Convention Industry Council

Glossary Home
Search for a Term	Search For Word in Terms & Definitions

Results For p

PA System	Facility's in-house public-address system.
Pacing	Fullness or emptiness, fastness or slowness of a tour itinerary. The scheduling of activities within an itinerary to make for a realistic operation and to give a certain balance of travel time sightseeing, social events and free time and rest.
Package	1) A combination of benefits received by workers as a result of collective bargaining. A package may include wage increases and other benefits or monetary value, such as insurance, paid holidays, paid vacations, and sick leave. The parties agree to a specified amount of increase to be partly applied to rates of pay and partly to the financing of the related benefits. 2) A single-fee booth/stand package offered by event management which might include booth/stand space, one electrical outlet, one table, two chairs and one hour of labor. 3) Tour arrangements combined and sold at a single all-inclusive price.
Package Plan	A preassembled assortment of services offered to the exhibitor at a fixed price. In catering, refers to purchasing liquor and/or food at a set price per person. For event management, it is providing furniture and/or services to exhibitors for a single fee.
Package Tour	A travel offering which provides, at an inclusive price, several travel components that a traveler would otherwise purchase separately.
Packager	1) An individual or organization that coordinates and promotes the development of a package tour and establishes operating procedures and guidelines for that tour. 2) Company that organizes speakers’ demo tapes, press kits, etc. for a fee.
Packet	The unit of data sent across a packet-switching network. It contains a destination address.
Packet Switching	The method used to move data around on the Internet. In packet switching, all the data coming out of a machine is broken up into chunks. Each chunk has both an origination and destination address.
Packing Case	See SHIPPING CASE. See Also CRATE. See Also Shipping Case , Crate
Packing List	A list showing the number and kinds of items being shipped, as well as other information needed for transportation purposes.
Pad	1) To apply attenuation to a signal (e.g. line level to mic level pad.) A very commonly overlooked problem in audio when interfacing VCRs etc. to mic level inputs in ballrooms, event rooms, etc. A pad can be applied most often by using a 'filter direct box'. 2) A tablet of paper placed on the table for classroom or conference seating.
Pad Thai	Thai noodle dish.
Pad Wrap	See BLANKET WRAP. See Also Blanket Wrap
Padded Van Shipment	Shipment, by moving van, of crated or uncrated goods such as large pieces of furniture or display material.
Padding	1) Usually blanket protection for uncrated material. 2) Slipping extra (unwarranted) charges onto an invoice.
Padlock	Removable lock with a shackle that can be passed through a staple, ring, or link and then closed securely.
Pads	Commonly referred to as moving blankets, these have cotton fill and quilted design to keep filler in place and protect shipments.
Paella	Spanish rice dish.
Pager	Portable, wireless unit that can receive a signal and brief voice or text message.
Paid Out	In-house facility form authorizing cash withdrawal to be charged to master account or individual guest.
Paid-in-Advance Registration	Full payment for anticipated room and tax charges at registration; credit for incidentals is not extended. See CASH REGISTRATION. See Also Cash Registration
Pain	Bread.
Pain Grillé	Toasted bread.
Pallet	Wooden platform used to carry goods. See SKID. See Also Skid
Pallet Wrap	Process of wrapping loose items on pallet with transparent plastic wrapping.
Pan	Panorama. Sideways movement of a camera to film a wide scene.
Pan Pot	Two-circuit volume control used to place the auditory image of a sound from a mixer channel between the left and right speakers.
Panaché	Mixed vegetables (usually two vegetables).
Pane	Prepared with bread crumbs.
Panel Discussion	Instructional technique using a group of people chosen to discuss a topic in the presence of an audience.
Panel Dolly	L-shaped dolly with wheels on both the vertical and horizontal sides. Used for moving display panels.
Panel System	A prefabricated exhibit composed of connected panels of various sizes and shapes.
Paper Ticket	A physical ticket that is issued and presented to the airline representative in exchange for a boarding pass.
PAR	1) Common term for sealed beam spot or flood lamp with self-contained lens surfaced glass. 2) In golf, one less than bogey.
Par Lamp	A lamp shaped like an automobile headlight that consists of a tungsten source housed in an enclosed lens, which produces a rectangular beam.
Parabolic Screen	Type of front projection screen surface which is rigid and allows only narrow angle viewing.
Parallax	Illusion of opacity resulting from the juxtaposition of translucent or polarized surfaces. Also achieved when rows of panels or fins are spaced in such a way as to be seen through when viewed directly, but that appear to be opaque when viewed from an angle.
Parallel Session	Session which has some correspondence, similarity, or analogy of subject and aim is simultaneous with another session.
Parcan	A 150 watt to 1000 watt lighting instrument that acts like a floodlight providing an even light over a specific area; frequently seen in polished aluminum version, hanging in large groups from a ground support or flying truss system.
