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R&B	Rhythm-and-Blues style of music.
Rabbet	A saw cut used in the fabrication of wood parts.
Raceway	An enclosed channel of metal or non-metallic materials designed expressly for holding wires or cables.
Rack Rate	Facility’s standard, pre-established guest room rates.
Radio System	System for message transmission by radio.
Radius Mark	Internal and external marks left on acrylic after improper or inadequate bending.
Ragoût	Stew with rich gravy.
Rail	Low drape divider between exhibit booths/stands.
Rain Date	An alternate event date contracted to use in case of rain.
Raised Letters	Lettering cut out of any material and applied or mounted to a surface or background for dimensional effects.
Rally	Gathering to promote enthusiasm and excitement.
RAM	Random Access Memory. The most common type of computer memory, in which the computer stores system software, programs, and data currently being used.
Ramekin	Glazed earthenware dish used for both baking and serving.
Ramp Session	Session added on to the end of the day’s program, usually after dinner, to accommodate extra papers or an extra papers of an extra plenary lecture.
Random Access	Ability to retrieve, in any sequence, visual and taped elements regardless of original placement order.
Random Noise	Noise consisting of random-frequencies with random time and amplitude characteristics. See NOISE. See Also Noise
Random Sample	A sample in which the probability of selection for each element in the population is known prior to the sample selection.
Rank and File	The membership of a union or organization, other than officers and officials.
Rap Sessions	Informal sessions with no specific agenda.
Rapporteur	Person appointed to note and record the proceedings of sessions and to write summaries of the paper presented for a final summation session. See REPORTER. See Also Reporter
Rate of Exchange	The rate of currency exchange established daily as the buying rate of foreign currency by the Federal Reserve Bank. The daily rate is used only when it varies by more than 5 per cent from the quarterly rate. When applicable, the daily rate is the rate certified on the day of exportation.
Ravioli	Italian pasta 'pillows' stuffed with meat, cheese and/or vegetables. Served with a sauce, usually tomato based.
Raw Film	Condition of motion picture film after printing process but before surface has been treated.
RCMA	Religious Conference Management Association. A member of the Convention Industry Council.
Reactance	Electrical characteristic of inductors and of capacitors, opposing the flow of A.C. electricity. Reactance is measured in ohms and may be negative producing what is called an “imaginary” part of an impedance. Loudspeakers, for example, can be highly reactive and, under certain circumstances with certain signals, can feed 50 amperes or more back into the power amplifier driving them.
Reader Board	At a facility, a listing, either printed or on a video screen, of the day’s events including times and locations. See DIRECTORY. See Also FUNCTION BOARD. See Also Directory , Function Board
Ready Room	Area set aside for speakers to meet, relax, test AV, or prepare prior to or between speeches. See TRY OUT ROOM. See Also Try Out Room
Readymen	Nonunion, temporary labor hired from a personnel agency.
Real Time Analyzer	Device used in acoustic studies to analyze sound energies in a room as they occur and print them out for later study.
Real Time Captioning	Words displayed on a terminal while the speech is occurring.
Real-Time	When online activities take place at a designated time, they are referred to as real-time events. A Webcast of a keynote presenter that can be watched live over the Internet is an example of a real-time event.
Rear Illuminated	Technique of lighting color transparency or adlux from rear.
Rear Projection	Movie, slide, or computer image presentation where the screen is between the viewer and the projector. Often used in terms of a FRONT PROJECTION SCREEN which is translucent to images being projected from the rear and can be viewed from the front.
Rear-Lit	Method of lighting transparency from behind.
Reasonable Accommodation	Any provision that aids the participation of a person with a disability, as long as it does not create a hazard to others, a major disruption in business or an undue financial or administrative burden.
Rebate	A return of part of a payment.
Recall	Requiring employee to return to work after he or she has left for the day (or night).
Receipt	Official acknowledgement of receipt of registration and fees.
Receiver	Apparatus that converts electric currents or waves into visible or audible signals.
Receiving Fee	Arbitrary fees sometimes imposed by a host government to officially recognize an event.
Receiving Line	Dignitaries, host, sponsor, and guest of honor lined up to greet guests.
Reception	Stand-up social function where beverages and light foods are served. Foods may be presented on small buffet tables or passed by servers. May precede a meal function.
Reception Agency	An agency that specializes in services for incoming visitors. See INBOUND TOUR OPERATOR. See Also RECEPTIVE OPERATOR. See Also Inbound Tour Operator , Receptive Operator
Reception Desk/Registration Desk	Process by which an individual indicates and confirms his intent to attend an event. Registration for an event can occur in advance of the event beginning, or on-site when the event has begun.
