Glossary of Exhibition Industry Terms

 We have compiled a list of common exhibition terms and language that you may hear from us or others within the industry.

• 100% Graphic Effect– Invisible supporting frames are covered with a seamless panoramic landscape, able to host typography, images, branding and logos.
• 3D CAD  – Computer-aided design is used to create realistic digital models of the exhibition stands.
• 3D Colour Render – A realistic digital model of the exhibition stand in full colour.
• A/V – Audio/visual such as a television screen back wall (The panels on the rear wall of an exhibition stand).
• Backlit Graphics – A unique feature where graphic panels are highlighted with lighting! LED boxes are placed inside the framework, shining through translucent material.
• Backlit Rotating Header – A branded rotating sign on top of the stand, lit with an LED lightbox.
• Bespoke Exhibition Stand – A bespoke stand is custom-designed to your specifications. This can be size, shape or special features.
• Bleed – A printing term, where the background elements of an image are extended or ‘bled’ to prevent unwanted white borders around the edges of a printed document.
• Branded Counters – Counters can be a central part of your stand design. Branding can be added to maximise marketing space, add a QR code or make a statement.
• Cable Tidy – Flat black rubber case for cables to go inside, this keeps them from being a trip hazard onsite.
• CAD Wireframe Drawing – The wireframe model structure underneath the CAD drawing demonstrates the curves and edges of the exhibition stand.
• CAD – Computer-Aided Design, often used to create realistic digital prototypes.
• Canopy – Canopy features can be part of a walkthrough. They can be illuminated with fret-cut backlit features.
• CDM – Construction Design Management (CDM) oversees the design process of the exhibition stand with client expectations and health and safety in mind.
• CDMR – Construction design and management regulations.
• Corkage fees – Some venues will issue a charge (corkage fee) for consuming or distributing your own beverages and food on the event day.
• Corner Stand – A stand with two open sides with the walls forming a right angle.
• Branded Counters & Plinths with lighting – Lighting is added to the countertop or plinth to draw attention to the stand.
• Counterfix – A portable counter produced using the Prestige Events System.
• Custom Build Exhibition Stand – Custom one-use stands are built entirely at the event for you. They can be built out of a wide range of resources like metal, glass, and PVC.
• Custom-Modular Exhibition Stands – Quadrant2design specialise in custom-modular stands, that are bespoke and unique, yet are also 100% reconfigurable in shape and size. They allow for custom features and showcases, and completely seamless graphics that cover all the hardware and framework.
• Ducting (Technical) Floor plan – Shows the general layout of the exhibition within the venue, but also includes electricity supply and compressed air.
• Edge-lit Acrylic – High-quality acrylic engraved with your logo or graphics lit within a darker backdrop creating the illusion of a floating logo.
• Endcap Showcase – A shelved showcase built into the curved end of an exhibition stand of a Prestige Events System stand for product display or tablets.
• Exhibition Stand – A structure designed and built within an allocated space for people or businesses to showcase their products or services at an exhibition.
• Exhibition – An event where people or businesses can showcase their goods, services, or products to the public.
• Fascia Boards – Headers with your brand name that run around the top of the shell scheme model.
• Features – Functional and eye-catching design features that can be integrated into the modular framework.
• Flexible Graphics – Graphics that can be rolled up for easy storage and transport.
• Floor Flats – A very thin false platform is required by some venues where floor covering cannot be laid directly to the floor.
• Graphic Design – Visual content designed to communicate a message. Often includes the bringing together of text, photos, and logos.
• Graphic Panels – Our graphic panels are made from a bespoke-made, high-quality polyester-based material with an element of PVC. Graphics are printed directly onto the sub-state and set with a UV solvent giving a perfect satin finish look.
• Hardware – General term for parts of the stand i.e. frames, mag bars, plinth tops, showcases.
• Height Restrictions – Space-only stands can generally be built up to 4m tall without special dispensation, but exhibitors can contact the show management to find out the exact allowed height as shows and venues will vary.
• High-Level Branding – An impactful branding feature allowing your branding to stand above your competitors. Quadrant2Design can offer high-level branding reaching up to 4 meters.
• Illuminated Showcases – Forms of lighting can be added to your showcases to highlight your product. This could be down-lighting, edge-lighting, and/or an under-lit showcase base.
• Inline Booth – A stand with one open side.
• Installation & Dismantle – The process by which an exhibition stand is set up in the exhibition arena and taken down after the show.
