Compare Calgary Receiving vs Storage Costs

Know What You’re Paying For Before You Ship

Before booking your trade show freight, it’s worth comparing two very different approaches to getting your materials into Stampede Park: paying receiving fees at the BMO Centre or staging freight with a Calgary exhibitor storage warehouse like Mondogigs.

Most exhibitors are shocked by the difference. What looks like a simple “convenience fee” at the venue can quickly balloon into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unexpected charges. If you’ve already missed the venue’s receiving deadline, see our Missed BMO Centre Advance Receiving page to learn how to keep your costs under control.

Typical BMO Centre Receiving Costs

Here’s what many exhibitors end up paying when they ship directly to the venue:

• Per-hundredweight (CWT) receiving fees often charged at minimum weights, even for small shipments

• Union minimums billed for as little as a single crate

• Overtime rates for evening or weekend deliveries

• Storage fees for empty crates or excess inventory

• Setup rush fees caused by delayed freight access

For many companies, the total bill ranges from $800 to over $2,000, depending on shipment size, timing, and services required.

If your shipment is oversized, late, or arriving on a weekend, consider scheduling After Hours & Weekend Receiving instead to avoid penalties.

Typical Storage Costs with Mondogigs

By staging freight off-site at a Calgary exhibitor storage facility, you can control costs and avoid surprise charges. Our short-term trade show storage starts around $495, which typically includes:

• Secure storage near BMO Centre

• Flexible delivery and pickup windows, including evenings and weekends

• No union minimums or overtime receiving fees

• Optional add-ons like pallet disposal, booth prep, or extended storage

For oversized freight or complex shipments, we also offer Warehouse Loading Help & Pickup Support to make handling easier.

The Cost Gap: What Most Exhibitors Save

When you break it down, most exhibitors save hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars by staging freight off-site instead of paying venue receiving charges.

But the savings go beyond money. You also:

• Gain more control over delivery timing and pickup

• Reduce stress and setup uncertainty

• Eliminate delays caused by dock bottlenecks

• Avoid overtime or union billing surprises

If you missed the official receiving window, you can still lower costs by booking Urgent Receiving Services before your shipment arrives.

Example Scenario

• Venue Receiving: $1,450 total – CWT receiving fee, weekend overtime, and empty crate storage

• Off-Site Storage with Mondogigs: $495 total – includes storage, staging, and flexible pickup

Estimated Savings: ~$955 and a guaranteed stress-free setup.

Next Steps: Estimate Your Costs

Want to see how much you could save by staging freight near Stampede Park instead of shipping directly to the venue?

✅ Request a Storage Quote – Get a price in under 24 hours
✅ Talk to a Specialist – Discuss receiving, storage, or staging options
✅ Learn About After Hours Receiving – Avoid overtime and cutoff fees