• Union Jurisdictions
• Installation
• Crate Removal, Storage & Return
• Dismantling and Move-out

Union Jurisdictions

To assist you in planning for your participation in WEFTEC, you need to know that union labor will be required for certain aspects of your exhibit handling.  The information below will help you understand the jurisdiction the various unions have:

One full-time employee of the exhibitor may work in a booth of 300 sq. ft. or less. Carpenters or Decorators must perform work involving the use of power tools or ladders.

Individuals may be asked to produce verification that they are full-time employees.  Failure to produce verification will mean that the person will cease work and union labor will be hired.  Union Labor is available through Freeman.  

Carpenters Union
This union claims jurisdiction over the uncrating of exhibits and display materials; installing and dismantling exhibits including cabinets, fixtures, shelving units, floor tile or carpet and hanging structural signs.

Decorators Union
This union claims jurisdiction over hanging all signs and installing drape or tacked fabric panels.  They are also responsible for velcro signs used in a booth that require tools or more than one person for installation.

Exhibitors may hang their own signs using any other type fastener as long as no tools or ladders are required and the total time to hang the sign does not exceed 1/2 hour.  Additionally, you may skirt tables provided you do not use staples, snaps or velcro.

Teamsters Union
This union claims jurisdiction over the handling of all materials (except machinery) in and out of the exhibit hall.

Exhibitors may carry in small packages, includin pop-up booths, provided they can be hand-carried by one person in one trip.  Dollies, hand trucks and other mechanical equipment are not permitted.

Exhibitor Appointed Contractors
If you use a contractor other than Freeman, please be certain that they have the appropriate union contracts in place.  Also, WEF must receive a completed Notice of Intent to Use an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor form.  Your contractor must also provide WEF with the EAC Agreement and Certificate of Insurance.

Notice of Intent to Use an EAC
EAC Agreement

Freeman will be the only contractor moving freight into the hall and provision of forklift and crane services.  Freeman will be the only contractor to perform rigging from the ceiling.  

All orders for electrical, plumbing and telecommunication services must be placed through FOCUS One.

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Setup may take place after an exhibitor's freight has been delivered, provided it does not interfere with the movement of freight nor is in a location required for the unloading of other freight.  Please refer to the Targeted Freight Delivery schedule for specifications.

Targeted Freight Floor Plan - Hall B
Targeted Freight Floor Plan - Hall C

Installation Hours:

Aisle carpeting will be installed Sunday night.  Any items in the aisles after 5:00 pm on Saturday will be placed in the exhibitor’s booth or, if there is not sufficient space in the booth, removed from the hall.  If you are having skids of literature shipped to your booth, please arrange to have the boxes stored on Saturday.

*All vehicle displays MUST move-in on Tuesday.

Show Days

Exhibitors' empty crates, cartons, and cases must be available for removal by the time the exhibitor leaves on Saturday; they must all be labeled with “empty” stickers.  "Empty" labels will be distributed at the Freeman Service Desk. Crates, cartons and boxes that are properly labeled will be removed, stored and returned at no additional charge to the exhibitor. Crates and cartons that are not properly marked may be destroyed.

Any exhibit not completed by 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 18, will be assembled at the exhibitor's expense or crates will be removed. The exhibitor may have the crates, cartons and cases returned after the close of the show at 4:30 pm on Sunday provided it does not interfere with the “private demo” of another exhibitor.

Please note: Absolutely no cartons or cases may be stored behind the exhibitor’s display.  The McCormick Place does not permit items to be stored in and around electrical connections.  McCormick Place inspects all exhibits to ensure compliance.  Any items found behind exhibitors’ booths will be removed.

At the close of the show on Wednesday, October 22, crate return will begin after aisle carpeting has been removed.  Aisle carpet removal will take about two hours.  Crate return will take approximately six to eight hours.

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Dismantling of exhibits and packing of equipment may not begin until the official closing of the Exhibition at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, October 22.

The dismantling and move-out schedule is as follows:

If exhibitors require flatbed trailers or other types of specialized equipment and would like Freeman Transportation to arrange for it, please notify the Freeman Transportation desk during installation.

Hand-Carried Materials
Please pick-up a Property Removal Pass from the Show Management Office to provide you with outbound access for your hand-carried product.

Commercial Freight Forwarders
Fill out a Material Handling form for each shipment showing correct count of pieces, weight, destination and billing. Return the bill to the Freeman Service Desk when your shipment is packed, labeled and ready for pickup.  If you wish to ship by a specific carrier, you must name that carrier on the bill and contact that carrier to arrange pickup.  Alert your carrier to check-in at the Marshaling Area. If your carrier does not pick-up your freight on schedule, Freeman will ship your freight by the best method available.

Other Services
If you rented lead retrieval equipment, it should be returned immediately at the close of the show.  Also, if you secured a telephone, return it promptly to the appropriate service desk.  Please monitor any audio-visual or computer equipment until it is picked up; you are responsible for its safekeeping until it is retrieved by the contractor.

Disconnects for both electrical and plumbing will begin after the show closes.  All tanks must be drained on Wednesday.  If you need to continue either electrical or air/plumbing services after the show closes, please notify the engineering representative at the Exhibitor Service Center no later than Tuesday, October 21.  If you have any special needs or requests, please convey those to the engineers in advance of move-out.

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