Custom Block Package – The Custom Block Package is how you pay for your most common services, including Material Handling, Nightly Vacuuming, Carpet, and Visqueen. Every exhibitor will be placed into a custom block package; it is not optional. Your booth freight density determines your Custom Block Package color. Additional services are included based on package level selection. Please see the General Contractor (GES) tile on the Exhibitor Homepage for a more in-depth look at the packages.
Freight Density – Freight Density is used to determine the Custom Block Color you will be charged. This is calculated by taking your total freight weight and dividing it by your booth’s square footage. The July mailer has a full breakdown of costs based on color and level.
Material Handling – Material Handling, also known as Drayage or Freight, refers to all goods you ship to the show. These are your machines, displays, furniture, booth properties, small packages through UPS or FedEx, etc. Everything is weighed on-site, and that weight is used to help determine your Custom Block Package.
Freight Planner – The Freight Planner is in the GES Expresso pages of your e-Kit and must be filled out by every exhibitor with a booth space of 600 square feet or more. The planner asks for all machinery weights and dimensions, your display’s total weight, contact information for who will be on-site for your booth build, and your carrier information.
Target Date – IMTS 2026 is a targeted show for inbound and outbound freight. All exhibitors will receive an assigned Target Date and timeframe when your carrier must check in at the Marshalling Yard to deliver or pick up your freight. Target Dates are released mid-April.
Marshalling Yard – The Marshalling Yard is a big truck parking lot next to the South Building of McCormick Place. All drivers will be required to weigh their freight on-site and then check in at the GES office in this yard during their assigned Target Date and timeframe. Please see the General Contractor (GES) tile on the Exhibitor Homepage for a more in-depth look at the Marshalling Yard.
Rigging Labor – In Chicago, Rigging Labor is associated with all work needing to be done on your machines. If you need forklifts to do any work on your machines, like spotting or assembly, you must set up Rigging Labor. This can be done in the GES pages of your e-Kit or on-site at the Labor Desk.
Off-Target – If your truck does not check in on your Target Date and timeframe, that shipment is considered Off-Target and is subject to a penalty of $23.54 per CWT. Please refer to your Target Dates so you do not incur this penalty.
As always, if you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Tom Gilmore Jr. at tgilmorejr@ges.com or our help center at IMTSservice@ges.com.
