Convention Industry Council

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a la Broche	Cooked on a skewer. Can be beef, chicken or shrimp. See EN BROCHETTE. See Also SHISH KEBOB. See Also en Brochette , Shish Kebob
a la Carte	French term meaning "from the menu." Each item is individually priced. Used in tour literature to indicate a choice of dishes will be available.
a la Grecque	Prepared Greek style with tomatoes, garlic, black olives and parsley.
a la King	Cooked in white cream sauce with vegetables (e.g., Chicken à la King).
a la Meunière	(moonyare) Dredging, a technique that allows flour to form a thin, golden crust on sautéed or fried items, (e.g., Trout Meunière).
a la Mode	1) In the style of. 2) Ice cream on pie. 3) Mashed potatoes on beef.
a la Provencale	Prepared with garlic and olive oil.
a la Vapeur	Steamed.
A List	A catering department's steady, extra employees. They are the first called to work when temporary help is needed.
A/C	Air Conditioning. See HVAC. See Also HVAC
A/V Contractor	Supplier of technical staff and audiovisual equipment (e.g. projectors, screens, sound systems, video, and staging).
A/V Request Form	Form given to speakers during the planning stages of an event to allow them to request the audiovisual equipment they will need for their presentations.
A/V Technician	An audiovisual professional who is responsible on-site for lighting, sound, video, staging or other similar elements of an event function.
A1	1) First class condition. 2) A name brand steak sauce.
A440	Designated international pitch to which pianos are tuned.
AA	1) Alcoholics Anonymous. 2) American Airlines.
AAA	American Automobile Association.
AAAE	American Association of Airport Executives.
AAF	American Academy of Florists
AAR	Against All Risks. A term often found in insurance policies and contracts.
AATTA	African-American Travel and Tourism Association
Above the Line Advertising	Traditional commission-paying media: press, TV, radio, cinema, outdoor; media handled by full-service agencies.
Absorption	Ability of a material to absorb sound energy and reduce sound intensity.
Absorption Coefficient	Efficiency of a material to absorb sound at a particular frequency (which relates to sound wave length and material thickness).
Abstract	1) Written summaries of speeches or papers, generally between 200-500 words. See CALL FOR PAPERS. See Also CONFERENCE PAPERS. 2) Laser presentations, graphic designs or patterns that are not representational of concrete objects. 3) A brief statement of content. See Also Call for Papers , Conference Papers
Abstract Board	Usually rolling corkboards used for attaching copies of research papers for authors to discuss with participants. See POSTER SESSION. See Also Poster Session
AC Cable	Any wire conductor, regardless of size or connection, that carries an alternating current.
AC Hum	Humming sound heard in an audio system, usually the result of a Ground Loop which is being amplified by the system.
Academic Conference/Seminar	See COLLOQUIUM. See Also Colloquium
Acceleration Clause	A provision sometimes used in contracts to accelerate deposit payment schedule or to demand full prepayment of master account in the event of a default or lack of credit by the organization. May also apply in other situations, such as assignments. Sometimes used in a hotel to accelerate deposit payment schedule or to demand full prepayment of master account in the event of a default by organization.
Accent Lighting	Directional lighting used to highlight a particular area or object to draw attention to that portion of the field of view.
Acceptance	A requirement for entering into a binding contract. If a contract proposal (offer) is made, it is accepted if the offeree signs the offer as submitted. If the offeree makes any changes to the offer before signing, it is a counter offer, not acceptance.
Accepted Practices Exchange	APEX. An initiative of the meetings, conventions & exhibitions industry managed by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). APEX develops and manages the implementation of accepted practices (voluntary standards) for the industry.
Access Panel	Removable panel or section of exhibit to permit access to lamps, projectors, mechanisms, etc.
Accessibility	1) Airline lift into and out of a destination. See Also LIFT. 2) Capable of being used by people with physical challenges and disabilities. This is an important aspect of the United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). See Also Lift
Accessorial Charges	Generally refers to air-freight shipments. Airfreight forwarders can provide many services generally not available from common carriers. In most cases, these charges are not included in the per-pound rate of the carriers. Services include, but are not limited to, inside pickups & deliveries, special pickups & deliveries (specific time of day), waiting time, etc.
