Can I Hand-Carry My Items Instead of Shipping Them to a Trade Show?

In short, yes, you may be able to hand carry your exhibit material to a trade show—but whether you should is another story. Hand-carrying may sound like a simple, cost-saving option, especially for small exhibits or lightweight promotional materials. However, it comes with several limitations and risks that exhibitors should consider.

First, most trade show venues have strict rules about what qualifies as a hand-carry. Typically, it means you can bring items in one trip without the use of dollies, carts, or other mechanical assistance. If your materials exceed what you can physically carry by hand, you’ll likely be required to use the venue’s labor and loading dock services. Check with your general contractor (Freeman, GES, for example) or your exhibitor agreement to know what is allowed and what is prohibited.

Second, relying on hand-carrying can add stress to your show day. From walking long distances, navigating crowded entrances, to potential delays in set-up, you’re putting a lot on the line—especially if something gets damaged, lost, or forgotten in transit.

Shipping your items ahead of time, especially through an experienced trade show carrier, ensures your materials arrive at the right place, at the right time, and with the protection and tracking needed for a smooth show experience.

So while hand-carrying is technically allowed in some situations, it’s usually best reserved for very small setups. If you need a logistics solution for a smaller booth set up, check out Brand Garage!