A-Z of Exhibition Terms

Goods to be stored on site by the logistics contractor that may need to be accessed by the exhibitor before or after each show day. Includes top-up stock, extra items, spare AV, tools, ladders etc.

Location at or near the venue where shipments are received before/ released after the show. Customers can usually deliver Monday – Friday up to 2 weeks before move-in using their regular, scheduled carrier. Smaller shipments are consolidated, reducing the number of trucks at the venue.

Short for articulated lorry. Usually 13 metres long, heavy transport. See also trailers.

Also referred to as ‘carnet’ (pron. ‘car-nay’). This is a customs document that acts like a passport for goods moving from country to country without payment of import duty or tax. Only certain countries permit the use of Carnets for this purpose. Your customs broker will assist

Also banks person. A person designated to watch a large, heavy item, a display vehicle or an item being moved at height. This is usually being moved by forklift or crane. An assistant during unloading or loading of a truck. Should be trained and wear suitable PPE. Used primarily to ensure safe movement and act as another set of eyes and ears for the operator and to make people aware of the operation.

Single piece graphic that wraps a stand or wall. It is seamless so creates a quality finish.

Additional area used on graphic images for printed signage.

Container usually for fuel for forklifts or water.

Also move/ pull-out, dismantle. Period from close of show to end of tenancy. Hours defined by the organiser.

Also load-in, move-in, installation. Period from start of tenancy until show opening. Hours defined by the organiser.

Wires that run above head height in a hall that allow electricity cables or drapes to be attached to
when there is no under floor system

Construction Design Management – UK regulation ensuring that there is clarity of responsibility for the health and safety at a stand and / or event

A monitor in front of speaker showing an exact copy of what’s on the big screen behind them.

Stand classification relating to building regulations. In the UK, complex stands e.g. anything over 4m, two-storey requires checking by a structural engineer.

Vehicles designed to lift heavy objects using a boom arm, hook and lines. These must be operated by a licensed driver and under the control of the official lifting/ freight contractor

Attachment to a forklift used to lift items from above. Must be correctly attached to the forklift before use.

Also HMRC in the UK. Customs control the movement of goods into and out of the host country
or region.

A bank or insurance surety put up by the customs broker to cover potential duty and VAT on items imported for display purposes only.

Usually the same as the Logistics Contractor. They provide customs clearance services and can advise on how best to ship or import goods from outside the country/ region that he show is located.

Goods ‘under customs’ arrive from outside the UK and need to be cleared through customs before coming to the show. See also Customs Bond/ Temporary Import

Closed days – no work allowed during a build period.

Last items to go back to the stands, sometimes the following day or staged on request.

Do It Yourself – term used by freight contractor to describe people who handle their own deliveries.

Two storey stand

Large curtains that can be used to divide the hall, create theatre spaces or cover walls.

Rigging wires that are used to hang banners, displays, signage etc.

Term used when official show contractors offer discounted prices for a period of time prior to the tenancy.

Empty cases/ pallets/ packaging, stored by the official freight contractor. Moved once tagged by the exhibitor or contractor using empty case labels provided by the lifting/ logistics contractor.

The venue contact assigned to the Organiser for the event. Not to be confused with Operations Manager who is part of the Organising team.

The system or ropes/chains to hang banners, displays from the ceiling.

A document containing all the information an exhibitor will need about the event plus any forms they will need to complete to order items & compulsory forms for H&S

Online exhibitor portal including exhibitor manual, marketing manual, order forms etc.

Board that runs along top of shell scheme or modular system to which the stand name board and / or finger board is attached.

Board that attaches to the corner of a stand fascia displaying stand number and/or name.

Floor ducts – Similar to drain covers that allow electric cables, water pipes etc. to be distributed under the floor then reach above ground into individual stands.

Person who patrols the exhibition hall. Assists operations team, exhibitors and contractors to
ensure regulations are being met. Also part of safety team

To hang/rig banners in the hall.

Period of extra time where the organiser may be able to access the venue before the official
tenancy starts.

A material used to create panels used as shell scheme walling. Reused so cannot be pinned,
drilled etc. into.

Also forklifts, forklift trucks. Heavy, mechanical lifting machines. Operators must hold a current license and be working directly for the official lifting/ freight contractor.

Also see VE Doors – Access doors into the hall from the unloading area. Controlled by the venue. These are often separated into forklift areas and handball areas to keep people and machinery apart during move in and move out.

Term used by contractors to signal the start of breakdown after close of show. Usually indicated by organiser operations or show safety officer.

The process of unloading or loading a truck ‘by hand’ without the use of mechanical handling equipment.

Lifting or movement of freight that requires a forklift truck.

A part of the build-up or breakdown set aside for large/ heavy lifts and movements in the hall.

A truck-mounted crane. Many venues do not allow the use of HIABs at or inside their venues. Can be used under the control of the official lifting contractor. Must be operated by trained personnel. Notorious for leaking oil, hence not welcomed on site.

Panels that sit within the shell scheme – plain or with graphics

Also Heavy Lift. Usually refers to movement of large or heavy items by forklift or other
mechanical means.

Loading out materials from the stand/ show hall to a vehicle.

The access doors for exhibitors with build materials or where vehicles can access the hall to build stands.

Most events have an official logistics contractor. This company controls the movement of freight in and around the hall and, along with the General Contractor/ Shell Contractor is usually the only company permitted to operate lifting equipment at the event.

Markout is the process of marking out the floor plan accurately on the exhibition floor. Usually done prior to tenancy.

A document which details the materials and the method with which the stand is built.

A stand system that comes in set pieces and is easy to erect e.g. shell scheme

Boards that are attached to the top bar (fascia) of the shell scheme with the company name – different styles available.

Also known as ‘Ocky’, is the most common type of shell scheme.

Also known as pump trucks. Heavy metal trollies used for lifting and moving pallets. Mechanical, sometimes powered. Used to lift pallets or crates via a hydraulic jack system, pumped manually using the handle or electronically on larger models. Users should be trained in use of equipment.

Stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement and refers to health and safety documentation

A person trained in the use of strops, shackles and lifting equipment.

A legal document requirement for space only stands and contractors which assesses risk and lists mitigation measures.

Often shortened to ‘shell’. Modular system of poles and panels which is quick and easy to erect. Suitable for small stands. Sold as a package with carpet, nameboard and sometimes furniture, electrics and graphics. Perfect for first time exhibitors.

Speaker’s slides or series of images on a powerpoint

Stands that are sold as simply an area of space marked out in the exhibition hall. Exhibitors are required to design, build and order everything required for their stand. Also known as self builds or custom build.