Accident Report	A document prepared to record information including time, date, location, parties involved, witnesses, and nature or description of an incident. See INCIDENT REPORT. See Also Incident Report
Accommodation	1) Any seat, berth, room, or service provided and/or sold to a guest, attendee or passenger. 2) Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a step taken to allow a person with a disability to participate in an event or employment.
Accompanying Person	Guest or spouse of an attendee.
Account Sheet	1) Form used to keep track of number of rooms sold and/or still available. See TALLY SHEET. 2) Designates equipment, materials and teaching aids used in sound and visual presentations. See Also Tally Sheet
Accreditation	Official authorization or approval; to provide with credentials; to send (an envoy) with letters of authorization; to recognize or vouch for as conforming with a standard; to recognize a college as maintaining academic standards; to consider or recognize as outstanding; approval given by various trade associations to a travel agency allowing the sale of tickets and other accommodations.
Accrual Accounting	1) An accounting method that enters income and expenses into the books at the time of contract versus when payment is received or expenses incurred (cash accounting). 2) A system in which revenue and expenses are accounted for as soon as they are committed.
Acetate	Film positive or negative from which silk screens are produced. Also, a family of plastics for light transmission and surface protection.
Acetone	Solvent and/or adhesive agent for bonding many plastic materials.
Acknowledgement	Written notice that a room reservation request has been received and is being processed.
ACME	Association for Convention Marketing Executives. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
ACOM	Association for Convention Operation Management. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
ACON	Air conditioned. See A/C. See Also HVAC. See Also A/C , HVAC
Acoustic Baffle	Absorptive board or sound barricade that can be placed around or between acoustic sources to provide sound isolation or deadening and reduce acoustic leakage between multiple microphones (e.g. in a recording studio or live musical performance stage set-up).
Acoustical Tile	Composition board made into squares and placed upon the ceiling or walls to reduce sound.
Acoustician	Specialist in the behavior and control of audio energy within an environment.
Acoustics	Study of the performance of sound energy. Also the way in which sound energy performs in a given space.
ACRA	American Car Rental Association.
Across the Board	Includes everything; inclusive.
Acrylic	The family of clear, color, and translucent thermoplastic resins such as Plexiglas or Lucite.
Acrylic Emulsion	A water-based latex made of acrylic polymer and used for coatings and/or impregnations.
Act of God	An extraordinary natural event such as extreme weather, flood, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquake or similar natural disaster that cannot be reasonably foreseen or prevented over which a contracting party has no reasonable control, making performance of the contract illegal, impracticable or impossible, thus the parties have no legal responsibility to continue performance of the contract. See FORCE MAJEURE. See Also Force Majeure
Action Station	Chefs prepare foods to order and serve them fresh to guests. Also called Performance Stations, or Exhibition Cooking. Popular items for action stations include: pasta, grilled meat or shrimp, carved meats, sushi, crepes, omelets, flaming desserts, Caesar Salad, etc.
Active Crossover	An electronic device which filters and selectively amplifies frequencies, separating the frequencies into sections or bands, and routing them to outputs designed to drive power amplifiers and in turn, speakers. The frequencies filtered depend on the electrical value of the component parts in the circuits of the device, but not on the source or load impedances connected to the device, except in the case where the crossover is actually a passive crossover designed for insertion in the medium-level signal lines of an audio system rather than in speaker lines.
Active Language	The language being used by the speaker.
Actual Cash Value	ACV. Replacement cost of lost or damaged property less depreciation.
Actual Weight	Also known as gross shipping weight. Determined by (1) weighing a vehicle empty, (2) loading a shipment and returning the vehicle to the scale to obtain the weight, and (3) subtracting the two weights. Can also be obtained by individually weighing each piece of freight.
Ad Hoc Committee	Committee formed to deal with a specific issue to be resolved upon making its final report.
Ad Valorem Tax	Tax applied to an item according to the value of an item. See DUTY. See Also Duty
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act. U.S. legislation passed in 1992 requiring public buildings (offices, hotels, restaurants, etc.) to make adjustments meeting minimum standards to make their facilities accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.
ADA Compliant	Ready to or disposed to perform in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Additional Insured	An individual or organization listed as covered by a primary insurance agreement.
