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1 Diamond	A rating of the American Automobile Association (AAA). “These establishments typically appeal to the budget-minded traveler. They provide essential, no-frills accommodations. They meet the basic requirements pertaining to comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality.”
1 Star	A Mobil Travel Guide Rating. “A Mobil One-Star Lodging Establishment is a limited service Hotel/Motel/Inn that is considered a clean, comfortable and reliable establishment.”
1/50	One for Fifty. Facility complimentary room policy: one complimentary room night for every fifty room nights picked up and paid for. While 1/50 was once the standard, the complimentary policies vary per hotel and/or event.
100% Star Billing	Requirement by artist that his/her name appear in a type style and size equal to or greater than other names in advertising and promotional materials and media.
110/60	Common term describing normally available current in North American Continent. The full expression is 110 volt/60 cycle.  Many European and South American areas have 220 volt/50 cycle power only.
2 Diamond	A rating of the American Automobile Association (AAA). “These establishments appeal to the traveler seeking more than the basic accommodations. There are modest enhancements to the overall physical attributes, design elements, and amenities of the facility typically at a moderate price.”
2 Star	A Mobil Travel Guide Rating. “A Mobil Two-Star Lodging Establishment is a Hotel/Resort/Inn that is considered a clean, comfortable and reliable establishment, but also has expanded amenities, such as a full-service restaurant on the property.”
20-Footer	A 20' by (usually) 10' exhibit space.  Similar terminology (a 30 footer, etc.) may be used.
24-Hour Hold	A term used to describe the type of reservation made on function space within a venue (hotel, convention center, etc.). An event organizer who has 24-hour hold on a space has exclusive use and access to that space for a period of 24-hours, usually 12:01 am – 12:00 pm.
24-Hour Power	When an exhibitor orders power to be left on in a booth/stand for 24 hours during run of the event; often required when there are refrigerators, fish tanks, or computers in booth/stand.
2-by-2 Slide	Piece of 35mm photographic film in a 2-by-2 inch (5-by-5 centimeter) cardboard, glass, or plastic mount. See SLIDE. See Also Slide
2-D Bar Code	A larger-than-average bar code that uses the PDF417 standard (the same used for e-stamps). Stores up to 1,800 characters in bar code on standard paper badge, which can then be used by exhibitors to get contact information from registrants.
3 Diamond	A rating of the American Automobile Association (AAA). “These establishments appeal to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.”
3 Star	A Mobil Travel Guide Rating. “A Mobil Three-Star Lodging Establishment is a Hotel/Resort/Inn which is well-appointed, with a full-service restaurant and expanded amenities, such as, but not limited to: fitness center, golf course, tennis courts, 24-hour room service, and optional turndown service.”
3-Dimensional	3-D. A flat image having the effect of three dimensions.
3-Phase	Type of alternating current used in high powered electrical applications.
3-Wire	Term describing electrical cable with one continuous ground wire in addition to positive and negative wires.
4 Diamond	A rating of the American Automobile Association (AAA). “These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.”
4 Star	A Mobil Travel Guide Rating. “Mobil Four-Star Lodging Establishment is a Hotel/Resort/Inn which provides a luxury experience with expanded amenities in a distinctive environment. Services may include, but are not limited to: automatic turndown service, 24 hour room service, and valet parking.”
4-Color Separation	Process of printing a full color image utilizing four colored screened patterns from which printing plates can be engraved.
4-Hour Call	Minimum work period for which union labor must be paid in special circumstances (generally, a minimum call is one hour.). Not to be confused with minimum charges to exhibitors applied by contractors that service events.
5 Diamond	A rating of the American Automobile Association (AAA). “These establishments reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Accommodations are first class. The physical attributes are extraordinary in every manner. The fundamental hallmarks at this level are to meticulously serve and exceed all guest expectations while maintaining an impeccable standard of excellence. Many personalized services and amenities enhance an unmatched level of comfort.”
5 Star	A Mobil Travel Guide Rating. “A Mobil Five-Star Lodging Establishment provides consistently superlative service in an exceptionally distinctive luxury environment with expanded services. Attention to detail is evident throughout the Hotel/Resort/Inn from the bed linens to staff uniforms.”
501c	A section of the IRS code that defines, and governs the actions of various types of tax-exempt organizations. For example, 501c(3) organizations are non-profit, educational, charitable and scientific organizations.
