Las Vegas runs more big trade shows than any city in America across four venues: the LVCC, Mandalay Bay, The Venetian Expo, and Caesars Forum. Nevada is right-to-work on paper, but every one of these floors operates under union contracts, and each venue has different electrical and rigging exclusives.
Key venues: Las Vegas Convention Center, Mandalay Bay, The Venetian Expo, Caesars Forum.
Marquee shows: CES, SEMA, NAB Show, MAGIC.
Nevada is right-to-work, but all four major venues honor union contracts. Teamsters 631 on freight and booth labor, IBEW 357 on electrical, IATSE 720 on programmable lighting and suspended AV.
How much does drayage cost at Las Vegas shows?
It is billed by weight through each show's official contractor. CES has run about $0.69/lb at advance rates in recent published examples, and SEMA has used a flat all-inclusive rate near $0.93/lb, with big premiums after deadlines. Current rates are only published in each show's portal. SEMA also gives smaller booths their first 500 lbs free, which is worth knowing before you ship.
Is our AV equipment union compliant in Las Vegas?
Nevada is right-to-work, but the venues honor union contracts. Teamsters Local 631 handles freight and booth installation labor, IBEW Local 357 handles electrical including video screen hookup, and IATSE Local 720 handles programmable lighting and anything suspended. A truss-hung video wall is stagehand work. We plan every install around those lines.
What can we legally do ourselves on a Vegas show floor?
More than in most union towns. Full-time employees can set the booth, plug into one 20-amp/120V outlet, hang up to four small clip-on lights, connect computers within the booth, and mount monitors on brackets. AV systems under 20 amps that aren't ceiling-suspended can be exhibitor-installed. Above that, IBEW or IATSE labor applies.
Do the four venues have different electrical rules?
Yes, and it matters. Mandalay Bay's electrical is exclusive to Edlen. The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum are exclusive to Encore, and at Caesars Forum that includes rigging. LVCC power runs through the show's general contractor with IBEW labor. Advance discounts run roughly 20% and deadlines fall four to five weeks out.
What's the deal with the marshalling yard?
Every truck checks in at an off-site marshalling yard first. For CES, Freeman's yard sits about 10 miles from the LVCC. Trucks get dispatched to a dock in check-in order, with certified weight tickets taken. Check in by midday or your freight may not unload the same day.
Any CES-specific rules that surprise exhibitors?
A few. There's a Clean Floor Policy with hard crate-removal deadlines (unfinished booths can forfeit space), an 85 dB sound cap enforced on the floor, a ban on halogen lamps over 75W, and photo-ID worker badges for outside contractors. Vehicle displays need permits, under a quarter tank of fuel, and disconnected batteries.
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