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Trade Show and Events Glossary. Exhibitsusa.

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Trade Show and Events Glossary

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10×10 Booths

Trade show exhibits that fit into a 10′ wide by 10′ deep space at a convention hall.

10×20 Exhibits

Trade show booths that fit into a 20′ wide by 10′ deep space at an exhibit hall.

10×30 Exhibits

Trade show booths that fit into a 30′ wide by 10′ deep space at an exhibit hall.

20×20 Exhibits

Trade show displays that fit into a 20′ wide by 20′ deep space at a convention center.

20×30 Exhibits

Trade show displays that fit into a 20′ wide by 30′ deep space at a convention center.

3m x 3m Stands

An international term for a trade show displays that fit into a three meter wide by three meter deep space. Also known as 10×10 displays.

A/V

Audio/visual equipment such as monitors, DVD players, projectors and computers used to demonstrate products and services to trade show attendees.

Abex Displays

An American manufacturer of custom portable and custom modular display systems.

Add-ons

Accessory items for trade show display rentals and exhibits, such as retractable banner stands, display counters, display kiosk workstations and literature holders.

Advanced Warehouse

A location set by show management to receive freight before the start of a trade show. Exhibit booths and materials are stored at this location and then shipped to the trade show at the designated time.

AIR

A custom portable display for trade shows with booth graphics and structural support for computers, monitors, shelving and locking storage cabinets.

Attendees

People who go to a tradeshow event, fairs and expos to visit booths and gather information on or purchase products and services.

Back-lighting

A light source that illuminates translucent trade show display graphics, fabric or other materials from behind.

Backlit Displays

Flat panel displays which use LED backlighting.

Backwalls

Booth structures that make up the rear of the exhibit. Often 10×10 trade show booths.

Banner Signs

Hanging signs or display graphics printed on fabric, vinyl or other material for temporary use.

Banner Stands

Portable printed graphics with a base or pole stand to create an upright banner display. Banner Stands are available in various heights and widths. See slso called Pull Up Banners and Retractable Banner Stands.

BeMatrix

An American manufacturer of custom modular booth systems using aluminum frames.

Booths

Area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the booth space. Also called Stands at European fairs and expositions. Common sizes are a 10×10 Booths, 10×20 Exhibits 10×30 Exhibits, 20×20 Exhibits or Island Displays.

Booth Area

The amount of space assigned to an exhibitor on the trade show floor. Measured by square footage.

Booth Number

A number assigned by show management to identify an exhibitor’s floor space. Also known as Stand Number at European fairs and expositions.

Booth Size

The dimensions of the floor space contracted by an exhibitor. Usually sold in 10′ x 10′ increments. A 10×10 trade show booth is often the smallest size, up to a 20×20 exhibit size and larger.

Booth Space

An area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the booth space.

Breakdown

A smaller modular piece of a larger exhibit. For example, a custom modular display island often has a 10×20 exhibit or 10×10 display breakdown. This allows the exhibitor to use different pieces of an island display for different sized booth spaces.

Brochure Stand

Small, lightweight and portable displays made from metal or mesh with pockets to hold marketing collateral. Also called Literature Rack or Literature Holder.

Build Up

The process of assembling an exhibit display before the show starts. An international term for Installation. Also known as Booth Set-Up.

Carpet

Flooring that goes under trade show displays. Trade show flooring is available in many different colors and styles–such as interlocking tiles and rollable segments– and materials, including sustainable, recycled and recyclable substances. See also Trade Show Flooring.

Charging Stations

A small component of trade show booths with surface area on top with varying amounts of USB ports to charge external devices such as phones, laptops, etc.  Most charging stations also function as display counters to display products and literature or perform computer demonstrations.

Color Matching

The process of replicating colors in trade show display graphics for consistency and accuracy. Often used to complement a company’s corporate branding.

Common Carrier

A freight transportation company which consolidates properties of several exhibitors into one shipment bound for the same destination.