Add-One	Any component of a package tour that is not included in the package price, but may be purchased as an added feature or to extend the length of the package. Tour options are purchased at additional cost.
Adjoining Rooms	Rooms with common walls, which do not have connecting doors.
Adjustable Standard	Vertical support that allows shelf bracket to be affixed at any point in the support.
Adlux	A black and white photo transparency.
ADME	Association of Destination Management Executives. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
Admission Card	Admission card confirming a booking and registration to an event. See CONGRESS CARD. See Also Congress Card
Admission Ticket	Ticket used for admission to an event.
Adult Learner	A student who is independently employed and usually pursuing education to attain a specific, practical goal.
Adult Staff-to-Child Ratio	The ratio of adults to children required during a childcare/youth program. Accepted ratios are 3:1 for infants, 4:1 for toddlers, 6:1 for children up to eight years old.
Advance Deposit	Amount of money paid to secure a room, facility or service in advance.
Advance Order	An order for goods and/or services ordered before the move-in date for an exhibition. Usually less expensive than a FLOOR ORDER. See Also Floor Order
Advance Rate	Fees associated with advance orders, which typically include discounts when paid in advance.
Advance Registration	Booking before an event takes places. Allows attendees to register for an event before it actually takes place. Done through mail, phone, internet or fax. See PRE-REGISTRATION. See Also Pre-Registration
Adventure Tour	A TOUR designed around an adventurous activity such as rafting, hiking or ballooning. See Also Tour
Advertising	Information about an event that the organizer pays to have printed or announced in various forms of media (e.g. press, TV, radio, cinema, outdoor).
Advertising Specialties	Promotional items which include a firm's name and/or marketing message.
Advisory Board	A group that offers advice or counsel to event organizer, event management, or other organization on strategic options such as conference content, exhibitor matters, contracting policies or other issues.
Advisory Capacity	A term indicating that a shipper's agent or representative is not empowered to make definitive decisions or adjustments without approval of the group or individual represented. See WITHOUT RESERVE. See Also Without Reserve
AED	Automated External Defibrillator. Device installed in many large public areas (e.g. airports, hotels, convention centers). Can be used by any individual to administer life-saving care to person experiencing a heart attack.
Affiliation	Union of a society, firm or political party with another, but without loss of identity.
Affinity Group	Group sharing common interest, usually people who are members of an organization.
Affixed Merchandise	Products fastened to a display.
Affreightment (Contract of)	An agreement between a shipping line (or similar carrier) and an importer or exporter in which cargo space is reserved on a vessel for a specified time and at a specified price. The importer/exporter is obligated to make payment whether or not the shipment is made.
Agenda	A list, outline or plan of items to be done or considered at an event or during a specific time block. May include time schedule.
Agent	1) Broadly, one who acts or has the power to act: more usually, one that acts as the representative of another. Most frequently in travel, a specific kind of agent such as a retail travel agent. 2) Person that obtains engagements for entertainers, is paid by the entertainers and has no contract for production responsibilities. 3) Person in a speaker bureau/agency that acts on behalf of the seller (speaker) or on behalf of the buyer (customer).
Agricultural Meeting	An event relating to the production of crops, meat, milk or eggs.
AH&LA	American Hotel and Lodging Association. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
Air Cargo	Any property carried, or to be carried, in an aircraft, excluding passenger baggage.
Air Consignment Note	A bill of lading issued by the airline that covers both domestic and international flights transporting goods to a specified destination. Technically, it is a non-negotiable instrument of air transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating that the carrier has accepted the goods listed therein and obligates itself to carry the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified conditions. A bill of lading that covers domestic and international flights transporting goods. See AIR WAYBILL. See Also BILL OF LADING, INLAND BILL OF LADING, OCEAN BILL OF LADING, THROUGH BILL OF LADING. See Also Air Waybill , Bill of Lading , Inland Bill of Lading , Ocean Bill of Lading , Through Bill of Lading
Air Express	Expedited airfreight, usually referring to overnight air.
Air Freight	Materials shipped via airplane.
