Earlier quoted context omitted.
Cite please. Was that ever really a law anywhere other than Victoria, Australia?
Actually it is the law at every trade show I've ever exhibited at, just about to the point where you can't plug in anything without a union electrician doing it. One can usually get away with plugging in a laptop, but certainly if you need anything more than the single standard 10A 2-outlet power drop, expect to pay and wait for the official electrician (and they will kick you out of the show for violations). Edit: I…
I've read that you can't move chairs, etc, either. I understand it's part of the contracts between venues and unions.