In the post Drayage Debate: Chicago’s McCormick, we highlighted a local Chicago news report that investigated the seemingly outrageous costs of drayage. Ostensibly, these non-transparent costs seems to be hiding a lot of profit. All of this is underscored by the fact that Chicago has lost some major tradeshows in the past year and is in danger of losing more.

Trade show contractors have commissioned a study to look into why and are blaming labor. The following is from an article by Kathy Bergen at the Chicago Tribune: Read the full story

No wonder exhibitors are upset.

Jay Levine did a segment on (Chicago’s) McCormick Place losing tradeshow business.

Labor is shooting back at the idea that it’s them that’s making all the dough. Their evidence? Drayage bills.

They showed that an exhibitor can send a piece of equipment from China to LA for $4,000. Another $1,800 for truck to McCormick Place from LA. Cost to get it from the dock at McCormick Place to the exhibitor’s booth space? Just $17,000!!!

Then they interviewed the Gen.Mgr at McCormick Place and he said, “No question about it, the contractor for the show is making very big profits.”

Looks like labor and McCormick Place management is so tired of being made the scape goat that they’re both willing to point the finger at the show organizers.

Going green in a booth design may seem like a luxury, particularly in today’s economy.  Rogers eBook Exhibiting Green offers some tips on booth strategies that are good for the planet and also save time and money.  Download the PDF to read more… Read the full story

Jeffrey Blackwell, president of The Rogers Company and B.J. Enright, president of TradeshowLogistics offer tips and strategies for saving money exhibiting at a tradeshow. They also speak about ways the industry can work together to make live events more effective selling and marketing opportunities. They also answer the age old question “What exactly is drayage and why does it cost so much?” This is part I of II.