Trade Show Glossary

Trade Show Floor Terms N-Z

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

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

Return to Trade Show Tips main page

All content within this site, including these articles, are registered copyright by Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd., and may not be copied without express permission from us. If you have found these articles of value, we do encourage you, however, to link to our website at www.espexhibits.com.

To link to our articles on the site, please copy the following code onto your web page:

Trade Show Glossary

Trade Show Floor Terms N-Z

<p><a href="http://www.espexhibits.com/trade-show-tips.php">Trade Show Tips for Extraordinary Show Productions</a></p>