Conference

An educational program including guest speakers and informational sessions for event attendees. Usually coincides with a tradeshow event or expo with booth space for exhibitors. Also called a Congress in Europe.

Conference Rooms

A component in large island displays in which to hold private meetings and presentations to trade show attendees.

Convention

A gathering of professionals in a given industry that meet to attend educational conference sessions and visit vendor trade show display booths.

Convention Center

A large facility with ample booth space for trade show displays.

Corner Booths

Booth spaces which are open on two sides at the intersection of two aisles on the trade show floor. Also known as Corner Stands or Open 2 Sides at European fairs and expositions. Sizes can vary from 10×10 tradeshow booths to 10×20 exhibits up to 20×20 exhibits and larger island displays.

CrossOver

An exhibit kiosk which attaches to pop up trade show booths. Exhibit kiosks add functionality such as monitor mounts, display counters and storage.

Custom Exhibits

Displays designed and built from scratch to meet the specific needs of an exhibitor. Custom exhibit designs begins with determining the exhibitor’s trade show objectives. In European terms, Custom Exhibits are known as Custom Stands or Freebuilds.

Custom Modular Displays

Exhibits constructed with interchangeable components designed to be set up in various arrangements and sizes. A modular trade show display can be customized to fit the exhibitor’s needs. Common sizes are a 10×10 tradeshow booth to a 10×20 trade show booth up to a 20×20 exhibit and larger.

Custom Portable Exhibits

Lightweight displays designed to be compact and pack into small shipping cases that can be transported by one person or shipped via FedEx or UPS. Portable exhibits can be customized to fit the exhibitor’s needs. Sizes run from a 10×10 booth, to 10×20 exhibit up to a 20×20 exhibit and larger island displays.

DesignLine

A custom modular display system that blends the look, feel and features of custom displays with the benefits of lightweight, portable exhibits. Popular sizes come in a 10 x 10 trade show booth, 10×20 exhibits and 20×20 island displays on up.

Dismantle

The process of taking apart a trade show booth and packing it into shipping cases for transportation. Also known as Tear-Down.

Display Counters

A small component of trade show booths with surface area on top to display products and literature or perform computer demonstrations. Display counters often feature a locking door and internal shelves to store materials.  Some models include USB ports for charging external devices.

Display Kiosks

Small structures within a trade show exhibit, which often features a computer workstation(s) with multimedia capabilities. Also called Workstations at European fairs and expositions.

Display Space

Another term for booth space or the area of the show floor an exhibitor occupies to build an exhibit display.

Display Stands

An international term for trade show booths.

Double Deck Exhibits

Multi-level trade show exhibits with two stories.  Models can include 1 or 2 staircases.

DPI

“Dots per inch” referring to the resolution or sharpness of printed trade show booth graphics.

Drayage

The movement of show material from the shipping dock to the booth space for set-up and back to the dock for return shipping at the end of the show

EAC Forms

“Exhibitor Appointed Contractor” forms designate a third-party contractor to perform work on the exhibitor’s behalf. Often associated with trade show exhibit installation and dismantle labor services.

EcoSystems

An American manufacturer of sustainable exhibits and environmentally-friendly custom modular trade show display systems and custom portable exhibits. See also Green Displays.

Electrical Layout

A diagram used to designate placement of electrical outlets in the booth space of a trade show exhibit.

Elevations

Scaled drawings depicting the front and side views of an exhibit display.

Entasi

Fabric displays supported by a lightweight aluminum frame covered with large, stretch fabric display graphics.

EPS File

A file type for 2D vector trade show booth graphics. EPS files are supported by several drawing programs and graphic editing applications. Vectored files are able to be enlarged without loss of resolution, which is ideal for large-format trade show display graphics.

EuroFrame Displays

Custom modular tradeshow displays using aluminum frame components.

Event Management Software

An organization tool, often web-based, in which trade show managers can keep track of exhibit booth inventory, schedule trade show shipping, organize trade show calendars, save important booth documents and manage budgets.