Receptive Operator	A tour operator or travel agent who specializes in services for incoming visitors. Same as INBOUND TOUR OPERATOR. See INBOUND TOUR. See Also Inbound Tour
Recession	1) Withdrawing procession. 2) Economic downturn.
Rechauffé	Reheated; warmed over.
Recommendation	Strongly suggested course of action; sometimes has binding force.
Record Locator	An identifying number for the PNR in a file or record. See also PNR. See Also PNR
Red Eye Flight	A scheduled flight that departs late at night and arrives in the morning.
Reduction	The base from which the flavor of a sauce is derived. The volume of liquid in the saucepan diminishes as the liquid evaporates, thereby concentrating the flavor.
Referral	When someone, particularly a satisfied client, suggests or recommends services to other buyers.
Referral Child Care	When an event host organization publishes a list of child care service providers available. Attendees then make their own arrangements with these services.
Reflection	Sound or light energy which returns from a surface when struck. The amount and angle of reflection depends on the type and size of the reflecting surface and the frequency (wavelength) of the energy.
Refraction	The change of direction of a light ray passing from one medium to another of different density.
Refresh	To clean function space after specific functions, or during break periods. Usually involves refilling water pitchers, removing soiled articles, changing glassware, and performing other light housekeeping chores.
Refreshment Break	Time between meeting sessions. May include coffee, soft drinks, and/or food items. Some are planned around a theme.
Refreshments	Items of food and drink consumed between main meals; usually taken during breaks between meetings. See BREAK. See Also COFFEE BREAK. See Also Break , Coffee Break
Refund	Money repaid; can be in the form of cash or credit voucher.
Refund Policies	Rules and regulations which determine allowable reasons and timelines under which fees for a meeting or event will be refunded in whole or in part.
Refundable Deposit	A deposit made by the destination management company (DMC) to a venue that may be returned to the DMC under certain conditions agreed to by the venue.
Refurbish	To update, repair damage, renew surfaces and replace graphics as necessary to recondition an exhibit or a facility, to extend its life-span.
Reg Area	Registration area.
Reg Desk	Registration desk.
Regional Event	An event targeted to attendees from a specific geographical area. May be a stand-alone event, or a regional version of a national event. Typically 60% of attendees reside within a 400 mile (640 km) radius of the event city. See Also NATIONAL EVENT, STATE/PROVINCE EVENT, & LOCAL EVENT. See Also National Event , State/Province Event , Local Event
Regional Exclusivity	A speakers bureau's/agency's exclusivity is limited to a particular region or territory.
Regional Security Officer	RSO. Consular official charged with the security of his country’s nationals while traveling in his region.
Registrant	Individual who has submitted a registration form and attends an event.
Registrar	Individual responsible for handling registrations.
Registration	1) Process by which an individual indicates his intent to attend a conference or stay at a property. 2) A method of booking and payment. 3) The process of recording data about an attendee (or exhibitor), sending a confirmation and creating a badge used on-site.
Registration Area	Designated area where event registration takes place.
Registration Card	Signature form used by facility when registering a guest.
Registration Data	Information about an attendee that is gathered as part of the registration process (occupation, fee category, etc).
Registration Fee	Amount payable for attendance at a conference; may vary according to level of participation or type of membership.
Registration Form	Form used by an event attendee to sign up to attend an event. It is used to collect important information about the attendee and his intended participation in the event.
Registration Kit	Packet of materials for an event, such as a program or agenda, special tickets, maps, etc. See Also Conference Pack/Kit
Registration Packet	See REGISTRATION KIT. See Also Registration Kit
Rehearsal	Practicing a presentation.
Reimbursement Policy	Statement of procedures that speakers and personnel must follow in order to have their expenses reimbursed.
Reinforced Vinyl	Covered cord, wall coverings, or upholstery materials. Vinyl laminated with fabric. Generally used for banners.
Reissue/Exchange	To write a new ticket to accommodate changes.
Relay	Electrical device used to interrupt or sustain flow of current. Commonly used in low-voltage systems for programmed effects.
Relay Interpreting	Oral translation whereby an interpreter does not translate directly, but interprets the translation of a colleague, usually because he is not qualified to work directly from the original language.
Release	1) Signed form giving permission to use a person’s name, picture, or statement (often in an advertisement). 2) Form signed by presenter allowing recording of presentation. 3) To release space, as in returning unsold air reservations, cruise cabins, or hotel rooms to the supplier that originally allotted them. 4) Document provided by management to permit removal of goods from exhibition during event hours.
