FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your organiser allows it, we can do it for you no less than 30 days before the exhibition begins. Before you get in touch with us you need to confirm whether your name board is editable with your organiser. Some organisers stipulate that the name boards must be uniform throughout the show. You are also limited to 34 characters, this includes spaces.

If you need a bigger - or smaller – stand, your exhibition organiser will be able to help you arrange something new.

Your build-up schedule will be in your exhibitor manual, the length of time needed depends on the build length of the show you are attending. Only orders which have been paid for will be installed during build-up.

No, you would need a reinforced wall panel, a display panel or a TV stand. A reinforced wall panel is a 5mm thick wooden panel which provides support to anything you want to hang on the wall. Shell scheme wall panels can hold a hanging item of up to 2kg in weight. If you have a traditional (trad) stand, you will not be able to use a reinforced wall panel.

Yes, at an additional cost. However, we are not able to install items on an exhibitors stand. We can only offer labour if logistics is contracted. Let us know what you need us to do and we’ll get you a quote.

No, for health and safety reasons you’re not allowed to expand beyond your stand area.

You can apply vinyl stickers or double sided tape directly to your wall, but no permanent fixings such as hooks, screws, nails or paint. All of our panels are reusable so we need to make sure they’re in top condition for the next exhibitor to use them. If you want to install a completely seamless graphic panel, talk to our graphics team.

You can remove the ceiling grid and fascia of your shell scheme stand. However it’s worth keeping in mind that you cannot have one without the other: If you don’t need your ceiling grid then we will need to remove the fascia as well, and vice versa. Also, if you remove your ceiling grid, you cannot have spotlights. If this is what you need, let us know at least 10 days before build-up begins. Additional wall supports maybe required.

Your exhibition manual will tell you what kind of shell scheme stand you have.

Yes, just visit our service desks during build-up. All on-site orders are subject to availability and on-site charges. Stock is limited once the build begins so we recommend arranging all your exhibition needs before you arrive.

If you do order something on-site, we’ll get it to you as soon as possible but please be aware orders placed pre-show will be priority. We have a lot of orders to fulfil so we would strongly advise you place all order pre-show. You can check item availability at the service desk.

On-site payments can be made by credit or debit card (2.5% surcharge for credit cards) and we take Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Solo, Delta, Electron, JCB and Maestro Switch (please note our system will not take Maestro Cards without a 3 digit security code). We do accept cash, however we carry very limited change and due to the nature and location of exhibitions, we may not accept cash for larger orders. Please pay by card if possible.

If you booked a shell scheme stand with the organiser this normally includes flooring. Space only areas do not have flooring included. Specifics about what’s included in your stand are in your stand contract.

Your exhibitor manual will tell you everything you need to know. Your stand contract will also detail exactly what you have.

You can indeed! If you change your flooring to another colour within the same range, we’ll only charge you £2.75m2 for the change (only for shell schemes stands). If you choose a different range of floor covering then this will be charged at full price. If you have changed the colour of your carpet, and you have a shell scheme, we will remove the protective polythene for free.

Our furniture brochure can be found here. Alternatively, if you use our online ordering system, you can view our entire range of furniture along with prices and dimensions. All furniture is subject to availability, prices do not include VAT and price is to hire for duration of the event (or one week).

We can provide you with items not in our catalogue, just let us know the specifics of what you’re looking for. Out of catalogue items are quoted separately and you’ll need to confirm and pay for the order before we can provide it.

Invoice: Your order can be placed through our online ordering system. You can also give us a call or email us. Alternatively, you can use the order forms which can be emailed, faxed or posted to us once filled out. When the order has been processed the invoice will automatically follow by email.

Card: There’s an on-screen payment option on our online ordering system. You can also send your card details with your order forms, or you can wait until you receive your invoice and then call us to make a card payment over the phone.

Bank transfer: You can use the bank details provided at the bottom of our invoices or card authorisation form, this is normally page 3 of the order forms.

Cheque: All cheques need to be posted to the address on the order form or the invoice - and be received, by us, before build-up begins.

You will receive notification that your order has been placed. When you receive the notification depends on the method you used:

• Online: You will see an on screen confirmation after you submit your order
• Email: When your order reaches us, an automatic response will be sent
• Fax and post: You’ll receive an invoice once your order has been processed

Don’t panic. All you need to do is follow the error messages shown online and if the issues continue contact our ServiCentre team on +44 (0)2476 380 180.

