Exhibition Stand USA
Custom Exhibition Booth Design & Build for Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago & New York
Exhibition Stand Contractor Serving
the USA Trade Fair Circuit
Exhibitors coming to the US for the first time are usually surprised by one thing. Often, you can’t just build your own stand, even if your crew is standing right there ready to do it. This is because most major American convention centers operate under union labor agreements. As a result, specific trades — electrical, rigging, carpentry, material handling — must be performed by union labor booked through the show’s official general contractor. Get this wrong, and you’ll either pay penalty rates on-site or watch your build stall. In fact, this is the single biggest thing that trips up European and international exhibitors at US shows, more than design or freight ever does.
Fortunately, Echo Expo has built and installed stands at major US venues for years. Therefore, we plan every project around each show’s specific labor rules and general contractor requirements from day one, rather than as a scramble once you land.
Union Labor, Drayage & General Contractor Rules
Every US show operates slightly differently, but the pattern is consistent: your general contractor (the show’s official services provider) controls electrical, rigging, and often material handling (“drayage” — moving your freight from the dock to your booth space). Independent contractors like us can typically supervise and build the visual elements of your stand, but certain tasks legally require union labor booked and paid through the GC.
- Pre-show coordination with the show's general contractor and union labor desk
- Drayage and material handling scheduling to avoid warehouse storage fees
- Electrical and rigging labor booked correctly to avoid on-site delays
- Booth exhibitor kit review so nothing is missed in the order deadlines (most shows offer discounted rates weeks before the show — miss the deadline and prices roughly double)
We recommend starting US show planning at least 10–12 weeks ahead, largely to hit exhibitor kit discount deadlines and confirm labor requirements before on-site rates apply.
Where We Build
- Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) — home to CES and many of the largest technology and consumer shows in the country.
- Orange County Convention Center, Orlando — one of the largest venues in the US, hosting major healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing shows.
- McCormick Place, Chicago — the largest convention center in North America, used for industrial, medical, and food-sector fairs.
- Javits Center, New York — a key East Coast venue for finance, fashion, and technology exhibitions.
Customs & Freight Into the US
Shipping stand materials into the US requires a formal customs entry and, for ocean freight, an Importer Security Filing submitted before the cargo departs. An ATA Carnet is accepted by US Customs for temporary import of reusable stand structures and equipment, which avoids duty on materials that will leave the country again after the show.
- Customs entry and Importer Security Filing coordination for ocean freight
- ATA Carnet processing for reusable structures and equipment
- Local warehousing near major convention cities
- Coordination with US customs brokers to avoid port delays
Industries Exhibiting in the USA
Technology and consumer electronics, healthcare and medical devices, industrial manufacturing, food and beverage, and finance make up a large share of the US show circuit. We’ve supported exhibitors across each of these sectors, with particular experience helping first-time European exhibitors navigate US show logistics end to end.
What We Deliver, Start to Finish
- Bespoke and modular stand design
- 3D visualization before production begins
- Graphics, branding, and premium finishes
- Furniture, AV equipment, and LED screens
- Full coordination with general contractors and union labor desks
- Customs entry, freight, and warehousing
- On-site supervision and dismantling
Why Exhibitors Choose Echo Expo in the USA
- Real, working knowledge of union labor rules at major US venues — not learned the hard way, on your dime
- A single project manager owning your build from design sign-off to dismantling
- Exhibitor kit deadline tracking to avoid paying double on-site
- Fixed, transparent quotes with no surprise costs at delivery
Technology and software, healthcare and medical devices, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, and consumer electronics make up much of the United States’ international exhibition traffic. In addition, we’ve supported exhibitors across each of these sectors. In particular, we help European and international manufacturers use major US trade shows as a gateway to the North American market.
Recent Work Across Europe
- A technology sector stand at LVCC for a European electronics brand exhibiting at CES.
- A healthcare exhibition booth at the Orange County Convention Center for a medical device manufacturer.
- An industrial pavilion at McCormick Place for a manufacturing exhibitor's first US show.
- A finance sector stand at the Javits Center for a fintech company entering the US market.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Exhibiting in the USA
Do I really need union labor for my booth build?
In most major US venues, yes, for specific trades like electrical, rigging, and material handling. We coordinate this through the show’s general contractor so it’s booked correctly and on schedule.
What is drayage, and why does it matter?
Drayage is the movement of your freight from the loading dock to your booth space, usually controlled by the show’s general contractor. Getting this scheduled correctly avoids unnecessary storage fees and delays.
Can you handle customs clearance for our stand materials?
Yes — we coordinate customs entry, Importer Security Filing for ocean freight, and ATA Carnet processing for reusable materials.
Which US venues do you have direct experience with?
LVCC, the Orange County Convention Center, McCormick Place, the Javits Center, and other major venues on request.
How early should we start planning a US show?
At least 10–12 weeks ahead, mainly to hit exhibitor kit discount deadlines and confirm labor and customs requirements in advance.
Get a Quote for Your USA Exhibition Stand
If you’re exhibiting in Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, New York, or elsewhere in the US, Echo Expo can manage the full project — including the union labor and customs details that catch out first-time exhibitors — so your team arrives to a finished, compliant stand.
GET YOUR FREE QUOTE WITH FREE DESIGN