Industry Terms

When we discuss exhibits, show services and such, we forget that sometimes we use typical industry terms in our conversation and many times our documents and estimates. So not to leave you wondering what we are talking about, here are some of the most widely used terms and phrases in the tradeshow exhibiting industry.

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Aisle
A walkway intended for audience movement through an exposition or exhibit. At most exhibit halls the aisle will be at least (20 foot wide).
Aisle Carpet
Carpeting installed in trade show aisles. This you don't pay for or have any control over.
Attendees
Those persons who visit an event that are not exhibiting or connected with the event itself. Adcraft offers many options for capturing visitor data to your exhibit.
Back-light
A light source that illuminates translucent material from behind. Adcraft specializes in all types of lighting sources (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, more)
Backwall
The panels at the rear of an exhibit. Sometimes this can be considered as show drapery.
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. Also see Air Waybill, Inland Bill of Lading, Ocean Bill of Lading, Through Bill of Lading.
Boneyard
A storage area for empty crates and contractor materials. Not the best name for it, but generally these areas are safe and secure.
Booth
An area made up of one or more standard units of exhibit space. Typical exhibit spaces start in increments of 10’ x 10’.
Booth Size
The dimensions of the floor space contracted by an exhibitor. Usually sold in 10′ x 10′ increments, but can expand to larger 20’ x 20’ segments and beyond.
Custom Exhibit
A display designed and built to meet the specific needs of an exhibitor. Adcraft excels in custom-designs, making your exhibit unique and effective.
CWT
Hundred weight. A measurement used for shipping exhibit properties. Usually 100 pounds.
Decorator
An individual (skilled craftsperson) or company (a contractor) providing services for a trade show and/or its exhibitors. At most tradeshows, the decorator controls the show floor and may have authority over any exhibitors space and exhibit.
DIM Weight
Length x width x height divided by 194 for domestic shipments or divided by 166 for international shipments.
Dismantle
To take apart an exhibit. Also known as Take-down, Teardown. Generally at the end of the show. Adcraft offers this service and will be on the show floor immediately after the show officially closes.
Display Builder
A company which fabricates exhibits. Adcraft is a display designer and builder.
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. Generally associated with the fork lift drivers.
End Cap
An exhibit space with aisles on three sides. Good place to be if you can get it. Sometimes these spaces will cost more than the aisles, but for marketing, the added cost is well worth it.
Exhibit Designer/Producer
Company responsible for designing and constructing exhibit booths. Adcraft is your design company.
Exhibit Directory
A guide for exhibition attendees which lists exhibitors and exhibit locations. Adcraft will assist you in completing any and all forms to ensure your business and contact information is included in the show guide.
Exhibit Hall
The area(s) within an exposition center where exhibits are located. This is typically your convention center or hotel space.
Exhibit Manager
Person in charge of a company’s exhibit program.
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.
Exhibitor Kit
A package of information which contains all rules, regulations, and forms relating to an exhibition, provided to exhibitors by show management. Also called Service Kit.
Fabrication
The construction of an exhibit. Adcraft is your exhibit architect.
Floor Plan
A map showing the size and locations of exhibit spaces. Get an early start planning and you’ll have the best location selections.
Freight
Exhibit properties and other materials shipped for an exhibit. Adcraft will assist in getting you the right freight carrier for your exhibit and destination. This is not a job for your business freight manager. Shipping exhibits is a specialized service.
Freight Desk
The area where inbound and outbound exhibit materials are handled at a trade show.
General Contractor
Show management appointed company providing services to a trade show and/or its exhibitors. Also called Official Contractor. Compare with Exhibitor Appointed Contractor.
Graphic
A photo, copy panel, or artwork applied to an exhibit.
Hall
General term used for an exposition facility or the exhibit area within a facility.
I&D
Installation & Dismantle (of an exhibit). Also known as Set Up and Take-down. Adcraft has great I&D crews in every major exhibiting location.
Independent Contractor
A contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services independently of show management appointed contractors. Also called Exhibitor Appointed Contractor, EAC
In-line
An exhibit that is constructed in a continuous line along an aisle. Also called Linear Display.
Installation
