RANT MODE Re: [BC] Convention Costs
Barry Mishkind
barry
Tue Jul 26 18:00:44 CDT 2005
At 12:43 PM 7/26/2005, Mike McCarthy wrote
>Being my family is in that trade (two generations running contracting
>operations like GES) and I spent 10 years doing trade shows at various
>places including McCormick Place, I need to comment.
Mike,
I know you and I have discussed this
several times, at least privately, as
well as occasionally on the list.
It does seem, does it not, a lot like
the iboc issue? That is, there are
three or more forces at work here,
and they don't seem to connect
with each other.
There are safety issues.
There are show issues.
There are political issues.
There are union issues.
And, there are the difficulties
in dealing with the other components.
Certainly, if everyone would act in
a responsible manner, much as in
life, a lot of rules (laws) could be
avoided.
However .. and it is often not the
show managers' fault, the "entrenched"
interests can override common sense.
The costs shown in the article quoted
earlier are silly. $55 for cola, or $77
for two dozen waters is just not
defensible, even with "service charges"
Yes, it is likely the money goes to the
city or the convention center. And the
anger should not go at the show managers.
But, the old proverb about killing the
goose that laid the golden egg sure
comes to mind. And Chicago has
paid, somewhat. Las Vegas hasn't yet
met the karmic accountant.
What was it? Hundreds of dollars a
day for internet access? There is a
contract with the LVCC, ostensibly so
as to avoid conflicts, especially with
WiFi... but it really ends up being
nothing more than a rip to users.
Mike, can you comment on how
a supplier would justify charging
hundreds of bucks a day for internet
lines that are "permanent" to the site?
The politicians, who view the conventions
as cash
>The contractors don't make a killing. No one makes a killing except
>certian trades. The true killing aspect of all this is the timelines
>show management and halls expect labor to move shows in and out. Every
>tradeshow regardless of size has limitations on venue times and
>access. We go in as soon as we can, and get out as soon as possible.
>Usually 2-3 days after the public doors close. That's calender
>days...not business days of 8-4:30.
>
>THAT'S a LOT of OT which is paid to labor of any type regardless of
>union affilation or independence. We need to move everything in AND
>out during that time line. The hall MUST be clear of all property and
>broom clean before the next show starts move-in. Think about that for
>a minute...broom clean on 3Million sq. ft.
>
>The fact the carpet is so high is due mostly to the fact contractor
>needs to be sure their INVERSTMENT in both the time and materials are
>covered. It needs to be handled/moved twice as well as cleaned after
>each show. Sometimes the carpet is trashed after one show. So there's
>a total loss in that regards. Also, quite frankly, carpet is a PIA.
>So it's priced to discourage the typcial exhibitor from using the
>contractor supplied carpet.
>
>Truth be told, we would prefer that exhibitors bring their own
>furniture as we then don't need to try and match up standard expo fare
>to booths designed by some interior designer who hasn't set foot on a
>convention floor.
>
>The electricans at McCormick have taken it on the chin...and rightly
>so for some of the costs the house charges and for some of their
>practices. BUT, there is a point to the house RULES on electrical
>cords. Many of the practices employed by the unions in general have
>changed greatly in the past 5 years.
>
>As for electrical cords, I am 100% behind house rules which
>require "SO" grade 600V neophrene covered flexible cord for anything
>which supplies power to equipment in the booth. Including running
>cables under carpet. I have personally seen events which could have
>been catastrophic if the cable had not been SO cable.
>
>Sorry Ernie, but I disagree with your whole premise about using a flat
>cord under carpet. It is a hazard and if I see something like that
>going under carpet, the fire marhsall is notified.
>
>Las Vegas is going to see the writing on the wall that Chicago and NY
>have given to their trades. It's only a matter of time. LV is even
>more dependant on conventions than Chicago. So the loss of any shows
>will hit the pocketbook far faster than in Chicago.
>
>Freight is another area which Chicago has addressed the issue. In
>many cases, the show now accepts the Teamsters labor and the cost to
>move freight into the hall is built into the space fees. They've also
>loosened the rules on how much an exhibotr can bring in on their own.
>
>Bottom line, Chicago's convention practices are far different from
>what they were even 5 years ago. If NAB came back here, I think they
>would be surpised at how much it has changed for the better.
>
>MM
>
> > I know in Vegas you have to use house electricians to run wires
>under
> > carpet.
> >
> > There are safety issues so I understand that reasoning. We cut cost
>by
> > purchasing our own flat extension cords with mounded plugs. They
>paid for
> > themselves the first year we used them VS renting them for like $50
>each.
> >
> > The other expense of the shows which the CC has no control over is
>the show
> > contractor. With GES in Las Vegas our Drayage from the loading dock
>to the
> > booth and back is more than the cost to transport the equipment from
>NY to
> > Vegas.
> >
> > Plus there is the cost of the booth space itself. NAB is a perfect
>example
> > of "a great sucking sound as the money rolls out of your wallet into
>their
> > wallet." The booth costs could be halfed and NAB would still make a
>killing.
> > Plus they get the kickbacks from all the concessions, official
>hotels etc.
> >
> > All in all the Union's aren't the trouble it is the Trade Show
>organizer,
> > the Trade show Contractor and the concessions that are the bulk of
>the cost
> > of a show.
> >
> > Example : Carpet 10x10 $130 without pad if rented. Purchase
>better
> > quality with a pad for about the same and you can use it for 3 or
>more
> > shows. We have bought our own carpet for years. It costs less than
>the
> > rental and we use it for 3 years or more before we toss it, usually
>because
> > of cuts for bringing electrical through. Even with the freight and
>there is
> > still significant savings.
> >
> > If you are an exhibitor you see more and more of your fellow
>exhibitors
> > owning their own carpet, chairs etc.. The stuff pays for itsef the
>first
> > time you use it then you are in a profit mode saving hundreds or
>thousands a
> > show Vs rentals.
> >
> > > In a message dated 07/26/2005 12:50:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> > > khcs at juno.com writes:
> > >
> > >> Yes, I had read that it takes 3 electricians and a supervisor to
>plug in
> > >> a
> > >> lamp at McCormick. So, they just priced themselves out of a lot
>of
> > >> money.
> > >> Duh!
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>Reply to <towers at mre.com>
> >From my traveling acount...
>
>
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_______________________________________________________________________
Barry Mishkind - Tucson, AZ - 520-296-3797
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