Air Wall	Movable barrier that partitions a large area into smaller areas. May be sound resistant, but not necessarily sound proof. See DIVIDER. See Also MOVABLE WALL, PARTITION. See Also Divider , Movable Wall , Partition
Air Waybill	A bill of lading issued by the airline that covers both domestic and international flights transporting goods to a specified destination. Technically, it is a non-negotiable instrument of air transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating that the carrier has accepted the goods listed therein and obligates itself to carry the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified conditions. A bill of lading that covers domestic and international flights transporting goods. See AIR CONSIGNMENT NOTE. See Also BILL OF LADING, INLAND BILL OF LADING, OCEAN BILL OF LADING, THROUGH BILL OF LADING. See Also Air Consignment Note , Bill of Lading , Inland Bill of Lading , Ocean Bill of Lading , Through Bill of Lading
Airfreight Forwarder	An airfreight company that transports freight via scheduled airlines. Forwarders do not operate their own planes.
Airport Hotel	Hotel located near a major airport; usually does not have a lot of recreational facilities.
Air-Ride Suspension	Smoothest ride for fragile cargo, made possible by two to four air bags located at the rear axle of the trailer, tractor or fifth-wheel.
Aisle	1) Area between a booth/stand for audience traffic movement. 2) Space between sets of tables, chairs or a booth/stand to allow passage of attendees. See GANGWAY. See Also Gangway
Aisle Carpet	Carpet installed in aisles.
Aisle Sign	A sign, usually suspended, indicating aisle numbers or letters.
All Expense Tour	See INCLUSIVE TOUR. See Also Inclusive Tour
All Suite Hotel	See SUITE HOTEL. See Also Suite Hotel
All-Inclusive Tour	See INCLUSIVE TOUR. See Also Inclusive Tour
All-Risks Insurance	Insurance against loss of or damage to property arising from any fortuitous cause except those that are specifically excluded. An insurance contract which provides All-Risks Insurance is an All-Risks policy.
Alpha List	A list arranged in alphabetical order, such as definitions in a glossary or event attendees.
Alteration	A change made by the client after any part of the production process has begun. Usually billed as an extra charge.
Alternate Media	Alternatives to print materials (e.g. Braille, large print, etc.) provided to assist people with disabilities in achieving full participation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution	Method for resolving disputes without going to court.
Alumni Tour	A TOUR designed for those people who have previously traveled with a particular tour company. Also Called REUNION TOUR. See Also Tour
Amandine	Served with thinly sliced almonds, sautéed in butter.
Ambience	Distinctive acoustical characteristic of a room or acoustic space due to the many sound reflections in the space (e.g., rooms that are said to be acoustically “dead” lack ambience).
Ambient Light	1) Level of illumination from natural lighting sources already existing in an environment. 2) Uncontrolled and unintended illumination.
Amenity	Complimentary items in sleeping rooms such as writing supplies, bathrobes, fruit baskets, shower caps, shampoo and shoe shine mitt provided by facility for guests.
American Breakfast	A meal of fruits and/ or juices, cereal, eggs, meat, bakery goods and hot or cold beverages.
American Plan	AP. A type of hotel rate that includes the price of the room and all meals. Also Called FULL AMERICAN PLAN (FAP). See INCLUSIVE RATE. See Also BERMUDA PLAN, CONTINENTAL PLAN, DEMI-PENSION, EUROPEAN PLAN, MODIFIED AMERICAN PLAN. See Also Inclusive Rate , Bermuda Plan , Continental Plan , Demi-Pension , European Plan , Modified American Plan
American Reception	Stand-up social function with beverage and sufficient food to replace a main meal.
American Service	Food is plated in the kitchen and placed before the guest. Side dishes are used for bread and butter and salad. Food is served from the left, beverages from the right, and all items are removed from the right. This is generally the service used for banquets. See PLATED SERVICE. See Also Plated Service
Americans with Disabilities Act	ADA. U.S. legislation passed in 1992 requiring public buildings (offices, hotels, restaurants, etc.) to make adjustments meeting minimum standards to make their facilities accessible to individuals with physical disabilities.
AMMC	Alliance of Meeting Management Companies. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
Amorphic Lens	Special lens for projectors used to eliminate distortion in abnormally wide throws.
Amperage	An International System unit for the amount of electrical current transferred from one component to another. This specification is often important when considering the amplifier loudspeaker interface. See AMPERE. See Also Ampere
Ampere	The standard measurement of current.
