How is trade show drayage (material handling) calculated?

General service contractors (such as Freeman and GES) bill material handling by CWT (hundredweight, or 100 lbs), rounded up to the next 100 lb increment with a standard 200 lb (2 CWT) minimum per shipment. Multiply your billable CWT by the convention center CWT rate ($160–$245/CWT) and add 25% if move-in or move-out occurs on overtime.

What is the difference between Advance Warehouse and Direct-to-Show drayage?

Advance Warehouse shipments arrive 10 to 30 days before the trade show and are delivered straight to your booth before exhibitor move-in begins. Direct-to-Show shipments arrive at the venue marshaling yard on your target move-in day and typically cost ~8% less per CWT, but require truck dock check-in.

How can exhibitors reduce convention center drayage fees?

Replacing a 1,200 lb legacy wood crate (12 CWT) with a lightweight NXT Stage 10x10 PopUp (65 lbs / 2 CWT minimum) or 10x10 Solid Wall SIP booth (185 lbs / 2 CWT) cuts billable weight by up to 83%, saving $1,500–$2,400+ in venue material handling charges.

FREEMAN & GES MATERIAL HANDLING (CWT) ESTIMATOR2026–2027 UNION VENUE RATES

Trade Show Drayage & Material Handling Calculator

Calculate your exact CWT (100-lb) drayage bill across 17 North American convention centers, compare Advance Warehouse vs. Direct-to-Show rates, and see how lightweight 8'×4' SIP walls cut drayage up to 55%.

WHY CRATED WEIGHT (CWT) MATTERSLow-Drayage Booths →

~32 lbs8'×4' SIP Wall Panel

55% Lessvs. Wood Crates

1 CWT = 100 lb200-lb Min Bill

CONFIGURE YOUR SHIPMENT

Convention Center Venue & Crate Weight

Convention Center Venue:

Total Shipment Weight (lbs):

lbs

Or select a booth crate weight preset:

Freight Delivery Method:

Include Weekend / After-5PM Move-Out Overtime Surcharge (+25%)

ESTIMATED DRAYAGE BILL

Your Material Handling (CWT) Estimate

SELECT YOUR VENUE, WEIGHT & DELIVERY METHOD

No values are preselected. Choose your convention center venue, shipment weight, and delivery method to calculate your CWT drayage fee:

• Convention Center Venue: Not selected yet
• Total Shipment Weight: Not entered yet
• Freight Delivery Method: Not selected yet

Configure Lightweight Booth & Supplies →

Shipping Weights: NXT Stage Booth Rentals vs. Purchased Display SuppliesShow Weight Reference Table ▾

Product / Booth Package	Ownership	Shipping Weight	Billable CWT	Direct Price
The NXT PopUp 10x10 (10x10)	Turnkey Booth Rental	72 lbs	2 CWT	$650
The NXT Base 10x10 (10x10)	Turnkey Booth Rental	510 lbs	6 CWT	$1,150
The NXT Plus 10x10 (10x10)	Turnkey Booth Rental	520 lbs	6 CWT	$1,300
The NXT Corner Retail 10x10 (10x10)	Turnkey Booth Rental	465 lbs	5 CWT	$1,450
The NXT Glow 10x10 (10x10)	Turnkey Booth Rental	510 lbs	6 CWT	$1,550
The NXT PopUp Plus 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	134 lbs	2 CWT	$1,200
The NXT Pro 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	755 lbs	8 CWT	$2,950
The NXT Ultra 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	725 lbs	8 CWT	$3,150
The NXT Executive Lounge 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	760 lbs	8 CWT	$3,350
The NXT Glow Pro 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	690 lbs	7 CWT	$3,550
The NXT Max 10x20 (10x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	825 lbs	9 CWT	$3,750
The NXT Pinwheel 20x20 (20x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	1010 lbs	11 CWT	$4,200
The NXT Island 20x20 (20x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	1070 lbs	11 CWT	$5,200
The NXT Summit VIP Island 20x20 (20x20)	Turnkey Booth Rental	1300 lbs	13 CWT	$6,200
3ft SEG Fabric Stand	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	14 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$165
10ft SEG Fabric Display	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	34 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$475
20ft SEG Fabric Wall	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	64 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$895
8ft Backlit SEG Lightbox	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	48 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$1190
10ft Backlit SEG Wall	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	56 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$1250
Straight Tension Fabric Wall	Purchase (Yours to Keep)	26 lbs	Hand-Carry / 2 CWT Min	$525