CES Show Service Guide for Exhibitors

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In our previous CES guides, we covered booth registration, hotels, and transportation tips to help exhibitors plan their journey to Las Vegas. But there’s another critical factor that often surprises first-time participants: CES show services.

From electricity and internet to union labor, rigging, and drayage fees, every detail of a booth setup at CES comes with a cost. In this article, we’ll break down what’s included in CES show services, why they matter, and how exhibitors can save money while still making an impact on the show floor.

What is included in CES show services?

Every booth at CES requires a set of essential services — electricity, internet, drainage, furniture, and cleaning. The providers vary depending on the venue: Freeman at the LVCC, Venetian Order Service at the Venetian Expo, and direct orders through hotels like Aria or Mandalay Bay.

❗️A crucial tip: apply early.
CES show services offer early-bird pricing that can save around 20%. For a large booth, that discount alone can add up to thousands of dollars in savings.

What are CES show service costs and union labor rules?

Major U.S. trade shows—including CES—require union crews for specific work. Union electricians wire your booth; rigging teams hang ceiling structures; dedicated technicians install internet. Because everyone bills by the hour, on-site changes snowball into real money.

The most expensive parts of CES show service typically fall into three categories:

1. Booth carpentry – complex wooden builds require many workers and long installation times.
2. Labor hours – the more you adjust on-site, the more you pay.
3. Rigging – ceiling structures are among the most costly services.

Rigging in particular escalates quickly. Trusses are billed per meter, and you’re also charged for every screw, hook, rope, and chain. On top of that, a rigging crew often requires two workers to assemble, two to operate, and two for safety management. In other words, every single element has a cost — and those costs add up fast.

Cost-saving tip: If you are using a modular or prefabricated booth, finish details such as signage or graphics at the warehouse before shipping to Las Vegas. Every extra hour spent handling those details during installation means additional union labor fees.

👉 For a full list of official labor rules, see the CES Show Rules & Regulations manual.

What is the CES material handling fee?

Another hidden cost is material handling, commonly called drayage. Exhibitors cannot unload materials directly at the show floor. All shipments must go through official contractors.

There are two main delivery methods:

• Advance Warehouse: Ship your materials to a designated warehouse before CES, then they are delivered to your booth.
• Direct to Show Site: Deliver to the marshaling yard, where trucks are weighed upon entry and exit. Charges are based on the weight delivered.

At CES, material handling fees are weight-based, which means heavy wooden structures dramatically increase costs. This is why even large exhibitors often prefer fabric walls and lightweight materials — they reduce both drayage and labor fees.

What This Means for Your CES Planning

Plan early, design light, and minimize on-site adjustments. By doing so, you lower CES show service costs, protect your timeline, and keep the focus on your product story. Finally, lock deadlines on a calendar and assign owners for each order—missed cutoffs erase early-bird savings in a heartbeat.

See our CES Portfolio → Roborock CES 2025

CES 2026 Hotels and Transportation Tips

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In the first part, we looked at why CES is considered the world’s leading tech show. In this second part, we focus on what really drives business at CES. Since CES is primarily a B2B event, countless business discussions take place not only on the show floor but also across hotels and lounges throughout Las Vegas. This guide shares essential information and tips on CES hotels and transportation to help exhibitors plan smarter for CES 2026.

Hotels Near CES 2026

Finding the right hotel during CES can save you hours every day. The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) is the main venue, and hotels within walking distance — such as Westgate, Renaissance, and Resorts World — are the most convenient.

The Venetian Expo is another major venue, and here the advantage is clear: the Venetian Hotel is directly connected to the Expo. Exhibitors staying at the Venetian can move between their rooms and the show floor without needing a car. However, this convenience comes at a price. During CES, rates at the Venetian and other Strip hotels with easy access to venues increase significantly. 😨
Because of high demand, early booking is essential.

If driving, hotels within a 10-minute radius can also work — but expect heavy traffic at peak hours. This is why many exhibitors prefer properties served by CES shuttle routes or the Las Vegas Monorail, which connect major hotels to the LVCC and Venetian Expo. Choosing one of these hotels can save valuable time and reduce stress during the show.

CES Parking

Parking during CES can be extremely crowded, especially on the first two days of the show. If you plan to drive, arrive at least two hours early to secure a spot.

