This document provides cost estimates and budgeting guidelines for various aspects of trade show exhibits, including construction, installation/dismantling labor rates, shipping and handling fees, and average per diem costs for staff travel. Island exhibits typically cost $152.66 per square foot to construct while inline exhibits are $138 per square foot on average. Labor rates vary by role, with decorators charging $101.75/hour and riggers $113.70/hour, plus overtime premiums. Standard budget allocations include 35% for exhibit space, 10-15% for design/construction, and 10-16% for staff travel including a national per diem average of $307 per day.

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EXHIBIT DESIGN &
FABRICATION
New Custom Construction: (Average cost)
Island: $152.66 per square foot
Inline: $138 per square foot
Source: Exhibit Designers and Producers Association’s 2014
Custom Economic Survey
Taxes: You’ll pay tax on materials used to build your exhibit.
In some states, including California, you’re taxed on labor, too.
Rental: Approximately two-thirds the purchase price
(for one-time use at a show), depending upon the complexity
of the design elements.
Source: Tradeshow Week’s Survey of Top 200 Trade Shows
INSTALLATION & DISMANTLE (I&D)
Decorators: $101.75 / hour / person
Overtime add 60%: Sunday add 90%
Riggers: $113.70 / hour / person
Overtime add 56%: Sunday add 86%
Forklift operator: $252.56 / hour / person
Overtime add 94%: Sunday add 53%
Electricians: $95.74 / hour / person
Overtime add 72%: Sunday add 83%
Plumbing: $88.80 / hour / person
Overtime add 74%: Sunday add 88%
Source: 2015 Exhibition & Event Industry Labor Rates Survey
Access Intelligence Research & Consulting in association with the Exhibit Designers &
Producers Association (EDPA) and the Event Marketing Institute
BUDGETING RULES OF THUMB
An Exhibitor’s Guide to What Things Cost
Island
Exhibit
1 HOUR
per
8
square feet
Inline
Exhibit
1 HOUR
per
10
linear feet
FRONT ELEVATION - LOGO WALL DISPLAY
Scale: 1/2" = 1'-0"1
7'-11"
10'-0"(CeilingHeit)
6'-0"A.F.F.
3'-11"3'-11"1'-10"
EQ. EQ.
6'-11"
Pierced-cut Logo
(Back-lit)
1/8" Thick Blue Steel Face Panels
(3 Sections) w/ Pierced-cut Logo
Support Frame / Spacer
Blocks Behind Face Panels
3"
3'-6"
SIDE SECTION
Scale: 1/2" = 1'-0"2
1/8" Thick Blue Steel Face Panels
(3 Sections) w/ Pierced-cut Logo
3"
AVERAGE LABOR REQUIREMENTS

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50sq.ft.
ONEStaffer Open Exhibit Space
DRAYAGE AND MATERIAL HANDLING
To advance warehouse: $102.88 per CWT*
Direct to show site (crated): $96.96 per CWT
Direct to show site with special handling $132.00 per CWT
and loose shipments (crated):
Direct show site (uncrated): $149.46 per CWT
*Per 100 Pounds
BUDGET ALLOCATION
$
313 ATLANTA
$
369 CHICAGO
$
306 LAS VEGAS
$
369 LOS ANGELES
$
344 MIAMI
$
321 NEW ORLEANS
$
495 NEW YORK
$
288 ORLANDO
$
510 SAN FRANCISCO
$
382 WASHINGTON DC
35% Exhibit Space
10% Exhibit Design or Construction
10% Exhibit Shipping
11% Show Services
7% Exhibit Promotion
16% Staff Travel / Lodging
6% Graphics Design/Production
5% Other Exhibit-Related Items
Source: 2015 Exhibition & Event Industry Labor Rates Survey, Access
Intelligence Research & Consulting in association with the Exhibit Designers
& Producers Association (EDPA) and the Event Marketing Institute
U.S. CITIES
PER DIEM COST per Staffer
Includes hotel, car rental and food
Source: Exhibitor Magazine’s 2015 Economic Outlook Survey
National International
Hotel $163 $199
Food $97 $108
Car Rental $47 -
Misc - $44
Total $307/day $351/day
PER DIEM COST by Region
West: $328.84
South: $288.58
Midwest: $295.73
Northeast: $338.53
Source: Business Travel News, 2015 Corporate Travel Index.
Per-Diem amounts have been rounded to the nearest hundredth.
AVERAGE PER DIEM COST
TRAVEL, LODGING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Average National and International per Diem Rates