Glossary Trade Show Industry Terms G - I

The following contains a glossary with terms and information you should know about Trade Shows, G-I. Read on if you are interested in participating in a Trade Show and how to make it a success.

Glossary Trade Show Industry Terms G - I
GATT – General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. A multilateral treaty whose purpose is to help reduce trade barriers between the signatory countries and to promote trade through tariff concessions.

GPX – Plastic coated plywood. ( Brand Name as produced by Georgia Pacific Plywood Corp.)

GST – Goods and services taxes.

Gang Box – Nickname for a equipment box most contractors and some exhibitors carry that contains tools and supplies needed for the routine set up of trade show displays. See JOB BOX or TROUBLE BOX.

Gator Foam – Laminated foam board used for signage, available in a variety of thicknesses. More rigid and durable than Foam Core.

Gauge – Where tariffs refer to gauge, they mean the U.S. Standard Gauge for determining thickness of sheet or plate steel; Browne & Sharpe Gauge for rod and sheets of aluminum, copper, brass and bronze; US Steel Wire Gauge for iron, steel, and copper wire.

Gear Drive – Technique of transferring motion from motor shaft to object by use of one or more interlocking gears.

Gel – Theatrical color filter used in conjunction with theatrical projection fixtures and spotlights. Also referred to as GELATIN.

GEM – (Greyhound Exhibit Module) Greyhound¹s display units employing locking metal bars and flexible panels. SEE EXTRUDED ALUMINUM. General Contractors SEE GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACTOR. Also OFFICIAL CONTRACTORS.

General Export Licenses – Any of various export licenses covering export commodities for which VALIDATED EXPORT LICENSES are not required. No formal application or written authorization is needed to ship exports under a General Export License.

General Service Contractor – An organization that provides show management and exhibitors with a wide range of services, sometimes including, but not limited to, installation & dismantle (I&D), creating and hanging signage and banners, laying carpet, material handling , and providing booth furniture. ALSO KNOWN AS OFFICIAL CONTRACTOR. SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "DECORATOR".

Genie Lift – The manufacturer of a variety of lifts used in the erection of trade show displays. The first model manufactured was a hand-cranked material handling lift .ALSO REFERRED TO AS A HURTY GURTY. Genie now also manufactures motorized lifts that can be used as material lifts or man lifts.

Gerber – Machine for cutting vinyl lettering used in making signs.

Glass Plate – Sheets of glass commonly available in thicknesses of 1/8" 3/16" or 1/4".

Glass, Single Thick – One-eighth-inch-thick glass, such as is used for window panes.

Glass, Solar – Glass that has been treated to transmit light but reflect infrared solar rays.

Glass, Tempered – Hardened safety glass, usually plate.

Glass, Wire – Plate glass with embedded wire reinforcement.

Glossy – Common term for photographs reproduced on high gloss paper.

Glow Plug – A lighted electric receptacle which glows when electricity is flowing through the line.

Good One Side – Grade of plywood whose face side is free of blemishes. SEE CDX.

Goose-necked light – A small spot light with a flexible stem so that it can be pointed in the direction that light is most desired.

Graphics – Communicative elements–color, copy, art, photographs, translites, etc.–used to illustrate a booth theme or to enhance decor.

Greenfield – Rigid metal conduit, used where code demands.

Grid System – Technique of providing system of structural supports, electrical conduit, etc., on a pattern of centers. Also used for ceilings.

Grievance – An employee's or an employer's dissatisfaction with some aspect of the employment relationship. May or may not be limited to dissatisfaction due to interpretation and application of the union contract.

Grommet – Rubber, metal or plastic element for reinforcing holes in weaker materials.

Gross Square Feet – Total space available in exhibit hall as compared to net square feet, which is usable exhibit space.

Gross Weight – The full weight of a shipment, including goods and packaging. Compare TARE WEIGHT.

Gusset – In construction, a triangular reinforcement or brace in corners of panels or framing.

HCEA (Health Care Exhibitors Association) – Trade association for firms exhibiting in health care and medical events.

Hall – A generic term for an exposition facility. May also refer to an individual area within a facility. For instance, one facility could have multiple halls.

Halon Fire Extinguisher – A fire extinguisher generally used on computers and electronic fires. It should not hurt the computer or destroy silicon chips. It is classed as a hypo-thermal chemical fire extinguisher.

Hand Truck – A small, hand-propelled vehicle used for transporting small loads. SEE FLOAT.

Hard Card – 1. Work order for labor or services. 2. Material handling contractor¹s record of materials received or shipped.

Hardwall – A type of exhibit construction in which the walls are of solid material, rather than fabric.

Hard wire – Electrical connections which are other than receptacle to receptacle. These are charged on a time plus materials basis.

Harmonized System – International commodity description and classification referencing system. Formerly known as SCHEDULE B.

Header – A sign or other structure across top of exhibit. Usually displays company name. SEE ID SIGN, LIGHT BAR.

Heel and Toe – To staple forming folds with sateen or other decorative material. A method of pleating.

