ISO 25639-1:2025

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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Apr-2025
• ICS: 01.040.03 - Services. Company organization, management and quality. Administration. Transport. Sociology. (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 03.100.01 - Company organization and management in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 228 - Tourism and related services
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 228 - Tourism and related services
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 03-Apr-2025
• Due Date: 10-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 03-Apr-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 25639-1:2008 - Exhibitions, shows, fairs and conventions - Part 1: Vocabulary
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO 25639-1:2025 - Exhibitions and events, Part 1: Vocabulary is an international standard that defines common terms and classifications used across the exhibition and event industry. This second edition updates and expands the 2008 version to reflect digital transformation, hybrid event formats and post‑pandemic industry practice. The document groups definitions into five practical categories to ensure consistent interpretation of industry terminology worldwide.

Key topics

The standard focuses on clear, standardized vocabulary rather than prescriptive technical procedures. Major topic areas include:

• Individual and entity - classification of people and organizations involved (e.g., organizer, exhibitor, sponsor, media representative, attendee, exhibitor staff, auditor).
• Types of event - definitions for event formats including physical, hybrid and online exhibitions and events, plus related event types (e.g., summit, forum, congress, media conference).
• Related activities - terms describing activities around events (e.g., registration, admission categories, setup and tear‑down).
• Physical items - vocabulary for venue facilities, booth components, printed materials, and measures (e.g., booth location drawing, maximum floor load, audit report).
• Others - supplementary terms that affect reporting and metrics (e.g., total attendance, demographics, intellectual property, trade day, legacy).

Notable editorial changes in the 2025 edition are the introduction of a “Related activities” category, expanded terms for digital/hybrid events, reclassification of several terms, and numerous new entries to reflect modern event practice.

Practical applications

ISO 25639-1:2025 is primarily a reference tool to promote consistency and clarity across the exhibition and event lifecycle. Typical uses include:

• Creating unambiguous contracts, exhibitor manuals and tender documents by using standardized definitions.
• Designing registration and admission categories, attendee reporting and audit frameworks.
• Aligning event technology (registration platforms, virtual event portals, CRM) to common terminology for better data interoperability.
• Improving statistical reporting, market research and benchmarking by ensuring like‑for‑like comparisons of attendance and event types.
• Supporting venue planning, safety assessments and logistical documentation through common terms (e.g., maximum floor load, booth drawings).

Who should use this standard

• Event organizers, professional exhibition organizers (PEOs) and professional conference organizers (PCOs)
• Venue and convention centre operators
• Exhibitors, sponsors and trade associations
• Event technology providers and platform developers
• Auditors, market researchers and government tourism bodies

Related standards

ISO 25639 is a multi‑part series. ISO 25639-2 and other parts expand on operational topics (for example, nationality/exhibitor classifications are intended for separate parts). For full context and the latest parts, consult the ISO website or your national standards body.

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
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
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
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
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).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
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.

3.1.10
speaker
individual who delivers a speech or talk as part of an exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1) agenda
Note 1 to entry: Types of speakers include keynote, panellist, general session, seminar leader, trainer, workshop leader
and “change of pace” speakers, such as humourists and entertainers.
Note 2 to entry: As a data point, this is a type of registration (3.3.1) and speakers can also be registered under a
different category (e.g. sponsor (3.1.5) or exhibitor).
3.1.11
participant
individual logging into an online exhibition (3.2.12) or online event (3.2.4) or attending in-person at a physical
exhibition (3.2.13) or physical event (3.2.3)
3.1.12
attendee
individual attending a physical exhibition (3.2.13) or physicalevent (3.2.3) in-person, or logging into an online
exhibition (3.2.12) or online event (3.2.4), including visitor (3.1.22), exhibitor staff (3.1.21), speaker (3.1.10),
delegate (3.1.30), media representative (3.1.2) and any other verified admission category (3.5.8)
Note 1 to entry: Attendee does not include staff from the organizer (3.1.8) and service provider (3.1.3).
Note 2 to entry: When quoting figures for attendees, it is advisable to provide a full breakdown of admission categories.
3.1.13
total attendance
total number of unique attendees (3.1.12) to a physical exhibition (3.2.13) or event (3.2.1) or logging into an
online exhibition (3.2.12) or event, including visitor (3.1.22), exhibitor staff (3.1.21), speaker (3.1.10), delegate
(3.1.30), media representative (3.1.2) and any other verified admission category (3.5.8)
Note 1 to entry: When quoting figures for attendees, it is advisable to provide a full breakdown of admission categories.
3.1.14
audit organization
audit body
independent third-party organization which is responsible for the development and maintenance of
exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1) industry auditing rules and, in some cases, for the selection of auditors
(3.1.15) and for the collection and publication of exhibition or event statistics
3.1.15
auditor
qualified, independent third party appointed by the organizer (3.1.8) to carry out an audit
3.1.16
host country
country where the physical exhibition (3.2.13) or event (3.2.1) takes place
3.1.17
exhibitor
direct exhibitor
entity that displays products or services accepted by the organizer (3.1.8), including main exhibitors (3.1.18)
and co-exhibitor (3.1.19)
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, government, a body or an organization.
3.1.18
main exhibitor
exhibitor (3.1.17) contracting directly with the organizer (3.1.8)