Parking Attendant	A person who is employed to assist people in parking their motor vehicles in a designated area.
Parlor	Room, usually equipped with couches that make into beds, connected to a suite bedroom.
Parlor Suite	Hotel living room, usually with a hide-a-bed sofa, connected to an adjoining sleeping room.
Parmentier	Served with potatoes.
Participant	A person who takes part in an event. Compare With ATTENDEE. See Also Attendee
Participatory Learning	Occurs when the participants share knowledge, experience and work together to learn.
Particle Board	A structural panel of compressed glued wood chips.
Partition	See DIVIDER. See Also MOVABLE WALL, SCREEN. See Also Divider , Movable Wall , Screen
Party Planner	Similar to corporate-event producer or DMC. Works with noncorporate clients to design and implement private parties.
Pascal	The unit of pressure or stress in the International System of Units (SI). In the United States, PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) is used instead. See PSI. See Also PSI
Pass	Identification card to enable exhibitors to gain access to an exhibition.
Passive Crossover	Electrical device composed of coils of wire (inductors) and electrical capacitors, that separates audio frequency bands by filtering action and routes them to different places (such as a woofer and tweeter). The frequency of the crossover’s action is determined by the value of the electronic components inside, and by the loudspeaker driver’s impedance in ohms, which implies that replacing a 16-ohm driver in a particular system with an 8-ohm driver will change the crossover frequency. In such a case, the frequency will rise an octave and the shape of the crossover frequency response slopes will be distorted. Also Called HIGH-LEVEL CROSSOVER.
Passive Language	Language into which interpretation is provided.
Passport	A government issued document that allows the citizen of one country to travel into other countries. Required for all international travel.
Passport	Government document permitting an individual to leave and re-enter his/her country of legal residence.
Pasta	Italian for paste, includes spaghetti, rigatoni, mostaccioli, elbows, bowties, fettucini and many other varieties of dried paste.
Paste-Up	Arrangement of type and illustrations on an art board.
Pastry Cart	Selection of desserts on a rolling serving cart.
Patch	1) To temporarily join wires or slides by overlapping. 2) Plug-in connection between two lines.
Patch Bay	See PATCH PANEL. See Also Patch Panel
Patch Panel	Plug and jack assembly permitting studio outlets to be temporarily connected to dimmer outlet circuits; also found in studio sound systems. Also Called PATCH BAY.
Pâté	A combination of finely ground meats and spices forming a loaf. Some pates are spreadable, some are sliced. Classical meats used include goose liver, duck liver, chicken liver, and veal. Usually served as an appetizer.
Pâté de Foie Gras	(paw tay de foy graw) Paste made from goose liver.
Patron	1) Guest or Customer. 2) Person who heads a list of supporters.
Patronage	Referring to an established customer base.
Pattern of Event Dates	The dates during which an event can be conducted. May be designated by specific dates, months, or seasons (Spring, Fall, etc.). An example description is “September 1 - October 30 (excluding Labor Day, Jewish Holidays). This annual meeting must begin on Thursday and end on Saturday.”
Pavilion	1) A designated area within the event highlighting a special product category for marketing and exposure. 2) A group presentation of different companies for the purpose of generating collected impact.
PAX	Industry abbreviation for passengers.
Pay Own	Each guest pays own guest charges. See EPO. See Also EPO
Payment Authorization	Signed authority to proceed with the payment of an invoice.
Payment Order	Written authorization for payment to be made.
Pay-Per-View	1) Some Web-based content such as event Webcasts are made available to online customers on a pay-per-view basis, which means that customers have to pay to access this programming. 2) Video productions accessible to customers who pay for access to this programming.
PBX Operator	Switchboard operator.
PCMA	Professional Convention Management Association. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
PCO	Professional Congress Organizer. European term for DMC (Destination Management Company). Local supplier who can arrange, manage and/or plan any function or service an event.
PD	See PER DIEM. See Also Per Diem
Peach Melba	A classic dessert of ice cream served on a peach half and topped with raspberry syrup and whipped cream.
Peak Night	Referring to the night during an event when most rooms are occupied by those in attendance.
Peak Season	See HIGH SEASON. See Also High Season
Peaks	Chart or list of AV equipment usage shown as daily totals throughout the duration of an event.
Pêche	Peach.
Pedestal	A floor support for an exhibit component.
Pegboard Panel	Framed panel of perforated hardboard.
Pegged Off	An object mounted away from supporting surface with spacers.
Peking Duck	Chinese recipe.
Penalty	The fee imposed by an airline to change or cancel flights once the ticket (usually a discounted advance purchase) has been issued.
Pending Registration	Incomplete registration where the fees, full payment or forms have not been received. Also Called PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION. See Also Provisional Registration
Peninsula	Two or more exhibit spaces back to back with an aisle on three sides. Also Called END CAP.
