TRADE SHOW TERMS
Display Terms
Backwall - the wall panels that make up the back of a trade show exhibit
Booth Size - the size of the floor space occupied by an exhibit; usually in 10' x 10' increments
Custom wooden crate for trade show exhibit components.
Crate - a wooden container that is custom jigged and felt-lined for safe transport and storage of trade show exhibit components
Custom Display / Custom Exhibit - a trade show display or exhibit designed and constructed to meet the specific requirements of the exhibitor
Custom Rental Display / Exhibit - a rental display using existing exhibit components that are customized to the exhibitor's specifications for one time or limited use by the exhibitor
Display Builder - a company specializing in the fabrication of trade show exhibits
Exhibit Designer / Producer - a company specializing in the design and fabrication of trade show exhibits
Folding Panel Display System - an exhibit system of lightweight hinged panels that unfold to create a trade show display and fold flat for packing; usually finished in fabric on both sides
Hardwall Exhibit - a trade show exhibit with walls and components constructed of a solid material rather than fabric or other flexible materials
Header - a sign or other structure prominently located at the top of an exhibit often used to display the exhibit company's logo or tagline
K.D. (Knockdown) - an exhibit structure or component that is assembled on site for the trade show and then disassembled for efficient packing and shipment
Modular Exhibit - a custom exhibit or a portable display system designed and constructed for use in various booth configurations and sizes, i.e. components from a 20'x30' exhibit can be used to create a 10'x20' exhibit and/or a 10'x10' exhibit
Panel Display System - an exhibit system of lightweight prefabricated panels of various sizes that connect to each other to form a trade show display
Popup Display - a lightweight trade show display with an expanding framework that supports fabric or graphic panels; accessories include lights, shelves, monitor cut-outs, and case-to-counter podiums
Portable Display / Exhibit - a lightweight display that can be moved by the exhibitor without the use of a forklift or dolly
Prefab Display - an exhibit that has been pre-built for ready installation on the trade show floor
Rental Booth - a pre-designed trade show booth offered to exhibitors for rent as a complete booth package
Self-Contained Exhibit - a display with a shipping case or cases that are used as an integral part of the exhibit at a trade show
Stock Exhibit - a pre-designed trade show exhibit modified to meet particular requirements of an exhibitor
Table Top Display - a trade show display designed for use on a table top or similar surface
Floor Terms
Accessible Storage - an area provided by show contractors that is accessible during trade show hours for storage of collateral, giveaways, and other items that cannot be stored in the booth but to which an exhibitor needs access
Exhibitor crates and carpet on the first day of move-in on the trade show floor.
Aisle - a walkway for visitors through a trade show or exhibit hall
Aisle Carpet - carpet installed in trade show aisles
Aisle Signs - signs identifying trade show aisle numbers or letters; usually hung from the ceiling
Boneyard - a trade show storage area for empty exhibit crates and show contractor materials
Booth Space / Booth Area - the area of the floor in the exhibit hall assigned to an exhibitor for the setup of their trade show display
Cherry Picker - equipment with a manoeuvrable boom with an open bucket or cage used to lift a worker to a given height to perform aerial work such as rigging hanging signs from the exhibit hall ceiling
Column - a pillar in a trade show exhibit hall that supports the ceiling, roof, or other overhead structures; usually indicated on a trade show floor plan as a solid square
Contractor - an individual or company that provides services or materials such as furniture rental, cleaning, utilities, drayage, rigging, etc. to a trade show or its exhibitors; also referred to as Official Contractor or Exhibitor Appointed Contractor
Corner Booth / Exhibit - an exhibit space with aisles on at least two sides
Cross-aisle - An aisle that crosses a main aisle at a right angle
Decorator - an individual or company contracted to provide services for a trade show or its exhibitors.
Display Rules & Regulations - specifications for exhibit construction that are endorsed by major exhibit industry associations; rules & regulations specific to an exposition
Dolly - a low wheeled platform used for conveyance of heavy or cumbersome objects.
Draper - a skilled craftsperson who installs drapes, fabric, and special décor for a trade show
Drayage - a service that includes moving exhibit materials between the loading dock and an exhibit space, removal and storage of empty crates during the trade show, return of crates at show closing, and loading exhibit materials onto the carrier vehicle for shipment.
Drayage Contractor - a company responsible for unloading and loading exhibit materials from transport vehicles at a trade show and conveyance of exhibit materials between the exhibit hall loading dock and exhibitors' booth spaces
Electrical Contractor - an individual or company hired by show management to provide electrical services to exhibitors at a trade show
End Cap or Peninsula Booth Space - an exhibit space with aisles on three sides
Exclusive Contractor - an individual or company contracted by show management as the sole provider of specified services for a trade show
Exhibit Hall - the room or area within an exposition venue where exhibits are located
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) - any company other than the designated official contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services such as display installation and dismantle, rental plants, photography, audio visual rental, etc.
