Event shipping that gets everything to your event on time, and home again.
For 35 years, NorthStar Express has shipped exhibits and event materials to trade shows, conferences, meetings and activations across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Your coach plans every shipment around your event's deadlines, and books the return before you leave.
Who we ship for
Pick the one that sounds like you to see how a Shipping Coach fits the way you work.
Corporate exhibitors
Your display and materials, shipped to every show on your calendar and back again. See how it works for exhibitors
Associations
Registration materials, signage and supplies for your annual meeting and regional events. See how it works for associations
Corporate meeting planners
Kits and materials to hotels and venues for sales meetings, kickoffs and incentive trips. See how it works for meeting planners
Independent meeting planners
One coach across all your clients' events, so every shipment is on time and you stay in control. See how it works for independent planners
Marketing agencies
Activation and experiential materials for your clients' events, shipped on your schedule. See how it works for agencies
Government contractors
Event shipping for agency conferences and expos, with documentation handled. See how it works for contractors
How it works with your Shipping Coach
Four steps from your office to the event and back.
Tell us about your event
Send what's shipping, where it's going and your event dates. A quick email to your coach is all it takes.
We plan the timing
Your coach works out the best way in, whether that's a trade show's advance warehouse or straight to the venue, based on the event's deadlines and when your materials are ready.
We handle the paperwork
Your coach sends your shipping documents and labels, then we pick up, stack and wrap everything for the trip.
Delivered, and home again
Your materials arrive on time for your event, and the trip home is booked before you leave.
A real person who knows your event, not a ticket number.
When you ship with NorthStar, one Shipping Coach is your point of contact from the first email to the trip home. Your coach learns your event schedule, keeps track of each event's deadlines, sends your labels and paperwork, reminds you about the Material Handling Agreement when a trade show has one, and books the return before you leave.
When plans change, and they always do, you email one person who already knows the plan. Reach your coach at shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com or 703-532-0520, Monday to Friday, 8 to 6.
- One person from pickup to return
- Every event deadline tracked for you
- Labels and paperwork handled
- Your return booked before you leave
Have a full event calendar? Share it once.
With NorthStar 365, you send your event calendar once and your Shipping Coach plans the shipping for every event on it. Ninety days before each one, your coach reaches out with what needs to happen next, and materials can go straight from one event to the next or into storage in between.
It's optional and included at no added cost for NorthStar customers. Learn about NorthStar 365.
- Every event on your calendar, tracked by one coach
- Your coach reaches out before each event
- Event-to-event routing and storage in between
- No added cost for NorthStar customers
Shipping to events in Canada and Europe, with help at the border
We ship from anywhere in the U.S. to events in Canada, primarily Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, and to cities all over Europe, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Lead time is typically 8 to 12 business days, and shipments to Europe go primarily by air.
Your Shipping Coach helps you choose a customs broker if you need one, confirm the commercial invoice and stay on track with customs requests, and helps with ATA Carnets for Europe. See shipping to Canada and shipping to Europe.
- 8–12 business day lead time
- Help choosing a customs broker
- Commercial invoice support
- Return trip planned before you leave
What our customers say
“NorthStar provided some of the best support I’ve experienced managing trade shows. They were always there with solutions—and always with a smile. Their service was consistently professional, efficient, and cost-effective, whether for shipping or storage. When an exhibit shipment ran into trouble at an event, they stepped in and rescued it without missing a beat. As our show presence grew from a small display to a major show footprint, their service scaled with us. Two thumbs up for a partner that truly goes above and beyond.”
David Donovan
Senior Solutions Consultant / Events Manager
Listen to this testimonial · read by a NorthStar narrator
Frequently asked questions
What does NorthStar Express do?
NorthStar Express is an event shipping company with 35 years of shipping experience across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. One shipping coach manages each shipment from pickup to return.
What is a shipping coach?
Your shipping coach is the NorthStar person who helps manage your event shipping schedule, tracks the show deadlines, and handles confirmations, labels, bills of lading and Material Handling Agreement reminders.
Where do you ship?
Primarily the U.S., Canada, and Europe. See international event shipping.
What do you handle, and what does my exhibit team handle?
We palletize and plastic-wrap your materials, deliver them to your booth, unpack them, and plan the return shipment before the show. We don’t build crates or set up displays: your exhibit house or I&D crew handles setup, and we schedule around them.
Can you store our materials between shows?
Yes. We offer short and long-term storage coast to coast, and your coach ships straight from storage to the next show.
How do I get started?
Tell us what’s shipping, where it’s going and when. Request a quote, email shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com or call 703-532-0520.
Tell us about your next event.
Request a quote, or email your Shipping Coach directly at shippingcoach@northstarexpress.com or call 703-532-0520, Monday to Friday, 8 to 6.