What is the difference between a General Service Contractor (GSC) and an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC)?

A General Service Contractor is hired by the trade show coordinator or display house to manage all of the logistics that go into producing a successful trade show, conference or expo.
Beyond setting up and tearing down the physical, decorative aspects of the expo hall—pipe and drape, banners, flooring, seating, tables and booths—the GSC is also responsible for performing duties including venue inspection, creating show-floor layouts, loading and unloading freight, supplying necessary equipment including forklifts, ladders, high lifts, hiring subcontractors, providing furniture, and hanging signs.

An EAC, on the other hand, is hired by the exhibitor to set up individual booths.

Maximus Service works as both a GSC and an EAC and has serviced events and exhibitors of all sizes, all across the United States.

What to look for in a General Service Contractor?

The show management/GSC relationship is a crucial to the outcome of the event. So how do you ensure that the General Service Contractor your hiring is the right one for the job?

Licensing / Insurance

First and foremost, it’s important for all GSCs to fully licensed and insured. This is imperative to make sure you are protected should anything happen on site during show set up or break down. To verify licensing and insurance, you can check with the local licensing authority, but a reputable contractor will have no problem providing proof of these credentials.

Permitting

A professional, reliable General Service Contractor will have no problem obtaining all of the necessary permits to avoid fines and premature tear down.

Reputation

Most general service contractors will be happy to provide a list of references and past clients who can speak on their behalf in terms of their professionalism and dependability. Take a look at their client testimonials and ask around.

Communication

Communication is key. As a show organizer, you’re going to have a million things on your mind and don’t need a GSC you have to track down for updates and every last detail. Clear, concise and proactive communication from a GSC makes all the difference. Ask former clients and partners about their communication and make note of how the RFQ process goes.