Exhibitor Service Desk - a location in the trade show hall provided by show management or the show contractor at which exhibitors can order services
FHC - notations on trade show floor plans indicating locations of fire hose cabinets
Fire Exit - door designated for emergency exits; must be kept clear of obstructions (including exhibit crates and other trade show materials)
Exhibitor crates and carpet on the first day of move-in on the trade show floor.
Fire Lane - aisle on the trade show floor designated as an emergency thoroughfare; must be kept clear of obstructions (including exhibit crates and other trade show materials)
Floor Manager - show management representative responsible for the exhibition area
Floor Marking - process of marking booth spaces on the trade show floor
Floor Plan - map showing exhibit space locations, booth numbers, and booth sizes
Floor Port - utility box located in the floor to house electrical, telephone, or plumbing connections for exhibitors.
Forklift/Forktruck - motor powered vehicle used for loading, unloading, and transporting heavy items such as trade show exhibit crates and materials from the loading dock to exhibitor booth space; also known as a tow motor
Freight Desk - desk where logistics for inbound and outbound exhibit materials are coordinated at a trade show
General Contractor - company appointed by show management and responsible for providing such services to exhibitors as drayage, decorations, exhibit furnishings, signage, carpet cleaning, electrical service, plumbing, and labor for a specific trade show or event
Genie Lift - hand operated machine used for lifting heavy exhibit components into position when setting up or dismantling a booth
Hall - trade show facility or exhibit area within an exposition facility
Hand Truck - small hand-driven vehicle used to transport small loads
High Jacker - machine used for lifting people to a given height to perform aerial tasks such as hanging signs or lights from the exhibit hall ceiling
Independent Contractor - person or company hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services independently of contractors appointed by show management; also known as Exhibitor Appointed Contractor or EAC
Infringement - an exhibitor's unauthorized use of trade show floor space outside the booth space area for which they have contracted
In-line Exhibit - booth that is positioned in a continuous line with other booths along an aisle in the exhibit hall; also referred to as a linear display
Island Booth/Exhibit - trade show display with aisles on all four sides if its booth space
Junction Box - point of distribution for electrical power within an exhibit hall or a booth space
Line of Sight - view down an aisle of in-line or linear displays that restricts exhibitors from positioning any booth components higher than 4' in the front half of their booth space so as not to block the line of sight of neighboring exhibitors
Linear Booth / Display - See In-line Exhibit
Loading Dock - the area at the trade show site where freight is delivered, received (unloaded and checked in), re-loaded, and shipped
Lock-Up - secured storage area at the trade show site
MHA (Material Handling Agreement) - a critical document provided by the trade show contractor to the exhibitor to complete and turn into the exhibitor service desk when their booth is packed and ready for shipment from the show; the document lists items being shipped along with the exhibitor's designated carrier. If this document is not turned into the service desk by the exhibitor or the exhibitor's representative, the show contractor will transport the exhibitor's materials from the show site via their designated carrier - usually at a much higher cost to the exhibitor.
Move-in - dates and times specified by show management for delivering exhibit freight to the exposition facility and setting up exhibits before a trade show
Move-out - dates and times specified by show management for dismantling exhibits and removing freight from the exhibit hall after a trade show
Net Square Footage - the total amount of booth space leased to exhibitors in an exhibit facility for a trade show
Official Contractor - a company appointed by show management to provide services for a trade show and the exhibitors; also referred to as the General Contractor
Loading, unloading and movement of trade show exhibit crates between the loading area and exhibitor booth spaces is done manually at some international venues such as The Philippines due to a shortage of forklifts.
Pavilion Exhibit - a large exhibit structure shared by several exhibitors usually from the same state or country; each exhibitor has its own booth space as well as access to a common area or areas within the pavilion exhibit structure to use for meetings or breaks
Peninsula Booth - an exhibit with aisles on three sides and another exhibitor or exhibitors on the fourth or back side
Perimeter Booth - a booth space located along an outside wall of an exposition facility
Pipe & Drape - rails and backwalls of pipe covered with draped fabric erected by the trade show official or general contractor to define booth spaces within the exhibit hall
Rail/Side Rail - a low wall used to separate one exhibit space from another; usually made of pipe and drape
Release Forms - forms provided by show management for exhibitors to complete allowing removal of exhibit materials from a trade show hall
Rigger - a worker skilled at handling and/or assembly of machinery or exhibit structures requiring ceiling support cables during setup and dismantle of exhibits for a trade show
Scissors Lift - a motorized platform used to lift people and exhibit materials or equipment to a given height to install hanging signs, exhibit structure support cables, truss systems, or electrical equipment in the trade show hall
Service Desk - a location usually within the exhibit hall where exhibitors can order trade show services from show management at show site
Show Break - the time specified for the end of a trade show and the beginning of booth dismantling and packing
Show Decorator - a company or individual contracted by show management to provide draping, carpeting, and signage services for the trade show and its exhibitors
Show Manager - a company or organization that plans, sponsors, and operates a trade show including date and location selection, development of trade show rules and regulations, selling of booth space, and registration services
Show Floor Plan - a map for the trade show hall showing exhibit space locations, booth numbers, and booth sizes
Show Producer - An individual or company that produces trade shows or events including leasing the trade show or event facility, hiring contractors, and promoting the show; creates floor plans and provides décor, signage, drayage, furniture rental, cleaning, maintenance, rigging, and utilities (electrical, internet, etc.) either directly or through subcontractors
Show Rules - general rules and regulations established for a trade show
Specialty Contractor - an individual or company providing specialty trade show services such as audiovisual and computer rentals, plants and floral arrangements, photography, catering, etc.
