ISO 25639-1:2025
(Main)Exhibitions and events — Part 1: Vocabulary
Exhibitions and events — Part 1: Vocabulary
This document specifies terms and definitions that are commonly used in the exhibition and event industry. They are grouped into the following five categories: — individual and entity, which lists and classifies the various types of people involved in the exhibition and event industry; — types of event, which defines the different types of exhibitions and events, including physical, hybrid and online exhibitions and events; — related activities, which describes related activities during the exhibition and event; — physical items, which describes the various composition sizes, facilities and types of printed materials of the exhibition and event; and — others.
Foires et évènements — Partie 1: Vocabulaire
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 25639-1
Second edition
Exhibitions and events —
2025-04
Part 1:
Vocabulary
Foires et évènements —
Partie 1: Vocabulaire
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Individual and entity .1
3.2 Types of events .5
3.3 Related activities .8
3.4 Physical items .10
3.5 Others . 12
Bibliography . 14
Index .15
iii
Foreword
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in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and related services.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 25639-1:2008), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the title of the document has been changed from "Exhibitions, shows, fairs and conventions — Part 1:
Vocabulary", to " Exhibitions and events – Part 1: Vocabulary";
— the structure of the document has been modified in order to align with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2;
— a new category on “Related activities” has been introduced, and the title of the last category has been
changed to “Others”;
— two terms, “visit” and “admission category”, have been moved to more appropriate categories;
— nine terms have been added to the category “Individual and entity”;
— eleven terms have been added to the category “Types of events”, including four terms related to "event"
(“event”, “physical event” “hybrid event” and “online event”), three terms related to "exhibition" (“hybrid
exhibition” “physical exhibition” and “online exhibition”), three terms related to "conventions" (“summit”,
“forum” and “congress”), and one additional term (“media conference”);
— eleven terms have been added to the category “Related activities”;
— three terms have been added to the category “Physical items”: “booth location drawing”, “maximum
floor load” and “audit report”;
— six terms have been added to the category “Others”: "exhibits", "trade day", "intellectual property",
"demographics", "admission category" and "legacy";
— two terms have been removed (“international exhibitor” and “national exhibitor”). These terms are
intended to be incorporated into ISO 25639-2;
iv
— the terms “convention centre” and “congress centre” have been combined into one single term;
— the definitions of multiple terms have been amended and improved (for example, the definitions for
“accompanying person”, “delegate”, “visit”, “booth” and “duration of exhibition”).
A list of all parts in the ISO 25639 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
Introduction
The first edition of this document was published in 2008. Over the last decade, the rapid development of
the global digital economy and the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have
brought new formats, new fields and new concepts to the exhibition and event industry. The definitions
of some terms have also evolved. ISO 25639-1:2008 has therefore been revised to meet the latest industry
demands, and to accurately and comprehensively identify the contents of exhibition and convention
activities.
This second edition of ISO 25639-1 is intended to meet the development direction and demands of the global
exhibition and convention industry. The title of the second edition of ISO 25639-1 has been changed to
“Exhibitions and events — Part 1: Vocabulary”. This will help to explain and improve understanding of the
various components of the exhibition and event industry, and provide guidance for industry participants.
The revision will also facilitate the recovery and sustainable development of the exhibition and event
industry in the post-pandemic COVID-19 era.
This document contains a list of terms and definitions commonly used in the exhibition and event industry.
It is intended to facilitate a common and universal interpretation of these terms and definitions, such that
the attributes associated with them can be objectively compared and correctly visualized.
This document is intended to help stakeholders within the industry:
— to better relate when interpreting and understanding the various components that make up an exhibition
or event; and
— to decide whether they wish to take part in that exhibition or event.
This document is also intended to help to improve professionalism and raise standards for the exhibition or
event industry, and to serve as a guideline enabling industry players to be more discerning with regard to
the various statistical data released on exhibitions or events.
vi
International Standard ISO 25639-1:2025(en)
Exhibitions and events —
Part 1:
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document specifies terms and definitions that are commonly used in the exhibition and event industry.
They are grouped into the following five categories:
— individual and entity, which lists and classifies the various types of people involved in the exhibition and
event industry;
— types of event, which defines the different types of exhibitions and events, including physical, hybrid and
online exhibitions and events;
— related activities, which describes related activities during the exhibition and event;
— physical items, which describes the various composition sizes, facilities and types of printed materials of
the exhibition and event; and
— others.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Individual and entity
3.1.1
accompanying person
individual present with a visitor (3.1.22) or delegate (3.1.30) during an exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1)
Note 1 to entry: Such persons are more likely to be tracked at physical exhibitions (3.2.13) where an entry badge is
required, compared to online exhibitions (3.2.12).
Note 2 to entry: Online platforms cannot capture accompanying person information of those sharing screens or
otherwise jointly viewing an exhibition.
3.1.2
media representative
journalist, reporter, social media content writer, blogger, influencer or live streamer attending the exhibition
(3.2.5) or event (3.2.1)
3.1.3
service provider
third-party entity that provides products or services related to the exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1)
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
3.1.4
official contractor
service provider (3.1.3) appointed by the organizer (3.1.8) or by the venue to provide services or products
Note 1 to entry: The services can include the set-up and tear-down (3.5.3) of exhibit booths, the overseeing of labour,
material handling and loading dock procedures.
3.1.5
sponsor
entity that supports or endorses the exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1), such as:
— governments or organizations underwriting all or part of the cost of an exhibition or event;
— an individual who assumes all or part of the financial responsibility for an exhibition or event;
— a commercial entity that provides financial backing for an exhibition or event, and in return, receives
recognition, advertising, registrations (3.3.1) or other benefits
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
Note 2 to entry: Sponsorship can be “in-kind” support or endorsement and not necessarily of a monetary form.
Note 3 to entry: Sponsors can (but do not necessarily) participate in the profit from the exhibition or event.
3.1.6
co-sponsor
joint sponsor (3.1.5)
3.1.7
contra sponsor
barter sponsor
entity that supports or endorses the exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1) with goods or services
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
Note 2 to entry: A contra sponsorship arrangement occurs when goods or services (not money) are provided in return
for other goods or services.
3.1.8
organizer
entity or individual who produces, arranges and manages every aspect of an exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1)
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
Note 2 to entry: The organizer is not necessarily the owner of the exhibition or event.
Note 3 to entry: The organizer can appoint a third party to manage the exhibition or event. The third party can be a
company which specializes in organizing conferences (3.2.14), conventions (3.2.15), congresses (3.2.16) or exhibitions
referred to as a professional conference organizer (PCO) or a professional exhibition organizer (PEO).
3.1.9
co-organizer
entity that forms a partnership with the organizer (3.1.8) to either produce or manage the exhibition (3.2.5)
or event (3.2.1), or both
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
...
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