Amphitheater	Outdoor facility with a flat performance area surrounded by rising rows of seats or a grassy slope allowing the audience to view the performance. The seating area is usually a semi-circular shape or adapted to the surrounding landscape.
Amplification	Increase in signal quantity of either amplitude or power level.
Amplifier	Amp. 1) Device which increases the voltage and/or power level of signals fed through it. 2) Device enabling sound to be intensified.
Amplitude	Extreme range of a fluctuating quantity, as an alternating current, swing of a pendulum, etc., generally measured from the average or mean to the extreme. Also used to make reference to the overall volume of a signal.
AMS	Association Management Software
Analog	A method of conveying data electronically in relation to a television, radio or telephone signal by varying its frequency or amplitude.
Anamorphic Lens	Lens adapter designed to produce a wide screen image.
Anchor	An auger-type device used to secure the guy ropes of a tent to the ground, ranging in length from 30-48 inches with a helix of 4-8 inches in diameter. Anchors hold better than stakes do in bare earth and sand. See STAKES. See Also Stakes
Ancillary Activities	All event-related support services within a facility that generate revenue.
Ancillary Center	Event facility that is typically part of a larger hospitality complex.
Andragogy	The art and science of helping adults learn as opposed to pedagogy, which is the science of helping children learn.
Androgogic Model	Knowles Theory. A theory that proposes that for adults to learn, the following must be addressed: adults need to know why they need to learn something; adults need to learn through experience; adults view learning as problem solving; adults only learn when the material is immediately relevant.
Angels on Horseback	Baked bacon-wrapped oysters.
Animation	A technique that creates an illusion of movement when used in rapid sequence.
Ann.	Announcer.
Anncr.	Announcer.
Anodizing	The process of preserving metal by adding a protective oxide film by an electrolytic process.
ANSI	American National Standards Institute. An organization responsible for fostering the development of and approving technology standards in the United States. www.ansi.org
Answer Print	The first positive print of a movie film made from the rough edited negative.
Anti-Discrimination Laws	Laws that protect individuals or groups from bias and discrimination on the basis of factors such as age, sex, religion, national origin or disability. Anti discrimination laws may be imposed on the local (e.g. city, county), state or federal level. Federal laws prohibit discrimination in any place of public accommodation. Anti-discrimination provisions are sometimes included in contracts to allow a party to the contract to cancel without liability in the event the other party or parties is found guilty of engaging in discriminatory practices.
Antidiversion Clause	See DESTINATION CONTROL STATEMENT. See Also Destination Control Statement
Antipasto	Italian appetizers that include olives, salami, peppers, marinated vegetable salads, sliced meats, cheeses and other similar foods.
Anti-Stat for Carpet	A spray that helps reduce static electricity in carpets.
Antistat Wax	A solution applied to plastics to minimize dust accumulation.
Antitrust Laws	Legislation designed to promote competition and prevent unfair practices that may lead to monopolies or suppression of competition.
Anvil Case	Reinforced molded plastic case, normally with foam cut-outs for transporting fragile materials.
AoD	Audio on Demand. Streaming Audio delivered via a network, available anytime, anywhere.
AP	American Plan. A type of hotel rate that includes the price of the room and all meals. Also Called FULL AMERICAN PLAN (FAP). See INCLUSIVE RATE. See Also BERMUDA PLAN, CONTINENTAL PLAN, DEMI-PENSION, EUROPEAN PLAN, MODIFIED AMERICAN PLAN. See Also Inclusive Rate , Bermuda Plan , Continental Plan , Demi-Pension , European Plan , Modified American Plan
Aperture Width/Height	Actual slide or film frame dimensions.
APEX	Accepted Practices Exchange. An initiative of the meetings, conventions & exhibitions industry managed by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). APEX develops and manages the implementation of accepted practices (voluntary standards) for the industry.
APEX Fare	Advance Purchase Excursion Fare (airline). Special fare at a lower rate.
Appellation	1) Designated wine growing areas governed by the rules and regulations of a country's federal local government body. Rules vary from country to country but are similar in their attempt to stimulate the production of quality wines. Regulations are established by the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in France, the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in Italy, the Denominaçao de Origem Controlada (DOC) in Portugal, the Denominación de Origen (DO) in Spain and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) in the United States. 2) Synonym for name.
