The trade show industry has its own language. If you have ever wondered what "I&D" actually covers or why you need a COI, this page is for you. Terms are organized from most common to most specific, with real trade show context for each.
The off-site facility where freight is accepted before a show. Exhibitors ship crates and materials to the advance warehouse weeks ahead of move-in. The general contractor then delivers everything to the booth on show site. Advance warehouse cutoff dates are strict — missing them means higher "direct to show site" rates.
The carpet installed in the aisle ways between exhibits at a trade show. The general contractor usually provides this. It is separate from exhibitor-supplied booth carpet, which must meet fire code requirements.
The rented space an exhibitor occupies on the trade show floor. Booths are measured in square feet or meters. Common sizes: 10x10 (100 sq ft), 10x20 (200 sq ft), 20x20 (400 sq ft), and larger island configurations.
The dimensions of a booth, defined by width and depth in feet. Booth size determines crew count, I&D labor cost, and material requirements. A 10x10 booth needs 1-2 crew. A 40x50 island needs 20+ crew.
A smaller, focused presentation or workshop that runs concurrently with a trade show. Breakout sessions are held in meeting rooms near the main exhibit hall and are often part of the show's educational program.
A document proving an exhibitor or labor provider has valid liability insurance. Most trade shows and venues require a COI before allowing move-in. Synergers maintains its own COI and can also work under an exhibitor's policy depending on show requirements.
Without a valid COI, your crew may be denied access to the show floor.
A booth designed and built specifically for an exhibitor. Unlike a rental booth, a custom booth is fabricated from raw materials based on a unique design. Custom booths are built by exhibit houses and require professional I&D labor.
Shipping exhibit materials directly to the convention center instead of the advance warehouse. DSS shipments cost more than advance warehouse shipments. Use DSS only when you miss advance warehouse deadlines or need last-minute materials on the floor.
The teardown phase of a trade show. Crews remove signage, break down structures, pack crates, and clear the booth space. Dismantle typically begins after the show floor closes to attendees. Synergers provides supervised dismantle services across Las Vegas and Southern California.
The movement of freight from the loading dock to your booth and from your booth back to the dock at the end of the show. Drayage is charged by the general contractor based on weight and material handling. It is one of the most common line items an exhibitor will see on their show invoice.
Not to be confused with I&D labor — drayage moves your crates, I&D sets up your booth.
A two-story booth structure. The upper level is typically used as a private meeting space, lounge, or hospitality area. Double-deck booths require engineering approval from the show, additional rigging, and specialized I&D labor.
An outside contractor hired by an exhibitor rather than using the show's official general contractor. EAC is the designation for any I&D labor, rigging, or installation company that is not the show's GC. Synergers operates as an EAC at shows across Las Vegas and Southern California. EACs typically need to register with the show and provide proof of insurance.
The official document published by a trade show organizer. It contains all rules, deadlines, forms, and technical specifications for exhibitors. Also called the "Exhibitor Kit" or "Show Manual." It includes important deadlines for advance warehouse, I&D labor orders, and utility orders.
A company that designs and builds trade show exhibits. Exhibit houses fabricate custom booths, manage storage, and often coordinate I&D labor at show site. Synergers works with exhibit houses as a preferred labor partner for installation and dismantle at Las Vegas shows.
An order placed with the show's electrical contractor for power at your booth. Electrical orders must include voltage, amperage, and outlet locations. Synergers coordinates electrical orders with show electricians as part of our full-service labor package.
A scaled drawing of the exhibit hall showing booth locations, aisle widths, loading docks, and service areas. Exhibitors use the floor plan to understand their booth position relative to entrances, restrooms, and high-traffic areas.
The largest general contractor (GC) for trade shows in the United States. Freeman provides drayage, material handling, I&D labor, electrical, and other show services. They are the GC for CES, MAGIC, and hundreds of other shows. Synergers coordinates with Freeman regularly as an EAC.
The official electrical contractor for a trade show. The GEC handles all power distribution on the show floor. Exhibitors place electrical orders through the GEC for outlet installation, hardwired connections, and high-amperage power.
A major general contractor for trade shows. GES provides I&D labor, drayage, electrical, audio-visual, and exhibit design services. They are the GC for NAB Show, SEMA, and many other Las Vegas shows. Synergers works alongside GES crews as an EAC.