6 Box	An electrical outlet that will accommodate 6 plugs.  Sometimes called Sex Box. See DOG HOUSE. See Also Dog House
6-by-6 Rule	Audiovisual guidelines by which no transparency of slide should contain more than six words per line of text and no more than six lines of text.
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.
B&B	1) Bed and Breakfast. 2) Brandy and Benedictine.
b/g	Background, as in background music.
B/P	Bills Payable.
B2B	Business-to-Business.
Baby Spot	1) Small spotlight in a booth/stand, usually 15 watt. 2) Small spotlight in the ceiling of function rooms used to highlight decor, such as centerpieces.
Babysitting Facilities	Arrangements for care of children during a short absence of the parents.
Back Drape	A drape, curtain or fabric panel that provides a soft, colorful background for a speaker. The audience's attention will be zeroed on the speaker with enhanced concentration and retention.
Back Light	1) A light source that illuminates any transparent or translucent material from behind.  2) A lighting instrument used behind and above a presenter to give more depth and better image when video taping or using image-magnification. 3) Lighting instrument used behind and above a presenter to give more depth and better image when video taping or using image-magnification.
Back of the House	A term used in hotels  to refer to areas for staff only, as opposed to the front of the house.
Back Projection	Image projected on the back surface of a screen, which is placed between the viewer and the projector. See REAR PROJECTION. See Also Rear Projection
Backbone	A permanently installed series of cable comprised of copper wire cable and/or fiber optic cable, utilized as the main thoroughfare in a building to transmit voice and data signals in or out of the facility.
Backdrop	Drapes, curtain, or fabric panels at the back of a stage, speaker’s table, or exhibit booth/stand.
Backline Equipment	Equipment required by musicians that is needed in order to perform at an engagement. This varies from artist to artist and often must be rented by the event organizer. Generally, it is everything a live band needs, such as amplifiers, apart from the musicians and their instruments.
Back-Lit Panels	Three-dimensional structure (or box) with lights placed behind a transparent image.
Backloader	Truck which loads from a rear-opening door.
Back-of-Room Sales	The act and process of selling books, tapes, and other products at the back of the room, usually immediately after a speech.
Backstage	Portion of the theater behind the main curtain including stage, dressing rooms, and wings.
Back-to-Back	Travel or conference programs operating on a continuous or chronologically sequential basis so that one group arrives as another group departs or shortly thereafter.
Back-to-Back Booth/Stand	The standard exhibit configuration where booths/stands are placed in rows, back to back.
Back-Up Facility	Substitute facility that will serve as an as a viable alternative if the original facility become unavailable or inadequate for its intended purpose.
Backwall	1) The back wall (either hardwall or draped) of a perimeter, booth/stand/exhibit, or inline. 2) Panel arrangement at rear of booth/stand area.
Backwall Booth/Stand	An exhibit that is back to back with another exhibit or against a building wall. See PERIMETER BOOTH/STAND. See Also Perimeter Booth/Stand
Badge	Identifying sign, tag or emblem worn by event participants. Sometimes called a nametag.
Baffle	Partition to control light, air, sound, or traffic flow.
Baguette	Long French bread; crunchy crust.
Baked Alaska	Brick ice cream on cake, covered with meringue and browned quickly in the oven. Sometimes served flaming in a waiter parade.
Baklava	Russian, Greek or Turkish pastry made of flaky dough, honey, butter and chopped nuts.
Balance Sheet	A statement that indicates overall financial status by subtracting expenses from income.
Baling Wire	Thin gauged wire often used in display work for fastening or tying objects.
Ball	Formal social gathering for dancing.
Ball Light	Stationary adjustable light found on older model exhibits.
Ballast	A power supply used with arc or discharge lamps to control current through the bulb.
Bananas Foster	Dessert prepared with bananas, brown sugar, liqueur and served over vanilla ice cream. Often prepared flaming at table side.
Band	Portion of the audio frequency spectrum in the same way that green is a portion of the visible frequency spectrum. The audio frequency spectrum covers a range of over 10 octaves.
Band Pass	Set of two filters that attenuate frequencies beyond the frequency limits of a given band of frequencies. The telephone, for example, is a band pass filter that eliminates low frequencies below about 300 hertz and high frequencies above about 5,000 hertz, causing the characteristic telephone sound most people are familiar with.
Banding	Thin, flat wire used to hold cartons or crates together.
