Glossary Trade Show Industry Terms M - O

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

Glossary Trade Show Industry Terms M - O
MA Form – SEE CANADIAN CUSTOMS INVOICE.

Make Ready – SEE CAMERA READY.

Manual – SEE SERVICE KIT.

Man Lift – SEE FLYING CARPET, SCISSORS LIFT, GENIE LIFT.

Marine Insurance – Broadly, insurance covering loss or damage of goods at sea. Marine insurance will typically compensate the owner of merchandise for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, piracy, and various other causes, but excludes losses that can be legally recovered from the carrier. Compare CREDIT RISK INSURANCE.

Marshalling Area – An area set aside for the arranging of buses or trucks prior to the beginning of operations. Also known as marshalling yard.

Mask – To cover for painting or protection. Masking Drape – A cloth used to cover storage or other unsightly areas.

Material Handling – Services performed by General Service Contractor that includes delivery of exhibit materials from the dock to assigned space, removing empty crates, returning crates at end of show for re-crating, and delivering materials back to dock for carrier loading. It is a two-way charge, incoming and outgoing. FORMERLY KNOWN AS DRAYAGE.

Masonite – A trade name for commercial hardboard.

Matte – Lusterless surface.

Measurement Ton – A space measurement, usually 40 cubic feet or one cubic meter. The cargo is assessed a certain rate for every 40 cubic feet of space it occupies. Also known as the Cargo Ton or Freight Ton.

Mediation – Third-party attempt to reconcile the differences between disputing parties by finding some middle ground on which the controversy may be voluntarily settled. Similar to conciliation, but a mediator does not take an active part in discussions as a conciliator does.

Meter – The most common width for a backwall panel for any of the extruded systems. (1 meter = 39.37 inches).

Micarta – Trade name for plastic laminate. Micro-Switch – A miniature switch opened and closed mechanically.

Minimum Call – Agreed upon minimum number of hours of work to be done by a worker under the labor agreement. In cases where the work to be done is shorter than the minimum call, the worker is guaranteed payment for the full minimum.

Minny – A van shipment weighing 500 pounds or less, for which the minimum charge is the 500 pound rate.

Mitre – The joint created when two pieces of material cut at equal angles butt together to form a comer.

Mobile – An art form suspended or balanced with freedom of movement. Mock-Up – A full-scale model of proposed structure.

Model – An object made in miniature representing something to be made.

Models – A person stationed in an exhibit to demonstrate a product, provide attraction to booth or greet visitors. (Note: This term is falling into disuse.) See TALENT.

Modular – Structural elements that are interchangeable. Maximum flexibility in arrangement and size.

Module – A repeating element within an exhibit.

Mold – A material suitable for shaping anything in a fluid or plastic condition.

Mom-and-Pop – A small, family-owned business.

Move-In – Dates set for installation. ALSO KNOWN AS SET-UP.

Move-Out – Dates set for dismantling. ALSO KNOWN AS TEAR DOWN.

Multi-Purpose Facility – 1. A facility that can be reconfigured for another use. 2. A building complex containing several different types of facilities, such as a convention center, arena, and theater.

Multimedia – Combining two or more types of audio/visual support in presentation.

Multiple - Story Exhibit – See DOUBLE-DECKER.

Music License – Control of the performance of musical compositions by the composers and authors through granting of a license to perform. Controlled by the copyright laws. SEE ASCAP, AND BMI.

Muslin – Wide-loomed fabric used for ceiling artwork.

Mylar – A trade name for thin plastic material in sheets or tape, translucent and opaque.

NFPA - National Fire Protection Act.

NMFC – National Motor Freight Classifications.

NOS – Not Otherwise Specified.

National Electrical Code – A code issued by the National Fire Protection Association describing minimum wiring requirements on electrical installations. It includes sections on temporary installations (such as construction sites and trade shows), theatrical installations, as well as office, kitchen, and storage areas. The code does not carry the force of law unless adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.

National Labor Relations Act –The act covers the legal requirements that must be met by employers and labor organizations.

National Union – Union having membership only within the United States.

Naugahyde – A synthetic, leather-like material.

Negative – A reverse print.

Neoprene – A rubberlike material.

Nesting – Multiple objects fitting together in order to conserve space and improve safety for shipping or storage Net Square Footage – The amount of space occupied by exhibits in a facility, not including aisles, columns, registration areas, etc.

Nomenclature of the Customs Cooperation Council – The customs tariff used by many countries worldwide, including most European nations, but not the United States. It is also known as the Brussels Tariff Nomenclature. Compare STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION or STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION.

O/A – Open Account.

O/N – Order Notify.

OR – Owner's Risk.

OS&D – Over, Short and Damage.

OT – On Truck or Railway.

Ocean Bill of Lading – A bill of lading (B/L) indicating that the exporter consigns a shipment to an international carrier for transportation to a specified foreign market. Unlike an inland B/L, the ocean B/L also serves as a collection document. If it is a "Straight B/L," the foreign buyer can obtain the shipment from the carrier by simply showing proof of identity. If a "Negotiable B/L" is used, the buyer must first pay for the goods, post a bond, or meet other conditions agreeable to the seller. Compare AIR WAYBILL, INLAND BILL OF LADING, THROUGH BILL OF LADING.

Official Contractors – Service organizations appointed by exhibition management. Also GENERAL CONTRACTORS.

On-Center – Refers to measurement of space from center of a solid object (such as a COLUMN) to another point.

On-Site – Location of exhibits or project. Also called AT-SITE.

On-Site Order – Floor order placed at show site.

One Shot – 1. Type of paint used for painting banners. 2. Exhibit or display fabricated for one use only.

One Ten/Sixty – Common term describing normally available current in North American Continent. The full expression is 110 volt/60 cycle. Many European and South American areas have 220 volt/50-cycle power only.

Open Insurance Policy – A marine insurance policy that applies to all shipments made by an exporter over a period of time rather than to one shipment only.

Open Shop – Generally refers to states that are right to work states. Company in which union membership is not a condition of employment.

OT Labor – Work performed on overtime billed at either time-and-one-half or twice the published labor rates.

Outsource – To subcontract a task or responsibility to a supplier.

OTR – Over the Road. Freight that moves on the road, typically shipped directly to the convention center.

Overlay – A panel mounted to another surface.

Overtime – 1. Time worked by an employee outside of, or in addition to, regular working time or beyond the legal maximum hours of work. 2. Rate charged at one and one-half times or two times the straight time rate for work performed outside of the normal work hours.

For more information, go to Conventions.net.


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