Glossary

Below are definitions of some commonly used trade show terminology.

Advance Order

Goods and/or services ordered prior to setup.

Aisle Carpet

Carpet installed in aisles.

Back-to-Back Booth

The standard exhibit configuration where booths are placed in rows, back to back.

Bill of Lading

A document establishing the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company for moving freight.

Usually prepared by the exhibitor on forms issued by the carrier. Also called a Material Handling Order Form or Waybill in some instances.

Blanket Wrap

Non-crated freight covered with protective blankets or padding and shipped by van line.

Bone Yard

On-site storage area for contractor materials.

Booth Sign

7" x 44" sign indicating company name and booth number.

Common Carrier

A transportation company that handles crated materials. Consolidates freight of more than one shipper.

Consignee

Person to whom goods are shipped and assumes responsibility.

Cut and Lay

Installation of carpet other than standard booth size, generally at an increased cost.

CWT Rate

Abbreviation for "hundred weight." Equivalent of 100 lbs. Unit or measure used in drayage.

Disconnect

A device to permit easy and rapid separation of electrical components.

Dismantle

Tear-down and removal of exhibits.

Double - Faced Panel

Finished on both sides.

Drayage

Hauling goods short distances. In trade show usage: moving exhibit materials within the confines of the exhibit hall, or the general contractor's warehouse.

Drayage Charge

The dollar cost based on weight. Drayage is calculated by 100 pound units, or hundredweight abbreviated CWT. There is usually a minimum charge.

DT Labor

Work performed on over time, usually at double the straight - time rate.

Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC)

Any company other than the designated "official" contractor providing display installation and dismantling.

Floor Load

Maximum weight per square foot a floor can support.

Floor Manager

Member of the show management team to assist exhibitors with the installation, dismantling and overall operation of the exhibit area.

Floor Order

An order for services placed after exhibit setup begins; usually more expensive than an Advance Order.

Floor Port

Utility box, recessed in the floor, containing electrical, telephone, and/or plumbing connections.

Foam Core

Lightweight material with a Styrofoam center used for signs, decorating, and exhibit construction (Also called Gator Foam or Gator Board).

Four - Hour Call

Minimum work period for which union labor must be paid in special circumstances. (Minimum call is generally one hour.)

General Contractor

Company which provides all labor and services to an exposition manager and exhibitors.

Goose - Neck Light

Small (75 to 150 watt) spot light with a flexible stem.

Gross Weight

Full weight of a shipment, including goods and packaging.

Hand Carryable

Items that one person can carry unaided (meaning no hand trucks or dollies.)

Hard Card

Work order labor or services.
Drayage contractor's record of transporting small loads.

Hard Wire

Electrical connection other than receptacle to receptacle.

Hardwall Booth

A booth constructed with plywood or other solid material as opposed to a booth formed by drapery only.

Header

A sign or other structure across the top of a booth.

Independent Service Contractor

Any company (other than the designated "official" contractors listed in the exhibitor manual) providing a service (models/ demonstrators, florists, photographers, audiovisual, etc.) and needing access to an exhibit any time during installation, show dates and/or dismantling.

In-Line Booth

An exhibit space with booths on both sides and behind.

Installation

The setting up of exhibit booths and materials according to instructions and drawings.

Island Booth

An exhibit with aisles on all four sides.

Labor Call

A method of securing union employees.

Landscape (Horizontal)

A sign that is wider than it is high.

Less than Truckload (LTL)

Shipping rates that apply when the quantity of freight is less than the volume of truckload minimum weight.

Marshalling Yard

Control point at which all freight is checked in. Freight is then dispatched to the appropriate loading dock as space becomes available. This process insures delivery of freight to the exhibit hall in a safe and expedient fashion.

Masking Drape

Drape used to cover storage and other unsightly areas.

Merchandise Release Pass

Release provided by the exhibitor for the removal of materials from the exhibit hall. (Forms available from show security.)

Move-In

Date(s) set for installation of exhibits.

Move-Out

Date(s) set for dismantling of exhibits.

No Show

A person who does not show up to claim booth space or ordered services.

On Center

Measurement of space from center of a solid object such as a column to another point.

On-Site Order

Order for labor or services placed on show site. Prices for on - site orders are more costly and advance orders are normally processed first. In some cases, on - site orders cannot be filled.

OT Labor

Work performed on over time, usually at one and one - half the straight - time rate.

Peninsula Booth

Booth space with aisles on three sides.

Perimeter Booth

Booth located on the outer most wall of the exhibit hall.

Pipe and Drape

Tubing with drapes which separate exhibit booths.

Portrait (Vertical)

A sign that is higher that it is wide.

POV

A privately owned vehicle, such as a passenger car, van, or small company vehicle, as distinguished from trucks, tractor - trailers and other over the road vehicles.

Program Book

Printed schedule of meeting events, locations of function rooms, location of exhibitors, and other pertinent information.

Pro Number

A number designated by a common carrier to a single shipment.

Rental Booth

Complete booth package offered to exhibitors on a rental basis by the general contractor.

Return

Panel joined to backwall at right angles.

Setup

Installation of display(s).

Side Rail

Low divider wall, usually pipe and drape, used to divide one exhibit space from another.

Skirting

Decorative covering around tables or risers.

Special Handling

Applies to material shipments requiring extra labor, equipment, or time in delivery to exhibit space.

ST Labor

Labor performed on straight - time as specified in the exhibitor manual.

Tare Weight

Weight of a container and/or packing materials without the weight of the goods it contains.

Time and Materials

Method of charging on a cost-plus basis.