Registering for the Printing United tradeshow is an exhilarating opportunity. Showcasing your products offers a valuable opportunity to engage with industry professionals, explore the latest printing innovations, and showcase your brand to a diverse audience eager to discover new products and services. However, setting up your trade show booth requires significant time, money, and effort, including carefully planning the logistics of shipping your materials to the venue.
While you may have experience with standard freight shipping, navigating Printing United’s shipping requirements can be more complex, especially for first-time exhibitors. If you’re getting ready to transport your trade show booth to Printing United, here’s everything you need to know about the process.
When arranging shipping for Printing United Expo, it’s important to be aware of key stakeholders, including the general contractor, convention center, and trade show shipping companies.
Shepard is usually the general contractor for Printing United Expo, overseeing tasks such as setting up and dismantling the trade show while also serving as the event's "official carrier." As an exhibitor, you have the option to ship your materials through Shepard or choose a trade show shipping company like Diversified Transportation Services.
These are the locations where the trade show takes place and where your materials will be delivered. This year, Printing United will be hosted at either the Orange Country Convention Center, Las Vegas Convention Center, or Georgia World Congress Center.
These specialized logistics providers manage the transportation of exhibition materials from exhibitors to Printing United Expo. They oversee both inbound and outbound shipping, serving as your primary point of contact to ensure your materials arrive on time and in good condition at the event.
As you prepare for Printing United Shipping, there are several key tasks to consider. These include preparing packaging, updating trade show shipping labels, and thoroughly reviewing the exhibit manual for vital trade show shipping information.
When preparing your freight shipment for Printing United, it's essential to inspect the condition of your pallets and crates. Ensuring they are sturdy and in good shape will help protect your materials from potential damage during transit.
It’s also easy to overlook small yet essential items that can make a big difference once you arrive at the event. To stay prepared, consider creating a checklist of supplies to bring along, including:
When creating trade show shipping labels, be sure to include the following essential details:
You have two main options for generating shipping labels for Printing United:
Before attaching your new labels, be sure to remove any old ones and affix the updated labels to each side of your freight for clear identification.
To access the Printing United exhibit manual, search for the event on Shepard's website.
The manual contains essential shipping details, including:
As you prepare to ship your trade show booth for Printing United, one key decision is whether to send your materials to the advance warehouse or ship them directly to the event.
For exhibitors new to trade show shipping, the advance warehouse is a designated storage facility provided by the event organizer, typically available 6–8 weeks before the show. Once the move-in period begins, the organizer will transport your materials directly to your booth, allowing your team to set up without handling last-minute deliveries.
With direct-to-show shipping, your materials are sent just a few days before the event begins. This option is ideal for exhibitors looking to minimize storage time or accommodate last-minute booth changes and additions.
To compare the advantages and disadvantages of each method, refer to the image below:
This guide has outlined key steps to help ensure a smooth shipping process for Printing United. At DTS, we specialize in trade show logistics, arranging shipments to and from any location across the U.S. Our solutions include creating a detailed move-in plan, assisting with move-out paperwork, and providing personalized customer support every step of the way.
For more insights, check out our Guide to Trade Show Shipping.
📞 Call us at (310) 521-1200 or click the button below to request a trade show shipping quote for Printing United Expo.
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
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