- 01. Advance warehouse: how it works
- 02. Direct-to-show: how it works
- 03. When advance wins
- 04. When direct-to-show wins
Advance warehouse vs. direct-to-show isn't a coin flip — each has a clear right answer depending on freight size, schedule pressure, and city. Here's how to choose.
Advance warehouse: how it works
Freight ships 2–4 weeks before the show to the general contractor's warehouse. They store it and move it to your booth on install day. Cheaper drayage rates, freight stored up to 30 days, no missed-truck risk.
Direct-to-show: how it works
Freight ships to the convention center loading dock during a narrow direct-to-show window (usually 1–3 days). Higher drayage rates, tight schedule windows, missed truck = your booth doesn't ship.
When advance wins
Small to medium freight (<10,000 lbs). Custom booths. Any first-time city. Any time you're nervous about freight timing. This is the default for 90% of exhibitors.
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Get matched with buildersWhen direct-to-show wins
Large freight (10,000+ lbs) where storage and double-handling cost more than direct drayage. Late builds where you missed the advance window. Veteran exhibitors with reliable freight partners and the bandwidth to manage tight delivery windows.
- Advance warehouse is the default for 90% of exhibitors
- Direct-to-show usually only wins for 10,000+ lb freight
- Missing the direct-to-show window means your booth doesn't ship
- Advance drayage rates are typically 15–25% lower than direct
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Zoom out to the full playbook
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Plan around your show, city, and industry
Use these directories to pressure-test the guide against your specific show, venue, and vertical.
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