During the recent trip to the Dreamforce conference we were able to see the large and impressive displays and booths. The craftsmanship put into these temporary exhibitions can only be described as perfection. Most of the exhibits on display featured multi-million dollar companies with the expectation that they would hire private companies to create these temporary displays. Amazingly, all of this work was completed by union workers. Their implementation requires contracts, compliance with union rules and regulations, exhibitor protocols and more. Simply put, there is nothing simple about the construction invested in exhibits and booths at any convention in the United States. The relationship between unions and the event management industry when it comes to exhibits at these conventions is akin to the bullying of the turf war. Each city has a different union jurisdictions. Union jurisdictions are contracts negotiated with convention centers that limit, prohibit and specify which area exhibitors can set up otherwise they must depend on the union to complete the majority of the work under the terms of the union contract. In each agreement, common area unions have jurisdiction over: goods handlers, electricians, carpet installers, decorators (fabrics and furniture), carpenters (installation and dismantling of exhibits), stagehands (audiovisual) and fitters (positioning and suspension of heavy machinery (signage), plumbing, food and beverage and more. This list covers virtually all areas of exhibit set-up and dismantling. As an exhibitor, you do not pay for these services directly to the union but to multiple intermediaries. For my article, I interviewed Candy Adams, CTSM, CME, CEM, CMP, CMM, "The Booth Mom", an independent exhibition management consultant,... ...halfway through the article... ed. ." exhibitor. June. 2008. Exibitoronline.com. Network. 01 November 2013. Adams, Candy. Personal interview. 22 November 2013Brazil, Donna. “What have the unions done for us? "CNN. September 2012. CNN.com. Network. October 1, 2013. .Bruno, Michelle. “Working with unions at US trade shows.” Notes on the global view. June 7. 2012. Rerogers.com. Network. 29 October 2013. < http://rerogers.com/uploads/GVNotes _6_7_2012.pdf >. “How to work with the labor union at trade shows.” Tradegroup.com. National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc., Nov. 13, 2013. Web. Oct. 29, 2013 “Guide to U.S. City Fair Trade Union Jurisdictions.” Thetradeshownetwork.com. The Tradeshow Marketing Network Group, September 22, 2010 Web. October 10. 2013.