Appetizer	Any small, bite-size food served before a meal to whet and excite the palate. Used synonymously with the term Hors d' Oeuvres, though this term more aptly describes finger food, whereas appetizer can also apply to a first course served at table.
Application Service Provider	ASP. A company that manages and distributes software-based solutions to customers across a wide area network from a central data center. In essence, ASPs are a way for organizations to outsource some or almost all aspects of their information technology needs.
Application Sharing	A feature of many videoconferencing systems that allows two or more people to use the same software program, even if all do not have it on their computer or conferencing system.
Appliqué	Any item applied to fabric or other surfaces for the purpose of decor.
Appointed Entity	Airline ticket sales outlet, such as a travel agency, accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Apprentice	An individual who works in exchange for the learning experience, often unpaid.
Apron	Part of a stage in front of the main curtain.
AQ	Any quantity.
Arbitrage	The process of buying foreign exchange, stocks, bonds, and other commodities in one market and immediately selling them in another market at higher prices.
Arbitration	Private dispute resolution process, often referred to as alternate dispute resolution, in which the parties agree to submit their dispute to an impartial third party for a decision. Depending on the type of arbitration, the arbitrator's decision may or may not be binding. Several organizations, including the American Arbitration Association and JAMS-Endispute, handle arbitration claims. Courts may require some disputes be submitted to arbitration instead of or prior to the formal trial process.
Arc Light	A light source providing high-intensity light utilizing a positive and negative metal rod (instead of a lightbulb) for large screens or long projection distances; also used in follow spotlights; replaced by xenon lamps in the 1980s.
Arch	A curved display ceiling that spans two points, such as a ceiling or entryway.
Architectural Cuisine	Menu items where food is stacked for height, such as endive boats filled with salad greens. See VERTICAL CUISINE. See Also Vertical Cuisine
Area Agreement	A union contract covering companies and unions that bargain on an area-wide basis.
Arena	Facility type featuring a large flat main floor surrounded by fixed seats in a sloping oval or modified oval shape, much steeper that the typical theater. Some are arranged in two or more tiers. Sight lines are nearly always designed for events the size of a hockey floor, circus, ice show, or basketball court.
Argon	An inert, colorless, odorless gas that creates a blue-green color inside a laser tube.
Armorply	A term for plywood or lumber with a metal veneer.
Arranged Environment	A learning environment with planned physical set-up and seating arrangements.
Arrival Manifest	An itemized list of anticipated dates and times of arrival of group members.
Arrival Notice	A document issued by railroads, airlines and maritime services identifying the shipment is sent to the consignee or their agent and informing consignee/agent of cargo’s arrival.
Arrival Pattern	Anticipated dates and times of arrival of group members.
Arrival Time	Time or approximate time guests plan to arrive at a facility.
Arrival/Departure Pattern	A description of arrival and departure activities of an event’s attendees. See MAJOR ARRIVAL. See Also MAJOR DEPARTURE, GROUP ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES. This information should be included in the specifications guide for an event. See Also Major Arrival , Major Departure , Group Arrivals/Departures
Art	Any materials (drawings, photographs, type) used in preparing camera-ready art. Also known as artwork.
Articles and By-laws	Rules adopted by an organization for managing its internal affairs.
As Directed	Based on time and at the direction of the customer.
ASAE	American Society of Association Executives.
ASCAP	American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. A membership organization that represents individuals who hold the copyrights to music written in the United States and grants licensing agreements for the performance of that music.
ASCII	American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A code that assigns numbers to alphabetic, numeric and certain other characters. ASCII is the most common format for text files in computers and on the Internet.
Ash Stand	Stand which holds ashtrays. A receptacle for tobacco ashes; an ashtray; ash can.
Aside	A dramatic device in which an actor speaks directly to the audience while other individuals onstage supposedly do not hear him or her.
ASM	Assistant stage manager.
ASP	Application Service Provider. See Also Application Service Provider
Aspect Ratio	The ratio of image width to height; pertaining to audiovisual, video and slides.
