| Those familiar with trade events and shows know | | | | shipments. Additionally, you might consider renting |
| that drayage costs can be expensive if measures | | | | trade show booths instead of purchasing them. |
| aren't taken to reduce these costs. Drayage is | | | | Rental companies often provide all-inclusive packages |
| defined as transporting goods short distances. In the | | | | that include transport costs and other services. Also |
| world of trade events, it refers to moving exhibit | | | | consider attending trade show exhibits in smaller cities |
| materials from the loading dock to the trade show | | | | and towns, because they typically have lower rates |
| booths' space and back again. | | | | to begin with. |
| How Drayage Costs Are Calculated | | | | More Tips For Cutting Drayage Costs Of Trade |
| Exhibitors pay show contractors a pretty penny to | | | | Show Booths |
| haul this material. Transport is typically charged by | | | | There are additional tips that may help your business |
| 100-pound increments or the 'hundredweight' | | | | save on transport costs. A few things to be aware |
| (abbreviated 'cwt'). Each show has a specific cost to | | | | of are that drayage on common carrier shipments is |
| transfer goods. If the trade show exhibits' rate is | | | | slightly less than through a specialized carrier like a |
| $60 per cwt, you would find out the weight of your | | | | company truck. However, look for carriers that |
| display, divide it by 100 pounds, and multiply it by 60. | | | | specialize in event freight and know how to carefully |
| For instance, if the weight of your exhibit is 2,400 | | | | handle such equipment. Also, rates to the site of |
| pounds, divide that number by 100 to get 24, and | | | | trade show exhibits are usually less expensive than |
| multiply that by 50 to get $1,200. It is easy to see | | | | rates to the advance warehouse. Crated shipments |
| how it can quickly get expensive to haul your exhibit | | | | typically fetch a lower fee than pad-wrapped |
| and materials to a booth space for each and every | | | | shipments as well. |
| show! | | | | Beware of surcharges and minimum weight |
| Learn How To Trim Drayage Expenses | | | | requirements. You'll pay more after hours and on |
| Trade show booths are typically heavy because they | | | | weekends, sometimes up to 35% more. Minimum |
| simply consist of a lot of material. However, today's | | | | drayage rates are also usually 200 pounds, so send all |
| custom modular exhibits are much lighter than older | | | | freight as one shipment if possible. And be sure to |
| displays. If your current exhibit is older and quite | | | | get drayage cost estimates and a contract in writing |
| heavy, consider trading it in for a lighter model. This is | | | | before the show. Compare this agreement to the |
| one of the best ways to reduce costs immediately. | | | | actual received bill before leaving the show. |
| Companies might also consider storing their show | | | | Considering newer, lighter trade show booths is an |
| displays closer to the show sites. Some exhibit | | | | important first step in cutting drayage expenses. By |
| houses have multiple storage facilities across the | | | | following this advice and other tips, businesses should |
| country, and they will maintain your display and ship it | | | | be able to reduce their drayage costs. |
| to the shows. Another tip would be to consolidate | | | | |