The process of setting up exhibit properties according to specifications. Also called Assembly, Set Up.
Installation & Dismantle
The set up and take-down of exhibits. Also called I & D.
Island Exhibit
A display with aisles on four sides.
Less Than Truckload (LTL)
The rate charged for freight weighing less than the minimum weight for a truckload.
Light Box
An enclosure which contains lighting underneath a translucent facing material. Used to back-light signs or graphics applied to the face.
Marshaling Yard
A lot where trucks gather for orderly dispatch to show site.
Modular Exhibit
An exhibit constructed with interchangeable components designed to be set up in various arrangements and sizes. Adcraft can provide multiple exhibit design configurations.
Move-in
The date specified by show management for beginning exhibit installation. Adcraft personnel are always on board for move-in and move-out days.
Move-out
The date specified by show management for dismantling exhibits.
Overtime
A designation for work performed outside the hours specified as normal working hours. Usually work performed on overtime is charged at a substantially higher rate. Many exhibit halls are controlled by union labor, where this could be a factor.
Packing List
A document prepared by a shipper itemizing contents of shipment and including other information needed by the carrier.
Peninsula Display
An exhibit with aisles on three sides.
Perimeter Booth
A booth space on a outside wall.
Pipe & Drape
Tubing covered with draped fabric to make up the rails and backwall of a trade show. This is generally supplied by the official show decorator.
Portable Exhibit
A lightweight display unit that can be moved without a forklift.
Pro-number
A carrier-assigned number used to designate a specific shipment.
Rear Illumination
A technique of using a light source to illuminate a translucent image from behind. Also called Back-lighting.
Rear Projection
A video technique in which images are projected on a screen positioned between the projector and the audience.
Refurbish
The process of repairing or reconditioning an exhibit to extend its life span.
Rental Booth
A complete booth package offered to exhibitors on a rental basis. Adcraft has many options available for rentals. Rentals have some specific advantages, let Adcraft help you explore rentals.
Rigger
A skilled worker responsible for handling and assembly of machinery.
Right To Work State
A state where no person can be denied the right to work because of membership or non-membership in a labor union.
S.T. Labor
Straight Time Labor. Work performed during normal work hours at the standard rate. Compare with D.T. Labor, Overtime.
Service Desk
The location at which exhibitors order services from show management.
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 from its components. Also called Assembly, Installation.
Set-up Drawing
Drawings which give detailed instructions for the installation of an exhibit.
Shipping Case
A reusable container for transporting exhibit materials.
Shipping Crate
A wooden container for transporting exhibit materials, which may be designed for a single use or custom built for extended reuse. Adcraft knows what it takes to stand-up to freight movement, and getting your exhibit there safe and sound.
Show Break
Time specified for the closing of an exhibition and beginning of dismantling.
Show Photographer
The show management appointed photographer for an exhibition.
Show Producer
An individual or company which manages trade shows, including leasing the exposition facility, hiring official contractors, and promoting the show.
Show Rules
The general rules and regulations governing a specific trade show. Like everything, there are rules, and Adcraft will ensure your exhibit is designed, built and installed within the show guidelines.
Shrink Wrap
A process used to seal materials in transparent plastic.
Silk Screen
A method of creating graphics with a reusable stencil.
Skid
A low wooden frame used to support heavy objects or groups of materials for easier handling. Usually used as a platform for objects moved by forklift. Also called Pallet.
Skirting
Decorative covering around tables and risers.
Special Handling
Applies to exhibit shipments requiring extra labor, equipment, or time for delivery to exhibit space.
Subcontractor
An individual or company retained by a general contractor to provide services.
T.L.
Truckload.
Table-Top Display
An exhibit designed for use on the top of a table or similar surface.
Trade Show
An exposition related to a particular industry or group, and open only to the members of that group.
Traffic Flow
The movement of visitors through an exposition or exhibit.
Truss
Structural element hung above exhibit for the purpose of hanging lighting equipment to illuminate exhibit components.
Union
An organization of workers formed with the purpose of protecting workers’ rights and increasing bargaining power with an employer on such issues as wages, hours, and benefits.
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 repeated use.
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.

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