Trade show glossary

The terms you'll meet in a Las Vegas exhibitor manual, in plain language. Your show's manual sets the actual rules, rates and deadlines.

Advance warehouse: A warehouse the show's general contractor runs before move-in. Freight shipped there by the manual's deadline is delivered to your booth before you arrive.; Shipping freight
Bill of lading: The shipping document that goes with your freight, listing what's shipped, from whom and to where. The contractor's labels and outbound forms tie back to it.
Certificate of insurance (COI): Proof from your insurer that you carry the coverage the show or venue requires, naming the companies the manual lists as additional insureds.; Insurance certificates
Direct to show site: Freight delivered straight to the venue during an assigned move-in window instead of to the advance warehouse. Missing the window can mean waiting or extra fees.; Shipping freight
Drayage (material handling): The general contractor's charge to move your freight from the dock to your booth, store your empty crates and bring them back at move-out. Usually billed by weight.; Drayage and material handling
Exclusive services: Services only one provider may perform at a venue, commonly electrical, internet, plumbing, rigging and catering.; Electrical, internet and utilities
Exhibitor appointed contractor (EAC): An outside company you hire to work in your booth, such as an exhibit house or AV firm, instead of the show's official contractor. EACs register with the show and often the venue.; Exhibitor appointed contractors
Exhibitor manual (service kit): The show's rulebook and order forms for your booth: deadlines, rates, rules and who provides each service. When a guide and your manual differ, the manual wins.
General contractor (GC): The company show management hires to build the show: aisles, carpet, signs, freight handling and booth labor. Freeman and GES are common in Las Vegas.
Hand-carry: Bringing items into the hall yourself without using the contractor's material handling. Venues and shows limit what, how and where you can carry in.; Drayage and material handling
Installation and dismantle (I&D): The labor to set up and take down your booth, done by the official contractor, an EAC or, where allowed, your own staff.; Union labor
Marshaling yard: A truck staging lot near the venue where carriers check in and wait to be called to the docks during move-in and move-out.
Move-in and move-out: The scheduled days and hours to set up before the show opens and tear down after it closes. Your exhibitor manual gives your target times.
Official housing: The one hotel booking company a show endorses. Calls and emails from other housing companies claiming to be official are a common scam.; Scam watch
Room block and attrition: Hotel rooms an organizer reserves for a group, and the share of them that can go unused before the organizer owes the hotel for them.; Room block attrition tool
Show management: The organizer that owns and runs the show. It sets the rules in the exhibitor manual and approves booth plans, contractors and exceptions.
Target move-in: The specific window assigned to your booth to start setup and receive freight, so the floor fills in order.
Union jurisdiction: Which trade union does which kind of work on the show floor, such as carpentry, rigging or electrical. It decides who you hire for each task.; Union labor