Release Date	Date beyond which a facility is free to rent the unused sleeping rooms or function space to other groups.
Released Value	Stated value of a shipment when released to the carrier. If shipper declares a higher value than the per-pound limit, shipping costs will increase.
Released Value	Limit of carrier’s liability.
Religious Meetings	An event for attendees to discuss non-secular subjects.
Remote Ballast	Removal of ballast from fluorescent fixtures to a separate or remote location, to allow for extremely limited space.
Remote Control	Control of apparatus, such as audiovisual equipment, from a distance.
Rental Booth/Stand	Complete booth/stand package offered to exhibitors on a rental basis.
Rental Charges	Cost of hiring a piece of equipment or function space for a specified period of time.
Rental Contract	Contract stating terms and conditions for rental of exhibition venue or for individual booth/stand within a venue.
Repeat Engagement/Booking	When a speaker does a second or subsequent booking for the same client.
Reporter	Person appointed to note and record the proceedings of sessions and to write summaries of the paper presented for a final summation session.
Reporting Pay	Guaranteed payment to employees who report or show up ready for work at their usual time and find no work to do. See CALL PAY. See Also Call Pay
Reprise	Repetition of musical theme.
Request for Proposals	RFP. A document that stipulates what services the organization wants from an outside contractor and requests a bid to perform such services. Same As BID MANUAL/SPECIFICATIONS. See Also Bid Manual/Specifications
Request Status	May apply to seats, meals and reservations when they have been requested but not confirmed.
Reroute	To change a passenger’s itinerary after they have begun their travel.
Reservation	An arrangement to have a sleeping room (at a hotel or other housing facility) held for one's use. Process by which an individual or group secures space at a facility.
Reservation Center	Telephone reservation sales office.
Reservation Form	See HOUSING FORM. See Also Housing Form
Reservation Method	Manner by which sleeping room reservations are to be made for attendees of a specific event (i.e., individually, via master list, etc.).
Reservation Request	A communication by which a guest indicates sleeping room requirements; these are forwarded to the hotel to secure a reservation.
Reservation Review Date	Designated day when the facility will release a block of sleeping rooms to the general public. See CUT-OFF DATE. See Also Cut-Off Date
Resistance	Extent to which an electrical conductor impedes a flow of current.
Resistor	Electrical component made to resist current flow.
Resolution	1) Ability of a projection system to distinguish and reproduce fine detail. 2) Motion put forward for a joint decision; usually has the force of a legislative decision.
Resonance	Natural vibration or oscillation of mechanical or electrical systems at specific frequencies that depend on qualities such as mass and springiness (mechanical systems) or capacitance and inductance (electrical systems) in response to an outside source.
Resort	Regions associated with recreation and leisure, such as the mountains, seashore, or natural or man-made attractions. A resort hotel or motel offers or is located near facilities for sports and recreational activities such as tennis, swimming, sailing, etc.
Resort Casual	Attire for warm destinations, including mid- to knee-length shorts; collarless or golf shirts; khakis and sandals. Women can wear linen sheaths, casual skirts or sundresses.
Resort Conference Center	A conference facility with at least one major amenity.
Resource Manual	Packet of handouts from all sessions that will occur during the event.
Resource Workbook	Usually a loose-leaf binder in which additions and deletions are made as the program develops.
Restricted Dialing	The ability to control telephone access often by excluding specific country or area codes and certain types of calls. This is often put in place for event rooms and show floor locations. Directions on whether or not restricted dialing should be established from a specific location during an event should be indicated on Function Orders associated with that location and be included in the event’s specifications guide. See LONG DISTANCE DIALING. See Also Long Distance Dialing
Resume	See SPECIFICATIONS GUIDE. See Also Specifications Guide
Retailer	Middlemen such as travel agents who sell directly to the consumer.
Retained Earnings	Profits retained by the enterprise rather than disbursing to the shareholders. Retained earnings are used to improve the value of the enterprise through development and/or promotional programs.
Retention Rate	1) The percentage of exhibitors or attendees that return to an event from one year to the next. 2) The percentage of an organization's membership or company's employees that remain with the organization or company from one year to another.
Return	Panel joined to back wall at right angles.
Return on Investment	ROI. Net Profit divided by Net Worth. A financial ratio indicating the degree of profitability.
Reunion Tour	See ALUMNI TOUR. See Also Alumni Tour
Revalidation	The authorized stamping or writing upon a flight coupon to show it has been officially altered by the carrier. Tickets can only be revalidated for those flights that reflect the same fare, city pair and advanced purchase requirement.