Event Marketing

Face-to-face promotional experiences between customers and companies. Event Marketing includes a tradeshow event or outdoor events and often involves an exhibit booth.

Exhibit Appointed Contractor

A contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services independently of show management appointed contractors. Also called Independent Contractor or EAC.

Exhibit Booths

One of many terms for trade show displays.

Exhibit Design Concept

A preliminary idea for a trade show exhibit, often involves a hand sketch of the display. A custom exhibit design is based upon the exhibitor’s trade show objectives. Exhibit design is often related to a custom display but is also applicable to a modular display and portable exhibits.

Exhibit Designer/Producer

Company responsible for exhibit design and fabrication of exhibit booths, including custom display systems, custom modular displays and custom portable exhibits.

Exhibit Hall

The area(s) within an exposition center where exhibits are located.

Exhibit House

A company which specializes in the design and production of trade show displays and booth graphics for exhibitors. An exhibit house often offers associated logistic services such as shipping, labor and storage for trade show exhibits.

Exhibit Manager

A person in charge of a company’s exhibit program.

Exhibit Space

An area made up of one or more standard units of booth space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the exhibit space.

Exhibit Stands

An international term for trade show exhibits.

Exhibition

Also known as a tradeshow event or expo. Also called an Exposition in Europe.

Exhibitor

A company who contracts with show management for booth space at a trade show, in order to interact with attendees to sell products and services.

Exhibitor Kit

A package of information with contains all rules, regulations and forms relating to a trade show, provided to exhibitors by show management. Also called Service Kit or Exhibitor Services Manual.

Expo

Also known as exhibition or trade show.

Exposition

Also known as exhibition or trade show. Expo is the short form.

Extrusion System

A trade show exhibit system constructed with aluminum posts as the main structure. Extrusion systems are often infilled with large-format, fabric trade show display graphics.

Fabric Displays

Exhibit booths comprised mainly of stretch or tension fabric and a lightweight aluminum structure. Can be printed with large-format exhibit graphics.

Fabric Display Graphics

Trade show graphics printed on stretch or tension fabric. Can be translucent or opaque. Green or eco friendly display graphics use water-based inks and fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Fabric graphics also pair well with a truss trade show display or hanging tradeshow signs.

FabriMural

Fabric displays which use a pop up trade show booth frame covered with fabric booth graphics, often attached to the frame for very easy set-up.

Face-to-Face Marketing

Another term for Event Marketing or promotional experiences in which customers interact directly with representatives of companies. Includes a tradeshow event or outdoor events.

Fair

An international term for trade show or expo.

Fair Stand

European term for an area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the fair stand space.

Floor Plan

A map showing the size and locations of exhibit spaces.
Flooring Trade show flooring such as carpet or other materials that go under the booth display.

Foam Core

Rigid foam covered with heavy paper used to mount trade show display graphics.

Folding Displays

Portable displays, usually a table top trade show booth, that fold for packing in carry bags.

Force Out

The designated time in which all trade show exhibit properties must be removed from the exhibit hall.

Forced Freight

Trade show freight that is left after the force out time. Forced freight usually gets transferred to the freight carrier designated by show management.

Foundations Pop Up Displays

Accessories for pop up trade show booths which provides a raised base to add custom features, such as monitor mounts, product pedestals and counters with storage.

Freebuild

A European term for Custom Displays, Custom Stands or Custom Build Stands.

Freight

Exhibit properties and other materials shipped to a trade show for an exhibit booth.

Freight Carrier

A transportation company that performs shipping for trade show displays.

General Contractor

Show management appointed company providing services to a trade show and/or its exhibitors.

Graphic Header

A prominent component of trade show booths which features the exhibitor’s logo and company name.

Graphic production

The process of printing large-format display graphics for trade show exhibits.

Green Displays

Trade show exhibits that are constructed with eco friendly, recycled and/or recyclable materials. Green Displays are becoming more popular as businesses look for ways to fulfill green initiatives.

