American Library Association Annual Conference & Exposition

Official Contractors & Online Ordering

Labor Information

Please click here for detailed information about Chicago, IL show site work rules. To order labor services, or if you have any questions, contact Show Management or GES Exposition Services. Labor may be ordered through GES Exposition Services. Please refer to the Labor Tips below for cost-saving ideas.

Exhibitor Appointed Contractors

There are specific guidelines and requirements regarding the employment of independent contractors.

If exhibitors plan to utilize the services of display houses to install and dismantle displays:

• The Non-Official Contractor form must be completed and returned to Exhibition Management (Hall-Erickson, Inc.) by June 10, 2009.
• Evidence that the exhibitor appointed contractor has a proper certificate of insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 liability must be sent to Exhibition Management by June 10, 2009.

Labor Tips

1. Furnish the individual responsible for setting up your exhibit at the show site with the following:
• Material Handling Order Forms (paperwork you use in shipping your display materials.)
• Complete layout of the exhibit. Make it as detailed as you can and include a photo if possible.
• Copies of all work or service orders you placed ahead of show set-up.
• Acquaint your set-up person with labor rates and regulations.
• Emphasize the importance of staying on top of set-up and talking with Exhibition Management immediately if any problems should arise.
1. To ensure that you do not have increased time on the set-up of your display, make sure that all shipping crates are clearly marked and numbered on all sides with your company name and booth number for this show. Remove all old transportation and empty labels
2. Mount all graphics and photos permanently to wall panels. If this cannot be done, then mark all corner marks for these beforehand to avoid additional time and labor costs to measure and align at the show.
3. If you have special needs for material or tools to set your exhibit either bring them with you or specify your requirements at the Servicenter^SM before labor is dispatched to your booth.
4. Use modular display elements. Have your display constructed of identical looking and sized pieces. These parts should all go together simply with a minimum amount of labor on-site; then all you have to do is concentrate on placing your product.
5. Plan the layout of your display and product before you come to the show. Set up your display in your warehouse and layout out your product beforehand. Then take pictures of it and mark the areas on the shelves with corner marks using masking tape. You’ll save time and money by avoiding on-site decisions and changes.
6. Avoid display violations. Make sure that you have read your Exhibit Space Contract and the rules and regulations concerning booth construction, in this manual, beforehand. A few minutes of your time before, can save thousands of dollars at show site, not to mention a lot of grief, frustration and overtime charges.
7. The way to avoid overtime rates for labor is to place your labor order for 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Labor Questions & Answers

1. What will I be charged?

You will be charged by the hour straight-time labor rates from 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Overtime rates apply for All other times Monday through Friday, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Double time rates are charged all day on Holidays. The minimum charge for labor is one (1) hour per worker. All labor is charged in one (1) hour increments per worker.

2. Do I have to be in the booth to supervise the labor or is there another option?

If you are in charge of the set-up and dismantling of the booth then you should direct labor as to what goes where and how it goes together. Or, if you don’t want to supervise the set-up and dismantling, you can have GES supervise the set-up and dismantling for you.

3. How do I go about coordinating the laying of my booth carpet, the setting-up of my display and the installation of electrical before I arrive?

Focus One is the electrical provider for the ALA Annual Conference Exposition. Focus One and GES will work to provide you with what you need, when you need it. All you have to do is send in floor plans, in advance, along with a time schedule.

4. If there is a change to my schedule for the labor that I’ve requested after the deadline date, what do I have to do?

You should call GES to inform them of any changes. You should then follow-up with a letter or a fax.

5. Are GES and the unions one and the same?

No, GES and the unions are not the same. GES is hired by ALA to coordinate labor. GES management personnel are non-union, while the people they employ are union. All of the service contractors who work in the convention center go through the unions for the labor to set-up and tear down the various trade expositions.

6. My employees are all union members-why can’t they do the work?

Even though your company employees are union, the jurisdictions have been awarded to local unions for the various work to be performed in the convention center. If an employee of your company is a member in good standing of the respective local union and your company has a union signatory contract, then he or she would be allowed to perform the work after being cleared through the local union seniority list.

7. My booth is too complicated and/or too delicate to be set by union laborers. Isn’t there any way around the union requirements?

Exhibitors are allowed to set up and/or dismantle their own booths, provided that they use their own full time company employees.

8. If I’m solicited for a “gratuity” for exposition services, what should I do?

If tips are requested or suggested by any laborer, it should be reported immediately to Exhibition Management. The general contractor’s working policy, as well as that of the convention center, prohibits the solicitation of exhibitors. Any soliciting a “gratuity” is subject to immediate dismissal. Try to get the person’s name or badge number if you are approached so that they can be identified.

9. What should I do if I have challenges with one of the people who has been assigned to work in my booth?

If you have challenges with anyone working for you in your booth immediately go to or contact the Servicenter^SM. The Servicenter^SM will send a manager to your booth and resolve the problem.