Peninsula Booth/Stand	An exhibit with aisles on three sides.
Penthouse Suite	Guest rooms and connecting parlors located on the top floors of a facility.
People Magnets	Promotional ideas and devices that have a compelling ability to draw audiences.
PER	Post Event Report. A report of the details and activities of an event. A collection of post event reports over time will provide the complete history for an event. See POST EVENT REPORT. See Also Post Event Report
Per Diem	Per day. Some event attendees, such as government employees, have a limited amount of money they can spend per day on food and other expenses. Daily allowance for items like food, lodging, etc.
Per Person	1) Daily allowance for things like food, lodging, etc. 2) Goods or services priced and/or purchased according to the number of guests expected to attend the event.
Per Room Rate	A flat rate charged for a room regardless of the number of occupants.
Percent of the Gross	Type of payment involving a fixed percent of the gross income for that service. This type of agreement is often used by facilities as the rental.
Percent of the Net	Type of payment involving a fixed percent of the net income after costs of providing that service. This type of payment is often used in services provided by exclusive contractors within a facility.
Percentage	A payment of a percentage of total billings as a condition of getting a contract for work; commission.
Percentage of Change Formula	Formula used to establish the variability in cost for future facility services.
Perfect Binding	Binding process by which pages are glued together.
Performing Rights Societies	Societies whose purpose is to provide collective licensing for copyrighted music. Examples include BMI and SESAC.
Perimeter Booth/Stand	Exhibit space located on an outside wall. See BACKWALL BOOTH/STAND. See Also Backwall Booth/Stand
Perimeter Seating	Seating arrangement in which chairs are placed around the walls of a room. The chairs are often meant for spectators to observe an activity or event in the center of the room.
Peripheral	Piece of computer equipment intended to increase the function of the system (printer, CD-ROM, etc); audiovisual aids used in an event room.
Peripheral Block	A group of rooms that is reserved by a party outside of the ECB but is present in the city as a result of the Main Event (for example, some exhibitors, some international tour groups). A Peripheral Block’s consumed room nights should be credited to the Main Event’s total room nights for historical tracking purposes. A Peripheral Block may be used to help offset attrition charges against the ECB A Peripheral Block usually negotiates its own terms (for example, 1/50, staff rate, etc.). How do you identify Peripheral Blocks? Event organizers should require each contracted housing facility to report (to the event organizer) what groups are in-house at the same time as the Main Event. Each housing facility should include tour and travel, and wholesalers’ reservations which were booked individually over the dates of the Main Event. See also EVENT-CONTRACTED BLOCK. See Also Event-Contracted Block
Perk	Payment, benefit, or privilege received in addition to regular income or salary. See PERQUISITE. See Also Perquisite
Permanent Exhibit	A product display held on a long-term basis, i.e., museum exhibit, office exhibit, mart, showroom, etc.
Permanent Import	In case of sales, with payment of duties and value added tax (VAT), or in case of free distribution, disposable or consumables usually exempted from payment of duties and VAT depending on each country. Quantity and value exempted at discretion of customs authorities.
Permanent Office	Appointment on a permanent basis to a specific responsibility within an organization; work space existing for a long time.
Permission Marketing	An email marketing campaign that only sends messages to users who have requested (or opted-in) to receive specific types of information. Email conference reminders and newsletters are examples of opt-in email marketing campaigns based upon permission marketing. See OPT-IN. See Also Opt-In
Permit Card	Card granting temporary employment rights to a non-union member, issued by a union having a closed contract with an employer.
Perquisite	Perk. Payment, benefit, or privilege received in addition to regular income or salary.
Personal Manager	Manager of individual artist or group of artists.
PERT	Program Evaluation and Review Techniques.
PERT Chart	Organizational flow chart defining responsibilities, due dates and other information.
Petite Marmite	French soup with small pieces of beef and vegetables, served in small covered pots with toast float.
Phantom Power	Method of providing power to a microphone through the microphone cord that may otherwise need a battery in a power supply case.
Phased Budget	Estimated total of revenue and expenditure; divided into subject categories projecting cash needed to meet expenses over a specific time frame. See CASH FLOW CHART. See Also BUDGET. See Also Cash Flow Chart , Budget
Phosphorescent Paint	A paint that radiates visibly when activated by ultraviolet light.
Photo Screen	A stencil made photographically for silk screen reproduction.
Photostat	A reproductive process employing paper negatives.
Phyllo	Flaky pastry dough.
Physical Factors	The architectural design, furnishing, temperature, and other such factors that impact the learning environment.
Physical Hazard	Specific tangible conditions that increase the likelihood that a loss will be greater in severity.
Physiological Factors	Factors related to age, memory span, etc, that impact how an adult learns.
Phytosanitary Inspection Certificate	A certificate, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to satisfy import regulations of other countries, indicating that a U.S. shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful plant diseases.