LVCC Parking

Parking at the Las Vegas Convention Center is $15 per space on show days, with in-and-out privileges. Multiple lots are available, but the Orange Lot is reserved for loading and unloading.

Venetian Expo Parking

The closest option is the Palazzo parking garage (Google Maps link).

• • Hotel guests: $20/day with unlimited in-and-out access.
• • Non-hotel guests: $20/day (Mon–Thu), $23/day (Fri–Sun). Each entry is charged separately.
• • Valet parking: $40/day.
• Event-specific rates may apply, so always check posted signage for the latest information.

For exhibitors staying at the Venetian hotel, unlimited in-and-out access is a major advantage. Non-guests, however, should budget carefully since fees add up with each entry.

Parking Tips

• • Exhibitors: Parking at the convention center is often unavoidable for loading and unloading.
• • Attendees: Public transit is usually more efficient. Parking at hotels like MGM Grand allows easy access to the Las Vegas Monorail, helping you beat the rush and save time.

CES Shuttle

CES operates a large shuttle system that connects major hotels with the LVCC and Venetian Expo. Shuttles run continuously during show hours, with pickup and drop-off zones clearly marked at participating hotels.

While shuttles are free and convenient, wait times can be long during peak hours, especially in the morning and after show close. Plan extra time if you rely on this service. For exhibitors with tight schedules, ride-shares or the Vegas Loop are often faster alternatives.

Hours of Operation

• Morning service starts around 7:00 AM and continues until the show opens.
• Afternoon return service begins after show close and usually runs until 6:30 PM (varies by route).

Vegas Loop during CES

The Vegas Loop has become one of the most talked-about ways to get around Las Vegas, and it’s especially useful during CES. The loop runs underneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, connecting the West, Central, and South Halls. What could be a long walk across the massive LVCC campus takes just a few minutes by Loop, saving valuable time between meetings.

The system also connects directly to nearby hotels including Westgate, Resorts World, and Encore. If you’re staying at one of these properties, the Loop is an easy and efficient option for getting to the show. It’s not only convenient but also a unique experience that many visitors want to try while in Las Vegas.

Vegas Loop Hours of Operation

• Convention Center & Encore: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
• Riviera, Resorts World & Westgate: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Fares

• Single Ride: $4.25
• Round Trip: $7.00
• Day Pass: $12.50

Uber & Lyft during CES

Taxis operate alongside ride-share services like Uber and Lyft. Both the LVCC and Venetian Expo have designated drop-off and pickup zones, and passengers can only board at those points. Knowing these zones in advance helps you avoid confusion and delays when heading to or from your meetings.

Uber & Lyft Drop/Pickup Zones

• • LVCC Central Gate: Google Maps link
• • LVCC South Gate: Google Maps link
• • Venetian Expo: Google Maps link

Las Vegas Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail offers a fast, traffic-free way to reach CES. It runs directly to the LVCC station, with additional stops along the Strip.

Las Vegas Monorail Key Stations

• MGM Grand
• Bally’s/Paris
• Flamingo/Caesars Palace
• Harrah’s/The LINQ
• Westgate Las Vegas
• LVCC (Convention Center)

Monorail Hours of Operation

• Monday: 7:00 AM – Midnight
• Tuesday–Thursday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM
• Friday–Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Monorail Fares

• One-Ride: $6 ($5.50 eTicket)
• 1-Day Pass: $15 ($13.45 eTicket)
• 2-Day Pass: $26 ($23.75 eTicket)
• 3-Day Pass: $32 ($29.95 eTicket)
• 4-Day Pass: $39 ($37 eTicket)
• 5-Day Pass: $47 ($44.50 eTicket)
• 7-Day Pass: $62 ($57.50 eTicket)

Purchasing eTickets online not only saves money but also time, since you can skip the ticket vending machine lines.

In this guide, we looked at the many ways to navigate CES hotels and transportation — from parking and ride-shares to the Vegas Loop, shuttles, and the monorail. Each option has its own pros and cons, but planning ahead will save you valuable time and energy during the busiest tech show of the year.

In the next part of our CES series, we’ll shift focus to booth registration and show services — essential steps every exhibitor needs to understand before setting foot in Las Vegas.

From booth design to end-to-end show management, we deliver results exhibitors can trust.
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