Booth cost estimates at San Diego Convention Center
San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA: installation labor runs $120–$282 an hour and drayage $130–$365 per 100 lb at published rates. Exhibiting with a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth typically costs $42.5k – $95.4k all-in. These are market estimates, not Purple Exhibits prices.
- CitySan Diego, CA
- Labor$120–$282/hr
- Drayage$130–$365 per 100 lb
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain
What exhibiting at San Diego Convention Center costs
Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
| Booth size | Rental exhibit | Custom or hybrid | Open in calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 inline | $16.8k – $43.4k | $27.3k – $59.1k | Adjust |
| 10×20 inline | $28.9k – $69.9k | $42.5k – $95.4k | Adjust |
| 20×20 island | $45.9k – $114k | $69.2k – $160k | Adjust |
| 20×30 island | $67.2k – $165k | $100k – $233k | Adjust |
These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They cover everything it takes to exhibit, and much of the total is paid to the show organizer, its contractors, airlines and hotels: floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel. In a 10×20 custom or hybrid budget, the exhibit itself is about $21.6k – $43.2k. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your booth, ask for a quote.
Where the money goes
Each line links to the document the number comes from. Official means published by the venue or show.
10×20 custom or hybrid
| Exhibit10×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $21.6k – $43.2k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)1,800 lb at $130–$365 per 100 lb | $2.3k – $6.6k | Official |
| Installation & dismantle16–28 crew hours at $120–$282/hr | $1.9k – $7.9k | Official |
| Electrical2–3 500-watt outlets at $243 each (venue price list) | $486 – $729 | Official |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $2.7k – $5.7k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space200 sq ft at $24–$65/sq ft | $4.8k – $13k | Industry guide |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $3.9k – $8.7k | Industry guide |
| Total | $42.5k – $95.4k | |
20×20 custom or hybrid island
| Exhibit20×20 custom / hybrid: structure, graphics, flooring, lighting, AV, design | $36k – $72k | Industry guide |
|---|---|---|
| Drayage (material handling)3,600 lb at $130–$365 per 100 lb | $4.7k – $13.1k | Official |
| Installation & dismantle32–56 crew hours at $120–$282/hr | $3.8k – $15.8k | Official |
| Electrical2–4 20-amp drops at $173–$350 each | $346 – $1.4k | Industry guide |
| Freight shippingRound trip, cross-country | $3.6k – $7.8k | Estimate |
| Lead retrievalBadge-scanning app license or device | $299 – $705 | Official |
| Floor space400 sq ft at $24–$65/sq ft | $9.6k – $26k | Industry guide |
| Travel & staffing3 people | $4.5k – $9k | Industry guide |
| Contingency (10%)Change orders, rush fees, surprises | $6.3k – $14.6k | Industry guide |
| Total | $69.2k – $160k | |
Rates at San Diego Convention Center
Published labor (2026) for CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show, San Diego Convention Center, Dec 3-4 2026: $225.75/hr straight time, $395.5 overtime. Published drayage (2026) for CSBA 2026: $365 per 100 lb.
- Installation & dismantle labor
- $120–$282 per hour, straight time Official
- Drayage (material handling)
- $130–$365 per 100 lb, round trip, 200 lb minimum Official
- Electrical
- $243–$365 per 500-watt outlet (advance price, then the standard price) Official
- Wired internet
- $895–$1,140 for a basic connection Official
- Setting up your own booth
- GES San Diego work rules (CSBA 2026): Decorators union; exhibitor may set up own display if one person can do it in less than 1/2 hour without tools; otherwise union personnel (https://ordering.ges.com/025601813/workrules). Levy/IADR 2026 manual states a more lenient 1 hour, one full-time employee, no tools; exhibitor staff may work 1:1 alongside union installers in Southern California. Hand-carry only what one person can carry in one trip, no dollies. Official
How San Diego Convention Center compares
Published rates at the 28 US venues that publish their own.
Shows at San Diego Convention Center
Pick a show to see its estimate.
- California Bridal & Wedding ExpoOct 11, 2026
- ANESTHESIOLOGY (ASA Annual Meeting)Oct 16–20, 2026
- TCT (Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics)Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2026
- TwitchConNov 13–15, 2026
- Fintech NerdconNov 19–20, 2026
- CSBA Annual Education Conference & Trade ShowDec 3–5, 2026
- Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC US)Dec 7–10, 2026
- Cell Bio (ASCB-EMBO Meeting)Dec 12–16, 2026
- USA Card ShowDec 12–13, 2026
- San Diego International Auto ShowDec 31, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- San Diego Home Show - WinterJan 16–17, 2027
- Advanced Therapies WeekJan 19–21, 2027
Exhibiting at San Diego Convention Center
How much does a booth at San Diego Convention Center cost?
Plan on $16.8k – $43.4k for a 10×10 rental booth and $42.5k – $95.4k for a 10×20 custom or hybrid booth. A 20×20 island runs $69.2k – $160k. Totals include the exhibit, drayage, installation and dismantle labor, electrical, round-trip freight, floor space, travel for three people, lead retrieval and a 10% contingency.
How much is drayage at San Diego Convention Center?
Drayage at San Diego Convention Center runs $130–$365 per 100 lb, round trip, with a 200 lb minimum. A 10×20 custom booth ships about 1,800 lb, so drayage comes to about $2.3k – $6.6k. Your show's exhibitor kit has the exact rate.
What does installation labor cost at San Diego Convention Center?
Published installation and dismantle rates run $120–$282 per hour at straight time. Overtime is usually 1.5 times that. A 10×20 custom booth takes about 16–28 crew hours, so labor comes to $1.9k – $7.9k.
Are these Purple Exhibits prices?
No. These are typical market costs, worked out from published venue and show rates and industry price benchmarks. They are not Purple Exhibits prices. They include floor space, drayage, union labor, electrical and travel, which are paid to the show and its contractors, not to the booth builder. For Purple Exhibits' own price on your booth, ask for a quote.
Can I set up my own booth at San Diego Convention Center?
GES San Diego work rules (CSBA 2026): Decorators union; exhibitor may set up own display if one person can do it in less than 1/2 hour without tools; otherwise union personnel (https://ordering.ges.com/025601813/workrules). Levy/IADR 2026 manual states a more lenient 1 hour, one full-time employee, no tools; exhibitor staff may work 1:1 alongside union installers in Southern California. Hand-carry only what one person can carry in one trip, no dollies.
More booth cost pages
- San Diego Convention Center exhibitor guide
- Booth costs at Javits Center
- Booth costs at McCormick Place
- Booth costs at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- Booth costs at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
- Booth costs at Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- Booth costs at Las Vegas Convention Center
- Booth costs at Anaheim Convention Center
- Booth costs at Kentucky Exposition Center
- Drayage and labor rates by venue
- Booth cost calculator: all 2,300 US shows
Numbers updated October 2026 from published exhibitor kits and price lists. Rates are set per show, so your exhibitor kit has the final prices.
Want Purple's price at San Diego Convention Center?
The numbers on this page are market estimates. Send us your booth size and we'll quote our own price, line by line, within 24 hours.
