Understanding Trade Show Drayage, Freight, and Material Handling
If you’re new to exhibiting or tired of hidden trade show fees, understanding drayage, freight, and material handling is essential. At Exhibit Experience, we simplify this complex process by offering end-to-end logistics and direct-to-show shipping services so your exhibit arrives on time—without surprise costs.
What Is Drayage at a Trade Show?
Drayage refers to the movement of your exhibit materials from the receiving dock to your exhibit space and back after the show ends. It’s handled by official show contractors and priced based on weight—not distance.
- Charged per hundredweight (CWT)
- Includes empty crate storage during the event
- Can significantly increase total exhibit costs
We help our clients minimize drayage costs by reducing freight volume and optimizing exhibit packing.
What’s the Difference Between Freight and Material Handling?
Freight is the transportation of your exhibit materials from your location to the convention center. Material handling is what happens once it arrives:
- Freight: Involves third-party shipping carriers or show-appointed logistics providers
- Material Handling: Covers unloading, storing, delivering, and reloading your crates
Most first-time exhibitors underestimate how much they’ll pay in material handling. Our turnkey exhibit rentals help eliminate this confusion.
How Does Exhibit Experience Simplify Trade Show Logistics?
We provide a single-vendor solution that handles every step—from printing to installation:
- Direct shipping to advance warehouses or show site
- In-house graphic printing to consolidate freight
- Installation and dismantle labor coordination
- On-site supervision to ensure all materials are received and accounted for
- Consolidated invoicing with no surprise handling fees
Our exhibit logistics services are designed to reduce costs, avoid damage, and streamline the entire process.
Which Exhibit Sizes and Types Require Freight Planning?
Even small exhibits benefit from logistics planning. We handle shipping and drayage for exhibits of all sizes and configurations:
- 10×10
- 10×20
- 20×20
- 20×30
- 30×30
- 30×40
Inline, island, peninsula, and corner exhibits all have different logistics requirements—and we manage them all.
Which Cities Have the Highest Drayage and Handling Costs?
Las Vegas and Orlando are top trade show cities—and they also have some of the strictest union labor and handling policies:
- Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)
- Mandalay Bay Convention Center
- Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando
- The Venetian Expo
- Westgate and Caesars Forum
Our local teams in these cities ensure compliance, on-time delivery, and cost control—especially during large events like CES, SEMA, and HIMSS.
Avoid Drayage Surprises—Partner with the Experts
Don’t get blindsided by excessive trade show logistics fees. With Exhibit Experience, you get a partner who understands every freight, handling, and drayage detail—so your exhibit arrives on time and within budget.
Contact us for logistics support or browse our exhibit rental packages and exhibit gallery to see our turnkey solutions in action.