"House Labor Only"
Red Flag
All physical labor on-site must be performed by the venue's contracted union crew. You, your crew, and your vendor's tech staff cannot touch equipment, move cases, run cable, or perform any physical task that a stagehand would normally do.
⚠ Budget for a full union call. Your AV vendor's techs become supervisors only. If you're used to your vendor's crew doing load-in and setup, that doesn't happen here.
→ Ask the venue: "Which tasks does 'house labor only' cover? Can my AV tech operate the console they programmed?"
"Local X Jurisdiction Applies"
Red Flag
A specific union local has a standing agreement with this venue. Any work falling within that local's defined scope must be performed by their members. The jurisdiction scope varies by local — IBEW usually covers electrical only; IATSE jurisdiction can cover everything from rigging to AV to load-in.
→ Google "[Local Name] collective bargaining agreement scope of work" to understand exactly what they cover before your call.
"Exclusive In-House AV"
Know This
The venue has an exclusive contract with a specific AV company (Encore, Freeman, etc.). You may be required — or strongly pressured — to use their services. Bringing in outside vendors may trigger additional fees or restrictions.
⚠ This is a revenue play by the venue, not a union rule. But it can interact with union jurisdiction: the in-house AV company may be the sole union-authorized operator of house systems.
→ Ask: "Can I bring my own AV vendor?" and "What are the patch/connection fees for outside vendors?" Get both answers in writing.
"Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC)"
Know This
At trade shows and expos, a vendor you bring in yourself rather than using the show's official general contractor. EACs are allowed at most shows but must follow the show's rules — and often must still use union labor for certain tasks on the show floor.
→ EAC forms are usually due 8–12 weeks before the show. Missing the deadline means you lose EAC rights and must use the official contractor at their rates.
"Drayage"
Red Flag
The movement of freight from a convention center's loading dock to your booth or event space — and back out again. At most convention centers, drayage is controlled by the official general contractor and is a Teamster jurisdiction task.
⚠ Drayage is often the biggest hidden cost at trade shows. It's charged by weight and can equal or exceed your shipping costs. Budget for it explicitly — it's not optional.
→ Always ask: "What is the drayage rate per hundredweight?" before finalizing your freight plan. Rates are posted in the exhibitor services kit.
"Minimum Call" / "4-Hour Minimum"
Red Flag
Any worker called to a job is paid for a minimum number of hours — typically 4 — regardless of actual work time. If you call in a stagehand for a 45-minute task, you owe them 4 hours.
⚠ Minimum calls apply per person. "We just need two people for an hour" = 2 people × 4-hour minimum = 8 billed person-hours.
"Meal Penalty"
Red Flag
If union crew work beyond a defined period without a meal break (usually 6 hours from call time), a penalty rate triggers per person and continues until a break is provided.
⚠ Stewards track this to the minute. "We'll grab food in a bit" does not pause the clock. Set a literal countdown timer the moment your call begins.
→ Build meal breaks into your schedule before the show. A scheduled 30-min break costs far less than 10 people on meal penalty for an hour.
"Show Call" vs. "Work Call"
Know This
A work call is labor for load-in, setup, or load-out. A show call is labor to run an active event. Different rules, rates, and sometimes minimum crew sizes apply to each. Not all contracts distinguish between them — confirm with your local.