Assembly	1) The process of erecting display component parts into a complete exhibit. 2) A general or formal meeting of an organization attended by representatives of its members for the purpose of deciding legislative direction, policy matters, the election of internal committees and approval of balance sheets, budgets, etc. Consequently, an assembly usually observes certain rules of procedure for its meetings; mostly prescribed in its Articles & By-laws. See Also Articles and By-laws
Assessment	1) The process used to evaluate a participant's skill level with respect to a set of materials or requirements. 2) A charge to a supplier(s) from a service entity such as Convention Bureau, Housing Bureau, etc. that is for a specific service such as convention center fees, busing, housing or other that is part of an event customer's agreement. This assessment is normally paid to the service provider directly by the supplier. Compare with REBATE. See Also Rebate
Asset	Something of value that is owned.
Assistant Lead Dispatcher	The onsite staff member second in command of the transportation system. Assists the lead dispatcher and fills in when the lead dispatcher is not on site. Normally the assistant lead dispatcher is assigned to the command center.
Association	An organized group of individuals and/or companies who band together to accomplish a common purpose, usually to provide for the needs of its members. Usually nonprofit. See TRADE ASSOCIATION. See Also Trade Association
Association Agreement	1) A union contract covering companies and unions that bargain on an area-wide basis. 2) A union contract negotiated by a group of employers through an employer's association with the union representing their employees.
Association Booth/Stand	An exhibit booth/stand at which an association provides information about its purpose and services to members and prospective members.
Association Meeting	An event initiated by an association. See ASSOCIATION. See Also Association
Association Staff	An individual who works for an association.
ASTA	American Society of Travel Agents.
ASTD	American Society for Training and Development.
Asynchronous Learning	Any learning event that is delivered after the original live event or where the interaction is delayed over time. Typically this is on-demand and can be to video-on-demand (VoD), audio-on-demand (AoD), correspondence courses, email messages, bulletin boards, etc.
At Liberty	Euphemism used by actors, consultants, and others for unemployed or available for work. Those who are unemployed.
At Sight	A phrase indicating that payment on a draft or other negotiable contract is due upon demand.
At Site	Location of event or exhibit. See ON-SITE. See Also On-Site
ATA	Air Transport Association of America. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
ATA Carnet	An international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year. It eliminates or reduces VAT charges, customs fees, and bond fees. The initials "ATA" are an acronym of the French and English words "Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission." ATA Carnets cover commercial samples; professional equipment; and, goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, shows, exhibitions, etc. Items not covered are consumable or disposable goods, which will not be returned home.
At-a-Glance Program	Condensed, quick reference version of an event's program. See POCKET PROGRAM. See Also Pocket Program
ATC	Air Traffic Conference of America (a division of the Air Transport Association (ATA).
Athletic Meeting	An event that involves sports or athletic equipment. Athletes, guests or attendees may be in competition or demonstration.
Atmospheric	A term used to describe a lighting effect created by laser light projected through the air, often enhanced with theatrical fog; also known as aerial beams
Atmospherics	Use of color to create a mood in a room or exhibit.
Attendance	Total number of people at an event.
Attendee	An individual, registered for or participating in an event. Includes delegates, exhibitors, media, speakers, and guests.
Attendee Brochure	Direct mail piece sent to current and prospective attendees that promotes the benefits of attending a specific event.
Attendee Scope	Where attendees come from. It is directly related to the spending characteristics of attendees who fall into each of these categories: INTERNATIONAL- Draws a national and international event audience; 15% or more of event delegates reside outside of event host country. NATIONAL-Draws a national event audience; More than 40% of delegates reside outside of a 400 mile (640 km) radius of event city. REGIONAL-60% of delegates reside within a 400 mile (640 km) radius of event city; Delegates may reside in a multi-state area and/or a regionally homogenous international area. STATE/PROVINCE- More than 80% of delegates reside in event state/province (or event-sponsoring state/province when held in state/province other than home state/province; More than 20% of delegates reside outside a 50 mile (80 km) radius of event site; State/provincial audiences are less inclined to use air travel and local auto rental than regional audiences. LOCAL-80% of delegates reside within a 50 mile (80 km) of radius of event site; Local audiences typically do not require overnight accommodations.
Attenuate	To reduce. In audio parlance, to reduce the level of an electrical signal as with a volume control.
