WEFTEC 2026 Exhibitor Guide: Booth Builders, Rules, Costs & Exhibitor List
WEFTEC — Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition. Everything exhibitors need to plan a booth at WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans, LA — dates, venue, exhibitor list & floor plan, booth builders and EAC labor, show rules, material handling, union labor, electrical costs and key deadlines.
WEFTEC 2026 overview
| Show | WEFTEC |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing & Logistics |
| Venue | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center |
| City | New Orleans, LA |
| Next dates | Sep 26, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 |
| Attendees | 23,000+ |
| Exhibitors | 1,146 |
| Official website | www.weftec.org |
WEFTEC 2026 dates and location
WEFTEC 2026 is scheduled for Sep 26, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Confirm the official dates and hall assignments on the WEFTEC website before booking travel or freight.
WEFTEC 2026 exhibitor list
The official WEFTEC exhibitor directory and company listings are published by the show organizer. View it here: WEFTEC exhibitor directory ↗. Already on the list? BoothFlip helps you find a booth builder, designer or EAC to bring your stand to life.
WEFTEC 2026 floor plan and booth planning
Pick your booth size and hall using the official WEFTEC interactive floor plan, then plan the build with BoothFlip. Whether you need a 10×10 inline, a 20×20 island or a large custom stand at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, our tools estimate weight, material handling and labor so you can budget accurately.
WEFTEC booth builder & exhibit design help
Need a custom booth, a rental exhibit, or a fresh design for WEFTEC? BoothFlip matches you with vetted booth builders and exhibit designers who compete for your project — for new custom builds, modular rentals and renovations.
WEFTEC EAC contractors & I&D labor in New Orleans
For install & dismantle (I&D) labor, supervision and on-site services, connect with exhibitor-appointed contractors (EACs) in New Orleans. Find New Orleans EAC contractors → or browse the full BoothFlip EAC network → for other cities.
WEFTEC show rules & exhibitor manual
Booth-height limits, hanging-sign rules and line-of-sight requirements are set in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / display rules. Check the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual for the current rules. Always verify the latest rules with show management before finalizing your design.
WEFTEC material handling, drayage & electrical costs
Services are ordered through the official show contractor. Typical exhibitor-paid costs:
| Material handling (drayage) | ~$150/cwt advance rate (floor/overtime rates run higher) |
|---|---|
| Electrical | from $160 (advance order) |
| Install/dismantle labor | ~$135/hr (ST; OT/DT higher on weekends/holidays) |
These are planning estimates — confirm current rates and forms in the official WEFTEC service kit.
WEFTEC union labor rules in New Orleans
New Orleans is a right-to-work city where exhibitors and EACs can generally set up their own booths (union labor is available but not required). Electrical, rigging, forklift and material handling may still be venue-controlled, so Ernest N. Morial Convention Center jurisdictions must be verified in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / service kit.
WEFTEC exhibitor deadlines & move-in schedule
Exact WEFTEC order deadlines and move-in / move-out times are published only in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / service kit. As a general planning guide, most U.S. shows follow this pattern:
- Discount / advance-order deadline: typically about 4–6 weeks before opening — ordering early usually saves ~25–40%.
- Advance warehouse / freight deadline: usually about 2–4 weeks before opening.
- Exhibitor move-in / setup: commonly begins 1–3 days before the show opens (large islands and hanging-sign booths earlier).
- Show dates: Sep 26, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026.
- Move-out / dismantle: starts right after the show closes.
These are general estimates, not official WEFTEC dates. Verify every deadline and move-in/move-out time against the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / service kit.
WEFTEC booth rental, custom booths & used booths
For WEFTEC you can commission a new custom booth, rent a modular exhibit, or buy a used / pre-owned trade show booth and have it refurbished and rebranded — often at a fraction of a new custom build. Browse used trade show booths →. Have a booth to sell after the show? List it on BoothFlip →.
Frequently asked questions
When is WEFTEC 2026?
WEFTEC 2026 runs Sep 26, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Always confirm the exact dates on the official WEFTEC website.
Where is WEFTEC 2026 held?
WEFTEC 2026 takes place at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
How do I find the WEFTEC 2026 exhibitor list?
The official WEFTEC exhibitor directory / floor plan is published by the show. BoothFlip links to it and can help you find a booth builder or EAC to exhibit.
Where can I find the WEFTEC 2026 floor plan?
The interactive floor plan is on the official WEFTEC exhibitor site. Use it to pick your booth size and hall; BoothFlip helps you plan and build the booth itself.
Do I need a booth builder for WEFTEC?
Most custom exhibitors hire a booth builder or EAC. BoothFlip matches you with vetted builders and designers who compete for your WEFTEC project.
Can exhibitors set up their own booth at WEFTEC?
New Orleans is a right-to-work city where exhibitors and EACs can generally set up their own booths (union labor is available but not required). Electrical, rigging, forklift and material handling may still be venue-controlled, so Ernest N. Morial Convention Center jurisdictions must be verified in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / service kit. Also confirm any small-booth exceptions with show management.
What are the WEFTEC booth height rules?
Standard U.S. display rules usually cap linear/inline booths around 8–12 ft and islands higher, but limits vary by show. Verify booth-height and hanging-sign rules in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual.
Does WEFTEC require union labor?
New Orleans is a right-to-work city where exhibitors and EACs can generally set up their own booths (union labor is available but not required). Electrical, rigging, forklift and material handling may still be venue-controlled, so Ernest N. Morial Convention Center jurisdictions must be verified in the official WEFTEC exhibitor manual / service kit.
Who is the official contractor for WEFTEC?
The official general services contractor is named in the WEFTEC exhibitor service kit (commonly Freeman or GES).
How much does it cost to exhibit at WEFTEC?
Beyond booth space, budget for booth build/rental, material handling (~$150/cwt advance), electrical (from $160), install/dismantle labor (~$135/hr) and freight. Get a tailored quote through BoothFlip.
How do I order electrical for a WEFTEC booth?
Electrical is ordered through the official service kit; advance orders (from $160) are cheaper than floor rates. Confirm the current form and deadline in the WEFTEC exhibitor manual.
Can I use a used trade show booth at WEFTEC?
Yes — a pre-owned booth can be refurbished and rebranded for WEFTEC. Browse used booths on BoothFlip's marketplace.
How do I find an EAC contractor for WEFTEC?
Use BoothFlip's EAC network for New Orleans to get matched with vetted exhibitor-appointed contractors for install & dismantle (I&D) and setup.
What are WEFTEC material handling or drayage costs?
Advance material handling runs about $150/cwt (per cwt/100 lbs or per lb); floor/overtime rates are higher. Confirm current drayage rates in the the official show contractor service kit.
What are the WEFTEC 2026 exhibitor deadlines?
As a planning guide, the discount / advance-order deadline is usually ~4–6 weeks before opening, the advance-warehouse freight deadline ~2–4 weeks before, and move-in typically starts 1–3 days before the show opens. Verify every WEFTEC deadline and the move-in / move-out schedule in the official exhibitor manual / service kit.
Can I rent a booth for WEFTEC instead of buying?
Yes — modular rental exhibits and refurbished used booths are both cost-effective options for WEFTEC. BoothFlip's builders offer custom builds, rentals and used-booth refurbishment; request a quote to compare.