Display Board & Exhibition Terminology Explained
If you are organising an academic conference, trade exhibition, or public consultation, you may encounter unfamiliar industry terms. This guide explains common display board and exhibition terminology used when planning events in Edinburgh.
Understanding these terms will help you choose the right layout, board size, and setup for your venue.
Poster Session
A poster session is a structured academic presentation format where researchers display printed posters summarising their work. Delegates move between boards and discuss findings directly with presenters.
Poster sessions are commonly held at university conferences and medical events.
For hire options, see:
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A0 Poster Board
An A0 board refers to a display panel suitable for mounting standard academic posters. At Pegasus Sound and Light, A0 boards measure 1200mm x 900mm and can be set in portrait or landscape orientation.
These are widely used at university conferences in Edinburgh.
XL Display Board
An XL board measures 1800mm x 900mm and provides a larger display surface. These are often used for trade exhibitions, sponsor graphics, and architectural plans during public consultations.
For exhibition setups, visit:
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Freestanding Display Board
A freestanding board is a self supporting panel that does not require wall fixing. These are ideal for temporary events in hotels, lecture halls, and civic venues.
Freestanding boards allow flexible layout planning and easy repositioning.
Linked Panel System
A linked panel system connects multiple boards together to create continuous display walls. This is commonly used in trade exhibitions and planning consultations where visual continuity is important.
For corporate and stakeholder events, see:
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Double Sided Display
Double sided display means posters or graphics can be mounted on both sides of a board. This is particularly useful for central rows at conferences and exhibitions, effectively doubling display capacity.
Shell Scheme
Shell scheme refers to modular exhibition stands constructed using aluminium frames and wall panels, typically provided at trade shows.
Display boards differ because they are freestanding, flexible, and easier to reposition within open spaces.
Public Consultation Display
Public consultation displays are structured layouts used by architects, planners, and councils to present development proposals. These often require larger XL boards and linked configurations to present site plans and visualisations clearly.
Aisle Width
Aisle width refers to the space between rows of display boards. For comfortable visitor movement, allow at least 1.2 metres for side aisles and 1.5 to 2 metres between double sided rows.
For layout guidance, see:
How many poster boards do I need
Modular Layout
A modular layout uses interchangeable boards arranged in rows, zig zag patterns, or segmented zones. Modular systems allow organisers to adapt layouts to suit venue size and visitor flow.
Portrait vs Landscape Orientation
Portrait orientation positions the board vertically, which suits text heavy academic posters. Landscape orientation is wider and works well for architectural plans or graphic heavy exhibition materials.
Velcro Fixing System
Velcro dots are used to attach posters securely to boards without causing damage. Pins are not permitted, ensuring boards remain in professional condition for all events.
Delivery and Installation
Professional delivery and installation ensures boards are safely positioned, aligned, and spaced correctly within the venue.
For more information, visit:
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