Glossary of Common Tradeshow Terms

A

  • Access Panel - Removable panel or section of exhibit to permit access to lamps, projector mechanisms, etc.
  • Advance Order - An order for show services sent to the contractor before the stated deadline in the service manual.
  • Air Freight - Materials shipped via airplane.
  • Air Waybill - A bill of lading (B/L) which covers both domestic and international flights transporting goods to a specified destination.
  • Aisle Carpet - Carpeting laid in the aisles.
  • Aisle Sign - Signs, usually suspended, indicating aisle numbers or letters.
  • Ambient Light - Uncontrolled and unintentional illumination.
  • Attendees - People who go to a show or exhibit.
  • Audio/Visual (A/V) - Equipment, materials and teaching aids used in sound and visual.

B

  • Back Wall - Panel arrangement at rear of booth area, usually made of drape or sintra.
  • Back Light - A light source that illuminates any transparent or translucent material from behind.
  • Ball Lights - Stationary adjustable lights found on older model exhibits.
  • Banding - A system for securing materials onto a pallet, using a strong steel or composite strap and metal clips.
  • Banner - A suspended decorative or communicative panel, usually a temporary cloth or vinyl structure.
  • Bill of Lading (B/L or BOL) - Document listing goods to be shipped.
  • Blanket Wrap - Uncrated goods which require shipping pads or other protective padding and are usually shipped via van line or company vehicle.
  • Bleed - Area beyond usable section of blowup or copy block that allows for trimming or wrapping; when an image runs to one or more edges of a substrate or medium.
  • Boom Lift - A motorized platform used to lift a worker to a given height.
  • Booth Number - Number designated to identify each exhibitor's space.
  • Booth Size - Dimensions of assigned space.

C

  • C-Print - A type of color reproduction print.
  • CAD - Computer-Aided Design.
  • Canopy - An overhead cover or scrim for projected images.
  • Carrier - Transportation contractor who moves freight (van line, common carrier, airplane, or company vehicle).
  • Certificate of Insurance - Serves as evidence of the financial capability of an indemnitor who has executed an agreement in favor of an organization. Most show organizers require a certificate of insurance from every exhibitor.
  • Carpenters - Union that is responsible (in many cities) for uncrating of exhibits and display materials, installation and dismantle of exhibits including cabinets, fixtures, shelving units, furniture, etc., laying of floor tile and carpet, and re-crating of exhibits and machinery.
  • Chain Hoist Motor - Motor that pulls a chain through itself in order to lift a load. In most concert applications, the motor has been modified to enable it to climb up the chain rather than to pull the chain up to itself. Widely used to suspend structure, signs, and lighting in the convention industry.
  • Column - A pillar in an exposition facility that supports the roof or other structures.
  • Common Carrier - An individual, partnership, or corporation that transports persons or goods for compensation. For exhibit materials, usually accepts only crated or cased goods and consolidates freight of more than one customer into one shipment headed for a particular location.
  • Concealed Damage - Damage to merchandise that is not discovered until the shipment is unpacked.
  • Consignee - Person or company to whom goods are shipped.
  • Contractor - A company providing services to an exposition or to exhibitors.
  • Counter - A working cabinet for display, demonstration, or registration.
  • Counter Height Table - Table raised to counter height; 42 inches.
  • Crate - Typically a wooden container that holds exhibit property for shipment.
  • Crated Exhibit - an exhibit that is transported from show to show in crates. Crates make handling the exhibit easier, and minimize damage during material handling.
  • Custom Exhibit - Any non-standard exhibit.
  • Customs - The governmental authorities designated to collect duties levied by countries on imports and exports.
  • Cut & Lay - Installation of carpet other than normal booth or aisle carpet.
  • CWT - Hundred weight. A weight measurement for exhibitor freight per 100 pounds.

D

  • Damage Report - A report submitted by an exhibitor to a freight company or drayage contractor itemizing damage to shipped goods.
  • Declared Value - Shipper's stated value of entire shipment in terms of dollars.
  • Decorating - Dressing up an exhibition with carpet, drapes, tables, chairs, plants, etc.
  • Decorators - Union that is usually responsible for drape, and cloth installation, fabric panels, and miscellaneous decorating.
  • Design - Graphic and pictorial representation of an idea.
  • Dismantle - Take down and removal of exhibits.
  • Display Case - Showcase for displaying product.
  • Dock - A place where freight is unloaded from and reloaded onto vehicles.
  • Dolly - Low, flat, usually two feet square, platform on four wheels used for carrying heavy loads.
  • Double-Decker - Two-storied exhibit.
  • Double-Faced Panel - Finished on both sides.
  • Double Time - Premium pay, which is double the base rate of hourly wage.
  • Drayage - The unloading of your shipment, transporting it to your booth, storing and returning your empty crates and cartons, and reloading your shipments at the close of the show.
  • Drayage Charge - The dollar cost based on weight. 100-pound units; or hundred weight, abbreviated CWT, calculates drayage. There is always a minimum charge.
  • Duplex Outlet - Double electrical outlet.

