US / German / European Trade show-Glossary.
As an experienced trade show-professional, you are supposed to know, how certain industry-terminology is different in “European Language”. Do you?
To avoid miscommunications and costly errors, you want to make sure to use the correct terms, when it comes to correspondence and conversation with your European counterpart. Here are some of the most important differences:
US-English | German | European English |
Tradeshow | Messe | Fair |
Exhibition | Ausstellung | Exposition |
Conference | Kongress | Congress |
Hall | Messe-Halle | Exhibition Centre |
Show-City | Messe-Stadt |
|
| Messe-Zug / Messe-Bus (special show-transportation in Germany)* |
|
Booth | Messestand | Stand |
Booth-number | Standnummer | Stand-number |
Inline-Booth | Reihenstand | Linear Stand |
Corner-Booth | Eckstand | Open 2 sides or Corner Stand |
Peninsula-Booth | Kopfstand | Open 3 sides |
Island-Booth | Inselstand | Island Site |
Exhibit | Display or Exponat | Display |
Exhibit-Builder | Messebauer / Messe-Standbauer | Stand-Builder |
Custom Exhibit | Konventionelle Bauweise | Custom Stand/Custom Build Stand/Freebuild |
Hybrid | Mischbauweise | Custom-Modular |
Modular Exhibit | Systemstand | Modular Stand |
Rental-Exhibit | Mietstand | Rental Stand |
Portable Exhibit | Faltstand | Portable Display/Pop-up |
Elevated Floor | Podestboden | Platform |
Pedestal | Podest | Platform |
Kiosk | Arbeitstation | Workstation |
Literature Rack | Prospektstaender | Brochure-Stand |
Labor | Arbeiter | Worker |
Installation | Aufbau | Build up |
Dismantle / Tear down | Abbau | Dismantle |
Exhibitor / to exhibit | Aussteller / ausstellen | Exhibitor / to display |
Attendee | Besucher | Visitor |
Badge | Namenschild | Nameplate |
Aisles | Gang | Aisles/Gangways |
Column | Saeule | Pillar |
Crate | Kiste / Collie | Box |
Skid | Palette | Pallet |
Dolly | Trolly | Dolly |
Palette Jack | Hubwagen | Pallette Jack |
Freight-Forwarder | Spediteur | Freight Forwarder |
Customs | Zoll | Customs |
Catering | Bewirtung | Catering |
VAT | Mehrwertsteuer | VAT |
*Some of the major “Exhibit-Cities” in Germany provide special public door to door transportation in form of street-cars, busses or underground. Those are marked with “Messe-Zug” or “Messe-Bus”.
Hint: If you are searching the internet for anything trade show in Germany, start with the search-term “Messe”.
Copyright Horst Tondasch, 2007 - 2010