RANT MODE Re: [BC] Convention Costs

[Mike McCarthy]

Being my family is in that trade (two generations running contracting 
operations like GES) and I spent 10 years doing trade shows at various 
places including McCormick Place, I need to comment.

The contractors don't make a killing. No one makes a killing except 
certian trades. The true killing aspect of all this is the timelines 
show management and halls expect labor to move shows in and out. Every 
tradeshow regardless of size has limitations on venue times and 
access. We go in as soon as we can, and get out as soon as possible.  
Usually 2-3 days after the public doors close.  That's calender 
days...not business days of 8-4:30.

THAT'S a LOT of OT which is paid to labor of any type regardless of 
union affilation or independence. We need to move everything in AND 
out during that time line. The hall MUST be clear of all property and 
broom clean before the next show starts move-in.  Think about that for 
a minute...broom clean on 3Million sq. ft.

The fact the carpet is so high is due mostly to the fact contractor 
needs to be sure their INVERSTMENT in both the time and materials are 
covered. It needs to be handled/moved twice as well as cleaned after 
each show.  Sometimes the carpet is trashed after one show. So there's 
a total loss in that regards. Also, quite frankly, carpet is a PIA.  
So it's priced to discourage the typcial exhibitor from using the 
contractor supplied carpet.

Truth be told, we would prefer that exhibitors bring their own 
furniture as we then don't need to try and match up standard expo fare 
to booths designed by some interior designer who hasn't set foot on a 
convention floor.

The electricans at McCormick have taken it on the chin...and rightly 
so for some of the costs the house charges and for some of their 
practices. BUT, there is a point to the house RULES on electrical 
cords. Many of the practices employed by the unions in general have 
changed greatly in the past 5 years.

As for electrical cords, I am 100% behind house rules which 
require "SO" grade 600V neophrene covered flexible cord for anything 
which supplies power to equipment in the booth. Including running 
cables under carpet. I have personally seen events which could have 
been catastrophic if the cable had not been SO cable.

Sorry Ernie, but I disagree with your whole premise about using a flat 
cord under carpet.  It is a hazard and if I see something like that 
going under carpet, the fire marhsall is notified.

Las Vegas is going to see the writing on the wall that Chicago and NY 
have given to their trades. It's only a matter of time.  LV is even 
more dependant on conventions than Chicago. So the loss of any shows 
will hit the pocketbook far faster than in Chicago.

Freight is another area which Chicago has addressed the issue.  In 
many cases, the show now accepts the Teamsters labor and the cost to 
move freight into the hall is built into the space fees.  They've also 
loosened the rules on how much an exhibotr can bring in on their own.

Bottom line, Chicago's convention practices are far different from 
what they were even 5 years ago.  If NAB came back here, I think they 
would be surpised at how much it has changed for the better.

MM

> I know in Vegas you have to use house electricians to run wires 
under 
> carpet.
> 
> There are safety issues so I understand that reasoning. We cut cost 
by 
> purchasing our own flat extension cords with mounded plugs.  They 
paid for 
> themselves the first year we used them VS renting them for like $50 
each.
> 
> The other expense of the shows which the CC has no control over is 
the show 
> contractor. With GES in Las Vegas our Drayage from the loading dock 
to the 
> booth and back is more than the cost to transport the equipment from 
NY to 
> Vegas.
> 
> Plus there is the cost of the booth space itself. NAB is a perfect 
example 
> of "a great sucking sound as the money rolls out of your wallet into 
their 
> wallet." The booth costs could be halfed and NAB would still make a 
killing. 
> Plus they get the kickbacks from all the concessions, official 
hotels etc.
> 
> All in all the Union's aren't the trouble it is the Trade Show 
organizer, 
> the Trade show Contractor and the concessions that are the bulk of 
the cost 
> of a show.
> 
> Example : Carpet  10x10  $130 without pad if rented.  Purchase 
better 
> quality with a pad for about the same and you can use it for 3 or 
more 
> shows.  We have bought our own carpet for years. It costs less than 
the 
> rental and we use it for 3 years or more before we toss it, usually 
because 
> of cuts for bringing electrical through. Even with the freight and 
there is 
> still significant savings.
> 
>  If you are an exhibitor you see more and more of your fellow 
exhibitors 
> owning their own carpet, chairs etc.. The stuff pays for itsef the 
first 
> time you use it then you are in a profit mode saving hundreds or 
thousands a 
> show Vs rentals.
> 
> > In a message dated 07/26/2005 12:50:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> > khcs at juno.com writes:
> >
> >> Yes, I had read that it takes 3 electricians and a supervisor to 
plug in 
> >> a
> >> lamp at McCormick.  So, they just priced themselves out of a lot 
of 
> >> money.
> >> Duh!
> 
> 
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Reply to <towers at mre.com>
>From my traveling acount...