Trade Show Glossary

Trade Show Floor Terms F-M

By Sandy Flom
CEO, Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd.
May 2005

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

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