Bandwidth	The amount of information that can be transmitted in an information channel such as a telephone line, ISDN, or Ethernet. Higher bandwidth means that images and sound will load more quickly for use in videoconferences or on the Internet.
Banjo	Type of lightweight cloth used for backdrops.
Bank Draft	An order drawn for the payment of a specified sum of money through a bank to a particular person or entity.
Bank Guarantee Cash Deposit	Payable by the exhibitor to the forwarder, Customs agent, or official authorities in place of a temporary import bond to ensure the amount requested is the minimum amount of import duties and taxes that would be paid in case of final import.
Bank Maze	See STANCHIONS. See Also Stanchions
Bank Pin	Pin used for hanging booth/stand ID signs, alternative to S-HOOKS.
Bank Remittance	Money forwarded to a bank; may be by mail or electronic means.
Bank Transfer	Movement of funds between banks or from one bank account to another.
Banner	A suspended decorative or communicative panel, usually a temporary fabric or paper. Can be used as hanging signs.
Banner Advertising	An advertisement on a Web site which allows user to “click through” to the advertiser’s Web site.
Banquet	Formal, often ceremonial, dinner for a select group of people, often in honor of a particular person.
Banquet Captain	Person in charge of banquet service at food functions. For small functions, also serves as maitre d. For larger functions, may be responsible for a specific area of the dining room.
Banquet Event Order	BEO. A form most often used by hotels to provide details to personnel concerned with a specific food and beverage function or event room set-up.
Banquet Manager	A person in charge of banquet service.
Banquet Round	1) Round table used for meal service; depending on the diameter, can comfortably seat up to 12 persons. A round for 8 is usually 60-inches in diameter and is also called a 5-footer. The 66-inch round is a newer table size and seats 8 to 10. A round for 10is usually 72-inches in diameter and is also called 6-footer.
Banquet Set-Up	1) Seating arrangement where typically a grouping of rounds is set in such a way as to facilitate the serving of food, most often a hexagonal or square pattern. 2) Function-room set up and tear down. See HOUSEMAN. See Also Houseman
Banquet Set-Up Manager	In charge of function room set up, over housemen.
Bare Booth/Stand	Booth/stand with no services or facilities, meaning that these all have to be hired at an additional cost.
Bargaining Agent	Union recognized by the employer or designated by a government agency to act as the exclusive representative of employees in a bargaining unit.
Bargaining Unit	A group of employees designated by a government agency or accepted by the employer as constituting an appropriate unit for representation by a union.
Barn Door	Movable hinged flap used on stage lights to control light spill.
Barrier-Free	Absence of obstacles preventing handicapped persons from moving freely to all public areas within a building.
Barriers to Entry	Conditions that create difficulty for competitors to enter the market. For example, monopolies, cartels, copyrights, trademarks, patents, dedicated distribution channels and high initial investment requirements.
Barter	Trade in which merchandise or service is exchanged directly for other merchandise or service without the use of money.  Barter can be an important means of trade with countries using currency that is not readily convertible.
Base	1) Steel floor support piece for upright post. 2) A stand on which something rests or is supported.
Base Currency	Currency in which all official business transactions will take place.
Base Plate	Empty dinner plate used as a base for several courses and removed prior to the main course. Also called Set Plate. See Also UNDERLINER. Compare With SHOW PLATE. See Also Underliner , Show Plate
Base Rate	The hourly rate or salary paid for a job performed. It does not include payments of overtime, incentives or other differentials.
Base Salary	The fixed amount paid to an employee on a regular basis, not including any gratuities, commissions, benefits or bonuses.
Batten	BATS. Lengths of pipe from which scenery, curtains, and lights can be hung.
Baud	Bits a modem can send or receive per second
BDI	Both Dates Inclusive.
Bead	Metal edge of lath or framing that finishes corners or openings and gives plaster finish continuous, smooth corners.
Bead Board	A circuit board, which is most often carrying less than 24 volts of electricity.
Beaded Screen	Type of screen with highly reflective surface used for front protection.
Beam	The size, shape and sharpness of the image of the light as projected on a surface.
Béarnaise Sauce	A derivative of the hollandaise mother sauce.  It is prepared by adding a tarragon reduction to hollandaise.  Béarnaise must be kept on or near heat or it will separate and break down.  Often served on Filet Mignon.