We always aim to process orders within 1 working day, however, during our busy periods, this may be slightly longer. If you haven’t heard from us after 5 working days, get in touch quoting the name of your exhibition.

If your payment is sent with your order, the payment will be reflected in your invoice once the order has been processed. If you would like confirmation for a payment made after an invoice has been issued, you can check by emailing creditcontrol@ges.com.

Our service desks are usually open at the same times as the exhibition halls – they usually close at the same time too. If no one is at the desk, the organiser will know their opening times.

You can visit our service desk to place your order when you’re on-site; full payment will be required for any purchases you make and stock will be limited however.

We handle all enquiries for GES services at our service desks with the exception of two: logistics and data capture (N200|GES). Please refer to the organiser's office in this case.

Please visit our service desk, situated near the main entrance.

Unfortunately, we cannot specify an exact time. However, our service desk team will endeavour to obtain an approximate time for you.

You will only be able to change items if confirmed by our service desk team on-site; please note a cancelation charge will be applicable – you will be unable to swap items free of charge unless they arrive damaged or an incorrect item has been delivered.

Build-up is really busy so please be patient and someone will come to you. Alternatively, you can go to the service desk or the organiser’s office.

Visit our service desk (normally situated near the main entrance) or office immediately and let us know what your issues and concerns are. We will send a member of our team over to your stand as soon as possible.

Visit our service desk. A cancellation surcharge will be payable and refunds cannot be processed on-site for pre-show orders (call +44 (0)2476 380 183 for refunds). The service desk is able to take new orders or check if orders have been placed.

Sockets come with tiered levels of power supply to save you money. To find out what type of sockets you need, check out our Electrical Service Myth-buster guide.

All of our sockets are standard UK 3-pin sockets. Unless you need a mains supply with a CEE Form plug of course.

Low power appliances (laptops, phone chargers etc.) with a cumulative power consumption of 500w or less can be plugged into a 500w socket. Appliances that use more than 500w will need their own direct power supply. You cannot plug more than one item into a socket with a power supply greater than 500w.

No, venue regulations limit you to only using an extension lead on 500w sockets.

Yes, all you need to do is send us a diagram showing both the orientation of your stand along with your desired socket positions.

For almost all shows, an obligatory £15 testing charge is applied to all order form items. To find out if you need to pay the testing charge, please refer to the order form. If you order directly through our online ordering system, the £15 testing charge is automatically applied.

If you’re ordering a direct mains supply (non-order form item) your own electrician can complete the test and inspection - providing they are UK qualified and can provide a copy of their City & Guilds qualifications.

Want to find out more about the electrical testing charge?

Electrical services are one of the first to be installed, however we can’t give a fixed time for when your electrical items will be installed an energised. If you arrive on-site and your electrics have not been installed, let our team on the service desk know and they’ll send you the first available electrician.

Power will be shut off within 30 minutes of the show closing. If you need continued power after the show closes, ask our electrical services team about ‘build-up/break-down power’.

There is a basic key and template included at the bottom of the grid plan which you can use to create your diagram. Ensure that any stand items are shown in the positions you want them (shelves, special walling, lights etc.) along with specific measurements like at what height you’d like your shelf set.

Diagrams for electrics to be returned to electrics@ges.com

Diagrams for shell scheme extras to be returned to customerservice@ges.com

For space only design briefs, use sales@ges.com

Details of your stand package are sent to you by the organisers, they may also be stated in your stand contract. The best place to start looking for this information is your exhibitor manual.

This information will be in your stand contract. If you’re struggling to find the information you need, your exhibition organiser will be able to help you.

Not always. If you purchased a package from the organiser you’ll find everything that is included within your stand contract.

Absolutely! The most popular way is to use our online ordering system.

This is the area between exhibition stands that visitors walk on.

This is the point in an exhibition that the organiser has set for exhibitors and contractors to dismantle their stands and leave the venue. This is also sometimes called ‘tear-down’.

Also sometimes called ‘bump-in’, build-up refers to the scheduled days and times that the organiser has set for exhibitors and contractors to install their stand at the exhibition.

The centre frames on the ceiling of a shell scheme stand that support the location of lights and makes the stand structurally sound.

Whatever term you see referring to your exhibition, they all mean the same: The gathering you’re attending to present yourself or your company. The terms mean more to visitors than anything else, they let visitors know what kind of gathering they’re going to look at. As a general rule: exhibitions are open to the public and trade show are for industry members only.

