The Exhibitor's Daily
Today's trade show briefing
Independent reporting on exhibit costs, labor rules, materials and the business behind the booth.
The Booth Quote Isn’t the Trade Show Budget: Where the Rest of the Money Goes
An exhibit proposal can be accurate and still leave a company with an incomplete picture of its investment. The solution starts with a better question: What will it cost to arrive, operate, and leave?
Latest reporting
The latest
More from the newsroom
- The Cost DeskWinter Trade Show Travel: Where the Money Actually Goes
- The BusinessWhy Is the Trade Show Industry Down?
- The FloorHow Does Weather Affect Trade Show Freight Shipping?
- 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?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| CES 2027 | Jan 6–Jan 9, 2027 | 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 →