Term

Definition

A/V

Audio/visual support such as television monitors, DVD players, or recorded music.

Advance Order

An order for services sent to the service contractor prior to the installation date. Also known as Floor Order.

Advance Rates

Fees associated with Advance Orders., which typically include discounts when paid in advance.

Advance Warehouse

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.

Banner

A suspended panel used as a decoration or a sign, usually made of fabric or paper for temporary use.

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.

Boneyard

A storage area for empty crates and contractor materials.

Booth Personnel

Staff members assigned by an exhibitor to work in an exhibit.

Carrier

A transportation line moving freight. Usually a van line, common carrier, rail line, or air carrier. Also known as Common Carrier.

Cartage

(1) The fee charged for transporting freight. (2) The moving of exhibit properties over a short distance.

Certificate of Insurance

Written verification from an insurance company of the existence of insurance, the policy amount, the insured(s), and the policy period.

Clean Bill of Lading

A carrier -issued receipt indicating that transported merchandise was received in apparent good condition. Compare with Foul Bill of Lading.

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.

Consignee

A person to whom goods are shipped.

Consignment

A delivery of merchandise from an exporter (the consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under the agreement that the agent will sell the merchandise, receive a commission, and remit the net proceeds to the exporter.

Consignor

A person who sends freight.

Corner Booth

An exhibit space with exposure on at least two aisles.

CWT

Hundred weight. A measurement used for shipping exhibit properties. Usually 100 pounds.

D.T. Labor

Double Time Labor. Work performed on overtime and charged at twice the published rate.

Damage Report

A report submitted by an exhibitor to a freight company or Drayage contractor itemizing damage to shipped goods.

Declared Value

A shipper's stated dollar value for the contents of a shipment.

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.

Display Rules & Regulations

Exhibit construction specifications endorsed by major exhibit industry associations. Also the specific set of rules that apply to an exposition.

Dock

A platform where freight is loaded onto and removed from vehicles or vessels. Also known as Loading Dock.

Drayage

The movement of show materials from Loading Dock to booth for show Set Up and back to dock for return shipment at end of show.

DW

Deadweight (tons of 2240 lbs.)

Emergency Contact Listing

Contact information provided by each exhibitor to Show Management in case there is an urgent onsite issue regarding the exhibitor’s booth. This is one contact, it is suggested that each exhibitor keep a separate emergency contact listing for Booth Personnel onsite.

End Cap

An exhibit space with aisles on three sides.

Est. Wt.

Estimated Weight.

Exclusive Contractor

A contractor appointed by Show Management as the sole provider of specified services.

Exhibit Hall

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

Exhibit Manager

Person in charge of a company's exhibit program.

Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC)

A contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services independently of show management appointed contractors.  

Exhibitor Kit

A package of information which contains all rules, regulations, and forms relating to an exhibition, provided to exhibitors by Show Management. Also known as Service Kit.

Exhibitor Listing

A guide for exhibition attendees which lists exhibiting companies, contact information and descriptions.

Floor Marking

Method used to mark booth spaces.

Floor Order

Order for services placed after exhibit installation has begun. Also known as Advance Order.

Floor Plan

A map showing the size and locations of exhibit spaces.

Foul Bill of Lading

A carrier-issued receipt indicating that transported merchandise was damaged when received. Compare with Clean Bill of Lading.

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.

General Contractor

Show Management appointed company providing services to a trade show and/or its exhibitors. Also known as Official Contractor.

Hall

General term used for an exposition facility or the exhibit area within a facility.

Hand Truck

Small hand-propelled vehicle used for transporting small loads.

Hardwall

A type of exhibit construction in which walls are made of a solid material, rather than fabric.

Header

A sign or other structure across the top of an exhibit.

I&D

Installation & Dismantle (of an exhibit). Also known as Set Up and Teardown.

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. Also known as Linear Display.

Installation

The process of setting up exhibit properties according to specifications. Also known as Set Up.