Green Trade Shows

A tradeshow event or meetings which adhere to standards to reduce waste and energy usage and recycle show materials in order to lower their carbon footprints and reduce damage to the environment.

Hanging Signs

Overhead structures often constructed from lightweight aluminum tubing and fabric exhibit graphics printed with marketing messages. Hanging trade show displays come in many shapes and sizes.

Hybrid Displays

Exhibit booths comprised of more than one type of display system. For example, a fabric display combined with aluminum display walls.

I&D

I&D refers to the installation and dismantle of trade show exhibits. Also known as set-up and tear-down.

In/Out Prep

The process of preparing outbound and inbound freight shipments for trade show exhibit properties.

Inline Booths

Exhibits constructed in a continuous line along an aisle. Also called Linear Displays or Linear Stands, in European terms.

Installation

The process of setting up exhibits according to specifications. Also called Assembly or Set-up. In Europe, Installation is known as Build Up.

Installation & Dismantle

The set-up and tear-down of trade show exhibits. Also called I&D.

Instand Pop Up Displays

Lightweight aluminum frame systems covered with either fabric panels or large-format photomural display graphics.

Interlock Structures

An American manufacturer of truss display systems.

Interlocking Floor Tiles

Small segments of trade show flooring that fit together like a puzzle to create a larger floor.

Island Displays

Trade show booth displays with aisles on four sides. A common size is 20×20 island displays. An Island Booths are called Island Sites at European fairs and expositions.

Labor

Contracted workers who perform services.

Lamination

The process of bonding two or more substances together. Trade show booth graphics are usually laminated with a clear, plastic coating to protect the printed paper.

Large-format Display Graphics

Requires expertise in design and production of big-scale trade show exhibit graphics.

LED Display Walls

LED’s are light emitting diodes versus the traditional LCD screens on TV’s, which use fluorescent lights.  Unlike LCD screens, the manufacturing process for LED screen displays uses no mercury, which is an environmental pollutant.  The software-based video wall technology of LED wall display rentals is comprised of many LED displays that work together as a unit-as if it were a single screen.

Lightbox

An enclosed frame which houses lights underneath a translucent display graphic. Provides a back-light effect.

Line Drawing

A black and white engineered drawing of a trade show exhibit.

Linear Displays

Exhibits constructed in a continuous line along an aisle. Also called Inline Booths or Linear Stands.

Lite Displays

A European designed custom modular display system using square plastic panels and small nodes. Covered with vinyl display graphics.

Literature Holders

Small, portable and lightweight displays made from metal or mesh with pockets to hold marketing collateral. Also called Literature Rack or Brochure Stand.

Logistics

The planning, implementation and coordination of the details of exhibiting at a trade show. Usually refers to trade show shipping, booth set-up and take-down and exhibit booth storage.

Logo Inlays

Custom designed letters or images inserted or applied to the surface of trade show flooring.

Material Handling

Also called Drayage or the movement of exhibit properties by show management between the receiving dock and the booth space.

Modular Displays

Exhibits constructed with interchangeable components designed to set up in various arrangements and sizes. In Europe, trade show modular booths are called Modular Stands. Available in many sizes from 10 x 10 booths, to 10×20 exhibits, 10×30 displays up to 20×20 exhibits and larger island displays.

Modular Stands

An international term for modular displays or modular exhibits.

Monitor Mount

A metal bracket used to hang a computer monitor or TV screen on a trade show booth panel.

Move In

The date specified by show management for beginning exhibit installation.

Move Out

The date specified by show management for dismantling exhibits.

Multi-Level Displays

Also called Double Deck Exhibits or two-story exhibits.

Multimedia

Combining two or more types of audio/visual support in a presentation.

Nomadic Display

An American manufacturer of custom modular displays and custom portable trade show exhibit systems.

Non-Tradeshow Event

Meetings, conferences, seminars and other promotional events which do not include a trade show or expo with exhibit booth space. See also Outdoor Events.