Bed and Breakfast	1) A guesthouse, small hotel or private home that offers overnight accommodations and breakfast for paying guests. 2) Sleeping room rate includes breakfast. See CONTINENTAL PLAN (CP). See Also Continental Plan
Bed Hook	The size, shape and sharpness of the image of the light as projected on a surface.
Bed Tax	See TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX. See Also Transient Occupancy Tax
Beef Wellington	Tenderloin coated with liver pate and baked en Croute (flaky crust).
Beep	Audio signal used for cueing and editing.
Beeper	Small radio receiver that emits a beeping noise when signaled to alert the person carrying it.
Beignet	(ben yay) 1) French doughnut, square shaped, minus the hole, lavishly sprinkled with powdered sugar. 2) Foods dipped in batter and deep-fried.
Bell Captain	A hotel employee who supervises the work of staff whose primary responsibility is to carry luggage, run errands, etc. at a hotel or club. Not to be confused with Concierge.
Below-the-Line Expenses	Expenses for general business purposes not related directly to an event, common referred to as general overhead expenses such as office rent, health insurance, etc.
Benefits	1) Entitlements made available in accordance with employment, such as a medical insurance policy, vacation, sick leave, etc. 2) Compensation or coverage from an insurance policy.
BEO	Banquet Event Order. A form most often used by hotels to provide details to personnel concerned with a specific food and beverage function or event room set-up.
Bermuda Plan	Hotel accommodations with full American-style breakfast included in the rate. See BED AND BREAKFAST. See Also AMERICAN PLAN, CONTINENTAL PLAN, DEMI-PENSION, EUROPEAN PLAN, MODIFIED AMERICAN PLAN. See Also Bed and Breakfast , American Plan , Continental Plan , Demi-Pension , European Plan , Modified American Plan
Betacam/BetaSP	Common video format for presentation graphics, not compatible with VHS format.  Commercial beta is used for broadcast quality video.  See VHS Format. See Also VHS Format
Bible	See SPECIFICATIONS GUIDE. See Also Specifications Guide
Bid	1) A statement of what one will give or take in return for something else (a price); proposal. 2) Proposal submitted by a convention & visitors bureau and/or hotel(s) to an event organizer that includes defined dates and room blocks.
Bid Document	The proposal, usually prepared in response to a request for proposals or sales lead, submitted by a destination or a facility, inviting an organization to hold its event n their venue. See REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS See Also Request for Proposals
Bid Manual/Specifications	Written document issued by an organization which contains requirements and conditions for future events, and solicits proposals for needed services from venues and other service providers. Often also includes primary selection and decision procedures. Same as REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). See Also Request for Proposals
Bien Cuit	(ben kwee) Well done, as in steak cooked well done.
Bill of Lading	B/L. A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company under which freight is to be moved between specified points for a specified charge. Usually prepared by the shipper on forms issued by the carrier, it serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage, and a receipt of goods. See AIR WAYBILL. See Also INLAND BILL OF LADING, OCEAN BILL OF LADING, THROUGH BILL OF LADING. See Also Air Waybill , Inland Bill of Lading , Ocean Bill of Lading , Through Bill of Lading
Billing Instructions	Notice as to how charges for an event should be handled and to whom invoices should be addressed.
Billing Weight	Generally refers to airfreight and van line shipments. The billing weight is the number upon which freight charges are based. The billing weight will be the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater.
Binding	Process of fastening pages of books, brochures, magazines together. See PERFECT BINDING. See Also SADDLE STITCH, SIDE-STITCH BINDING. See Also Perfect Binding , Saddle-Stitch Binding , Side-Stitch Binding
Bio	A slang term for biography.
Biographical Sheet	A profile, one-sheet or a short document that lists a speakers’ major credits and gives a brief history of his or her career. A biographical sheet is not a job resume or a vital. To remain true to its singular limit, a biographical sheet should be no longer than one page.
Bisque	(bisk) Soup thickened with a vegetable puree; usually a shellfish soup.
Bit	A unit of measurement that represents one figure or character of data. A bit is the smallest unit of storage in a computer. Bit multiples are called bytes.
Bitmap	A set of bits that defines a graphic image.
Black Light	Ultraviolet lighting that when applied causes phosphorescent paints to glow.
