ADVANCE ORDER – An order for Show services sent to the contractor prior to the discount deadline date
ADVANCE WAREHOUSE – Shipments sent to the Freeman warehouse for up to 30 days prior to move-in
AIR FREIGHT – Materials shipped via an airplane
AISLE CARPET – Carpet laid in aisles between booths. Color to be determined by Show Management
AISLE SIGNS – Signs, usually suspended, indicating aisle numbers or letters
ARM LIGHTS – A light with an extended arm, typically clamp on
AUDIO/VISUAL (AV) – Equipment, materials and teaching aids used in sound and visual
BACKWALL – Panel arrangement at rear of booth area
BANNER – A horizontal or vertical sign made out of foam core, vinyl or magnetic materials, hung over a structure for promotional purposes
BILL OF LADING – Document or form listing goods to be shipped
BLANKET WRAP – Non-crated freight shipped via van line covered with protective blankets or padding
BONE YARD – Equipment storage area at Show site
BOOTH CARPET / PADDING – Carpet and padding purchased by the exhibitor, used to enhance the exhibit look and feel
BOOTH NUMBER – Number designated to identify each exhibitor’s space
COMMON CARRIER – Transportation company, which handles crated materials
CONSIGNEE – Person to whom goods are shipped
CRATED FREIGHT – Containerized freight, items shipped in protective containers
CUT & LAY – Installation of carpet other than normal booth or aisle size
CWT – Hundred weight. Weight measurement for exhibit freight. Usually 100 lbs.
DECORATING – Dressing up exhibition with carpet, draping, plants, etc.
DECORATOR – General Contractor or Service Contractor
DIRECT TO SHOWSITE – Shipments sent directly to Freeman Show location
DISMANTLE – Take-down and removal of an exhibit
DISPLAY BUILDER – Company that fabricates displays
DOLLY – Low, flat, usually two feet square platform on four wheels used for carrying heavy loads
DRAYAGE – See Material Handling
DUPLEX OUTLET – Double electrical outlet
EAC – Exhibitor Appointed Contractor, a third-party contractor performing services like installation, dismantling, booth design, etc.
EXHIBIT MANAGER – Person in charge of an individual exhibit booth
EXHIBITOR SERVICE DESK – A centralized area where representatives of various Show services can be contacted or located
FIRE EXIT – Door, clear of obstructions, designated by local authorities for egress
FIRE RETARDANT – Term used to describe a finish (usually liquid) which coats materials with a fire-resistant cover
FLAME PROOF – Term used to describe material, which is, or had been, treated to be fire retardant
FLOOR MANAGER – Person retained by Show management to supervise exhibit area and assist exhibitors
FLOOR MARKING – Method of marking booth space
FLOOR ORDER – Goods and/or services ordered on-site
FLOOR PLAN – A map showing layout of exhibit spaces
FOAM CORE – Lightweight material with a Styrofoam center used for signs, decorating and exhibit construction
FORKLIFT – Vehicle with power operated pronged platform for lifting and carrying loads
FREEMAN – Official general service contractor
FREIGHT – Exhibit properties, products and other materials shipped for an exhibit
FREIGHT DOOR – A large door located on the perimeter of an exhibit hall that accommodates large trucks and freight management operations
FREIGHT FORWARDER – Shipping company
FULL BOOTH COVERAGE – Carpet covering entire area of booth
GEM WALL – Temporary wall panels used to build booths, rooms and custom structures
GENERAL CONTRACTOR – Company that provides all services to exhibition management and exhibitors
GUARANTEE – The number of food/beverage servings to be paid for, whether or not they are actually consumed: usually required 48-72 hours in advance
HAND TRUCK – Small hand-propelled implement with two wheels and two handles for transporting small loads
HARDWALL BOOTH – Booth constructed with plywood or similar material as opposed to booth formed by drapery only
HOSPITALITY SUITE – Room or suite used to entertain guests
I & D – Install and Dismantle
I.D. SIGN – Booth identification sign
INHERENT FLAME PROOF – Material that is permanently flame resistant without chemical treatment
INVOICE – Itemized list of goods and services specifying the price and terms of sale
INSTALLATION – Setting up exhibit booth and materials according to instructions and drawings
ISLAND BOOTH – An exhibit space with aisles on all four sides
KIOSK – Free-standing pavilion or light structure
LABOR – Refers to contracted workers who perform services
LABOR DESK – On-site area from which service personnel are dispatched
LEADMAN – Teamster or Electrician supervising a crew
LIGHT BOX – Enclosure with lighting and translucent face of plastic or glass
LINEAR BOOTH – Any booth that shares a common back wall and abuts other exhibits on one or two sides
LOADING DOCK – Area on premises where goods are received
LOCK-UP – Storage area that can be locked up
LTL – Less than truckload
MARSHALING YARD – Check-in area for trucks delivering exhibit material
MATERIAL HANDLING – The unloading of your shipment, transporting it to your booth, storing and returning your empty crates and cartons and reloading your shipment at the close of the show
MEANS OF EGRESS – An approved stairway or ramp constructed to the specification of the fire code used for access and exiting
MODULAR EXHIBIT – Exhibit constructed with interchangeable components
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 plastic material
NET SQUARE FEET – The amount of space occupied by exhibits in a facility, not including aisles, columns, registration area, etc.