Piano Hinge	Continuous fixed pin hinge.
Piano Types	Pianos vary in size and quality: concert grand, baby grand, spinet, and upright.
Pica	Unit to measure type line length. Approximately 1/6 inch (.43 centimeter).
Picket	An organized method of protest usually involving signs, handling out literature, shouting and other disruptive activities.
Pick-Up	Number of facility guest rooms actually used out of a room block.
Pièce de Resistance	Main course of a meal. Called the entree in U.S.
Pied Piper	An individual with a following. Used in the travel industry to refer to a person who may recruit a group. See GROUP LEADER.
Pier Demurrage	A charge assessed when the container is removed from the carrier’s control and is not returned within the allowable free time. See CONTAINER DETENTION. See Also Container Detention
Pierogi	A thin layer of dough, wrapped around a filling, such as cabbage, potato, cheese, prune, etc.
Piggy-Back	Describes the act of loading freight on trailers, then shipping the trailers on specially designed rail cars.
Pilaster	A rectangular column that usually projects about a third of its width from the wall to which it is attached.
Pillow Gift	An in-room amenity left in the evening while an event is underway, that the attendee will discover upon returning to the room. Can be gifts from sponsors, etc.
Pink Noise	Filtered white noise that exhibits a constant power in any band of frequencies of the same span percentage. Pink noise is used extensively as an audio measurement signal source because of its uniform power-per-bandwidth characteristic, and it has been suggested that music source material, averaged over a log time period, is roughly equivalent to pink noise in spectral energy distribution. See NOISE. See Also Noise
Pipe & Drape	Light-weight aluminum tubing and drapery used to separate exhibit booths/stands, staging areas, and other similar locations.
Piquant	(peek aunt) Spicy; highly seasoned.
Pit	Sunken area in front of the stage used to accommodate the orchestra.
Pita	Envelope or pocket bread.
Pitch	1) Distance between rows of seats on an aircraft. 2) The determining factor of the key of a melody. 3). The adjustable, vertical angle of a given piece of presentation equipment (e.g. a screen, camera or projector).
Pixie Tubes	Special high intensity lamps with internal circuits and filaments in shape of numerals.
Place Card	Card placed on the banquet table, inscribed with the name of the person designated to sit at that place.
Place of Birth	Denotes place of birth (not necessarily nationality).
Place Setting	Another name for cover (a combination of flatware, glassware, china and napery).
Plan	A top view mechanical drawing.
Planagement	Term coined to represent good management through proper planning.
Planner	Person whose job it is to oversee and arrange every aspect of an event. Person can be an employee or hired ad hoc by large companies, professional associations, or trade associations to plan, organize, implement, and control meetings, conventions, and other events.
Planning Matrix	A grid used to plan meeting formats and finalize subject areas, topics and assignments.
Planting	The use of trees and plants to enhance the appearance of an exhibit or a stage.
Plastic Laminate	Any one of several of the melamine plastics bonded to paneling for durability and appearance.
Plateau	Level, stage, or tier of an incentive travel program at which sales goal has been reached, and participant can then advance to a higher tier by additional qualifying or buy-in.
Plated Buffet	Selection of preplated foods and entrees set on a buffet table. Can also be set on a roll-in cart.
Plated Service	Foods arranged on individual plates in the kitchen and then served to guests seated at a table. See AMERICAN SERVICE. See Also American Service
Platform	Raised horizontal surface, stage, or flooring.
Play On/Off	Music which accompanies a performer’s or speaker’s entrance/exit onto or from the stage.
Player-Recorder	Machine which can be used both for recording tapes and for playing back prerecorded tapes.
Plenary Session	General assembly for all participants.
Plexiglas	A trade name for acrylic plastic material in common use.
Plug	An advertisement, not in the form of a formal ad, but usually a mention—either written or in a publication or given verbally from the platform to help promote a product, service, or individual.
Plug Strip	This is a power strip that can be plugged into a 120-volt power supply and allows up to six items to be plugged in. It has its own surge protector built inside and they are used in lieu of cube taps and cobra head extension cords.
Plug-In	Extends the capabilities of a Web browser, allowing the browser to run multimedia files. A (usually small) piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software.
Plumber	Trade person responsible for all plumbing installation.
Plus Plus	Addition of taxes and service charges to a price when not included, designated by + +.
Plywood	Laminated wood of an odd number of sheets glued together. Often used in exhibit construction.