Open 2 Sides

A European term for a Corner Booth.

Open 3 Sides

A European term for a Peninsula Booth.

Outdoor Events

Special events which occur outdoors. Outdoor events include sporting events, races and other special events. These outdoor events require special outdoor graphics that withstand the weather.

Outdoor Graphics

Large format banner display graphics printed on durable paper, fabric or other weather-resistant materials with special inks that withstand the elements.

Over Time

Work performed by I&D labor after business hours, on weekends or holidays to set up and take down trade show exhibit booths. Premium service rates apply.

Panel Systems

A prefabricated trade show exhibit composed of connected rectangular panels of various sizes. See Lite Displays.

Pedestal

A small trade show display counter used to display products.

Peninsula Displays

Exhibit booths with aisles on three sides. In Europe, Peninsula Booths are also called  Peninsula Stands or Open 3 Sides.

Perimeter Booths

Booth spaces on the outside wall of the trade show exhibit hall.

Photomural Graphics

Large-format display graphics panels of standard sizes installed side-by-side to make a larger image. Often used with Popup Trade Show Displays.

PMS colors

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is used to create consistent colors across various printed marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, business cards and trade show display graphics.

POP Display Racks

A “point of purchase” promotional display structure used in retail environments to sell products for immediate purchase. Also called Trade Show & Retail Kiosks or a Promotional Display.

Pop Up Display Accessories

Add-ons to pop up trade show booths which provide extra functionality. Common pop up trade show booth accessories are shelves, monitor mounts, graphic headers, lightboxes and display counters.

Popup Trade Show Displays

A pop up display frame which expands to form the structure of a backwall display and contracts for easy packing into shipping cases. Popup Trade Show Displays often feature large photomural booth graphics.

Portable Exhibits

Lightweight displays designed to be compact and pack into small shipping cases that can be transported by one person or shipped via FedEx or UPS.

Portable Stands

An international term for portable trade show exhibits or portable tradeshow booth displays.

Product Shelves

A common trade show display accessory.

Profile Headers

A trade show display graphic header which extends above the top of the exhibit booth.

Promotional Displays

“Point of purchase” or POP display racks used in retail environments to sell products for immediate purchase. Also called Trade Show & Retail Kiosks or POP Display Racks.

Pull Up Banners

A printed graphic which unwinds from a base unit and hooks onto a pole to create a standing banner display. Pull Up Banners are available in various heights and widths. Also called Retractable Banner Stands or Large Format Banner Stands.

Rear Illumination

A technique of using a light source to light up translucent display graphics from behind. Also called Back-lighting.

Refurbish

The process of repairing or reconditioning an exhibit to extend its life span.

Rendering

A color, two-dimensional drawing of an exhibit booth during the exhibit design process.

Rental Exhibits

Complete exhibit rental packages provided by a rental displays company to exhibitors. In Europe, Rental Exhibits are called Rental Stands.

Rental Inventory

Trade show exhibits owned by an exhibit house and rented out to exhibitors for event marketing and use at tradeshow events.

Resolution

The degree of sharpness of a computer-generated image as measured by the number of dots per inch (DPI) in trade show booth graphics.

Retail Display Kiosks

A promotional display structure used in retail stores and shops to sell products for purchase. Also called POP Display Racks and Promotional Display. See also Display Kiosk.

Retractable Banner Stands

A printed graphic which unwinds from a base unit and hooks onto a pole to create a standing banner display. Retractable Banner Stands are available in various heights and widths. Also called Pull Up Banners.

Second Story

Also called Double Deck Exhibits or multi-level exhibits.

Seminar

An educational program often associated with a tradeshow event and conferences.

Service Desk

The location at which exhibitors order services from show management for their trade show exhibits.

Service Kit

A packet of show-related information and order forms provided to exhibitors by show management. Also called Exhibitor Kit.

Set-up

The process of erecting an exhibit at a tradeshow event. Also called Assembly or Installation.