High Drape – High drape is any drape over 8' high which requires special equipment. High drape is used to create dramatic areas such as stages or special focal points. Typically, high drape is dark blue velour and is 16' to 19' high, although vinyl or 11' banjo drape in blue and other colors is often used. All high drape needs to be anchored securely on its framework to ensure it cannot fall.

High Jacker – A manufacturer of equipment capable of lifting a person or persons to a given height. A high lift or ladder generally used in focusing lights or adjusting rigging. ALSO KNOWN AS CHERRY PICKER, JLG, SCISSORS LIFT, GENIE LIFT.

HI LOW – SEE FORKLIFT.

Hire – International term referring to "rent" a service or product.

Hold Harmless Clauses – Contract clauses that attempt to limit the liability of one party in case of a claim.

Hologram – A photographic effect using lasers to obtain a three dimensional image on a flat surface.

Horizontal Show – A show in which the products or services being displayed represent all segments of an industry or profession. Compare VERTICAL SHOW.

Hospitality Suite/Event – An event in the United States, usually separate from the exhibit, in which refreshments are served and exhibitor personnel and visitors socialize. Most shows require hospitality events to be opened only after exhibit hours.

Hotel Show – An exposition held in the exhibit space or ballroom of a hotel.

Hurty Gurty – SEE GENIE LIFT.

I&D – Installation and dismantle of an exhibit (set-up/teardown).

IAAM – International Association of Assembly Managers. The association of facility managers for venues which house conventions, meetings, exhibitions, concerts and other assemblies.

IACVB – International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. The association for service bureaus which are the chief sales agents for the convention and tourism industry to the municipality they service.

IAEM (International Association for Exhibition Management) – Trade association for exposition producers.

IATSE – (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) SEE STAGEHAND.

ICC – Interstate Commerce Commission. The Federal agency that regulates interstate commerce, including the trucking industry.

Illuminations –SEE LIGHTS.

Illusion Mirror – Generally translucent mirror, that reflects when confronted with light source and is transparent when rear illuminated. Also known as CHINESE MIRROR or ONE WAY MIRROR.

Import – To bring foreign goods into a country. Compare EXPORT.

Import License – A document required and issued by some national governments authorizing the importation of goods into their individual countries.

Independent Contractor – 1. A contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform show services independent of show management-appointed contractors. ALSO CALLED EXHIBITOR-APPOINTED CONTRACTOR (EAC). 2. Any individual or company hired to perform show services on a contract basis.

Independent Show Management Company – A for-profit show management company.

Independent Union – Labor union not affiliated with organizations such as Congress of Industrial Organizations for American Federation of Labor.

Infringement – Use of floor space outside exclusive booth area.

Inherent Vice – An insurance term referring to any defect or other characteristic of a product that could result in damage to the product without external cause. For example, instability in a chemical that could cause it to explode spontaneously. Insurance policies may specifically exclude losses caused by inherent vice.

Inland Bill of Lading – A bill of lading used in transporting goods overland to the exporter's international carrier. Although a through bill of lading can sometimes be used, it is usually necessary to prepare both an inland bill of lading and an ocean bill of lading for export shipments. Compare AIR WAYBILL, BILL OF LADING, OCEAN BILL OF LADING, THROUGH BILL OF LADING.

Inline Booth – Exhibit space with exhibit booths on either side and/ or back.

Injection Modeling – Method of protecting exhibit properties.

Inquiry Cards – Forms, collected from attendees, used to request information about exhibitors. ALSO KNOWN AS LEADS.

INS – Marks chalked on the floor showing where drapes are to be hung.

Inserts – 1. Interchangeable panels of copy or art. 2. Advertising flyer used by show organizers and/or exhibitors Usually tipped-in (affixed with glue) or blown-in (inserted loose) to trade publications as an advertisement.

Inside Booth – Also known as an INLINE BOOTH.

Installation – Setting up an exhibit material to prescribed setup instructions and drawings.

Installation & Dismantle – Also referred to as I&D. The setup and teardown of exhibits.

Installer – Skilled labor used to set up displays at trade shows. The union affiliation of the installer will vary based upon the locale and the facility in question.

Interactive Exhibits – Exhibits in which the visitor is involved with the exhibit in a proactive way. Interactive Video – Exhibits in which the visitor is involved with the video in a proactive way.

Internegative – Film negative of motion picture made from original raw negative to facilitate making of positive copies in quantity.

International Freight Forwarder – See FREIGHT FORWARDER.

International Sales Agent – An individual or firm that serves as the foreign representative of a domestic supplier and seeks sales abroad for the supplier. See AGENT, FOREIGN SALES AGENT.

In the Rough – Wooden articles that are not further manufactured than sawn, hewn, planed, bent or turned.

In the White – Wooden articles that are further manufactured than "in the rough," but do not include more than one coat of priming. Inventory – Total amount of furniture and equipment available for show. SEE USEAGE.

Island Exhibit – A three-dimensional display exposed to aisles on all four sides.

Isometric – A perspective-like drawing, except that all lengths have the same proportion.

For more information, go to Conventions.net.


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