Ah, for the good old days of "Counter Air Freight"! OK, forget reminiscences... and check the shipping rates and types first, as well as how you would have to deliver and recover the air freight cargo - you might have to deliver and recover it to/from specified cargo terminals.

I use FedEx - they pick it up at my place of business and deliver it where I need it delivered, reliably. The problem is when a venue requires a receiving fee, as you say, but it may still be worth the money. (Or if you are staying at a hotel, have the package delivered to the hotel - they usually do not charge and they receive the package if they know I have a room booked.)