Skip to main content

16 Trade Show Terms You Should Know About

Is your business new to the exciting world of trade shows? These events offer so much potential for business owners when it comes to gathering leads, showing off products, and forging relationships with potential customers. Still, unless you’ve been studying trade show publications around the clock, confusing terminology is bound to make an appearance.

Below, you’ll learn about some of the most important trade show terms so that your business can leverage the opportunities.

Basic Exhibition Terms for Trade Show Beginners

Whether you’re a total trade show beginner or a seasoned pro, it’s always good to brush up on basic convention terms like the following:

  1. Exhibit hall: Where all the action happens. Set up your booth here and mingle.
  2. Exposition: Showing off your services or products to attendees at trade shows.
  3. Hospitality suite: A separate room where attendees can enjoy drinks and snacks.
  4. Breakout session: A smaller gathering that allows groups of trade show participants to focus on specialized topics.
  5. Sponsorship: Financial compensation from a company in exchange for product placement at a trade show.
  6. Seminar: Similar to a college lecture, one or more seminar leaders present information and take questions from the audience.

That’s trade show talk in a nutshell, but what about the booth itself?

Trade Show Terminology for Booths

Your business’s trade show booth is where the magic happens. Here’s an explanation of some common booth terms you might hear as you prepare to wow the crowds:

7. Modular Booths

These displays come in separate components that you can arrange however you like.

8. Portable Displays

Typically, portable displays weigh less than 100 pounds. They’re easy to transport and set up.

9. Perimeter Booths

Trade show layouts locate perimeter booths along the outer walls of the exhibit. They can attract lots of foot traffic.

10. Island Exhibits

Also called free-form exhibits, these booths have aisles on all four sides.

11. Peninsula Booths

Also known as end caps, peninsula booths serve three aisles.

12. Frontage

This measurement depicts the width of your exhibit space across the front.

Your Event Marketing Glossary for Planning and Trade Show Setup

So, you’ve secured a spot at that must-attend trade show. Now what? Your business will need some trade show jargon to make it through the planning stage unscathed – start here:

  1. Drayage: The transportation of your trade show materials from the warehouse to the exhibit floor.

  2. Advanced receiving date: The date by which you must transport your materials to the warehouse to avoid an extra charge.

  3. Prospectus: The promotional materials to encourage businesses to sign up for the trade show and relay information.

  4. Traffic flow: How guests will move through the event.

Still can’t make heads or tails of trade show terminology? Reach out to Oser Communication Group for a helping hand.

Ace Those Trade Show Terms and More With Our Industry Experts

At Oser Communications Group, we’re experts at exhibit advertising, trade show etiquette, and everything you need to make sure your event goes off without a hitch. To learn more about marketing event vocabulary, give us a call at (520) 721-1300!

Five Ways To Get Media Attention During a Trade Show

Are you unsure of how to get media attention during a trade show? If so, you’re not alone. Networking and navigating social media to garner attention from targeted audiences takes finesse and marketing know-how.

We at Oser Communications Group know how challenging marketing trade shows can be, especially for first-time attendees. If you’re looking for ways to bring media attention to your booth, consider these five tactics.

1. Get Journalists Interested in Your Offerings Before the Show

The last thing you want to do is wait until the day of the trade show to invite journalists, social media influencers, and others to visit your booth. Since many trade show participants delay their invitations and queries, members of the press often get numerous emails at the last minute.

You want your invitations to stand out. The best way to do that is to introduce your brand and product at least two months before the show via email, participation in a digital event, or media outreach. Provide consistent updates about the show on social media to amplify your presence and make your brand memorable.

2. Launch a Social Media Campaign To Tease the Show

One of the best trade show ideas for getting press attention is to launch a teaser campaign online to showcase products. Create a video demonstration to display your expertise or anticipated product launches.

A high-quality teaser will help you attract attention from targeted groups online by generating curiosity about your brand. Don’t forget to include details about the trade show to encourage viewers to see your offerings up close and personal.

3. Hold Interactive Contests

Everybody loves a good, friendly competition, especially if they can win prizes at the end. Before the trade show date, design a contest with a theme relating to your business. Make the theme engaging, and ensure you create clear entry rules for participants to minimize confusion.

The goal is to have people interact directly with your brand. You can do this by hosting a quiz or design contest that centers around your business’s products and offerings. This option is a great way to reach target audiences and get people talking about your business.

4. Keep Track of All Appointments

Part of learning how to get media attention during a trade show is knowing how to track and keep the appointments you make. People will accept your invitations so you want to include a calendar link to a booking platform in your correspondence to streamline the process for invitees.

5. Show Something New

New, innovative products, technologies, and solutions tend to get the most media traction. If you want to have a strong presence at your next trade show, have a one-of-a-kind offering to showcase.

Elevate Your Next Trade Show Event With Help From the Professionals

Learning how to get media attention during a trade show might seem daunting at first. However, it’s a skill you must master if you want plenty of press coverage at your booth during a product launch.

If you need help garnering positive attention or trade show marketing tips, contact Oser Communications Group at (520) 721-1300.

Four Types of Trade Show Displays

As a trade show participant, you want your booth to stand out from competitors and draw crowds, but what presentations are best for accomplishing this? Different types of trade show displays offer their own benefits. Learning about them can help you make informed decisions regarding your next show.

Oser Communications Group, a premier trade show advertising publications provider, shares the top displays to consider for your next exhibition below.

1. Island Booths

Do you have lots of information to deliver at the trade show or a massive product demonstration to perform? An island booth might be the ideal display.

Island booth displays can be larger than 20 feet by 20 feet. Since they have aisles on all sides, you may include solid walls, partial wall coverings, or open spaces, depending on your needs and the show’s regulations. If you prefer a spacious booth with an intimate environment for guests, consider a partially enclosed island.

2. Linear Booths

A linear or in-line booth puts displays from multiple businesses in one row down an aisle. One side of the booth is open to the public. Linear displays are typically longer than kiosks; they can be 10’ x 10’ x 10’ or larger.

This option is great if you prefer a display you can easily set up and take down. Consider adding retractable banner stands to showcase your logo and other brand information at your linear booth. Counters are also ideal if you need extra storage space.

3. Cross-Aisle Booths

Do you want to be in the center of a busy crowd? A cross-aisle booth is one of the main types of trade show displays, and it can do just that. You’ll be across from other displays, forming a “T” shape with a cross-aisle station.

This kind of positioning puts you amid crowds, yet it keeps you from blending into them. It’s also easy to incorporate banners, graphics with backlighting, and other prominent branding showcasing your businesses and products.

4. Perimeter Booths

A top trade show marketing tip is to position your display in a place guaranteed to get more foot traffic. A perimeter booth could help with that.

This station is usually along the exhibit floor’s perimeter. Instead of having your signs and visuals overhanging the aisle, you can keep everything contained within your station. As a result, your branding will be more visible among the crowd, and you can engage with plenty of visitors without worrying about your area feeling too cluttered or crowded.

Ready To Create the Perfect Display for Your Next Exhibition? Let Us Help

Knowing the differences between different types of trade show displays is necessary to ensure you create the perfect statement for your brand. From booth display colors to banners featuring unique branding, the right booth and graphics can help your business stand out.

Are you looking for more ways to promote your products and enjoy a successful trade show appearance? As experts in trade show marketing, Oser Communications Group can help. Call (520) 721-1300 today to learn how.