E

  • Easel - A stand or frame for displaying objects.
  • Electrician - Skilled craftsman handling installation of all electrical equipment.
  • Empties - Empty crates or containers.
  • Exclusive Contractor - Contractor appointed by show or building management as the sole provider of services for that building.
  • Exhibit Booth - A display, usually at a tradeshow.
  • Exhibition - An event in which products or services are exhibited.
  • Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC) - Any company other than the designated "official" contractor providing a service to an exhibitor (Usually an I & D house).
  • Exhibitor Manual - Manual containing general show information, such as rates, rules and regulations for a show.
  • Expedited Service - Premium service offered by a transportation company to assure prompt delivery.
  • Export - To send or transport goods out of one country for sale in another country. The exporter is usually the seller or the seller's agent.

F

  • Fabrication - The building or construction of an exhibit.
  • Fire Retardant - Term used to describe a finish that coats materials with a fire resistant cover.
  • Fascia - Panel at top of exhibit, usually bearing company name.
  • Floor Manager - Person retained by show management to supervise part of a tradeshow.
  • Floor Order - Order for labor or services placed after the advance order discount date (which includes all on site orders).
  • Floor Plan - A map showing layout of exhibit spaces, lounges, concession areas, restrooms, electrical/plumbing accessibility, etc.
  • Floor Port - A utility box, recessed in the floor, containing electrical, telephone, and/or plumbing connections.
  • Foam Core - Paper exterior sandwiching rigid foam often used for show signage.
  • Forced Freight - Removal of freight from the show floor which was not picked up by an exhibitor's carrier, or shipments left behind at the booth at the close of the show without a Bill of Lading. Forced freight is generally removed from the hall at a specified time and held by the Official Common Carrier or General Contractor until payment is made for forwarding.
  • Fork Lift - Specialized equipment used by contractor at show site for loading and unloading materials.
  • Free Standing - Self-supporting and independent display material.
  • Freight - Exhibits, products, and other materials shipped to an exhibition.
  • Full Coverage - Carpet covering entire area of booth usually requiring a cut and lay charge.

G

  • GST - Goods and service tax.
  • Garment Rack - Frame, which holds apparel.
  • Gator Foam - Laminated foam board used for signage, available in a variety of thicknesses. More rigid and durable than Foam Core.
  • General Contractor - Contractor hired by show management to provide all tradeshow services required.
  • Genie Lift - Lift used to erect trade show displays, first model was hand-cranked material handling lift.
  • Graphics - Communicative elements - color, copy, art photographs, translates, etc.- used to illustrate a booth theme or to enhance décor.
  • Grommet - Rubber, metal or plastic element for reinforcing holes in weaker materials.
  • Gross Weight - The full weight of a shipment, including goods and packaging.

H

  • Hand-Carry - Items that one person can carry without assistance (meaning no hand trucks or dollies).
  • Hand Truck - Small hand-propelled implement with two wheels and two handles for transporting small loads.
  • Hardwall Booth - Booth constructed with sintra or similar materials.
  • Header - A sign or other structure across top of exhibit.
  • High Drape - Drape that is over 8' high which requires special equipment. Typically it is 16' to 19' high.
  • Hospitality Suite - An area in which refreshments are served and exhibitor personnel and attendees socialize.

I

  • I&D - Installation and dismantle of an exhibit (set-up/teardown).
  • ID Sign - Booth identification sign.
  • Import - To bring foreign goods into a country.
  • Infringement - Use of floor space outside exclusive booth area.
  • Inline Booth - Exhibit space with exhibit booths on either side.
  • Installation - Setting up exhibits.
  • Island Booth - Booth which is exposed on all four sides to an aisle.

J

  • Job Foreman - Worker who is in charge of a specific job.
  • Journeyman - Worker who has satisfactorily completed an apprenticeship in a skilled trade.
  • Junction Box - Approved enclosure where electrical splices are made.

K

  • Kiosk - A small free-standing structure, open to one or more sides, used within an exhibit for the display of printed or electronic information.

L

  • Labor - Workers provided by a general contractor at a tradeshow.
  • Lead Retrieval - A system of capturing and follow-up of leads generated at an exposition.
  • Light Box - Enclosure with lighting and translucent face of plastic or glass.
  • Lit Rack - A stand that holds literature or brochures.
  • Loading Dock - A place where freight is unloaded from and reloaded onto vehicles.
  • Low Voltage - Term applied to currents of 24 volts or less.

