A/V - Audio/Visual support such as projection systems, sound systems, television monitors VCR's or taped music.

c A/V Contractor - A supplier of audio/visual equipment and services.
Advance Mailer - Promotional literature sent to prospective attendees prior to an events opening.


Advance Order - An order for show services sent to the service contractor before move-in and usually less expensive than an order placed onsite
Aisle - A walkway intended for audience movement through an exposition.
Aisle Signs – Signs indicating aisle numbers or letters.
APEX - The Accepted Practices Exchange. Initiative of the Convention Industry Council regarding development/implementation of industry-wide standards for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
Atmospherics - Use of color to create a mood in a room or exhibit.
Attendee - A visitor to the exposition, a potential buyer or customer.


Audio/Visual – see A/V
Authorized Signature - Signature of a person who is authorized to execute a binding legal agreement.

Badges - A form of identification. Every exhibitor and attendee must wear a badge when on the show floor.
Back-to-back booths - The standard exhibit configuration where booths/stands are placed in rows, back to back.
Booth Personnel - Members of exhibitor’s staff designated by an exhibitor to work in their exhibit.
Booth Carpet - Carpet purchased or rented by the exhibitor, used to enhance the exhibit look and feel of the exhibit.
Booth Number A number assigned by show management to identify an exhibitor's floor space.
Booth Personnel - Exhibitor's Staff assigned to represent exhibiting company in assigned space.


Booth Size - The dimensions of the floor space contracted by an exhibitor. Usually sold in 10' x 10' increments
Certificate of Insurance - It serves as evidence of the financial capability of an indemnitor who has executed an agreement in favor of an organization.


Certificate of Origin - A document required by certain foreign countries for tariff purposes, certifying as to the country of origin of specified goods.
Column - A pillar in an exposition facility that supports the roof or other structures, usually denoted on floor plan as a solid square or dot.
Conference - Educational meeting and informational seminars usually held in conjunction with an event or convention.


Consignee - Person to whom goods are shipped.


Consignor - A person who sends freight.


Consumer Show - An exposition that is open to the public showing what are generally known as consumer products.


Contractor - An individual or company providing services to a trade show and/or its exhibitors.


Convention Center - A facility where expositions and/or conferences are held.


Corkage - The charge placed on beer, liquor and wine brought into the facility but purchased elsewhere. The charge sometimes includes glassware, ice and mixers.


Corner Booth - An exhibit space with exposure on at least two aisles.


Crate List - List of the contents of what is enclosed inside a crate (e.g. exhibit pieces, carpet, etc.).
Cross Aisle - An aisle at a right angle to the main aisle.


Cross Bar - Rod used in draping or as a support brace. Also known as drape support or stretcher bar.
Decorator - An individual or company providing installation and dismantling of exhibits and booth and hall dressing services for a trade show and/or its exhibitors. (also called General Contractor, Official Contractor.)
Dismantle - The process of tearing down, packing up and moving out exhibit materials after show closes
Drape Support -The bar on which the drape hangs. (Also cross bar/strecther bar.)
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. (Also see Material Handling)
Drayage Contractor - Company responsible for handling exhibit properties
Egress - Direction of exiting
Exhibit Hall - The area in the convention center where the exhibits are located.


Exhibit Manager - Member of exhibitor's staff who is in charge of exhibitor's booth.
Exhibitor Service Manual - Manual containing general information, labor/service order forms, Rules and Regulations, and other important information pertaining to exhibitor participation in an exhibit. (Also called Exhibitor Manual, Service Manual or Show Manual)
Exposition - An event in which products or services are exhibited. (Also referred to as Exhibition, Expo, Trade Show, and Trade Fair)



Fire Exit - Door, clear of obstructions, designated by local authorities to egress.


Fire Retardant - Treatment that coats materials with a fire-resistant cover.


Flame Proof - A material that is, or has been treated to be, fire-retardant.
Floor Manager - Show management staff person who is responsible to overseeing all or part of the exhibition.
Floor Plan - A map showing the layout of exhibit spaces.
Hall - A generic term for an Exposition Facility. May also refer to an individual area within a facility, such as Hall A or Halls A-C.
Hospitality - An event or gathering usually separate from the exhibit, in which refreshments are served and exhibitor personnel and invited guests socialize.


Hospitality Suite - Room or suite of rooms used to entertain guests.
I.D. Sign - Booth identification sign.
Infringement - Use of floor space outside designated booth area, or breaking of the official rules and regulations.
Kiosk - A small structure, open on one or more sides, for the display of a product or for use as an information station or for material distribution.
Lead - An individual or organization that expresses an interest in your goods or services.
Lead Tracking - A manual or automated system used to conduct follow-up activities for sales prospects resulting from a trade show.


Liability - Legal term usually used to describe a point or amount of responsibility damages or injuries incurred or sustained.


Limits of Liability - A term used in a shipping contract to specify the monetary limit that a carrier will pay with regard to damages incurred on freight during a shipment.


Linear Booth - Any booth that shares a common back wall and abuts other exhibits on one or two sides.

Also known as inline booth.
Lobby - Public area that serves as an entrance or waiting area.
Modular - Structural elements that are interchangeable. Allows for maximum flexibility in arrangement and size.


Move-In - Date set for installation. Process of setting up exhibits.


Move-Out - Date set for dismantling. Process of dismantling exhibits.
Mylar - Trade name for a particular type of plastic material.
On-Site - Location of exhibits or projects.


On-Site Order - Floor order placed at show site.


On-Site Registration - Signing up for an event on the day of, or at the site of, the event.
Peninsula Booth - Exhibit space with aisles on three sides.


Perimeter Booth - Exhibit space located on an outside wall.


Pipe and Drape - Pipe material with fabric draped from it to make up side rails and back wall of an exhibit booth.


Pop-up Booth - A term generally referring to a booth that requires minimal tools to set up and is set up by the exhibitor.
Portable Exhibits - Lightweight,display units that do not require forklifts to move.


Post-Show - Refers to any activity that occurs following the closing of the event.
Pre-Order - Same as advance order.
Pre-Registered - Registration which has been made in advance with necessary paperwork.


Pre-Show - Refers to any activity that occurs prior to the show opening.
Press Kit - A package of materials put together for the media. Usually a folder containing press releases, product announcements, and other materials.
Priority Point System - System of assigning points to exhibiting companies to determine which firms will be allowed to select booth/stand space for the next event first. Also referred to as Priority ratubg system
Private Security - Security personnel hired from a privately operated company. (Also Booth Security)
Rail - The divider between exhibit booths, usally 3 feet high.(Also know as Side Rail)


Rear Projection - A video technique in which images are projected on a screen positioned between the projector and the audience.
Show Decorator - Company or individual responsible for hall draping, aisle carpeting and signage. Also performs same service to individuals' exhibitors.


Show Manager - Person responsible for all aspects of exhibition.


Show Office - The show management office at exhibition.
Space Assignment - Booth space assigned to exhibiting companies.
Table Top Display - Exhibit designed for use on top of counter, bench or table.
Tracking - A method used to locate a shipment or acquire a status of a delivery.


Trade Show - An exhibition held for members of a common or related industry.


Traffic Flow - A common or directed path the audience will take through an exposition or exhibit.
Waitlist or Waiting List - A list of companies which are interested in obtaining exhibit space, or relocating to a different space, but for whom no such space is not yet available.


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