The official service provider hired by the show organizer. The GC manages the exhibit hall, coordinates move-in and move-out, and provides drayage, material handling, and often I&D labor. Exhibitors are not required to use the GC for I&D — they can bring an EAC like Synergers instead.
The combined service of setting up a booth before the show and tearing it down after. I&D is the core service Synergers provides. Installation covers everything from booth assembly to signage placement. Dismantle covers teardown, crate packing, and floor restoration. Most exhibitors book I&D as a package but single-phase bookings (installation only or dismantle only) are available.
A booth that shares aisle space with neighboring exhibitors. Inline booths are arranged in a row and typically have open sides facing the aisle only. Common sizes: 10x10 and 10x20. Inline booths are the most common configuration at trade shows.
A large booth with aisles on all four sides. Island booths are typically 20x20 or larger and allow exhibitors to build more elaborate structures. Island booths require more I&D labor and planning than inline booths.
The skilled trade show workers who physically install and dismantle a booth. I&D labor crews handle booth assembly, crate unpacking, panel installation, signage mounting, and structure breakdown. Synergers provides trained, supervised I&D labor for shows of any size.
Classification codes that define which tasks a trade show laborer can perform. Different union jurisdictions and venues have different JDC rules. Synergers knows the JDC requirements for every Las Vegas venue and staffs accordingly.
A formal request placed with a labor provider or general contractor specifying crew size, schedule, and scope of work for a trade show installation or dismantle.
The area at a convention center where trucks deliver freight for move-in. Loading dock access is scheduled by the general contractor. Late-arriving trucks may incur waiting fees or miss their dock appointment.
Another term for drayage — the movement of freight from dock to booth and booth to dock. Material handling fees are charged by weight and are set by the general contractor. They are separate from I&D labor costs.
The period before a show opens when exhibitors set up their booths. Move-in typically lasts 1 to 3 days depending on show size. Large island booths may begin move-in before smaller inline booths.
The period after a show closes when exhibitors pack and dismantle their booths. Move-out is typically the fastest phase of a show, often lasting 6 to 12 hours. Efficient dismantle requires a well-organized crew.
A booth with aisles on three sides, sharing a back wall with another exhibitor. Peninsula booths offer more visibility than inline booths but less than island booths.
Standard back-wall and side-wall dividers used for inline booths. The general contractor typically provides pipe and drape as part of the booth package. It is the most basic form of booth enclosure.
A portable, lightweight display that can be set up without tools or professional labor. Pop-up booths are common for first-time exhibitors or small shows. Synergers provides setup and teardown for pop-up booths at Las Vegas shows.
A pre-designed booth that an exhibitor rents for a single show or multiple shows. Rental booths are built by exhibit houses and installed by I&D labor. Synergers provides I&D for rental booths across Las Vegas.
The process of hanging overhead structures, signs, trusses, and lighting from the convention center ceiling. Rigging requires specialized equipment and certified labor. Synergers provides supervised rigging services at Las Vegas venues.
The organization or team that operates a trade show. Show management sets rules, approves EACs, manages the floor plan, and enforces deadlines. They are the exhibitor's primary contact for show-specific policies.
The physical location of the trade show — the convention center or venue where the exhibit hall is set up.
The scheduled time a general contractor assigns for an exhibitor's freight to arrive at the loading dock. Missing target move-in may result in delayed setup and additional fees.
The scheduled time for an exhibitor's freight to be ready for removal from the booth after the show closes. Dismantle crews work to target move-out to avoid overtime labor charges.
The process of dismantling a booth after the show closes. Teardown is the dismantle phase — the inverse of installation. Synergers provides supervised teardown services.
Any worker who provides physical services for a trade show booth installation, dismantle, or maintenance. Includes I&D labor, riggers, electricians, and general helpers. Synergers specializes in trade show labor for Las Vegas and Southern California shows.
Labor performed by workers who are members of a trade union. In Las Vegas, some convention venues and tasks require union labor. Synergers operates in both union and non-union environments and advises clients on the requirements for each show.
Storage of exhibit materials between shows. Exhibit houses and labor companies offer warehouse storage for crates, displays, and booth structures. Synergers can coordinate warehouse-to-show-site logistics.
The official document detailing the labor scope for a specific booth installation or dismantle. Work orders include crew size, schedule, supervisor contact, and special instructions.
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