Black Tie	Required dress: dinner jacket, bow tie and cummerbund for the men and formal evening dress for the women. May include national dress. In the U.S. and Canada, Black Tie indicates Tuxedo. “Black tie optional” indicates that formal dress is preferred but not required. See FORMAL DRESS. See Also WHITE TIE. See Also Formal Dress , White Tie
Black Tie Optional	Men can wear a tuxedo or dark business suit; for women a long, formal gown or a shorter, elegant dress or suit.
Black-and-White	A black-and-white photograph of a speaker, sometimes referred to as a B&W. See GLOSSY. See Also Glossy
Blackboard	Hard, smooth, usually dark surface used for drawing or writing with chalk. See CHALKBOARD. See Also MARKER BOARD. See Also Chalkboard , Marker Board
Blanket License	Used particularly in regard to music licensing, a blanket license allows the music user unlimited access to the collectives' licensed repertory, for a contractual period of time, in exchange for a profit participation in the music user's economic growth. See Also ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC. See Also ASCAP , BMI , SESAC
Blanket Wrap	Non-crated freight shipped via van line covered with  protective blankets or padding.
Bleachers	Stand of tiered planks providing seating space for spectators. Can be permanent or temporary.
Bleed	Ink that extends beyond edges of printed page. Area beyond usable section of blowup or copy block that allows for trimming or wrapping.
Bleeding Edge	A level of technology more advanced than cutting edge or state-of-the-art.  Bleeding edge equipment should be given extra attention, being careful to test and retest and not make adjustments between the rehearsal and the event.
Blind Commission	A commission that is paid by a hotel to a third party that reimburses for services and comes out of the hotel sleeping room rate, but is not disclosed to the guests or the event organizer. Such commissions may fall within commercial bribery laws and if involve use of interstate commerce may also be federal law violation. See KICKBACK. See Also Kickback
Blind Fastening	Method of using nails or screws to secure tongue and groove flooring into the edge of the board just above the tongue thus concealing the fastener.
Blintze	Thin pancake rolled around a filling of cream cheese and chopped meat or fruit.
Blister Pack	Vacuum formed transparent plastic wrap.
Block	1) Number of rooms reserved for one group. 2) To assign space.
Block	1) Total number of sleeping rooms reserved for an event. 2) A number of rooms, seats, or space reserved in advance for a group. 3) To assign space. See ROOM BLOCK. See Also Room Block
Blocked Space	Sleeping rooms, exhibit, event, or other function space reserved for future use by an individual or organization.
Blocking	1) First stand-up rehearsal during which the director sets up all the action for the scene. 2) The act of reserving or assigning sleeping rooms, exhibit, event, or other function space.
Block-Out	Usually refers to painting out portions of photo or negative on screen.
Blower	General term for device to circulate or remove warm air from restricted areas (i.e., projector housings).
Blow-Up	Enlargement of photo, art, or typography.
Blue Laws	State or local laws that regulate the types of businesses that must be closed, or the types of products that may not be sold on Sundays.
Blue Sky	Term for extreme design, thinking or abstract value.
Blueline	Final proof copy for client's approval before printing. Also referred to as a proof.
Blueprint	A mechanical drawing of booth/stand layout, construction and specifications.  See FLOOR PLAN. See Also Floor Plan
Bluetooth	The process for the wireless convergence of cell phones, computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), etc.
BMI	Broadcast Music Incorporated. A music licensing organization that represents individuals who hold the copyrights to music written in the United States. It grants licensing agreements for the performance of music.
BO	1) Bad Order. 2) Buyers Option.
Board	Body appointed by the governing board or general assembly to manage the affairs of a society, association, etc., on a day-to-day basis.
Board Meeting	A meeting of the governing body of an organization.
Board of Trustees	An official body which manages the affairs and administers the funds of an institution or organization.
Boarding Pass	Permit to board a ship, train, plane, or other form of transportation.
Boardroom	A room set permanently with a fixed table and suitable seating.
Boardroom Set-Up	Seating arrangement in which rectangle or oval shaped tables are set up with chairs on both sides and ends. Often confused with HOLLOW SQUARE SET-UP. See Also Hollow Square Set-Up
Body Type	Type size used for main text.
Boeuf à la Bourguignonne	(boff a la borg in yone) Traditional beef stew with vegetables in burgundy wine sauce.
Boldface	Darker type distinguished from lighter type faces.
Bomb Threat	A claim of knowledge or belief that an explosive or incendiary bomb has been or will be placed.
Bombé	Molded dessert of ice cream, whipped cream and fruit.
Bonbon	Any sweet candy.