Revenue Management System	A sophisticated computer based pricing system that vendors use to adjust prices based on anticipated demand. Also referred to as Yield Management. See Also Yield Management
Reverberation	Sound which appears to echo and re-echo in weaker and weaker levels. Also Called REVERB.
Reverse	Reversed or negative form of original art or type.
Reviewing Stands	Elevated platforms accommodating not more than 50 persons. Seating facilities, if provided, are normally in the nature of loose chairs. Reviewing stands accommodating more than 50 persons shall be regulated as grandstands.
Revision List	Summarized list of changes and updates to be made to a function sheet.
RevPAR	Revenue Per Available Room. A performance measurement commonly used in the hotel industry. It is calculated by dividing a hotel's net rooms revenue by the total number of available rooms, or by multiplying a hotel's average daily room rate (ADR) by its occupancy.
RFP	See REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. See Also Request for Proposals
RFP Distribution Date	The date a Request for Proposals (RFP) is to be passed along if an event organizer is using an intermediary to distribute the RFP [i.e., If an event organizer sends an RFP to a Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), and wants the CVB to send the RFP to member hotels on a certain date, that date is the RFP Distribution Date.]. See Also RFP PUBLISHED DATE. See Also RFP Published Date
RFP Published Date	The date a Request for Proposals (RFP) is released from an event organizer and is made public. See also RFP DISTRIBUTION DATE. See Also RFP Distribution Date
Rheostat	Dimmer, usually on lighting controls. See DIMMER. See Also Dimmer
Rib	A framing member, usually termed in circular forms.
Rider	An additional clause in artist’s contract stipulating special requirements such as travel, dressing rooms, technical equipment, etc.
Rigger	1) Person responsible for machinery uncrating, unskidding, positioning, leveling, and reskidding. 2) Skilled labor responsible for attaching signs, banners, truss, and other equipment to ceilings.
Rigging	1) The process of attaching the cable on a crane to a piece of machinery or equipment. 2) The process for hanging materials or signs.
Right of First Refusal	A courtesy a facility extends to a previously booked party to approve or disapprove a concurrent booking or to save uncontracted space for the previously booked party for program growth.
Right to Work State	Where joining a union is not a condition of employment.
Rights Only	Selling only the rights to a sponsorship, with the buyer incurring expenses for production, installation and dismantle.
Rim Drive	A turntable operated from its edge rather than the center for heavier or off-center loads.
Riser	Raised platform. See DAIS. See Also PODIUM, CYCLORAMA. See Also Dais , Podium , Cyclorama
Risk Management	Recognizing the possibility of injury, damage or loss, and having a means to prevent it or provide insurance.
Risk Monies	Funds that an agency would not recoup should a tour not materialize, i.e., nonrefundable deposits to suppliers, promotional expenditures, printing expenses.
RMS	Value for watts in complex signals, such as music, derived by dividing voltage by the load impedance to describe the amount of energy.
ROH	Run-of-the-House. See Also Run-of-the-House
ROI	Return on Investment. Net Profit divided by Net Worth. A financial ratio indicating the degree of profitability.
Roll-a-Way	Portable bed that can be provided for extra persons.
Roll-In	Foods and/or beverages preset on rolling tables and then moved into function room at designated time.
Rolling Cart	Portable cart on which audiovisual equipment can be placed.
Romaine	Lettuce with dark green leaves and a nutty flavor, used for Caesar Salad.
Roman Candles	A long paper tube packed with round stars and black powder; when lit stars shoot out every four seconds to a height of about 75 feet.
ROO	Return on Objectives. Measurement of benefit an exhibiting company receives for participation at an exhibition by company pre-set objectives to show success.
Room	1) A chamber used for sleeping. 2) A place where an assembly meets.
Room Block	Total number of sleeping rooms that are utilized and attributable to one event. See Also Block
Room Capacity	Number of people that can function safely and comfortably in a room.
Room Commitment	Rooms to be held open each night of the event, specified by room type (single, double, etc).
Room Deposit	Money that must be paid in advance in order for a hotel to guarantee to hold a room.
Room Nights	Number of rooms blocked or occupied multiplied by number of nights each room is reserved or occupied.
Room Occupancy Pattern	Number of single and double rooms used.
Room Only	A type of rate that consists of the price of the room only. Commonly abbreviated as EP.
Room Pick Up	The number of sleeping rooms actually used by event attendees and exhibitors.
Room Rate	The amount charged for the occupancy of a room.
Room Service	Facility department which provides food and beverage service to guest rooms.
