Whether this is your first time exhibiting or your hundredth, it’s helpful to know some of the terminology for your installation and dismantle. When dealing with an installation and dismantle team, it’s helpful to know the lingo so you know who’s doing what and at what rate.
Carpenter – a skilled worker hired by an exhibitor to unpack, install/setup/assemble, dismantle/take down/tear down, and/or re-pack trade show exhibit properties
Craftsperson – a skilled worker or laborer who provides services such as installation & dismantle of a trade show display.
Dead Time – time when a trade show worker or laborer is unable to perform work due to factors beyond his or her control
Dismantle/Tear Down/Take Down – to take down or tear down (dismantle) and repack a trade show exhibit.
Double Time Labor (DT) – work performed on overtime (OT) on the trade show floor and charged at twice the published rate for Sundays and holidays; the application of double time rates varies from state to state.
Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC) – any company other than the designated official contractor hired by an exhibitor to perform trade show services such as display installation and dismantle, plant rental, photography, audio visual rental, etc.
Four-hour Call/Four-hour Mini – minimum amount of time for which union labor must be paid for work performed on the trade show floor for an exhibitor
Installation/Setup/Assembly – the process of assembling a trade show display according to specific drawings or instructions.
Installation Contractor – a company that coordinates and supervises workers who install and dismantle trade show displays.
Installation and Dismantle (I&D) – the set up or assembly (installation) and take-down or tear down (dismantle) of trade show displays.
Labor – workers who are contracted to perform services such as installation and dismantle on the trade show floor; also known as craftspersons.
Labor Agreement/Union Contract – a contract between an employer and a union outlining the terms and conditions of employment, union status, and processes for settling disputes during the contract period; also known as Collective Agreement.
Labor Call – the time specified for workers to report to the exhibit space to begin setting up or dismantling a trade show displays.
Labor Desk – a location in the exhibit hall where exhibitors can place orders and/or check in when they are ready to secure labor to begin setup or dismantle of their display booth.
Overtime (OT) – work performed on the trade show floor outside normal business hours including holidays and weekends; OT rates are usually substantially higher than ST rates and vary from state to state.
Right to Work – a law securing the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union.
Set Up/Installation/Assembly – the installation or assembly (setup) of trade show exhibit components per specific setup drawings or instructions to create a trade show display.
Set-up Drawing – a set of instructions and/or drawings for the proper installation of a trade show display.
Straight Time (ST) – installation and dismantle work performed on the trade show floor during normal business hours at a standard hourly rate; rates and business hours vary from state to state.
Union – an organization of workers whose purpose is to protect workers’ rights and increase bargaining power with an employer on issues such as wages, work hours, and benefits.
Union Steward/Shop Steward – an official elected by union co-workers to oversee a particular union’s work in a trade show facility and resolve disagreements over union jurisdiction.
Work Rules – regulations that specify conditions, work hours, and pay structure of a craftsperson’s labor on the trade show floor when they perform an installation and dismantle.
Work Time – the period of time for which a laborer or craftsperson is paid for work performed for a trade show exhibitor.
