TABS On the Job

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by techweenie
The teamsters have most major venues locked up. I understand the worst is McCormick Place in Chicago. If you're responsible for a booth setup, you bring a pocketful of $50s.

Oh yeah, used to do e3 at Staples every year. You want something done you better have cash. My "petty" cash would run $500-$1000 per day.

One day we needed some stuff back at our hotel and we needed it in a hurry. No time to find the union guys to carry it outside.

We pulled a van up to a side door and went to our booth the back way. Loaded stuff up on dollies and rolled it out of there.

We made it all the way outside and were loading the van when some guy on a forklift sees us.

Next thing you know we are surrounded by 4 or 5 really big dudes who seemed to pop up right out of the ground.

One guy in our party thought it was a good idea to try and reason with them, he learned that was a bad idea.

We threw some cash on the ground, they let go of our guy and we got the hell out of there as fast as we could.

Scott

[Howard Agency]

You're famous!

[imcarthur]

Originally posted by techweenie
The teamsters have most major venues locked up. I understand the worst is McCormick Place in Chicago. If you're responsible for a booth setup, you bring a pocketful of $50s.

I can confirm this from my CES in Chicago days. A special electrical cord was $350 cash. On the spot.

Last year, we made the decision to skip the floor at the LVCC for WCES in January & get 5 suites at the Hilton. We saved $200K. Our shipping bill the previous year - from Freeman to floor & back - was $19K.

Our setup staff has often paid for the obligatory electricians/union setup etc & just had them sit there because they are always more trouble than worth.

Shows are a big racket.

Ian

[tabs]

What a bunch of Pansies U boyz are...afraid of a bunch of Teamsters..LOL They seen U coming

U boyz probably walk thorugh in your Ralph Lauren or Dockers with loafers carrying a Girlie Mans Purse...Now if you walk around in a pair of faded jeans, a tee shirt, while chomping on a Cigar...no one bothers U

[Don Plumley]

Had a company years ago in the tradeshow registration business. I know all the union stories from the major halls (McCormick vs. Javitts is a toss up - but Cobo (Detroit) also really sucked).

Best disguise: Pudgy guy in an ill-fitting suit, carry a motorola radio. You can walk through any door, carry any item, plug in any light - IF one of the union guys looks at you, just say "show staff".

If I never exhibit at a major trade show again I won't shed a tear.

[imcarthur]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Best disguise: Pudgy guy in an ill-fitting suit, carry a motorola radio.

I agree. Free pass to any show floor.

Ian