HOW IT WORKS
Trade Show Shipping —
Simplified
From quote to show dock in minutes. No drayage. No post-show surprises.
Takes less than 60 seconds · No signup required
PROCESS
How NEX EXPO trade show shipping works
One clear workflow. Every show. Every shipment.
Select your trade show
Choose the event you're exhibiting at so we can lock in venue rules, dates, and delivery requirements.
Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
June 28 – 30, 2026 · New York, NY
3 days left to shipping deadline
Enter your ZIP code
We only need your ZIP to calculate your zone and rate. Full pickup address is collected during booking.
Origin ZIP
75201 — Dallas, TX
Zone 4 · 1,550 miles to Javits Center
Select shipment type & quantity
Choose what you're sending and how many pieces of each type. Use the – / + steppers to set quantities.
4+ piece discount applied — save $500
Review your rate & savings
See your total flat-rate price instantly. Compare it against traditional shipping and see exactly what you save.
Total NEX EXPO rate
2 pallets + 3 trunks · Zone 2 · discount applied
$ 2,465
Estimated savings
$4,585
vs. traditional shipping
Confirm & book
Lock in your price and schedule your shipment. Your quote remains valid for 30 days. Login or create an account to complete booking.
Quote valid for 30 days · No payment until booking confirmed
WHY SWITCH
Most drayage happens
before the show.
Traditional carriers route your freight through a warehouse before it ever reaches the venue — stacking fees at every transfer. We skip all of that.
Starting point
LTL
Advance Warehouse
Drayage Transfer
Show Dock
Booth
3 unnecessary fees — warehouse receiving, storage, and transfer add $800–$1,200 per pallet.
Starting point
Direct LTL
Advance Warehouse
Drayage Transfer
Show Dock
Booth
$780 avg saved per pallet · Direct-to-Dock Carrier · direct to dock, zero warehouse
TIMELINE
What to expect — and when
Plan your logistics around these key milestones for a stress-free show.
4-6 WEEKS BEFORE
Book Your Shipment
Get your rate, confirm shipment details, and lock in your price. Earlier = more flexible pickup windows.
1-2 WEEKS BEFORE
Pickup Scheduled
We coordinate pickup from your door and consolidate your freight before the show. All logistics managed.
SHOW WEEK
Direct Dock Delivery
We deliver directly to the show-site dock as your direct-to-dock carrier. Decorator handles dock-to-booth from there.
AFTER SHOW
Return Shipment
Book return at checkout and save 15%. We pick up from the show dock and deliver back to your location.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything required. One predictable price.
Every NEX EXPO shipment includes what exhibitors actually need — no post-show invoices.
Pickup & Linehaul Transportation
Direct Delivery to Show Dock
Dock Appointment Scheduling
COI & Required Documentation
Dock Appointment Scheduling
Nationwide Coverage
WHAT WE DON'T DO
What NEX EXPO does not do
We believe in being upfront. Here's what falls outside our scope — and why that's completely normal.
We don't deliver inside the hall
We deliver to the show-site loading dock. Dock-to-booth handling is performed by the official show decorator — as required by venue rules for all direct-to-dock carriers.
We are not the decorator
The official show decorator (e.g. Freeman, GES) handles dock-to-booth movement. We handle everything before that point — transportation and dock coordination.
Decorator fees still apply
After eliminating warehouse drayage, only the decorator's standard dock-to-booth fee remains. This applies to all exhibitors at all shows — it cannot be avoided.
The decorator's dock-to-booth fee is a fraction of the warehouse drayage we eliminate. You still come out significantly ahead.
ADD-ONS
Optional services
Add only what you need — nothing more. Pricing always shown before you confirm.
Secure storage
Climate controlled, monitored storage between shows.
Early pickup scheduling
Lock in early pickup windows to protect your show timeline.
Special handling
For fragile, high-value, oversized, or custom exhibit freight.
Cargo insurance
Optional protection coverage for added peace of mind.
On-site support & supervision
Dedicated staff overseeing your freight at the venue.
After-hours / weekend delivery
Flexible delivery windows when show schedules demand it.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions we hear a lot.
Common questions about how the shipping process actually works. View all FAQs →
Do I completely avoid drayage?
You avoid the warehouse stage — which is the largest and most expensive part of drayage. The decorator's on-site dock-to-booth handling is smaller and remains, as required by show regulations. This applies to all direct-to-dock carriers — it cannot be avoided.
Does the decorator allow direct dock delivery?
Yes. We deliver directly to the show-site loading dock. The official show decorator moves freight from dock to booth, as required by venue rules — we handle everything before that point.
Do you deliver inside the exhibition hall?
No. We deliver to the show-site loading dock. Dock-to-booth handling is performed by the official show decorator, as required by venue rules. This is true of all direct-to-dock carriers.
What paperwork do you handle?
We coordinate dock appointment scheduling on your behalf — the logistics step exhibitors typically struggle with most.
Is this available at all trade shows?
We operate at major U.S. trade shows and venues. Check the show directory or enter your show in the rate tool to confirm availability and see pricing for your specific event.
How do multi-pallet discounts work?
Discounts apply per shipment and are calculated automatically at booking. Ship 2 pallets and save $50 each. Ship 4+ pallets and save $100 each. Return shipments save 15%.
Still have questions?
Our team typically replies within a few hours