PNR	Passenger Name Record. A record a travel counselor creates in a CRS / GDS when making a reservation for a traveler. It contains information about a traveler's itinerary that includes the identifying code letters and numbers assigned to the reservation. The PNR forms the basic unit of information from which travel management reports are compiled. See also SABRE. See Also Sabre
Pocket Program	At-a-glance program. A shortened version of the event program giving basic information in a way which is easy to refer to and convenient to carry. See AT-A-GLANCE PROGRAM. See Also At-a-Glance Program
Podium	Raised platform where a speaker stands when delivering his or her remarks. Often confused with LECTERN. See Also DAIS, RISER. See Also Lectern , Dais , Riser
Point	1) Measurement of type size. Twelve points equal one pica—approximately 1/6 inch (.43 centimeter). 2) A city, town, village, or other community or area which is treated as a unit for the application of freight rates.
Point Source	Sound originating from a single source, or as if from a single source, and filling an entire space. This type of sound system is most often seen in a concert configuration, where the stage and sound system is at one end of the room and no additional sources of sound are used.
Point-of-Purchase	Display to show product, where sales can be made.
Point-to-Multipoint Videoconference	A videoconference of more than two sites.
Poire	Pear.
Pois	(pwas) Peas.
Poisson	(pwa son) Fish.
Polar Pattern	Performance of a speaker or sensitivity of a microphone as if seen on a circular graph with the device being in the center and the pattern representing the distance from the device at which equal performance can be obtained around a circle.
Polar Response	See POLAR PATTERN. See Also Polar Pattern
Poly	See VISQUEEN. See Also Visqueen
Pomme	Apple.
Pomme de Terre	Potato (literally, apple of the earth).
Pommes au Four	Potatoes baked in their skins.
Pommes Nouvelle	New potatoes.
Pommes Purées	Mashed potatoes.
Pop-Up	Lightweight display normally shipped in molded plastic crates. See PORTABLE EXHIBIT. See Also Portable Exhibit
Port of Entry	Destination providing customs and immigration services.
Portable Exhibit	An exhibit that "pops-up" or a self-contained exhibit that is lightweight and easily set up.
Portable Exhibit	Lightweight crated display units which do not require forklifts to move them.
Portal	1) Entry, doorway. 2) A Web site or service that offers a broad array of resources and services, such as email, forums, search engines, and online shopping malls to attract and retain a large audience.
Porters	1) Staff which carry luggage for guests using trains, planes, and hotels. 2) Staff which perform cleaning duties.
Portrait	1) Document or sign with greater height than width. Opposite of Landscape. 2) Likeness of a person in a painting or photograph.
Positive	1) Favorable condition/outcome. 2) Exact image of copy as distinguished from reverse image or negative.
Post	Metal upright used to support drapes.
Post As	Instructions to a facility indicated the exact way a specific function should be listed on the facility’s reader board.
Post Conference	Any event which is arranged for the period immediately following the conference proper.
Post Convention Report	See POST EVENT REPORT. See Also Post Event Report
Post Event Report	PER. The industry preferred term for a report of the details and activities of an event. A collection of post event reports over time will provide the complete History for an event. The industry accepted practice is to use the APEX POST EVENT REPORT, which can be found at the Convention Industry Council (www.conventionindustry.org).
Post-Con Meeting	A meeting at the primary facility at which an event occurred just after it has ended. Attendees generally include the primary event organizer, representatives of the event organizer/host organization, department heads at the facility, other facility staff as appropriate, and contractors. The agenda focuses on evaluating the implementation of the event and completing the APEX POST EVENT REPORT. It often includes a final review of bills with accounts payable. Compare With PRE-CON MEETING. See Also Pre-Con Meeting
Post-Conference Registration	Registration for an activity or function which follows an event.
Post-Conference Reservation	Guest room space following a conference.
Post-Consumer Material	An end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in commercial and residential recycling programs, such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.
Poster	Visual presentation of a specified size, presented on a flat sheet of paper or card, with details of a specific topic.
Poster Board	Soft board panel, used for displaying copy and/or graphics.
Poster Exhibition	Area with display of posters.
Poster Presentations	Informal sessions near poster exhibition to present and discuss contents of posters.
Poster Session	1) Display of reports and papers, usually scientific, accompanied by authors or researchers. 2) A session dedicated to the discussion of the posters shown inside the meeting area. When this discussion is not held in a special session, it can take place directly between the person presenting the poster and interested delegate(s). See ABSTRACT BOARD. See Also Abstract Board
Postgraduate Refresher Course	Continuing education courses often provided for professional accreditation purposes, and designed to enhance professional knowledge, or reinforce information originally taught as part of a degree program.
Potable	1) (Adjective) A word used to describe a liquid suitable for drinking, e.g. potable water. 2) (Noun) Any beverage, particularly those containing alcohol.
Potage	Soup.
POV	Privately Owned Vehicle. A vehicle, such as a passenger car, van or small company vehicle, as distinguished from tracks, tractor-trailers and other over the road vehicles.
POV Line	Special loading dock reserved for POVs where material is unloaded at prevailing drayage rates.