Special Handling - a surcharge applied to trade show exhibit freight that is loaded on a carrier vehicle in such a way that additional labor hours or special equipment are required to load or unload; includes stacked materials, ground handling, hoisting, designated loading sequence, and side door loading or unloading
Subcontractor - an individual or company employed by a general contractor to provide specific services for a trade show
Target Date - a date specified by show management and/or the show contractor for the arrival of freight at a trade show; exhibitors may be assigned target dates and times for delivery of their freight to the show site depending on the location or their booth in the exhibit hall; freight arriving before or after the specified date and time may be charged a penalty for being off target
Electrical Terms
A typical tradeshow exhibit booth electrical placement plan.
Amp (Ampere) - a unit of measurement of electrical current or the amount of electricity; Amps X Voltage = Watts
Back-light - a source of light that illuminates translucent material from behind such as in a tradeshow display graphic light box
Channelling - cutting channels in booth carpet pad to accommodate electrical wiring or computer cabling running under booth carpet resulting in a smooth finish without visible ridges or lumps in the carpet
Dog House - an apparatus that permits placement of multiple 20-amp, 120-volt circuits in one location for equipment or electrical distribution within a booth space
Duplex Outlet - an electrical receptacle with two outlets
Electrical Contractor - the company hired by show management to provide electrical services and equipment to trade show exhibitors
Fiber Optics - the transmission of light through extremely thin fibers of glass, plastic, or other transparent materials often used in tradeshow booths to capture attention
Flood Light - creates a widespread distribution of light perfect for illuminating a tradeshow exhibit booth wall, graphic sign or large product displays
Floor Order - an order for electrical services for a tradeshow booth placed at show site during exhibit move-in and installation; costs are usually significantly higher than for orders placed in advance
Floor Port - a utility box located in the trade show hall floor that contains electrical, telephone, or plumbing connections for distribution of services to exhibit booth spaces
Fluorescent Lamps - lamps which operate by creating an electric arc inside a gas-filled tube; the light color is determined by the type of phosphor coating used in the lamp; usually used in trade show graphic light boxes
Halogen Lamp - an incandescent lamp with halogen gas fill and a quartz glass capsule; used for highlighting trade show graphics or creating environments within the exhibit booth
Hard Wire - a permanent electrical connection such as when an exhibit booth light fixture is permanently connected directly to an electrical source rather than receiving power via a cord and plug
Junction Box - a point of distribution for electrical power to exhibitor booths
Kilowatt - a unit of electrical power equal to one thousands watts or ten Amps (Amperes)
Light Box - an enclosure with lighting fixtures positioned behind or under a translucent facing material; used to highlight trade show booth graphics or general exhibit hall graphics
Low Voltage - electrical currents of 24 volts or less usually used in animation and specialty lighting for trade show displays
Power Strip - an electrical unit with multiple electrical outlets
Quad Box - an apparatus with four electrical outlets
Raceway - metal or insulated rubber tubing used for channelling electrical wires within a trade show exhibit
Spotlight - a lamp that provides a defined circle of light used to highlight trade show display graphics or products within a trade show exhibit booth
Voltage - the practical unit of electric pressure; the pressure which will produce a current of one ampere against a resistance of one ohm
Wire Management - managing the placement of electrical wires or computer cables within a trade show exhibit so they are accessible to the exhibitor but hidden so as not to detract from the appearance of the exhibit
Watt - the basic unit of measurement of electricity
Installation and Dismantle Terms
Installation of a backlit rotating sign on the trade show floor using a forklift.
