Exhibition Glossary
Exhibiting for the first time and confused by terms like "shell scheme" or "build-up"? This glossary covers the terms that come up most often in the exhibition industry, explained in plain language.
Booth Types & Formats
Raw Space
Empty floor space rented from the organizer with no walls, flooring, or installations of any kind. Exhibitors are free to build a booth from scratch to their own design, usually through a contractor. Ideal for brands that want to stand out from standard booths.
Shell Scheme
A standard booth package from the organizer consisting of a basic frame (partition walls, carpeted floor, company name on the fascia) included in the space rental fee. It is more economical, but the look is generic and similar to neighboring booths.
Island Booth
A booth surrounded by aisles on all four sides, not attached to any other booth. It offers complete design freedom and visibility from every direction, and is typically used by large brands with significant budgets.
Peninsula Booth
A booth open on three sides (not four), usually backing onto another booth. A middle ground between an expensive island booth and a standard row booth.
Inline Booth (Linear Booth)
A standard booth lined up in a row with other booths, with only the front side open to the aisle. This is the most common and most affordable format at exhibitions.
Corner Booth
An inline booth at the end of a row, giving it two open sides. More visible than a regular inline booth because it can be seen from two aisles.
Double-Deck Booth
A two-story booth, where the upper floor is usually used as a private meeting room or VIP lounge while the lower floor is used for product display. It requires special venue approval and has higher construction costs due to structural safety requirements.
Modular Booth
A booth system whose components can be dismantled, reassembled, and reused at future exhibitions. More cost-effective in the long run than a single-use custom booth.
Custom Booth
A booth designed and built specifically for a brand's needs, without using a modular system. The most flexible in terms of design, but usually more expensive and with a longer lead time.
Process & Documents
Build-Up
The period in which the contractor erects and completes the booth before the exhibition opens to the public. It usually takes 2-5 days depending on the booth's size and complexity.
Tear-Down (Breakdown)
The period for dismantling the booth after the exhibition officially ends. Venues usually set strict deadlines, and contractors are fined if they are late clearing the area.
Floor Plan
A layout of the entire exhibition hall showing the position and number of every booth. Exhibitors need the floor plan to choose a booth location and plan a design that fits the shape of their space.
Exhibitor Manual
The organizer's official handbook containing all technical rules: build-up/tear-down schedules, booth height limits, electrical procedures, and document submission deadlines. Contractors must read it before starting the design.
Freight Forwarder
A logistics company that handles shipping exhibition goods from the warehouse to the venue, including customs clearance for overseas exhibitions. Essential for international exhibitions so that goods arrive on time.
RAB (Rencana Anggaran Biaya / Bill of Quantities)
A detailed cost estimate for the booth project prepared by the contractor, covering materials, labor, design, and logistics. This document is the basis for negotiation and the reference for payments.
3D Rendering
A three-dimensional digital visualization of the booth design before it is actually built. It helps exhibitors picture the final result and request revisions before physical production begins.
Working Drawing
Detailed technical drawings (dimensions, materials, joints) used by craftsmen on site to build the booth according to the approved 3D design.
Physical Booth Elements
Fascia
The name board at the top front of the booth, usually showing the company name and booth number, provided automatically in shell scheme packages.
Rigging
A suspension system from the hall ceiling used to hold banners, lighting, or decorative booth elements hanging overhead. It requires special venue approval and load calculations.
Truss
A lattice-shaped steel/aluminum frame used as a supporting structure to hang lighting, LED screens, or signage in a booth.
Backwall
The main wall at the back of the booth, which is usually the visual focal point and the place for a large brand logo. It often doubles as a photo backdrop for visitors.
Storage Room
A small enclosed room inside the booth for storing items such as staff bags or spare brochure stock. It is usually hidden from visitors.
Meeting Room / Lounge
A private area inside the booth where staff can meet clients or buyers more personally. Common in large or double-deck booths.
LED Wall
A large LED screen panel installed as a backwall or a standalone element to show videos or a company profile. One of the main visual attractions of a modern booth.
Flooring / Raised Floor
Booth flooring raised above the original hall floor, usually finished with carpet, vinyl, or wood. Besides aesthetics, a raised floor also hides electrical cables.
Signage
Any board or visual element showing a name, logo, or directions in the booth. Clear signage helps visitors recognize the booth from a distance.
Exhibition Business & Marketing
Lead Retrieval
A system or tool (usually scanning visitors' QR codes/badges) used by booth staff to collect contact details of interested visitors. This data is the basis for sales follow-up after the exhibition ends.
Walk-In Traffic
The number of visitors who spontaneously pass by or stop at the booth without a prior appointment. Strongly influenced by the booth's location and the visual appeal of its design.
Booth Staff (Exhibition SPG/SPB)
The team responsible for welcoming visitors, explaining products, and capturing leads at the booth during the exhibition. They need product training beforehand to answer visitors' questions.
Giveaway
Free items (merchandise, product samples, goodie bags) handed out to visitors as an attraction and a brand reminder after the exhibition.
Pre-Show Marketing
Promotional activities (email, social media, invitations) carried out before the exhibition starts to invite the target audience to visit the booth.
Exhibition ROI (Return on Investment)
A measure of how much you gain (deals, leads, or brand awareness) compared to the total cost of exhibiting, including space rental, the booth, and the team.
Product Launch Booth
A booth designed specifically to introduce a new product to the public for the first time, usually with dramatic elements such as a reveal area or an interactive zone.
Regulations & Venue
Loading Dock
A dedicated area at the venue where trucks load and unload booth materials and exhibition goods. There is usually a strict queue schedule during build-up.
Move-In Day
The day scheduled by the venue for contractors to start bringing in materials and building booths before the exhibition opens.
Move-Out Day
The last day given by the venue to remove all booth materials and goods after the exhibition ends. Hourly fines usually apply for late move-out.
Hall
A large space inside a convention/exhibition center where the exhibition takes place, usually named or numbered (Hall A, Hall 1, etc.).
Height Restriction
The maximum booth height allowed, set by the venue and stated in the exhibitor manual — usually different for inline and island booths.
Fire Safety Compliance
Fire safety requirements that booth construction must meet, such as non-flammable materials and unobstructed evacuation routes.
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