We have witnessed the shipping and transportation fee increases impact the cost of trade shows over the last several years. As states consider minimum wage proposals and legislation, should we brace for big changes in the trade show industry?
The short answer? It depends.
More than 20 states enacted new minimum wage hikes that went into effect in January and 29 states now have minimum wages above the federal mandate of $7.25 per hour. We may see trade show facility and management increases in non-union states, but so far the industry is still waiting to see what happens.
In this article in Trade Show Executive, Sandi Cain states, “Where minimum wages may end up having an impact is if a wage bump raises the cost of attending a trade show due to higher hotel, retail or restaurant wages.”
See the entire story about the potential impact to the trade show industry at Trade Show Executive.