Attraction	A natural or man-made facility, location, or activity that offers items of specific interest. An attraction can be a natural or scenic wonder (e.g. the Grand Canyon), a man-made theme park (e.g. Disneyland) ,a cultural or historic exhibition (e.g. World's Fair), or a wildlife/ecological park (e.g. zoo or aquarium).
Attrition	The difference between the actual number of sleeping rooms picked-up (or food-and-beverage covers or revenue projections) and the number or formulas agreed to in the terms of the facility’s contract. Usually there is an allowable shortfall before damages are assessed.
Attrition Clause	Contract wording that outlines potential damages or fees that a party may be required to pay in the event that it does not fulfill minimum commitments in the contract.
au Gratin	Foods sprinkled with crumbs and/or cheese and baked until browned
au Jus	Served with natural meat juices or gravy without thickening.
au Lait	With milk (e.g. café au lait).
Audience Count	The number of people in an audience. In a controlled situation, this number is most accurately found through ticket sales, turnstile counts, or established seating capacities. In a non-controlled situation, estimates from law enforcement agencies, park and recreation departments, or other organizations involved in crowd control are usually reliable. See COVER. See Also HEAD COUNT. See Also Cover , Head Count
Audience Left and Right	Stage directions from the audience’s perspective. This is the opposite of STAGE LEFT AND RIGHT. See CAMERA LEFT AND RIGHT. See Also SCREEN LEFT AND RIGHT. See Also Stage Left and Right , Camera Left and Right , Screen Left and Right
Audience Polling	Computer application that enables voting and then collects and displays the results, simplifying decision-making among event participants.
Audio Frequency	Any frequency which humans hear, typically between a lower limit of about 12 hertz and an upper limit of about 20,000 hertz. This range of audio frequencies is also known as the “audio spectrum.”
Audio Monitor	1) Speaker for listening to the playback of tapes or records. 2) A loudspeaker used for listening to the playback of tapes or records and by musicians to hear themselves or other musicians on stage. 3) Conference call.
Audioconference	A conference using only voice transmissions between two or more sites.
Audiovisual	A/V. Equipment, materials, and teaching aids used in sound and visual presentations, such as television monitors, video, sound equipment, etc.
Audiovisual Aids	Audio and visual support for events, usually taking the form of film, slides, overhead projection, flip charts, sound equipment and blackboards.
Audit	A methodical examination and review of records pertaining to an event. For instance, an independent verification of attendance figures submitted by an exhibition’s producers.
Audition	A tryout performance before producers, directors, casting directors or others for the purpose of obtaining a part in a production or a booking as a speaker.
Auditorium	Room for gathering an audience for speeches, concerts etc. Often used to name entire facilities, though properly applied only to the seated portion of the facility in which the audience is assembled. Typically a building named in this way will be an arena or theater class building.
Auditorium Lens	A projection lens used for long distances.
Auditorium Lights	See HOUSE LIGHTS. See Also House Lights
Auditorium Set-Up	Seating arrangement where chairs are arranged in rows facing head table, stage or speaker. Variations are semicircular and V-shaped. See THEATER SET-UP. See Also Theater Set-Up
Authorized Signatory	A person who is authorized to legally bind an individual or organization to a contract, to sign checks on behalf of an organization, or charge to an organization's master account.
Autograph Table	Traditionally, a table where a speaker autographs books after a speaking engagement. Many speakers currently use the term to mean the table at the back of the room from which they sell their products.
Automatic Advance	Feature on a slide projector which automatically inserts the next slide.
Auxiliary Aids and Services	1) Contracted services (e.g. stewards, technicians, interpreters, tour guides, etc.) that provide support for an event. 2) The use of adaptive equipment or assistance to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
Auxiliary Business	Business that is brought to the facility because of, or in conjunction with, an event. See IN CONJUNCTION WITH. See Also In Conjunction With
Auxiliary Supply	System for providing power, lighting, air conditioning, heating, catering and emergency battery systems.
Average Room Rate	1) Mathematical average of a series of sleeping room rates. 2) The total sleeping room revenue for a given period's occupied rooms divided by the number of rooms occupied for the same period. In this instance the average is commonly referred to as a hotel's Average Daily Rate (ADR).
Awards Banquet/Celebration	An event, usually formal, to honor outstanding performance.
Awning	A monopitch tent structure that is supported by a frame and is often foldable.
Axis	Imaginary center point.
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