Room Set-Up	The physical arrangement of a room including the layout of tables, chairs, other furniture, and equipment.
Room Tax	See TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX. See Also Transient Occupancy Tax
Room Turnover	Amount of time needed to tear down and reset a function room.
Room-Based Videoconferencing	Land-based system for videoconferencing designed to manage communication between one group of people, usually in a conference room setting, with another group or groups in similar settings elsewhere.
Rooming List	A list, whether printed or electronic, by which an event organizer and/or their designates (e.g. a housing bureau) delivers multiple reservations to a hotel or other housing facility. Often the information contained in a rooming list is originally gathered through attendees’ completed Housing Forms. See Also HOUSING FORM. See Also Housing Form
Root Mean Squared	See RMS. See Also RMS
Rope and Pulley Screen	Large format screen which is rolled around a tubular core around which ropes are wound in such a way as to roll and unroll the screen by operating the ropes.
Rope Lights	A string of small, low-voltage lights inside a clear or colored transparent plastic tube run by a controller. See TUBE LIGHTS. See Also Tube Lights
Roping	Plush-covered chain used to define traffic areas. Can be attached to a stanchion.
Rostrum	Raised platform where a speaker stands when delivering his or her remarks. Same as PODIUM. See Also LECTERN. See Also Podium , Lectern
Rôti	(row tee) Roast.
Rôtisserie	Roasted on a spit.
Rough Layout	Quick drawing giving indications of proposed exhibit.
Roulade	Rolled, as in meat.
Round	Banquet table, usually 60 inches (152 centimeters) in diameter. Also available in 66- and 72-inch (168- and 183 centimeter) diameters. A “Round for 8” is a banquet table at which 8 place settings should be set. Another common configuration is a “Round for 10.” Commonly, a 60-inch (152 cm) round is used to seat 8, a 66-inch (168 cm) round seats 9, and a 72-inch (183 cm) round seats 10.
Round Robin	Contest or tournament in which each participant is matched with every other participant.
Round Slide Tray	See CAROUSEL TRAY. See Also Carousel Tray
Round Trip	Travel from origin to destination and return to origin via the same cities.
Rounded Hollow Square	A hollow square whose corners are replaced by serpentine or half-moon tables.
Roundtable	A group of experts who meet on an equal basis to review and discuss specialized, professional matters, either in closed session or, more frequently, before an audience.
Route Manager	The person responsible for managing motor coach flow, routes, drivers, etc.
Roux	Mixture of butter and flour used to thicken sauces and soups.
Row Booth/Stand	The booth/stand within a row of similar booths/stands with the front opening onto an aisle and with other booths/stands on either side.
RP	See REAR PROJECTION. See Also Rear Projection
RP Screen	See REAR PROJECTION. See Also Rear Projection
RTI	Room, Tax and Incidentals. An abbreviation often used in reference to charges at an hotel, motel, inn, bed and breakfast, etc.
Rules and Regulations	The requirements and procedures prepared by event management for attendees, contractors and exhibitors for a given event. See EXHIBITOR MANUAL. See Also Exhibitor Manual
Rump Session	The session added on the end of the day to accommodate an extra plenary lecture, usually after dinner.
Run	The number of copies printed.
Runner	1) Long narrow carpet in a hallway, aisle, or on stage. 2) Piece of portable or constructed staging that extends a main stage to form a runway. 3) Main cord extending from a microphone to an amplifier.
Running Order	Subjects to be discussed at a meeting. See AGENDA. See Also Agenda , Schedule
Run-of-the-House	1) Rooms given at random according to availability when the reservations are made. 2) Flat rate for which a hotel or motel agrees to offer any of its available rooms (with the exception of suites) to a group. Final assignment of rooms is at the discretion of the hotel. See FLAT RATE. See Also Flat Rate
Run-Through	A complete rehearsal including all elements of the event production, such as presentations, performances, music or entertainment, lighting, audio-visual and technical aspects.
Runway	Platform which extends from a stage into the audience area, often used for events such as fashion shows. See CATWALK. See Also Catwalk
Russian Service	1) Banquet Russian: The food is fully prepared in the kitchen. All courses are served either from platters or an escoffier dish. Tureens are used for soup and special bowls for salad. The server places the proper plate in front of the guest. After the plates are placed, the server returns with a tray of food and, moving counter-clockwise around the table, serves the food from the guest’s left with the right hand. With this style of service, the server controls the amount served to each guest. See BUTLER SERVICE. 2) Restaurant Russian: Foods are cooked at tableside. Servers put them on platters and present platters to guests seated at dining tables. Guests serve themselves. See Also Butler Service
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