grommeted banners.



If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us anytime via e-mail or phone +1 212-512-4560.