Exhibiting in Las Vegas.

Read the exhibitor manual first

Every show publishes an exhibitor services manual with deadlines, booth rules, forms for power and labor, and shipping labels. Most costly mistakes come from a deadline in that manual that nobody saw. Send it to us and we plan your graphics around it.

Advance warehouse or show site

The show’s general contractor (usually Freeman or GES in Las Vegas) runs an advance warehouse that accepts freight weeks before the show and delivers it to your booth. Or you can ship directly to the show site, but only inside your assigned move-in window.

• Advance warehouse: safer, your freight is waiting when you arrive, but it adds handling charges.
• Direct to show site: can cost less, but trucks outside the window wait or get turned away.
• Local option: we can deliver straight to your booth during move-in, and bring last-minute pieces the same day.

Material handling (drayage)

Material handling is the fee for moving your freight from the dock to your booth and back. It is charged by weight, usually per 100 lb with a minimum, and it applies whether you ship one box or ten crates.

Lightweight fabric displays in rolling cases cut this cost more than anything else.

Labor and union rules

Las Vegas venues are unionized. Depending on the show and the size of your booth, installing structures, rigging, electrical and carpet may have to be done by show labor, usually billed by the hour with a minimum. Many shows let exhibitors set up small displays themselves within a time limit. Check the manual before you plan your install.

Booth rules and heights

• Inline booths: back wall usually up to 8 ft high; the front half of the booth is limited to about 4 ft so neighbors stay visible.
• Peninsula and island booths: higher limits, often with setback rules and a plan approval.
• Hanging signs and truss: need a rigging order and, at the LVCC, plans submitted well ahead (often 90 days).
• Materials must be flame retardant; keep the certificate handy in case the fire marshal asks.

The costs first-timers miss

Late orders

Power, internet, furniture and labor ordered after the advance deadline often cost 25 to 40% more.

Electrical

Booth power and lighting is ordered separately, often a few hundred dollars.

Internet

Show Wi-Fi or a wired line is rarely included.

Material handling

Charged by weight with minimums, each way.

Install and dismantle labor

Hourly, with minimums, if the show requires it.

Cleaning and carpet

Carpet is often required and ordered separately.

Label everything

• Show name, your company, booth number and the contractor’s address on every box.
• Number boxes "1 of 4", "2 of 4" and so on.
• Keep a photo of each label and the tracking numbers on your phone.
• Pack the outbound labels and a tape gun in the last box you open.

Plan the exit too

Move-out starts the moment the show closes, and outbound freight needs a material handling agreement and a carrier booked in advance. Carriers not checked in by the deadline can be forced onto the contractor’s carrier at a higher rate.