For event managers, exhibitors and production teams
Events and Exhibitions Courier Guide: Build-Up, Show Days and Breakdown
Event deliveries are set by the venue. Build-up slots, loading-bay rules and breakdown times decide when a van can arrive, not the customer. This guide explains how to book around those rules so your stand, AV and stock arrive in the window you've been given.
We cover all three stages: delivering kit before the show, emergency top-ups during it, and collecting everything afterwards. We work nights and weekends, which is often when venues run build-up and breakdown.
Collection and delivery are required — a town, city or postcode is enough.
Same-Day / Urgent
Need events and exhibitions deliveries today? Collection within 60–90 minutes, direct driver, status updates — your job goes straight to the front of the queue.
Car from £1.25/mile · £55 minimum
Flexible DeliveryTypically around 30% less
Not in a rush? Flexi7 allows collection and delivery within seven days. We can match your events and exhibitions deliveries with suitable vehicle movements, subject to route suitability and availability.
Ideal for furniture, marketplace pickups & non-urgent freight
Typical events and exhibitions consignments and the van that suits them
A starting guide only. Vehicle specifications vary, so we confirm the exact vehicle against the dimensions, weight and access requirements of your job before allocation.
Brochures, giveaways and samples
Usual vehicle: Car or small van
Show-day top-ups are the most common urgent job.
Pop-up stands and roller banners
Usual vehicle: Small to SWB van
Cased kit. Give a piece count.
AV, screens and lighting cases
Usual vehicle: SWB to LWB van
Flight cases travel strapped. Declare value for expensive kit.
Modular or shell-scheme stand components
Usual vehicle: LWB van to Luton
Long panels need load length, so give the largest size.
Catering and production equipment
Usual vehicle: SWB van to Luton
Tail-lift availability is confirmed at quotation.
See vehicle sizes and starting rates on our pricing page. Website prices are shown + VAT.
Before you book: what to have ready
Having these details ready lets us allocate the right vehicle and avoid a wasted journey.
- Venue name, hall and stand number
- Your build-up and breakdown slot times, and any vehicle booking reference the venue issues
- On-site contact with a mobile number, as halls often have poor signal
- Every case labelled with company name, stand number and 'x of y'
- Venue rules on vehicle size, unloading time limits and whether drivers can enter the hall
- Return address and collection time for breakdown
What happens on the day
1.Build-up
The driver arrives for your slot and unloads to the stand or the drop point the venue allows. Your contact signs for the piece count.
2.Show days
Urgent top-ups like brochures, samples or a replacement part are booked as same-day jobs to the hall entrance or your stand.
3.Breakdown
Collection is booked for your breakdown slot. If the hall releases vehicles late, waiting time may apply, as your quote explains.
Same-Day or Flexible: which to book
Book Same-Day when…
- Stock or brochures are running out mid-show
- A stand component or AV case was left behind
- A sample must reach a client meeting at the venue today
Urgent collection is typically 60–90 minutes, subject to availability and location.
Book Flexible when…
- Returning stand kit to storage after the show
- Sending non-urgent stock ahead of a show next week
- Moving kit between your own offices or stores
Flexible jobs are collected within an agreed window and cost less. The quote above shows both prices.
What we don't do
Knowing the limits up front saves you booking the wrong service.
- We don't build or dismantle stands. The driver delivers and collects.
- We don't provide on-site forklift or rigging. The venue or its contractor provides those.
- We don't store event kit long term between shows.
Goods are normally covered under the assigned driver's goods-in-transit policy up to £5,000. Taylors Courier Service Ltd's contractual liability is capped at £250 unless otherwise agreed in writing. Additional cover can be arranged before collection. How cover works
Events and exhibitions deliveries: common questions
The venue gave us a delivery slot. What if the van is early?
Drivers plan to arrive in your slot. If the venue holds vehicles in a marshalling area, the time spent there may count as waiting time. The terms are shown on your quote.
Can the driver bring kit into the hall?
Where the venue allows it, yes, to your stand or the nearest permitted point. Some halls only allow unloading at the door. Check your exhibitor manual.
Do you cover evenings and weekends?
Yes. We work 24/7, including nights, weekends and bank holidays, which suits most build-up and breakdown schedules.
Can you collect from the venue and take kit back to different offices?
Yes. Give each return address and what goes where, and we'll price it as one multi-drop route.
Related events and exhibitions services
Ready to book a events and exhibitions delivery?
Get both prices online in under a minute, or send the job details on WhatsApp and we'll confirm the right vehicle.