Tradeshow terminology you need to know before attending your next tradeshow event.
Whether it is your first trade show or you are a seasoned event manager, it is important to know these terms prior to attending your next function.
Advance Order: An order for services sent to the service contractor prior to the installation date. Fees
associated with advance orders typically include discounts when paid in advance
Advance Receiving: Location set by show management to receive freight before the start of show.
Freight is stored at this location and then shipped to the show at the appropriate time
Bill of Lading (B/L): A document that establishes the terms between a shipper and a transportation
company for the transport of goods between specified points for a specified charge
Common Carrier: A transportation company moving people or goods. For exhibit freight, the carrier
usually accepts only crated materials and consolidates the properties of several customers into one
shipment bound for the same destination
CWT: Hundred weight. A measurement used for shipping exhibit properties. Usually 100 pounds
Damage Report: A report submitted by an exhibitor to a freight company or drayage contractor
itemizing damage to shipped goods
Dolly: A low, wheeled frame with a platform used for carrying heavy or cumbersome objects
Drayage: The movement of show materials from shipping dock to booth for show set up and back to
dock for return shipment at end of show
Est. Wt.: Estimated Weight
Exclusive Contractor: A contractor appointed by show management as the sole provider of specified
services
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor: A contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services
independently of show management appointed contractors. Also called Independent Contractor, EAC
Finished: No unpainted or raw surfaces or edges on a delivered exhibit
Fire Retardant: Term used to describe a finish which coats materials with a fire-resistant (not fire
proof) cover
Floor Manager: An individual representing show management who is responsible for the exhibition area
Floor Port: A utility box recessed in the floor containing electrical, telephone, or plumbing connections
Freight: Exhibit properties and other materials shipped for an exhibit
Freight Desk: The area where inbound and outbound exhibit materials are handled at a trade show
Hand Truck: Small hand-propelled vehicle used for transporting small loads
Hard Wire: Any electrical connection other than receptacle to receptacle
Hardwall: A type of exhibit construction in which walls are made of a solid material, rather than fabric
Infringement: An exhibitor's unauthorized use of floor space outside the leased booth area
In-line: An exhibit that is constructed in a continuous line along an aisle
Island Exhibit: A display with aisles on four sides
Labor Form: The form used by exhibitors to order labor
Lead Tracking: A manual or automated system used to conduct follow-up activities for sales prospects
resulting from a trade show
Loading Dock: An area within an exposition facility where freight is received and shipped
Marshaling Yard: A lot where trucks gather for orderly dispatch to show site
Meter: The most common width for a backwall panel. (1 Meter = 39.37 inches)
Move-in: The date specified by show management for beginning exhibit installation.
Move-out: The date specified by show management for dismantling exhibits.
Official Contractor: Show management appointed company providing services to a trade show and/or
its exhibitors. Also called Official Contractor
On-site Order: Floor order placed at a show site. Costs for on-site orders are higher than orders placed
30 days prior to the event
Overtime: A designation for work performed outside the hours specified as normal working hours.
Usually work performed on overtime is charged at a higher rate
Peninsula Display: An exhibit with aisles on three sides
Perimeter Booth: A booth space on a outside wall
Privately Owned Vehicles (POV): Exhibitors’ privately owned vehicles (POVs) or small rental trucks (UHaul, etc.)
Pipe & Drape: Tubing covered with draped fabric to make up the rails and backwall of a trade show
Quad Box: Four electrical outlets in one box
Straight Time Labor: Work performed during normal work hours at the standard rate
Service Desk: The location at which exhibitors order services from the show decorator and other
official suppliers
Show Decorator: A company or individual responsible for providing draping, carpeting, and signage
services for the trade show and its exhibitors
Side Rail: A low divider wall, usually pipe and drape, used to divide one exhibit space from another
Three Wire: Electrical cable with a continuous ground wire in addition to a positive and a negative wire
Visqueen: A clear plastic sheeting that is placed over exhibit carpeting after its laid in order to protect
it until the show opens. Visqueen also allows exhibit components to slide on top of it during setup,
allowing you to align various exhibit components by simply pushing them into position.