I am a big Grey’s Anatomy fan, and I always wonder if the actors who play the doctors and nurses really understand the terminology they say on the show (because I know I don’t always get it!). Every business has their own way of saying things – jargon – and sometimes it is difficult to decipher what it all means. In the trade show world, some words mean one thing to one person and something else to another, so let me break it down for you:
Portable
Dictionary.com definition: Easily carried or conveyed by hand.
Our definition: A display that packs easily into light weight (about 100 lbs. or less) container that can either be carried, transported in a car, or shipped via common courier like UPS or FedEx. Portable trade show displays are ideal for organizations with a smaller event staff or when a smaller, lighter exhibit is desired.
Custom
Dictionary.com definition: Made specifically for individual customers.
Our definition: A display that is designed for one client’s specific wants, desires, and needs. The design can be built of a variety of construction materials and the end result is a unique display that will typically pack in crates. Thus, custom trade show displays tend to require an LTL (less than truckload) carrier and can often require a labor team for installation and dismantle.
Modular
Dictionary.com definition: Composed of standardized units or sections for easy construction or flexible arrangement.
Our definition: Modular Trade Show Displays can be a combination of system components that offer the flexibility to create a larger or smaller display using similar components. These exhibits can either be portable or custom depending on the design and therefore may or may not require LTL shipping and labor for installation and dismantle.
Are there any terms you need clarification on? Send them our way, and we would be happy to explain them!