If you’re planning your first trade show in Las Vegas, welcome—you’re in for an exciting (and slightly overwhelming) experience. With massive venues, tight deadlines, and nonstop energy, it’s easy to feel lost without a game plan. That’s why we’ve put together this quick survival guide to help you exhibit confidently and avoid common mistakes.

At Circle Exhibit, we’ve supported first-time and veteran exhibitors across hundreds of shows—so we know what works and what doesn’t.

1. Plan Early—Vegas Moves Fast

Trade shows in Vegas book up fast, from venue space to hotel rooms to labor schedules. Aim to start planning at least 6–8 weeks in advance, especially if you need custom fabrication, printing, or logistics.

Circle Exhibit offers in-house design and fabrication in Las Vegas, which cuts down lead time—but earlier is always better.

2. Know the Union Rules

Las Vegas is a union city, and each venue has its own rules about who can install, move, or plug in what. As an exhibitor, you can’t always set up your own booth or plug in your own AV equipment.

We’ll help you navigate union restrictions and handle labor coordination so your booth is show-compliant and ready on time.

3. Don’t Underestimate Shipping & Drayage

Drayage (material handling) fees in Vegas can add up quickly. These charges cover moving your booth materials from the loading dock to your booth space—yes, even a short 100-ft trip.

To save costs:

• Consolidate shipments

• Avoid late deliveries

• Use a local partner like Circle Exhibit (we stage, deliver, and even store booths locally to cut down on shipping headaches)

4. Pack Smart—You’re in the Desert

Vegas can be hot, dry, and exhausting. Bring comfortable shoes, lip balm, a refillable water bottle, and maybe an extra charger or fan for your booth.

Also: trade show floors are huge. Don’t wait until the last minute to walk across the venue.

5. Don’t DIY Everything

Trying to manage design, build, logistics, and paperwork alone? You’ll burn out fast. Work with a trusted partner like Circle Exhibit to handle:

• Design and layout approvals

• Graphics and printing

• Setup and teardown

• Furniture, AV, and lighting

• On-site service coordination

We know how Vegas shows work—so you don’t have to figure it all out from scratch.

Bonus Tips for First-Timers:

• Double-check show deadlines (electrical orders, hanging signs, etc.)

• Budget for hidden costs (show fees, overtime labor)

• Network after hours—Vegas is built for it

• Collect leads efficiently—bring a scanner or use the show app

• Have backup copies of everything (floor plan, graphics, schedules)
  
  

Your First Vegas Show Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

With the right planning and the right partner, your first Las Vegas trade show can be a smooth, successful experience. At Circle Exhibit, we specialize in helping brands make a strong first impression—without the stress.

👇👇👇Contact us today to talk through your first show. We’ve got you covered from concept to cleanup.