What is Drayage? The cost to have your exhibit materials moved from the loading dock to your booth and then back again after the show.

How is Drayage calculated? Drayage is charged by the hundredweight. Check your show manual for drayage cost (cwt), divide the weight of your freight by 100 pounds, and then multiply by the (cwt). Example: 2,000 lbs – 100 lbs x $50 (cwt) = $1,000.

Tips to reduce the drayage and shipping costs:

- Consider buying or renting a new exhibit.

Today’s custom and modular exhibits are lighter than in the past.  Your designers help you choose an exhibit specifically designed to meet your trade show goals.

-  Understand your Exhibitor Service Manual.

Your Account Managers should help you to understand your show service manual, complete forms, and identify cost saving measures.

-  Consolidate your shipments.

Drayage is based on 100 lbs with minimums, send all your freight as one shipment. Small boxes and uncrated items should be sent on shrink-wrapped pallets.

You can utilize carriers that specialize in trade show freight which provide personalized service and special handling for delicate equipment.

-  Store your booth closer to the show sites.

Find an exhibit house that has multiple storage facilities across the country that will maintain your freight and ship it to each of your shows.

-  Review your freight bill.

Keeping accurate records of certified pieces and weights, tracking numbers, and carrier names will help you to determine that you have been charged correctly.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask us as TMG Exhibits.

Tags: account managers, designers, exhibit materials, exhibitor service, exhibits, freight bill, shipping costs, storage facilities, trade show exhibit

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 2:05 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.