Key Shipping & Delivery Terms for Exhibitors

Advance Warehouse
The Advance Warehouse is a pre-show receiving facility where exhibitors can ship materials before the official move-in begins. Freight is accepted weeks in advance, stored securely, and delivered to your booth once the show floor opens for setup.

Benefits include: predictable delivery timing, reduced risk of carrier delays, and avoiding the congestion of the first day move-in. This option is ideal for exhibitors who want their materials waiting for them when they arrive.
 

Direct to Show

Direct to Show refers to delivering your freight directly to the convention center loading dock during the official move‑in schedule. Exhibitors who bring their own trucks or larger vehicles use this option when they prefer to transport their own freight rather than ship in advance.

Freight is unloaded by show labor and delivered straight to your booth.
This option requires arriving only during published move‑in hours, as early deliveries cannot be accepted, and no storage is provided. Scheduling your truck arrival must be arranged with AEX in advance.

POV (Privately Owned Vehicle)
A POV is any personal or non-commercial vehicle used to bring materials to the venue. This includes cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, and small personal trailers.

Because POVs are not freight carriers, they follow special unloading procedures that may include designated POV lanes, time-limited unloading zones, or required use of cartload services. These rules help keep the dock area safe and efficient during busy move-in periods. Commercial vehicles will have to follow the rules for direct delivery to the show site. Rental trucks, box trucks, delivery vans, and other vehicles that are subject to specific safety regulations will be considered commercial vehicles. 
 

Cartload Service
Cartload Service is a cost-effective unloading option for exhibitors arriving in a POV with small, manageable quantities of freight—typically up to about 200 lbs and limited to one trip. Show labor uses a flat cart to move your materials from the POV area directly to your booth. Exhibitors cannot operate the carts themselves.

This service is designed for quick, affordable unloading without the need for full material handling charges, making it ideal for small displays, samples, or hand-carried items that exceed what you can safely carry in one trip.