Exhibit Tips when Working with Chicago's Trade Show Unions

When exhibiting at a Chicagoland trade show venue such as McCormick Place, Navy Pier or the Donald Stephens Convention Center, you are required to use union labor or your own company personnel to set up your exhibit. Below are a list of some services you may need to use and a brief description of the services they provide. For more detailed information, please refer to your trade show exhibitor manual.

Electricians will install and dismantle anything electrical. Be sure to provide an electrical layout plan when submitting your electrical request. This will speed up the electrical set up process and save you money. If  exhibiting machinery for shows like IMTS, it's a good idea to leave the machine locks in your booth (oppose to storage) so you can lock up your equipment immediately after the show ends. Pre-wiring your equipment and providing quick disconnects can also save on your electrical cost. Electrical outlets can be ordered to your booth and as an exhibitor you are now allowed to plug in standard equipment and lighting. Machinery with larger power requirements must be left to the show electricians to install.

Plumbers will provide the installation and dismantling of water, air, gas lines to your equipment. If your exhibit requires plumbing, be sure to provide a location layout, and valve fitting sizes when submitting your plan. If you bring in your own fluids (such as oils or cutting solvents), its a good idea to keep a pump /containers nearby or use the show's easy access storage. This way solvents/dielectric fluids can get pumped out as soon as the show ends. Many shows provide gasses, eliminating the need for you to purchase them ahead of time.

Riggers will uncrate/unskid, crate/skid and position your machinery. You can save on rigging cost by uncrating your equipment before the show. If exhibiting machinery, it's a good idea to mark the location of your equipment on the visqueen carpet covering before the move in. This will help the riggers spot your equipment. Having a company representative in your booth (with your truck driver's cell number) during will  help streamline the move in process and avoid re-spotting fees.

Material Handlers will bring the trade show exhibit materials (except machinery) in/out of the convention center. The charge is normally based on $/100 lb. carton weight. This amount will vary depending on the show. Exhibitors can bring in computers small crates or boxes as long as it can be carried in without a forklift. This is referred to as "material handling". Make an effort to bring in most if not all of your exhibited material during your targeted move-in date, otherwise additional charges will occur for bringing materials before or after this date.

Carpenters will install and dismantle anything related to your exhibit excluding items related to electrical and plumbing. Make sure your exhibit is properly crated in order to prevent shipping damage. You can use your own exhibit company to provide the I/D of your exhibit. In order to do this you will need to fill out an EAC form provided by the show management.With the new labor rules, as an exhibitor, you can set-up your own exhibit with your company employees.

Decorators will assemble and install (non-electrical, non-structural) overhead signs. Exhibitors can now hang their own signs. Be sure to bring in some Velcro when packing for a show if you plan on doing it yourself.

For some, filling out the required show forms can be a daunting and overwhelming task. Since Dimension Craft Inc. is a full service trade show exhibit company based in Chicago, we can assist this ordering process for you in addition to building and renting an exhibit for your next trade show. For more information, please contact us at 773-925-6500 or info@dimensioncraftinc.com