• LED Video Wall – High-definition LED technology that can be used to create a display of moving imagery.
• Lighting Features – Additional lighting features can be added to your stand to draw attention and help your exhibit stand out from the crowd.
• Lock-Up – A secure storage area within an exhibition stand.
• Modular System – A system made of separate components that can be configured in various ways.
• Move-In– The specified date and time for when exhibition installation can begin.
• Move-Out – The specified date and time for when the dismantling of an exhibition can begin.
• Onsite Contractors – Though exhibition stand installers are generally responsible for stand installation, UK venues often have their own onsite contractors, responsible for electricity, rigging, or running water.
• Overhead Banner – A banner related to the exhibition stand, attached to the ceiling through a method called rigging.
• Overhead LED Spotlights – LED lamps built into the top-level framework of the stand.
• Photo-Floor – Printed graphic flooring that replaces the exhibition carpet, maximises your use of stand space and creates more of an immersive experience.
• Pop-Up Display –Pop-up displays consist of a frame which “pops up” and separate graphics that can be attached. The graphics are often printed on PVC, fabric, or cardboard.
• Portable Architecture – A lightweight structure which can be moved without machinery.
• Pre-Build – At Quadrant2Design, before the installation at your event, we fully pre-build your exhibition stand to guarantee every detail is perfect.
• Prestige Events System–Quadrant2Design’s premier stand-building system. The Prestige Events System is used to create custom-designed exhibits that are modular and reusable. They also feature a 100% graphic look with no visible stand structure.
• Product Display Showcase – Spaces built into the stand to display and draw attention to your product.
• Pull-up Display – A display that consists of graphics that pull up like a roller blind. They can reach around 2 meters high and come in various widths.
• Raised Platform Floor – A platform floor for an exhibitor that is raised above the level of the exhibition hall floor, usually 40mm, 100 mm, or 120mm. Electrical cabling can be run discreetly under a platform floor.
• Reconfigurable – Where the stand layout can change to accommodate different needs or stand space.
• Reconfiguration – When the stand layout is changed to accommodate different needs or to function in a different stand space.
• Rigging – The act of securing or moving something. In exhibitions, rigging can be used to attach overhead banners to the ceiling.
• Rotating Header – Additional self-contained part of the stand fixed to a turntable at high-level for 360° visibility. Usually, it consists of a logo or icon.
• Seamless Effect Graphics – The effect created when graphic panels align perfectly, with no lines or gaps. This seamless look combines precise graphic alignment across panels and careful cutting of panels.
• Shell Scheme Graphics – Graphics panels printed specifically to fit within the dimensions of a particular shell scheme, fixed on top of the plain shell scheme panels using velcro.
• Shell Scheme – Shell schemes are the most common type of exhibition stands or booths. They are a rigid box-style stand, containing lighting, flooring, and power sockets, supplied by the show management. The framework can be used to display graphic panels but they are unlikely to look seamless as the aluminium framework is often exposed.
• Space Only – When only a floor space is rented, as opposed to a rigid shell scheme. As nothing is included (carpet, electricity, furniture etc.), it is generally cheaper than Shell Scheme spaces.
• Stand Orientation – The location of your stand and the direction it is facing. This is often based on the exhibition floorplan and your stand space.
• Standard Floor Plan – The general layout for the event venue. They usually show stand space, stand location and orientation, walls, doors, toilets, and windows.
• Stock Walling – A basic events solution comprised of a large wooden frame with fabric stretched over and fixed tightly at the back like a canvas.
• System Hardware – The “skeleton” or structural components of the exhibition stand. For Quadrant2Design, this is the aluminium frame behind the graphics and features.
• System – The frame which makes up the structure of the exhibition stand.
• Towerfix – A cylindrical tower accessory which can be fitted with product display showcases and lighting with a Prestige Events System stand.
• Underlit Showcase – A showcase with an LED light on the bottom base to highlight a product.
• VGA Cable – Video graphics array. A lead that acts as a link between the computer/game console and the monitor/television.
• Voyage Control – A traffic control system used during installation and dismantle day.
• Walkthrough – Fascia’s are used at Quadrant2Design like connecting beams between various parts of the stand. They can be used to promote branding, and bring display spaces and lighting to the front of the stand.

Exhibition stand ideas and images