American Library Association Annual Conference & Exposition

Official Contractors & Online Ordering

Shipping

Shipping is the hauling of goods or materials from one point to another. In our industry the materials are normally picked up by the trucker, but loaded onto the truck by someone else. The trucker hauls the materials, along with probably several other sets of materials, from the departure city to the destination point. The materials are then unloaded, again by someone other than the trucker. Hence, the fee for shipping includes services limited to the transport of the materials from one destination to another.

When and Where to Ship

Shipping to the Warehouse

Crated, boxed, or skidded materials may be shipped to the warehouse up to 30 days prior to the show move-in. Shipments must be sent with charges prepaid. Collect shipments will not be accepted.

For uncrated and loose materials, please refer to shipping to show site. Uncrated and loose materials cannot be received at the warehouse. Label each piece and address all shipping documents/bills of lading as follows for shipments to the warehouse:

Exhibiting Company Name–Booth #
ALA Annual Conference
c/o GES Exposition Services
2350 South Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60608

Shipments may begin arriving on June 3, 2009

Please note: Advance warehouse hours for receiving are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-2:30pm. The Advance Warehouse will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the holiday.

Deadline: July 1, 2009

Shipping to McCormick Place:

Shipments can arrive at the convention center during installation for unloading and delivery to your booth beginning Thursday, July 9. Carriers may check in between 8am and 2pm. Shipments must be sent with freight charges prepaid. Collect shipments cannot be accepted.

Shipments scheduled to arrive on Saturday or Sunday are subject to additional overtime charges. Label each piece and address all shipping documents/bill of lading as follows for shipments to the convention center:

Exhibiting Company Name–Booth #
ALA Annual Conference
c/o GES Exposition Services
McCormick Place West, Hall F
2301 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616-1490

Direct shipments to show site may begin: July 9, 009

What is Drayage?

Drayage is the handling of shipments and collateral materials upon their arrival at the exhibit hall. This includes:

• Labor and equipment to marshal the vehicles
• Labor and equipment to unload and deliver the materials to the booth, and check the shipment against the bill of lading
• Labor and equipment to pick up the empty shipping containers and load them onto trucks for storage during the show
• Trucks and drivers to haul the empty containers to an off-site storage facility
• Rental of the off-site storage facility
• Trucks and drivers to return the empty containers from the off-site storage facility to the exhibit hall at the end of the show
• Labor and equipment to unload the empty containers from the trucks and redeliver them to the proper booths
• Labor and equipment to pick-up the re-packed materials, check them against the shipping papers, and re-load them onto trucks for outbound shipment
• Labor and equipment to marshal the vehicles during the outbound movement

Questions and Answers

How do I inquire about missing or damaged inbound freight?

Go to the GES Servicenter^SM on-site.

If I keep my empties until the last minute, will I get them back first?

No. If you hold your empties, the floor managers will warn you at first and then have your empties removed.

When will I get my empty crates back? Other exhibitors have already received theirs.

Fiber Cases and cartons will be returned first so you can start packing and crated will be next. Crate return is random, but all cartons and crates should be returned within ten hours.

How do I trace my outbound shipment?

If you have not received your return shipment in seven to ten days, call GES Exhibitor Services at 800/475-2098.

How do I inquire about damaged or missing outbound freight?

Call GES Exhibitor Services at 800/475-2098.

Shipping Tips

• Ship in advance to the warehouse. Ship prepaid and keep an inventory and the tracing numbers of all your shipments.
• Place a rider on your insurance policy from the time your exhibit and product leaves your possession until it is returned. Your company is responsible for your exhibit and product.
• Do not ship extra product to the show to sell. Over the counter sales (i.e.: cash, check and/or credit cards) are not permitted. Only bona fide business orders for future delivery may be taken.
• Remove all old shipping labels before you send anything to GES and attach clean labels, provided in this manual, with your company name and booth number clearly marked.
• Expect at least a three hour wait to have your truck unloaded from the time it checks in until your freight is delivered to your booth.
• While making your shipping plans to the show, also plan for shipping home after the show. Make sure that someone from your company will be on-site to oversee the outbound shipment of your display and product.
• Take the extra time to ensure that your display and product are packed neatly and securely.

Security Tip

It is recommended that you shrink wrap sensitive materials with black shrink wrap to disguise contents.