Tips when working with Chicago trade show unions.

1. Tips when working with

2. When exhibiting at a Chicago-land trade show,
you are required to use local union labor or your own company personnel to set
up your exhibit. Here are some unions you may need to use and a description of
the services they provide.

3. • Electricians will install and dismantle anything electrical.
Electricians
• 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, Graph Expo
or Pack Expo 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.

4. • Plumbers will provide the installation and
dismantling of water, air, gas lines to your
equipment.
Plumbers
• 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.

5. • Riggers will uncrate/unskid, crate/skid
and position your machinery.
• You can save on rigging cost by
uncrating your equipment before the
Riggers 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.

6. • 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.
Material Handlers
• 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.

7. • Carpenters will install and dismantle
Carpenters 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.

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

9. Stephens Schaumburg
McCormick Place Navy Pier Convention Center Convention Center

10. Bob Hetzel Peter Hetzel
Vice President President

14. ph: 773-925-6500
info@dimensioncraftinc.com
2600 W. 50th St.
Chicago, IL 60632
www.dimensioncraftinc.com