M

  • Marshalling Yard - Check-in area for trucks before going to exhibit hall.
  • Masonite - A trade name for commercial hardboard.
  • Material Handling - See Drayage.
  • Meter - The most common width for a back wall panel for any of the extruded systems (1 meter = 39.37 inches).
  • Modular Exhibit - Exhibit constructed with interchangeable components.
  • Move-In - Installation dates.
  • Move-Out - Dismantle dates.
  • Mylar - Trade name for plastic material.

N

  • No Freight Aisle - Aisle that must remain completely clear of all freight.
  • No-Show - An exhibitor that does not show up to claim booth space or ordered services.

O

  • Official Freight Carrier - Designated carrier to be on-site for the inbound and outbound shipments of a show. Use of these carriers is recommended but usually not required.
  • On-Site Order - Floor order placed at show site.
  • O.T. Labor - Work performed on overtime billed at either time-and-one-half or double the published labor rate.
  • Overlay - A panel mounted to another surface.
  • Overtime - All hours worked other than regular time.

P

  • Pallet - Wooden platform used to carry goods.
  • Pedestal - A floor support for an exhibit component.
  • Peg Board - Perforated hardboard, available with holes on various centers.
  • Peninsula Booth - An exhibit or area with aisles on three sides.
  • Perimeter Booth - Exhibit space located on an outside wall of an exhibit hall.
  • Pipe and Drape - Vertical and horizontal pipes used to hang fabric as backwall and side rail for a tradeshow booth.
  • Portable Exhibit - Small exhibit that is usually designed to be carried by one person.
  • POV - Privately owned vehicle, such as a passenger car, or small company vehicle.
  • Power Strip - A cord connected unit having multiple electrical outlets, and over current protection.
  • Prefab - Pre-built exhibit ready for installation.
  • Pro-Number - A number issued to each shipment of freight by the carrier and used for tracking of the shipment to its destination and for any other reference to the shipment.

Q

  • Quad Box - Four electrical outlets enclosed in a metal box.

R

  • Rear Projection - Movie, slide or strip film presentation where the screen is between the viewer and the projector.
  • Rental Booth - An exhibit offered to exhibitors on a rental basis.
  • Riser - A platform for products.

S

  • S-Hook - Type of hanging hardware in the shape of the letter "S" used as a hanger for plaques, banners, etc.
  • Scrim - Theatrical term for fabric that is opaque when lighted from front and transparent when illuminated from the rear.
  • Security Cages - Wire enclosures supplied to exhibitors to lock up materials for safe storage.
  • Service Desk - A central location to order all services at a tradeshow.
  • Service Kit - Packet of exhibitor forms and information for a tradeshow.
  • Set-Up - The complete process of installing a tradeshow.
  • Shipment - Anything that is shipped to a tradeshow or exposition.
  • Shipper - Company or individual to whom exhibit materials are consigned for transportation.
  • Show Break - The time a tradeshow ends and dismantle begins.
  • Showcase - General term for glazed or framed glass enclosure for display of products.
  • Show Manager - The organizer and or operator of an exhibition.
  • Show Office - On-site show management office.
  • Show Rules - The general rules and regulations governing a specific trade show.
  • Shrink Wrap - Process of wrapping loose items on pallet with transparent plastic wrapping.
  • Side Rail - A low drape divider between exhibits.
  • Sintra - PVC panel, used in signs and displays.
  • Skid - Wooden platform used to support machinery or a collection of objects for easier handling.
  • Skirting - Decorative covering used around tables, risers, and stages.
  • Special Handling - Applies to all shipments that require extra labor, equipment, or time for delivery to booth area.
  • Stagehands - Labor for all theatrical presentations in most cities. Stagehands are also used for decorating in some cites.
  • S.T. Labor - Work performed on straight time.
  • Stanchions - Decorative posts which usually hold markers, ropes or chains used to define traffic flow.
  • Stand - European term for booth.
  • Stop Job - When an exhibitor is doing some type of work in the booth which is claimed by a union, that union's steward will request that you go to the service desk so that the contractor can supply the exhibitor union labor.

T

  • T&M - Time and materials (see below).
  • Target Date - A date set by show management and/or general contractor for the arrival of freight at a trade show.
  • Teamsters - Union that usually handles all material in and out of the hall except machinery.
  • Teardown - Dismantle.
  • Time & Materials - A method of billing for work done based on actual time and materials used.
  • Traffic Flow - Any directed path for attendees at an exhibit or tradeshow.
  • Transparency - A black and white or color translucent photograph or artwork.

U

  • Union Steward - On-site union official.

V

  • VAT - Value Added Tax, applies to all EC countries.
  • Velcro - Brand name of hoop and loop fasteners used to adhere objects to a display.
  • Visqueen - A type of clear plastic sheeting used to protect carpeting from the time laid to the time the show opens.

W

  • Weight Ticket - A document showing the weight of a shipment, secured by the transportation company and given to the freight supervisor at show check-in, on which each exhibitor's drayage costs are based, rounded up to the next hundredweight.

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