NO FREIGHT AISLE – Aisle that must be kept clear at all times during set-up and dismantles. Used to deliver freight, remove empty boxes and trash, and in case of emergency.
NOISE DECIBEL – A unit for measuring the relative loudness of sounds.
OFFICIAL CONTRACTOR – General contractor or decorator
OFF-TARGET – Move in date that is before or after the officially assigned target date
ON-SITE ORDER – Floor order placed at Show site
ON-SITE REGISTRATION – Process of signing up for an event on the day of, or at the site of the event
O.T. LABOR – Work performed on overtime. Work performed before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and all hours on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
PAD-WRAPPED (BLANKET WRAP) – Non-crated freight shipped via van line covered with protective padding or blankets
PADDED VAN SHIPMENT – Shipment of crated or uncrated goods such as product or display material
PALLET – Wooden platform used to carry goods (also Skid)
PEGBOARD PANEL – Framed panel of perforated hardboard
PENINSULA BOOTH – Exhibit space with aisles on three sides
PERIMETER BOOTH – Exhibit space located on an outside wall
PIPE AND DRAPE – Tubing with drapes that separates exhibit booths
PRE-REGISTERED – Reservation that has been made in advance with necessary paperwork
PRESS ROOM – Space reserved for media representatives
PRIVATE SECURITY – Security personnel hired from a privately operated company
PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY – The ability to use advertising to create additional publicity
PRO-NUMBER – Number assigned by the freight forwarders to a single shipment used in all cases where reference is made to the shipment
QUAD BOX – Four electrical outlets in one box
REGISTRATION – Process by which an individual indicates their intent to attend a tradeshow
RENTAL BOOTH – Complete booth package offered to exhibitors on a rental basis
RISER – A platform for people or product
SECURITY CAGES – Cages rented by exhibitors to lock up materials
SCRIM – Light weight, loosely woven covering or cloth used for decorative purposes
SERVICE CHARGE – Charge for the services of waiters, waitresses, housemen, technicians and other food function personnel
SHOWCASE – Glass or plastic enclosed case for articles on display
SHOW DIRECTORY – Program book for attendees, listing exhibitors and exhibit booth location
SHOW MANAGER – Person responsible for all aspects of exhibition
SHOW OFFICE – Management office at exhibition
SHRINK–WRAP – Process of wrapping loose items on pallet with transparent plastic wrapping
SKID – Wooden platform used to carry goods (also Pallet)
SKIRTING – Decorative covering around tables and risers
SPACE ASSIGNMENT – Booth space assigned to exhibiting companies
SPACE RATE – Cost per square foot for exhibit area
TARGET DATE – Move – in date and times assigned to exhibitors by Freeman
TARGET FREIGHT FLOORPLAN – Floorplan indicating freight delivery for individual booths
TEAMSTER – Union member that handles all material in and out of the hall for all non-electrical functions
TIME & MATERIALS – Method of charging for services on a cost-plus basis
TRAFFIC FLOW – Movement of people through an area
TRUSS – A collection of structural beams forming a rigid framework
TURNKEY BOOTH – A pre-packed, linear booth consisting of standard furniture, sign and carpet
UNCRATED FREIGHT – Items shipped outside of protective containers, typically shipped either loosely loaded and/or pad wrapped in trailers
UNION – An organization of workers formed for mutual protection and for the purpose of dealing collectively with their employer in wages, hours, working conditions and other matters pertaining to their employment
UNION STEWARD – On-site union officials
VISQUEEN – Transparent plastic cover
WASTE REMOVAL – Removal of trash from the building