Whether you’re exhibiting alone, or as part of a bigger company, the term used in most organiser and supplier communications for whoever holds the stand is ‘exhibitor’.

This is an online (and sometimes printable) guide that holds all of your exhibition information and details exactly what you need.

A fascia (or name board) is the top part of a shell scheme and is where your company name and stand number is printed. It usually sits horizontally along the front of the stand to be visible to visitors in the aisle. To change your name board, you’ll need to submit a form to the official show contractor. The open sides of your stand will determine the location of the fascia(s).

The diagram that shows the position and orientation of stands within an exhibition. Visitors will usually get a copy of the plan to help them navigate to stands they really want to see.

A type of diagram that you can send to us to illustrate where you would like items positioned around your stand. Most grid plans are completed using a birds-eye-view, or top down, perspective.

A hall is usually the large room within a venue where your exhibition is taking place. Exhibitions can be very big, so they’re usually divided into halls to make them easier to navigate. If you’re taking part in a large exhibition, it would be worthwhile telling potential visitors both your hall name and your stand number before they arrive on-site.

The company that the organiser has selected to build and supply your exhibition (usually, that’s us). After you’ve rented your stand from the organiser, contact your supplier to get your stand made.

For exhibition suppliers and organisers; an exhibition is a working environment and often resembles a building site during build-up and breakdown. For this reason you may often hear the term ‘on-site’, which is just another word for venue. For example: hire your furniture and it’ll be on-site when you get there.

The number of sides that a stand is open to the aisle on. Exhibitions are usually designed in a grid format, similar to city blocks. So the amount of sides open to the aisle will be either 1, 2, 3 or 4.

• A 1 open side stand has 3 walls and is sometimes called a ‘terrace stand’.

• A 2 open side stand has 2 walls, usually both of the open sides are next to each other – creating a corner. Therefore it’s sometimes called a ‘corner stand’.

• A 3 open side stand usually backs onto either the venue wall or another stand – thus it has at least one wall. You may hear the term ‘peninsula stand’ when referring to a 3 open sided stand.

• A 4 open side stand is often called an ‘island stand’ because it has no walls and is completely surrounded by aisle walkways. Sometimes these are also called ‘free spaces’.

The company hosting the exhibition and who you’ve booked your stand with. Your exhibition organiser will provide you with all your vital information; like your exhibition manual and list of suppliers.

A standard set of exhibition supplies, usually furniture and/or electrical items, which are provided as part of a shell scheme stand. These items are pre-selected by the exhibition organiser from the exhibition supplier’s stock, who installs them on your stand. These items cannot be substituted or swapped, you can upgrade them however.

The service desk is where an exhibitor would go to ask questions and purchase additional exhibition services while on-site during build-up. We use only our best service teams at the service desks and they are there to help. If you need a service we can’t provide; visit the organiser’s office which will be clearly sign posted.

This type of stand makes up the majority of stands at an exhibition. Made from aluminium frames and customisable panels, shell scheme stands offer a simple and effective way to exhibit. Shell scheme stands have a fixed height, but you can rent as much floor space as you like. After an exhibition, the stands are taken down and reused on other exhibitions.

The scheduled days that the organiser has set for visitors to attend the exhibition.

A space only is an empty plot of space on an exhibition floor, nothing else is included. What you choose to do with that space is up to you, although most exhibitors choose to commission a custom stand (through us for example).

The area you can rent at an exhibition. Usually you’ll get the choice between a shell scheme stand or a space only stand.

This is the information that identifies your stand on the exhibition floor plan, if you have a shell scheme stand this information will also be printed on your fascia board. Your exhibition organiser will assign your stand a number, which you can find in your exhibitor manual. You will be asked to send the name you want associated with your stand so the organiser can display it in the floor plan and show guide too (it helps visitors find you).

A computer generated image of your stand. Stand visuals are usually used to illustrate modifications you can make to your stand.

This usually refers to shell scheme stands, which will usually have at least one side of walling. Shell scheme walls are made up of customisable panelled sections – from special panels to display products, to complete graphic print.

A stand system is the very technical term for the kind of shell scheme stand you have. Shell scheme can be made using 4 different types of aluminium frames, called systems. Some names you may come across are Edge, Sodem, Octanorm and our brand new GES Complete. Each system has slightly different panel measurements, so make sure you check before getting any artwork printed!

This is the name of the building your exhibition will be happening in. The NEC and ExCeL London are examples of major exhibition spaces. Within a venue, an exhibition usually takes over a certain amount of halls.