Power Bandwidth	Frequency range over which a power amplifier can produce at least half power (-3dB). This important specification is the actual indication of an amplifier’s true power output capability, since many amplifiers are capable of much higher power outputs if frequency extremes such as those produced by music are ignored.
Power of Attorney	An instrument in writing whereby one person, as principal, appoints another as his agent and confers authority to perform certain specified acts or kinds of acts on behalf of the principal.
Power Response	Measure of a loudspeaker’s output with reference to its electrical input. Power response includes the total sound energy radiated into the acoustic space around the loudspeaker rather than just on-axis. Flat power response would indicate that a loudspeaker is radiating equal energy into all angles at all frequencies.
Power Strip	A cord connected unit having multiple electrical outlets, and over current protection.
Practical Demonstration	A special sitting for the demonstration of specific methods.
Pre- & Post Trip Tours	Optional extension or side trip package before or after a meeting, gathering, or event.
Pre- or Post-Event Tour	Organized outing taking place before (Pre-) or after (Post-) an event for both attendees and accompanying persons. See TOUR. See Also Tour
Pre-Assigned Seating	Predetermined seat assignments.
Pre-Block	Assigning a specific guest room prior to the arrival of the guest.
Pre-Con Meeting	A meeting at the primary facility at which an event will take place just prior to the event beginning. Attendees generally include the primary event organizer, representatives of the event organizer/host organization, department heads at the facility, other facility staff as appropriate, and contractors. The agenda focuses on reviewing the purpose and details of the event and making final adjustments as needed. Compare With POST-CON MEETING. See Also Post-Con Meeting
Prefab	Pre-built exhibit ready for installation.
Preferred Carrier	Carriers that have alliances with exposition service firms and general service contractors. They receive preferential treatment, and some discounts may be obtained by using these carriers.
Preferred Supplier	Travel companies with which a corporation signs agreements to provide travelers with discounted rates.
Pre-Finished Paneling	Factory finished panels.
Pre-Formed Group	A tour group in existence prior to the tour, the members of which share a common bond, interest or organization affiliation. See AFFINITY GROUP. Examples of pre-formed groups include civic clubs, senior citizen groups and alumni associations. See Also Affinity Group
Pre-Function Space	Area adjacent to the main event location. Often used for receptions prior to a meal or coffee breaks during an event. See FOYER. See Also Foyer
Preliminary Draft	First draft. The first version of a paper or document which is subject to further amendment.
Preliminary Program	The first public draft of an event’s schedule including information on program structure and key speakers, giving details of ancillary activities and usually containing the event registration form. See Also Provisional Program
Preliminary Announcement	See FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT. See Also First Announcement
Premium Beer	Higher quality, higher priced beer. Has a higher alcoholic content than light beer and regular beer.
Premium Brand	Higher quality, higher priced spirits (hard liquor).
Premium Pay	Extra pay over the regular wage rate for work performed outside or beyond the regular working hours, for work on Saturday, Sunday or holidays, for night shift work, for hazardous, dirty or unpleasant work, and for production in excess of established standards.
Pre-Opening	Period of time before a property’s soft opening.
Prep Area	Space used for food production not visible to guests.
Prepaid Passenger	A passenger who has transportation paid for by someone else, usually in another city.
Prepaid Ticket Advice	PTA. Airline form stating that payment has been made.
Preparation of Paper	Instructions regarding the required format to be used for the presentation of a speech, AV requirements, travel, accommodations, etc. See AUTHOR’S GUIDELINES/KIT.
Preparatory Session	Meeting of a specific group before the official assembly in order to finalize preparations. See REHEARSAL. See Also Rehearsal
Preplated Items	Food placed on plates in the kitchen prior to being served.
Pre-Pleated	Material permanently pleated, ready for installation.
Pre-Populate	To automatically supply a data field on a form with information
Preprint	Printed volume of meeting papers available prior to or at an event.
Pre-Registered	Reservation which has been made in advance with the necessary paperwork.
Pre-Registration	1) Registering in advance to attend an event. See ADVANCE REGISTRATION. 2) At a facility, pre-assigned sleeping rooms available for occupancy. See Also Advance Registration
Pre-Registration List	Computer generated list of names pre-registered with a group.
Pre-Reserved Seats	Pre-reserved seats are usually held until 30 minutes prior to departure. Because there are a number of revenue passengers that may want to stand by for flights, seats are held for passengers with boarding passes until 10 minutes before departure. Ten minutes before departure, it becomes necessary to begin processing standby passengers. This requires releasing previously held seats of those passengers who have not checked in.
Pre-Sales	Items such as books, tapes, videos, etc. sold to client in advance of event versus items sold in back of room after event.
Presenter	Person explaining a given topic in an informational session.
Presenter/Discussant Format	A panel of three or four experts in certain subject areas are identified, with each giving a brief presentation. After each lecture the other panelists become discussants of the material just offered. At the conclusion of the presentations, the audience is given an opportunity to ask questions of the entire panel.
