What Exhibitors Need to Know About Trade Show Marshalling Yards.
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Introduction to Marshalling Yards.
A trade show marshalling yard is a parking lot, freight yard, or other location where all trucks carrying exhibitor freight are required to check in and wait their turn to be called to the show facility’s dock for unloading.
Key Functions of a Marshalling Yard.
A marshalling yard has three primary functions.
It enables all trucks containing exhibitor freight to park in this one large, central location, ensuring that exhibitor crates and other freight are delivered to the expo hall in a timely and orderly way.
It eliminates roadblocks or traffic jams around the convention center, conference center, expo hall, or hotel.
It provides an off-site location close to the convention center or expo hall for the storage of excess show materials.
The map example below shows the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center’s marshalling yard in relation to the convention center facility.
Marshalling Yard vs. Loading Dock
While the marshalling yard is the staging area where drivers wait in their trucks to drop off all expo materials and exhibitor booths, the loading dock is part of the convention center or expo facility where drivers’ trucks are unloaded before a show begins and loaded again after a show is over.
Features of an Efficient Loading Dock.
A well designed and well run loading dock is one of the often overlooked elements of a successful trade show. Some convention center and expo hall loading dock features you may want to look for are:
A separate access road used only by vehicles delivering materials to a show and removing them after a show
A roof or structural overhang so trucks can be unloaded without rain, snow, or other inclement weather damaging exhibitor shipments
An interior staging area to efficiently position materials before they are brought to an exhibitor’s booth
Delivery bays strategically located for easy access to each of the individual exhibit halls
Stage doors or elephant doors which enable large trucks to drive onto the actual show floor
Dock levelers to adjust for the height difference between a truck and loading dock as well as the change in proximity of the truck and dock floor as a truck is loaded and unloaded
Temperature controlled to ease and expedite show setup, booth construction, and dismantle
source: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Covered loading dock at the Boston, Massachusetts Convention and Exhibition Center - BCEC.
source: Tradeshow Transport
Trade show shipping providers able to drive onto a convention center’s expo hall floor from the loading dock.
source: Raleigh Convention Center
Underground loading dock at the Raleigh, North Carolina Convention Center.
Importance of Trade Show Logistics
Marshalling yards are key to keeping trade shows on track. They organize and hold exhibitor freight before it hits the loading dock, which helps avoid delays and confusion. Knowing how these yards work and what you need to do as an exhibitor can save you a lot of headaches and keep your show running smoothly.
Are you new to trade show exhibiting and feel completely overwhelmed?
Trade Show 411: The Essential Guide to Exhibiting Like a Pro is a must-have for marketers and small business owners. It gives you both the strategy and action plan to set you off on the right foot. By linking your pre-show marketing strategy to onsite activities and post-show follow-up, you’ll get the most out of your sales and marketing efforts and maximize your trade show results.
