The Exhibitor's Daily
Today's trade show briefing
Independent reporting on exhibit costs, labor rules, materials and the business behind the booth.
How Early to Book Trade Show Labor — and How Often to Re-Shop Storage
Book labor by the advance-rate deadline—usually three to four weeks out—and re-bid storage once a year by the contract notice window, not the renewal date.
Latest reporting
The latest
More from the newsroom
- The BusinessShould You Use One Exhibit House Across Multiple Cities?
- The Cost DeskHow Are Tariffs Affecting Trade Show Booth Costs?
- The Cost DeskHow Late Is Too Late to Order a Trade Show Booth?
- The Cost DeskWhat Is Drayage, and Why Is My Material Handling Bill So High?
- The Cost DeskThe Benefits of Renting a Trade Show Exhibit Versus Purchasing One
- The FloorLeading Trade Show Booth Labor Services: Excellence in Installation and Dismantle
- The Cost DeskThe Importance of Graphic Submission Timelines and Timely Payments for Trade Show Exhibits
Show Calendar
On the calendar
Verified dates, venues and practical exhibit context for the shows your team needs to plan around.
| Show | Dates | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRINTING United Expo | Sep 23–Sep 25, 2026 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Convention Center |
| Global Gaming Expo (G2E) | Sep 28–Oct 1, 2026 | Las Vegas | The Venetian Expo |
| IMEX America 2026 | Oct 13–Oct 15, 2026 | Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay |
| PACK EXPO International 2026 | Oct 18–Oct 21, 2026 | Chicago | McCormick Place |
| FABTECH | Oct 21–Oct 23, 2026 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Convention Center |
| SEMA Show | Nov 3–Nov 6, 2026 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Convention Center |
The desks
What we cover
The Cost Desk
What exhibiting actually costs. Drayage, labor, booths, graphics, freight — with the numbers and where they came from.
Read the desk →The Floor
Union jurisdictions, EAC rules, move-in schedules, and what you are and aren’t allowed to do in your own booth.
Read the desk →Materials
Aluminum, fabric, wood, print. How booths are actually built and what that means for your budget.
Read the desk →The Business
Who bought whom, what it costs to run an exhibit house, and where this industry is going.
Read the desk →