The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center anchors Dallas trade shows, and it is in the middle of a $3.5B phased rebuild through 2029, staying open while whole sections are demolished and replaced. Texas labor rules are exhibitor-friendly. The moving construction footprint is what you plan around.
Key venues: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas Market Center.
Marquee shows: FAN EXPO Dallas, DISTRIBUTECH.
Texas is a right-to-work state, so exhibitors can generally set their own booths. The KBHCC is mid-rebuild through 2029, which changes hall and dock availability from show to show.
Can our own team set up our booth and AV in Dallas?
Generally yes. Texas is a right-to-work state and most Dallas shows let full-time employees assemble their own booth and place their own equipment. Dock work and forklift freight stay with the show contractor, and power connections go through the official electrical provider.
How is the convention center rebuild affecting exhibitors?
The KBHCC is being rebuilt in phases through roughly 2029, with portions open while others are demolished. The halls, docks, and entrances available change over time. Check your show's current floor plan and freight route rather than relying on how the building worked last time you exhibited.
How much does drayage cost at the KBHCC?
The standard model applies: per-CWT billing with minimums through the show's general contractor, at rates set per show. Construction-phase logistics can tighten dock schedules, which makes hitting the advance warehouse window matter more than usual here.
Do we order electricity from the venue or the contractor?
Booth power is ordered through the show's official electrical services provider. Order at the advance rate and size the service for your full AV load. A video wall plus sound plus lighting on one undersized circuit is the most common power mistake we see.
What about rigging and hanging signs in Dallas?
Overhead hangs go through the show's rigging contractor, with weights and drawings submitted in advance. Ground-supported LED and displays have no such process, and in a venue with a shifting construction footprint they are often the safer bet.
Anything specific to Dallas freight timing?
Downtown dock access is tighter during the rebuild, and marquee events (including the venue's FIFA World Cup role in 2026) periodically lock down parts of the campus. Confirm dock appointment windows early and don't schedule same-day equipment arrivals for show open.
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