Bonded Warehouse	A warehouse authorized by customs authorities for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed.
Bonding	The purchase, for a premium, of a guarantee of protection for a supplier or a customer. In the hospitality industry, certain bonding programs are mandatory.
Bone Yard	Storage area where equipment is stored during an exhibition. This area may be located within the exhibition hall in an unused portion of the floor. Alternate spelling is Boneyard. See DUMP. See Also Dump
Boneyard	Storage area where equipment is stored during an exhibition. This area may be located within the exhibition hall in an unused portion of the floor. Alternate spelling is Bone Yard. See DUMP. See Also Dump
Bonus	A sum given to an individual in addition to the individuals base compensation, generally as a reward for accomplishing a goal.
Book	To reserve flights or accommodations for a passenger or guest.
Book of Abstracts	Collection of abstracts being presented during an event which are made available to event participants for use in selecting which sessions to attend.
Booking	1) An arrangement with a company for use of facilities, goods or services. 2) For a Hotel Event, a future event contracted in writing by an event organizer with a hotel. According to guidelines from the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, the local CVB should receive a copy of the contract, or a written communication from an authorized agent of the hotel that a contract has been signed. The communication should detail dates, space requirements and estimated room block. The CVB should track estimated attendance and attendee spending for the event. 3) For a Citywide or Convention Center event, according to guidelines from the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, given the long-time frame often involved in such an event, the booking process generally takes two steps. The first is a “Confirmed Booking” where a future event is confirmed in writing (letter, booking notice), signed by an authorized agent of the event organizer and the convention center (if applicable). The written communication should detail dates, space requirements and estimated room block. The local CVB should track estimated attendance and attendee spending. The second step is a “Contracted Booking” where a future event is contracted in writing by the event organizer with the event facility (e.g., convention center). The local CVB should receive communication of this stage in writing from an authorized agent of the convention center.
Booking Policy	Guidelines by which a convention center (or other venue) prioritizes reservations; may correspond to hotel rooms the event will use in the area.
Book-on-Payment	BOP. Payment guaranteed by travel agency for a package reserved within cancellation period.
Boom	Adjustable support for positioning microphones or lighting fixtures.
Boom Arm	Attachment placed on a standard straight microphone stand which extends the reach of the stand to the side. Often used to place a microphone in front of a singer seated at a piano.
Boom Lift	A motorized platform used to lift people to a given height. See SCISSOR LIFT. See Also Scissor Lift
Booth	One or more standard units of exhibit space.  In the US, a standard unit is generally known to be a 10' x 10' space (one standard booth/stand unit, equaling 100 nsf). However, if an exhibitor purchases multiple units side-by-side or back-to-back, the combined space is also still referred to as a BOOTH or a STAND.  Specific area assigned by management to exhibitor under contractual agreement. See STAND. See Also Stand
Booth/Stand Area	Amount of floor space occupied by exhibitor. Also Called EXHIBITION AREA. See Also Exhibition Area
Booth/Stand Contractor	Company which constructs or assembles exhibit booths/stands under contract with the organizing committee. See GENERAL SERVICE CONTRACTOR. See Also General Service Contractor
Booth/Stand Number	Number assigned by the event's management to designate each exhibitor's space.
Booth/Stand Package	When an exhibitor receives a variety of services for one single price (e.g. each booth/stand receives carpet 1-6’ draped table, a 500-watt outlet and 500 lbs of drayage).
Booth/Stand Personnel	An individual assigned to represent the exhibitor in an assigned space.
Booth/Stand Sign	1) Identification sign indicating name, city, state and booth/stand number for each exhibitor. 2) Sign behind desk indicating service provided at that point. See FASCIA. See Also Fascia
Booth/Stand Size	Dimensions of assigned exhibit space.
Boothmanship	See EXHIBITORSHIP. See Also Exhibitorship
Bootleg Wages	The wages above those at the prevailing rate or the union scale which an employer may pay in a tight labor market to hold or attract employees.  May also refer to wages at rate below the prevailing or union rate which an employee may accept in order to obtain employment.
Bordeaux Wines	Wines from the Bordeaux region in southwest France known for richness and fragrance. Red wines (also known as Clarets) include Médoc, Margaux Saint-Emilion, Pauillac and Pomerol; fine white Bordeaux include Sauternes, Barsac and Graves. A Château is a wine estate in Bordeaux; some of the best are Château Latour, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Lafite-Rothschild, and Château Margaux.