Installation & Dismantle

The set up and take-down of exhibits. Also known as I & D.

Island Exhibit

A display with aisles on four sides.

Kit

See Service Kit.

Lead Tracking

A manual or automated system used to conduct follow-up activities for sales prospects resulting from a trade show.

Lead Retrieval

The processes of gathering attendee contact information usually by bar codes printed on the attendee name Badge.

Linear Display

An exhibit that is constructed in a continuous line along an aisle. Also known as In-line.

Loading Dock

An area within an exposition facility where freight is received and shipped.

Logo

A specific symbol chosen to represent a company. Usually comprised of stylized type alone or in conjunction with graphic art.

Marshaling Yard

A lot where trucks gather for orderly dispatch to show site.

Material Handling

The movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the process of exhibiting.

Move-in

The date and time specified by show management for exhibit installation.

Move-out

The date and time specified by show management for dismantling exhibits.

O.T. Labor

Work performed on overtime.

Official Contractor

Show management appointed company providing services to a trade show and/or its exhibitors. Also known as General Contractor or Exclusive Contractor.

On-site

A reference to the exhibit location.

On-site Order

Floor order placed at a show site.

P.W.

Packed Weight.

Packing List

A document prepared by a shipper itemizing contents of shipment and including other information needed by the carrier.

Pallet

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. Also known as Skid (#skid).

Peninsula Display

An exhibit with aisles on three sides.

Perimeter Booth

A booth space on an outside wall.

Pipe & Drape

Tubing covered with draped fabric to make up the rails and backwall of a trade show.

Pro Forma Invoice

An invoice sent to a buyer prior to the shipment of merchandise which provides detailed information about the kinds and quantities of goods to be shipped.

Producer

(1) Exhibit Producer: An individual or company which designs and/or builds exhibits. (2) Show Producer: An individual or company which manages trade shows. The producer for the LCT Eastern Conference is Bobit Business Media (new window).

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.

Riser

A platform for people or materials.

S.T. Labor

Straight Time Labor. Work performed during normal work hours at the standard rate.

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 known as Installation.

Show Decorator

A company or individual responsible for providing draping, carpeting, and signage services for the trade show and its exhibitors. Also known as Official Contractor, General Contractor or Exclusive Contractor.

Show Manager

The organizer and operator of an exposition. Kristen Messineo is the Show Manager for the LCT Eastern Conference.

Show Management

The collective staff that plans, manages, and governs the trade show on behalf of the Show Producer.

Show Producer

An individual or company which manages trade shows, including leasing the exposition facility, hiring official contractors, and promoting the show. The show producer for the LCT Eastern Conference is Bobit Business Media.

Show Program

A catalog of basic information about the show, including exhibitor listings, floor plan and schedule of events.

Show Rules

The general rules and regulations governing a specific trade show.

Side Rail

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

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 known as Pallet.

Skirting

Decorative covering around tables and risers.

Space Contract

A written agreement between the Exhibitor and Show Producer for the purchase of exhibit space at a trade show.

Special Handling

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

Staging Area

A location used to deliver, store, wash and detail vehicles to be displayed in the Exhibit Hall.

Stanchions

Posts used to support signage or other elevated objects.

Suitcasing

The act of soliciting business by non-exhibitors in the aisles during the exhibition or in other public spaces, or the act of planning and promoting non-scheduled unsanctioned events throughout the duration of the Show. Suitcasing is not permitted at the LCT Eastern Conference, violators will be ejected.

Table Top Display

An exhibit designed for use on the top of a table or similar surface.

Teardown

The dismantling of an exhibit. Also known as Dismantle.

Trade Show

An exposition related to a particular industry or group, and open only to the members of that group.

Truss

Structural element hung above exhibit for the purpose of hanging lighting equipment to illuminate exhibit components.

Visqueen

A clear plastic sheeting that is placed over exhibit carpeting in order to protect it until the show opens.

W/B

Waybill.