Pre-Set Service	Placing plated foods on banquet tables prior to seating guests.
President	Chief Executive Officer of an organization. If there is a Chairman of the Board, the President is usually then Chief Operating Officer.
President of Honor	Senior member of the Committee of Honor.
Press Attaché	Title given to the person handling all press and media activities excluding advertising. Also Called PRESS OFFICER.
Press Bridge	See BRIDGE. See Also Bridge
Press Clipping/Cutting	Article cut from a newspaper or magazine.
Press Conference	Event held to communicate information to media representatives.
Press Kit	A collection of publicity items that includes: 1) pertinent data on the meeting, such as agenda, historical data, guest speakers, special events, etc. The property, such as photos, descriptions of public space areas, local entertainment, etc. 2) information relative to a sponsor’s products or services.
Press Office	Agency that collects and distributes information to the news media.
Press Officer	See PRESS ATTACHÉ. See Also Press Attaché
Press Release	A prepared statement released to the news media. Can be “For immediate release,” or at a specified time or date; an article intended for use by the media about a company, product, service, individual, or show. Also Called NEWS RELEASE.
Press Room	A room where members of the media may obtain exhibitor press kits, conduct interviews, or relax. Larger press rooms contain typewriters, computers, phones, and fax machines for use by the press in filing their stories.
Pricing	Decision making process of ascertaining what price to charge for a given tour once total costs are known. Involves determining the mark-up, studying the completion and evaluating the tour value for the price to be charged. Usually a management function.
Primary Market	Foreign countries where the U.S. Travel & Tourism Administration (USTTA) maintains an office.
Prime Rib	Prime Rib is often used for what is really a rib roast. The term "prime" refers to the highest USDA beef grade. It's the finest beef, with even marbling and a creamy layer of fat. Although Prime Rib is how rib roast is often labeled, it is often USDA Choice beef.
Print	Copy of the final edited film.
Priority Point System	System of assigning points to exhibiting companies to determine which firms will be allowed to select booth/stand space for the next event first. Also Called PRIORITY RATING SYSTEM.
Priority Rating System	System of assigning points to exhibiting companies to determine which firms will be allowed to select booth/stand space for the next event first. Also Called PRIORITY POINT SYSTEM.
Prismatic Glass	Material that is textured with a multitude of tiny facets that refract and diffuse light.
Prismatic Plastic	Material that is textured with a multitude of tiny facets that refract and diffuse light.
Privatization	Retaining a private company to handle a responsibility formerly handled by the city or state administration, e.g., operating a convention center.
Pro Forma	Financial forms (invoices, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, etc.) based on future expectations; provided or made in advance to describe items or projections.
Pro Forma Invoice	1) An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and important specifications (weight, size, etc.) 2) A packing list on which a shipper describes what is being shipped including the quantity, the value, the weight, and dimensions.
Pro Number	Shipment number designated by the common carrier to a single shipment, used in all cases where the shipment must be referred to.
Problem Orientation	Adult learner’s tendency to seek in order to solve a problem or fulfill a need.
Proceedings	Published volume transcribing the full conference sessions, which may or may not include details of the discussion.
Procession	Group of individuals moving in an orderly, often ceremonial manner.
Producer	Person or company responsible for the production of something; usually used in reference to a theatrical producer, event producer or an exhibit producer. See ORGANIZER. See Also Organizer
Product	Products are items, which compliment the speaker’s topic and are available for sale. A speaker’s books, audio cassette albums, video tapes, workbooks, posters, and other products may be sold by contract in large quantity to a client in advance for all attendees, or sold at the back of the room at an autograph table.
Production Company	A company that presents special effects and theatrical acts. This type of company may contract to put on an entire event or only parts of one. They sometimes hire speakers as part of their contract.
Productivity Tickets	Complimentary tickets awarded by the official airline after the event according to the number of attendees who used the airline.
Professional	Relating to organizations whose membership hold common occupational credentials or interests.
Professional Association	Group of persons who practice a particular professional activity.
Professional Congress Organizer	PCO. A type of company, often in Europe that is comparable to a DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY (DMC) in the U.S. Local supplier who can arrange, manage and/or plan any function or service for an event. See GROUND OPERATOR. See Also Destination Management Company , Ground Operator
Professional Organizations	An industry organization that fosters education and networking opportunities for its members.
Professional Speaker	A speaker who is paid a fee for performances and makes a living from presenting information to various organizations.
Profile	Detailed information about a traveler and/or company kept on file by a travel management company.
Profile of Attendees	Data concerning attendees, including their average age, spending habits, etc. A profile of event participants.
Program	Schedule of events, giving details of times and places.
Program Book	Printed schedule of events, location of function rooms, and other pertinent information.
