At Cobo Center, we believe that an informed exhibitor is a successful exhibitor. To provide exhibitors with the facts about our policies, Cobo Center has developed a list of commonly asked questions and their answers. We are confident you will find Cobo to be the most flexible and user-friendly convention center in the nation.

ABOUT OUR RATES

The rates charged by the exclusive contractors - which are electrical, cleaning and food service - are determined by COBO Center. These rates, as well as the rental rates for the building, are a matter of public record.
The management of COBO Center is not responsible for the rates of exhibit booth space, labor or other charges for services normally procured through your service contractors. Show security, AV contractors, florists, etc. are hired by your show management.
If you have any questions in advance of your event, contact your service contractor. If you have any problems or questions during your event at COBO Center, contact your service contractors and/or show management immediately.

Q. As an exhibitor, am I allowed to plug in my own electricity?
A. YES!

After the electrical contractor has brought the electrical service to the booth, exhibitors may plug in their own 110 volt circuits - the same voltage found in our homes and offices. Exhibitors must order the 110 volt circuit from the electrical contractor for which there is a fee.
The standard 110 volt circuit at COBO Center is a 20 amp duplex outlet which can support approximately four electrical appliances. For example, the outlet will support: computer (4 amps), light (3 amps), color monitor (2 amps), printer (2 amps).

Exhibitors may:

Exhibitors requiring circuits other than 110 volt circuits must order them from the electrical contractor and place a labor order for electricians who will make the connections and hardwire the equipment.

Electrical labor is billed at half hour minimums, compared to one hour minimums at most facilities. The electrical contractor is responsible for:

Q. Do I have to order labor to hook up equipment such as computers and other specialized technical equipment?
A. NO!

Product-to-product connections, data hook ups, as well as fine balancing and calibration of machinery and equipment, may be done by exhibitors and their technicians. Hardwiring of electrical power requires electricians.

Q. How are labor costs determined?
A. Labor rates paid by exhibitors are determined by the service contractors and agreed upon by show management. The service contractor is hired by show management.

Q. Is there any way to coordinate all of the individual trades I use and avoid multiple labor calls?
A. YES!

For your convenience, the labor ordered through the service contractor is consolidated into "composite crews."

Carpenters/Decorators
In some cities, carpenters and decorator are different trades, meaning exhibitors must place separate labor orders for certain tasks. For example, in many cities the display booth is built by carpenters while decorators are responsible for hanging the graphics in the booth. This situation results in an exhibitor placing two labor calls, each with a one hour minimum.

Carpenters at COBO Center handle all booth assembly, graphics, signage, carpet installation and other tasks normally involved in booth construction.

Teamsters/Riggers
In most cities, riggers handle machinery exclusively and teamsters handle only crate and box freight. When machinery and box freight arrive on the same truck, an exhibitor must place two separate labor calls with two separate minimums.

The trades and service contractors at COBO Center have the flexibility to adjust the makeup of composite crews based on the different skills needed for each task. A Teamster/Rigger Composite Crew handles all box freight drayage, machinery loading and unloading, machinery crating and uncrating, machinery skidding and unskidding and machinery assembly. In other words, rules have been adjusted to better service exhibitors' needs.

Q. In Detroit, is there a variable rate whenever work is done after normal business hours?
A. YES!

COBO Center's labor agreement provides:

Straight Time: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time and One Half: Hours before 8:00 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday.

Double Time: Sundays and holidays only.

Many labor agreements in other cities operate on straight time Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and double time prevails at all other times.
At COBO Center, labor understands that trade shows are not a 9-5 business and makes the time and one half provision as part of the master agreement. This arrangement and the excellent operational features of COBO Center have greatly reduced overtime costs for shows at COBO.

Q. Can the size of labor crews vary?
A. YES!

At COBO Center, crew sizes are flexible and are determined by the work which needs to be performed and with the exhibitors' discretion. Carpenters and electricians are typically ordered singularly by the exhibitor based on the size and sophistication of the booth. Box freight is delivered to the exhibit booth by a composite teamsters/rigger crew. Your show contractor determines the size of crews used for delivering show management material and for "housework."

Q. As an exhibitor, may I assemble my own booth?
A. YES!

At the discretion of the decorating contractor, exhibitors may erect their own displays in booths up to 300 square feet (10' x 10', 10' x 20' or 10' x 30') if it can be done by the exhibitor within two hours using only a hand-held rechargeable screwdriver.

Q. Am I allowed to unpack my own product?
A. YES!

COBO Center exhibitors may handle packing, unpacking and placement of product into booths, as well as unpacking and placement of other hand carried items.

Q. May I carry anything into COBO Center?
A. YES!

Exhibitors may hand carry in items in one trip without the aid of material handling equipment.
Like most public buildings, convention centers are designed with separate entrances for pedestrians and for deliveries. To maintain their facilities and avoid damages which might result from improper use of pedestrian entrances, convention centers must insist that pedestrian entryways not become mini-loading docks.

Q. Why are there so many rules for move-ins and move-outs?
A. Your show management and show contractors establish floor rules based on COBO Center's guidelines which were developed according to regulations of the fire marshal and other regulatory agencies for the protection of exhibitors, show management and COBO Center. Moving into and out of a convention center needs to be carefully organized to ensure a timely and safe assembly and dismantling period.

This information was accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change without notice. For more detailed information, please see COBO Center Exhibit and Exhibit Hall Guidelines.

Labor Training Program Improves Service
Detroit builds on its history as a leader in the organized labor movement with the implementation of a model program to improve service to exhibitors at COBO Conference/Exhibition Center.

A six week course was designed to introduce participants to all aspects of the trade show industry. Classes reviewed changes and opportunities in the field and taught the latest techniques in exhibit assembly. Customer service was given special emphasis, as well as the importance of maintaining a positive attitude.

Detroit's union labor has made a concerted effort to elevate the importance of customer service

Nearly 200 members of COBO Center's workforce participated in the special training, and the program achieved outstanding results. Many exhibitors and show managers comment favorably on the professionalism, skill and efficiency of Detroit's convention trades.

"Service has improved dramatically especially during move in and move out," said Donald Vincent, Robotic Industries Association Executive Vice President. "Nationally, from a service standpoint, COBO ranks with the best."

"We've found that the Society of Automotive Engineers Show puts the greatest demands on Detroit's trade labor force," said David Amati, Manager, Exhibits Division of SAE International. "We use more than 2,000 different members of organized labor over a two week period. The quality and the general attitude of labor has improved over the last several years to the point where overall satisfaction is better than ever.

"The leadership representing Detroit's unions is very cooperative," Amati said. "The union leadership is always asking how they can improve and serve us more efficiently. COBO's labor training program has helped the unions improve their service to exhibitors."