Drayage surprises more first-time exhibitors than any other line item. It is weight-based, rounded up, and charged whether your crate travels five miles or two thousand.
How drayage is calculated
The general contractor bills per hundredweight (CWT), usually with a minimum per shipment. Weight is rounded up, and separate charges can apply for crated versus uncrated freight, special handling and off-target arrivals.
What inflates the bill
- Heavy hardwall structures and solid wood crates
- Multiple small shipments instead of one consolidated crate
- Uncrated or loose-loaded freight requiring special handling
- Arriving outside your target time or after the advance warehouse cutoff
- Overtime move-in or move-out windows
Ways to lower it
- Build with aluminum extrusion and tension fabric instead of heavy panels.
- Consolidate every carton into one shipment with one bill of lading.
- Store the booth in Las Vegas so it arrives as a single local delivery.
- Ship printed graphics separately only when it genuinely reduces total weight.
- Ask for a drayage estimate during quoting, not after the show.
Connect Exhibit builds and stores booths in Las Vegas, so your exhibit ships across town instead of across the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is drayage included in a booth rental quote?
Sometimes. Turnkey Las Vegas packages can include it, but many quotes exclude drayage. Always confirm in writing.
How much is drayage at a Las Vegas show?
It is billed per hundredweight with a shipment minimum and commonly represents 10 to 15 percent of a booth budget.
Planning a Las Vegas booth?
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