Border Chaser	Border of lights placed around a sign or other object whose lights can be turned on and off in a sequence that make them appear to chase around the border.
Border Light	Rows of lights mounted above the acting area.
Borscht	Chilled soup made of chopped beets, onions, lemon juice or vinegar, salt and pepper, water or soup stock, topped with sour cream.  Sometimes cabbage is added.
Bouillabaisse	Wine-flavored mixed seafood stew.
Bouquetière	Mix of fresh vegetables, in season.
Box Lunch	Light lunch to go, in a box.
Brad Gun	A nail gun. A pneumatic device which installs fasteners of various types and sizes.
Brains Trust	A group of expert advisors assembled especially to answer questions of immediate or current interest.
Brainstorming	Group sessions in which all participants contribute creative ideas which are not initially judged for merit.
Break	Short interval between sessions at which time coffee, tea and/or other refreshments are served. See COFFEE BREAK. See Also ENERGY BREAK, REFRESHMENT BREAK. See Also Coffee Break , Energy Break , Refreshment Break
Break Terminal	Location at which common carriers separate consolidated freight.
Breakage	Expenses budgeted for a tour but not used or extended, thus resulting in additional profit to the operator.
Break-Bulk Center	Regional distribution center that consolidates and distributes multiple less than truckload (LTL) shipments headed in the same direction.
Breakdown	1) Time required to dismantle a function area. 2) To itemize estimates, invoices, and the like.
Break-Even Point	The point at which revenues are equal to expenses.
Break-Out Rooms	Small function rooms set up for a group within an event as opposed to a plenary or general session.
Break-Out Sessions	Small group sessions, panels, workshops or presentations, offered concurrently within the event, formed to focus on specific subjects.  The event is apart from the general session, but within the event format, formed to focus on specific subjects.  These sessions can be arranged by basic, intermediate or advanced; or divided by interest areas or industry segment.
Breakpoint	Level at which quantity discounts are allowed for volumes of freight, number of items printed, etc.
Break-Up	Image or audio distortion, such as losing signal on cell phone.
Bridge	Device allowing multiple outputs from the same input. Most often used to allow electronic media to take a feed of the program for use in broadcast programming.
Bridgeway	1) Area between booths/stands for audience traffic movement. 2) Space between sets of tables, chairs or booths/stands to allow passage of attendees. See GANGWAY. See Also Gangway
Brilliance	Degree of intensity of colors.
Broadband	Ability to transmit huge volumes of voice and video over a network or the internet, without jumpy images.
Broadcast Fax	A service that transmits a fax to a large number or people, such as an entire association membership or company.
Broadcast Music, Inc.	BMI. A music licensing organization that represents individuals who hold the copyrights to music written in the United States. It grants licensing agreements for the performance of music.
Brochure	Printed marketing folder describing and promoting the advantages of a particular hotel, event, destination, etc.
Broker	A non-asset based transportation provider that sells transportation services for commercial shippers. Brokers commonly use freight forwarders.
Brokering	Bureau with customer who wants a speaker goes to an agent representing an exclusive speaker, to buy said speaker. Commission is determined by the exclusive agent.
Brushed Finish	Finish primarily on aluminum or steel achieved by rubbing with wire brush or steel wool to achieve a matte quality.
Brussels Tariff Nomenclature	An international system of classification for goods that was once widely used for specifying tariffs. It was changed, in name only, to the Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature (CCCN) in 1976 and was later superceded by the Harmonized System of Tariff Nomenclature. See HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF TARIFF NOMENCLATURE. See Also Harmonized System of Tariff Nomenclature
Brut	Dry, as in wine. Not sweet.
Buck-Boost Transformer	A transformer used to convert electrical voltage either up or down (such as 208v to 220v, or 240v to 220v).
Budget	A statement of estimated revenues and expenditures for a specified period of time; divided into subject categories and arranged by principal areas of revenue and expense. See BUDGET CHART. See Also CASH FLOW CHART, PHASED BUDGET. See Also Budget Chart , Cash Flow Chart , Phased Budget
Budget Chart	Estimated total of revenue and expenditure; divided into subject categories projecting cash needed to meet expenses over a specific time frame. See BUDGET. See Also CASH FLOW CHART, PHASED BUDGET. See Also Budget , Cash Flow Chart , Phased Budget