Program Design	Structure of event program elements to achieve specific goals and objectives.
Program Development	Planning that takes place before an event regarding its specific content and fabric.
Program Exclusivity	When a speaker limits the speakers bureau/agency to offering certain programs that the speaker presents.
Prohibited Cargo	Goods restricted by international convention. Also refers to drugs, weapons and ammunitions.
Projection Booth	Platform or area from which audiovisual presentations are controlled.
Projection Distance	Measurement from the projector to the screen.
Projection Rehearsal Room	See TRY OUT ROOM. See Also Try Out Room
Projection Room	Area at back or above auditorium for projection.
Projection Screen	Surface on which images are displayed.
Projector	An apparatus for projecting a picture on a screen. Whether the device is an overhead projector, data (LCD) projector, slide projector, or a film projector, it is usually referred to as simply a projector. See Also LCD
Promoter	Person or organization whose role is to market an event, maximizing media coverage and income.
Promotion	1) Publicizing an event. See PUBLICITY. 2) An advancement in rank or position. See Also Publicity
Promotional Fare	Fare below regular rates.
Promotional Fares	Reduced fares for travel to particular cities. The number of seats sold at the reduced fare is limited and, therefore, early booking is critical. These tickets also carry many restrictions.
Pro-Number	Shipment number designated by the common carrier to a single shipment, used in all cases where the shipment must be referred. Usually assigned at once.
Proof	1) Final copy for approval before printing. See BLUELINE. 2) To correct before final printing. 3) Standard measure of alcoholic strength; e.g., 100 proof = 50 percent alcohol content. See Also Blueline
Proof of Citizenship	A document, necessary for obtaining a passport, that establishes ones’ nationality to the satisfaction of a foreign government.
Proofing	Checking preliminary printed materials for errors before the final printing.
Property	1) Establishment such as a hotel, motel, inn, resort, conference center, or event facility. 2) Something (e.g. an interest, money, or land) that is owned or possessed.
Proposal	1) Plan put forth for consideration or acceptance. 2) Communication sent by a supplier to a potential customer detailing the supplier’s offerings and prices.
Props	Stage furniture, set dressing, and all articles used by actors or entertainers.
Proscenium	Arch that separates a stage from the auditorium.
Proscenium Arch	The visible opening that frames a stage (usually theatrical.)
Prospect	A potential attendee, guest, buyer or exhibitor.
Prospectus	The document (printed or online) that promotes the chief features and benefits of a product or service to prospects.
Protection	Reservation on an alternate flight.
Protocol	1) Customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette. 2) A formal description of message formats and the rules two computers must follow to exchange messages.
Provision	Detailed section of a contract.
Provisional Program	Generally a second mailing including information on program structure and key speakers, giving details of the ancillary conference activities and normally containing the conference registration forms. See PRELIMINARY PROGRAM. See Also Preliminary Program
Provisional Registration	See PENDING REGISTRATION. See Also Pending Registration
PSI	Pounds per Square Inch. A measurement of pressure. Pressure is force per unit area. The standard unit for pressure outside of the United States is the Pascal (which is one Newton per square meter), which is the unit of pressure or stress in the International System of Units (SI). See PASCAL. See Also Pascal
PSM/PSS	Passenger Service Manager/ Supervisor.
Psychological Learning Environment	Elements of the emotional atmosphere of an event room.
Public Accommodation	A private entity that owns, rents or leases a public facility.
Public Address System	Audio and/or visual system to convey messages to participants during an event. See PA SYSTEM. See Also PA System
Public Relations	Presentation of an event via the media or other outlets, stressing the benefits and desirability of such event.
Public Relations Officer	Title given to the person in charge of coordinating the promotional activities of an event.
Public Seminar	A seminar that is open to the public. Tickets are sold to individuals.
Public Show	Exhibition that is open to the public, usually requiring an entrance fee. See EXHIBITION. See Also GATE SHOW, CONSUMER SHOW. Compare With TRADE SHOW. See Also Exhibition , Gate Show , Consumer Show , Trade Show
Public Space	Space in a facility that is available for use by anyone willing to pay the rental fee.
Public Speaker	Someone who speaks in public. Often, a public speaker is not paid for his or her appearances and delivers a political speech or a speech that promotes a particular cause, company, or organization.
Publications	Printed items, such as books, magazines, newspapers and conference documentation.
Publicity	A media campaign, normally consisting of a series of public notices and advertising activities, aimed at ensuring maximum attendance by focusing attention on an event. See PROMOTION. See Also Promotion
Publicity Materials	Brochures or other items needed for promotional purposes.
Purchasing Agent	An agent who purchases goods on behalf of a company or agency.
Pylon	A tall exhibit structure normally used for identification.
Pyrotechnics	Fireworks display.
©2003 Convention Industry Council APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council CIC, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102 www.conventionindustry.org