Carpenter - a skilled worker hired by an exhibitor to unpack, install/setup/assemble, dismantle/take down/teardown, and/or re-pack trade show exhibit properties
Craftsperson - a skilled worker or laborer who provides services such as installation & dismantle of displays at a trade show facility
Dead Time - time when a tradeshow worker or laborer is unable to perform work due to factors beyond his or her control
Dismantle/Tear Down/Take Down - to take down or teardown (dismantle) and repack a trade show display
Double Time Labor (DT) - work performed on overtime (OT) on the trade show floor and charged at twice the published rate for Sundays and holidays; the application of double time rates varies from state to state
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) - any company other than the designated official contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services such as display installation and dismantle, plant rental, photography, audio visual rental, etc.
Four-hour Call/Four-hour Mini - minimum amount of time for which union labor must be paid for work performed on the trade show floor for an exhibitor
Installation/Setup/Assembly - the process of assembling a trade show display according to specific drawings or instructions
Installation Contractor - a company that coordinates and supervises workers who install and dismantle tradeshow exhibits
Installation & Dismantle (I&D) - the set up or assembly (installation) and take-down or teardown (dismantle) of trade show exhibits
Labor - workers who are contracted to perform services on the tradeshow floor; also known as craftspersons
Labor Agreement/Union Contract - a contract between an employer and a union outlining the terms and conditions of employment, union status, and processes for settling disputes during the contract period; also known as Collective Agreement
Labor Call - the time specified for workers to report to the exhibit space to begin setting up or dismantling a tradeshow display
Labor Desk - a location in the exhibit hall where exhibitors can place orders and/or check in when they are ready to secure labor to begin setup or dismantle of their display booth
Overtime (OT) - work performed on the trade show floor outside normal business hours including holidays and weekends; OT rates are usually substantially higher than ST rates and vary from state to state
Right to Work - a law securing the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union
Set Up/Installation/Assembly - the installation or assembly (setup) of trade show exhibit components per specific setup drawings or instructions to create a trade show display booth
Set-up Drawing - a set of instructions and/or drawings for the proper installation of a tradeshow exhibit
Straight Time (ST) - work performed on the trade show floor during normal business hours at a standard hourly rate; rates and business hours vary from state to state
Union - an organization of workers whose purpose is to protect workers' rights and increase bargaining power with an employer on issues such as wages, work hours, and benefits
Union Steward/Shop Steward - an official elected by union co-workers to oversee a particular union's work in a tradeshow facility and resolve disagreements over union jurisdiction
Work Rules - regulations that specify conditions, work hours, and pay structure of a craftsperson's labor on the trade show floor
Work Time - the period of time for which a laborer or craftsperson is paid for work performed for a tradeshow exhibitor
Shipping Terms
Custom wooden case for trade show booth components.
Advance Shipping - shipping your trade show display to the show contractor's warehouse in advance rather than to show site
Air Freight - exhibit materials transported by airplane
Air Waybill - a bill of lading that specifies the terms for a shipping company to transport goods to a specific destination by air; this is the shipper's document
Bill of Lading (B/L) - a document of title establishing the terms of contract between a shipper and a transportation company
Blanket Wrap / Pad Wrap - un-crated exhibit properties or materials that are wrapped with blankets or other protective padding for shipment via van line
Carrier - a company that transports exhibit freight to and from a trade show such as a van line, common carrier, rail line, or air carrier
Common Carrier - a common carrier hauling exhibit freight usually accepts only crated exhibit materials and consolidates properties of several exhibitors bound for the same destination into one shipment
Consignee - a person or company to whom goods are shipped
Dock / Loading Dock - a platform or area within a trade show facility where exhibit freight is loaded onto (shipped) and removed (received) from carrier vehicles
Forced Freight - when a bill of lading or material handling agreement listing exhibit properties to be picked up by a carrier designated by the exhibitor is not turned into the trade show contractor service desk or if the designated carrier does not check in with the service desk by a specified time or doesn't show up to pickup the exhibit freight, the show contractor will either take the freight to their warehouse or ship it back to the exhibitor via its own preferred carrier at a non-discounted price
Freight - exhibit properties and other materials shipped to or from a trade show for an exhibit
Freight Desk - an area in the exhibit facility (usually near the freight doors or loading dock) where inbound and outbound trade show exhibit materials are handled
Marshalling Yard - an area where trucks delivering exhibit materials wait for orderly dispatch to show site
Packing List - a document prepared by a shipper listing items being shipped along with other information needed by the exhibit transportation company
Padded Van Shipment - a shipment via a van line of trade show exhibit properties that are wrapped in blankets or other protective padding rather than crated or cased
Pro-number - a number assigned by a carrier to identity a specific shipment
Shipping Case - a reusable container used for packing and transporting trade show displays and other exhibit materials
Shipping Crate - a wooden container for packing and transporting exhibit materials; can be constructed for single use or customized for extended reuse
Shrink Wrap - a method of wrapping and sealing materials in plastic for protection during transportation or storage
Skid / Pallet - a portable wood platform used to transport by forklift heavy objects or groups of materials for easier handling
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