Set-up Drawings

Diagrams of the exhibit with assembly instructions. Used by the exhibit labor crews to set-up and tear-down the booth.
Shipping Case Container made from plastic or other materials to store and transport trade show exhibits.

Shipping Crate

A large wooden container used to store and transport exhibit booth materials.

Show Break

Time specified for the closing of a trade show and the beginning of booth dismantle.

Show Floor

The area(s) within a convention center where exhibits are located. Also called Exhibit Hall.

Sketch

A hand-drawn concept for a trade show display at the beginning of the exhibit booth design process.

Stands

European term for trade show booths.

Stand Number

Also called Booth Number.

Stand-off Graphics

Trade show display graphics which are raised off the display wall surface by several inches to add dimension.

Storage

Keeping exhibit properties in a warehouse facility until needed. Exhibit houses provide storage for trade show displays.

Straight Time

Work performed by I&D labor during normal work hours at the standard rate to set up and take down trade show exhibit booths.

Supervision

A person in charge of the labor crew who directs the installation and dismantle of a booth.

Table Skirt

A fabric covering which drapes over a table, often paired with a table top trade show booth. May have a printed or silk-screened logo. Also called a Table Throw Cover.

Table Top Displays

Small exhibits which fit on top of a table, usually 6 or 8 feet wide. Popup Trade Show Displays and Folding Displays are types of a table top trade show booth.

Tear-Down

The dismantling of a trade show exhibit. Also called Dismantle.

Tension Fabric Displays

Displays typically made of aluminum to support lightweight tension fabric materials with high-quality digital printing

Towers

A tall trade show exhibit structure, often used to store an exhibitor’s products or other show materials. Also elevates the exhibitor’s logo or display graphics so attendees can see and locate the exhibit booth more easily.

Trade Fair

Widely used international term for a trade show or exposition.

Trade Shows

Expositions related to a particular industry or group and open only to the members of that group. Also called a Fair in Europe.

Trade Show Booths

An area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the booth space.

Trade Show Furniture

Chairs, tables and other furniture designed to be compact and pack flat, if possible, for ease of shipping trade show exhibit materials.

Trade Show Charging Station

Counters of all types designed with built-in USB ports for cellphones, tablets, laptops.

Trade Show and Events Suppliers

Trade show and event companies who offer supplies and resources to implement trade shows and events.  Examples of these offerings are trade show and event designs, trade show booth displays and rentals, trade show and event accessories, signage and trade show and event logistics.

Trade Show Marketing

Use of expositions related to a particular industry or group at which customers interact directly with representatives of companies. Also called Event Marketing and involves use of a trade show exhibit.

Trade Show Objectives

Goals set by exhibitors to achieve through trade show marketing. Booth design is directly related to a trade show exhibitor’s objectives.

Trade Show Stands

European term for an area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Exhibiting companies erect trade show displays within the trade show stand space.

Traffic Flow

The movement of visitors through an exposition or trade show exhibit.

Truss Displays

A Truss Trade Show Display is constructed from lightweight aluminum and provides a industrial look to an exhibit booth. Often paired with Fabric Display Graphics. A Truss Display can be can also be used to hang lighting or other equipment above a booth.

Velcro

The trade name for a fabric closure with two components: hooks and loops. The two components adhere when pressed together and separate when pulled apart, allowing for repeated use. Often used to attach trade show display graphics to the booth.

Vinyl Graphics Custom

Cut letters and logos from a thin, plastic materials that adheres to trade show exhibit panels, similar to a sticker.

Visitor

A European term for a person who attends a trade show or trade fair. Also called Attendee.

Visqueen

A clear plastic sheeting that is placed over trade show flooring after it’s laid in order to protect it until the show opens.

Warehousing

Storage of exhibit properties when not in use.

Workstation

A small structure within a trade show exhibit, which often features a computer kiosk with multimedia capabilities. Also called Display Kiosks.

Xpressions

Fabric displays in which fabric exhibit graphics of similar or different sizes weave and twist through a pop up display frame.

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