3.1.19
co-exhibitor
exhibitor (3.1.17) on the main exhibitor's (3.1.18)booth (3.4.1), with its own products or services and
personnel, having the approval of the organizer (3.1.8)
3.1.20
represented company
indirect exhibitor
entity not present with their own staff, and whose products or services are displayed on an exhibitor's
(3.1.17)booth (3.4.1)
Note 1 to entry: An entity can be a company, a body or an organization.
3.1.21
exhibitor staff
exhibitor personnel
person working on the exhibition (3.2.5)booth (3.4.1) during the official opening hours, employed by the
exhibitor (3.1.17)
Note 1 to entry: Exhibitor staff excludes third-party service providers (3.1.3).
3.1.22
visitor
person who attends an exhibition (3.2.5), with the purpose of gathering information, making purchases or
contacting exhibitors (3.1.17)
Note 1 to entry: Visitor excludes exhibitor staff (3.1.21), media personnel, service provider (3.1.3) and organizer (3.1.8) staff.
Note 2 to entry: A speaker (3.1.10) or delegate (3.1.30) is a visitor only if attending the exhibition.
3.1.23
trade visitor
professional visitor
buyer
visitor (3.1.22) who attends an exhibition (3.2.5) for professional or business reasons
Note 1 to entry: Trade visitor excludes media representatives (3.1.2).
3.1.24
general public visitor
private visitor
show visitor
visitor (3.1.22) who attends an exhibition (3.2.5) for personal interests.
Note 1 to entry: Public visitor excludes media representatives (3.1.2).
3.1.25
international visitor
foreign visitor
visitor (3.1.22) whose address provided to the organizer (3.1.8) is outside the host country (3.1.16)
Note 1 to entry: EU countries are counted as individual nations.
Note 2 to entry: Foreign or international visits are those visits by non-domestic visitors of places of residence other
than the country in which the event takes place.
3.1.26
national visitor
domestic visitor
local visitor
visitor (3.1.22) whose address provided to the organizer (3.1.8) is inside the host country (3.1.16)

3.1.27
hosted visitor
hosted buyer
visitor (3.1.22) who is invited and sponsored to attend the exhibition (3.2.5) with agreed obligations
Note 1 to entry: There are obligations, such as either meet several exhibitors (3.1.17) or take part in formal and
informal scheduled activities by the organizer (3.1.8), or both.
3.1.28
stand contractor
stand builder
stand fitter
stand supplier
service provider (3.1.3) that provides and sets up the exhibition (3.2.5)booth (3.4.1)
3.1.29
show management
entity that manages 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.
3.1.30
delegate
person who attends a conference (3.2.14), convention (3.2.15), congress (3.2.16), summit (3.2.17), forum
(3.2.20), workshop (3.2.21), seminar (3.2.18) or symposium (3.2.19)
3.1.31
international delegate
foreign delegate
delegate (3.1.30) whose residential address provided to the organizer (3.1.8) is outside the host country
(3.1.16)
Note 1 to entry: EU countries are counted as individual nations.
Note 2 to entry: Foreign or international visits (3.3.9) are those visits by non-domestic delegates of places of residence
other than the country in which the event (3.2.1) takes place.
3.1.32
national delegate
domestic delegate
local delegate
delegate (3.1.30) whose address provided to the organizer (3.1.8) is inside the host country (3.1.16) of the
physical exhibition (3.2.13)
3.1.33
venue operator
entity that manages an exhibition (3.2.5) or event (3.2.1) facility
3.2 Types of events
3.2.1
event
planned physical, hybrid or online gathering at a specified location for a specified duration for business or
professional purposes
Note 1 to entry: Examples of events include exhibitions (3.2.5) and conventions (3.2.15).
3.2.2
hybrid event
combination of a physical event (3.2.3) with an online event (3.2.4)

3.2.3
physical event
in-person event
face-to-face event (3.2.1)
Note 1 to entry: Physical events are regularly scheduled and have a limited or fixed period of time.
3.2.4
online event
gathering of people for an event (3.2.1) where all of the attendees (3.1.12) are not physically in the same
location but are connected (online) via an online platform, open to online delegates (3.1.30) during a fixed
and limi
...