Glossary of Terms
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Ambient light: Level of illumination provided by natural lighting sources that already exist in an environment.
American service: Food is plated in the kitchen and placed before each guest. Separate plates are provided for bread and butter and salad. This service method is generally used during banquets.
Ampere: Standard measurement of electrical current.
Attrition: The different between projected and actual numbers of attendees, food and beverage covers, revenue projections, etc.
Attrition clause: Contract wording that outlines damages or fees that may be incurred if specific contractual commitments relating to the guest count are not fulfilled.
Backdrop: Piece of scenery or fabric used to create a background.
Banquet: Formal, often ceremonial dinner.
Banquet captain: Reports to the banquet manager. There may be several captains at an event overseeing waitstaff and table set up.
Banquet event order (BEO): A form often used by hotels to detail the food and beverage components of a function.
Banquet manager: Venue staff member in charge of the general banquet service of an event space.
Banquet round: Round table used for meal service. A 60" round usually seats 8-10 people. A 72" round usually seats 10-12 people.
Beam: The size, shape, and sharpness of the image of light on a surface.
Bengaline: A satin-like fabric with a fine “ridged” texture.
Bid document: The proposal submitted by a destination or facility, inviting an organization to hold its event in their venue.
Black light: Ultraviolet lighting that causes a phosphorescent glow on specific surfaces.
Black tie: Tuxedo, bow tie, and cummerbund for men; formal evening dress for women.
Black tie optional: Men may wear a tuxedo or dark business suit; women may wear a long gown or a shorter, elegant dress or suit.
Breakdown: Dismantling of a function.
Breakout rooms: Small function rooms in which a group may conduct panels, workshops, or presentations during an event.
Buffet: An array of hot and/or cold foods presented on a banquet table, self-served or served by venue staff.
Business attire: Business suit or jacket with shirt and tie for men; business suit for women.
Business casual: Men may wear a sport shirt and slacks; jacket optional. Women may wear a blouse and skirt of pants.
Butler service: 1) Servers offer hot and cold hors d'oeuvres to guests at receptions. 2) A style of table service in which guests serve themselves from platters presented by waitstaff.
Cocktail table: Small round table, 15-36" in diameter. Also called a cabaret or tuxedo table.
Call brand: Level of liquor brand, usually higher quality than house brand.
Captain: Person in charge of banquet service at food functions.
Casual attire: Sports shirt (possibly with jacket) for men; resort wear for women.
Catering sales manager: Staff person responsible for selling and servicing food and beverage aspects of an event.
Classroom table: Rectangular table (6-8" x 18 or 24"); often more narrow than a regular buffet table. Also called a schoolie.
Cocktail attire: Men should wear nothing less formal than a blazer and slacks; women should wear a dressy pantsuit or short, semiformal dress.
Corkage fee: A charge placed on beer, liquor, and wine that is brought into a venue but purchased elsewhere.
Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB): Nonprofit organization charged with representing a specific destination and providing information on event facilities, capacities, hotel infrastructure, and local service providers such as DMCs.
Cover: Each individual person served at an event, generally used in the context of counting guests.
Dark: A day on which a facility or hall has no events or performances scheduled. Monday is the traditional dark day for theaters.
Date protection: A guarantee that the dates an event organizer has selected at a specific facility are reserved for that organizer.
Décor: Elements used to create a theme and enhance an event. May include props, lighting, flowers, carpet, furniture, pipe and drape, linens, ceiling treatments, stage sets, special effects, and sound effects.
Destination management company (DMC): A service company possessing extensive knowledge of, and professional resources within, a local area. Services may include planning special events within a meeting, arranging guest tours, amenities, transportation, staffing, and on-site registration services at conference centers and hotels, managing teambuilding and recreational outings, and providing entertainment, including sound, lighting, décor, and theme development.
Destination manager: A local on-site event coordinator. Also called ground operator.
Dimmer: A device used to control light intensity.
Dine-around: A dinner function at which guests may eat at one of several restaurants that have been pre-selected and paid for by the host.
Direct lighting: A fixture aimed directly at the object/area to be illuminated.
Down lighting: The use of lighting instruments to cast light onto objects from above.
Drop: Large, typically painted piece of fabric used as scenery.
Easel: Stand used to display signage or props.
English service: Food is brought to the table on a tray and presented to the host, who may apportion the food him/herself or have it done by the server. Vegetables are placed in bowls on the table for guests to serve themselves. Also called family-style service.Event: An organized occasion such as a meeting, convention, exhibition, special event, gala dinner, etc. An event is often composed of different yet related functions.
Exclusive: An agreement that restricts the vendors who may provide services at a site.
Excursion: A recreational trip, tour, or activity provided to event participants as a scheduled portion of the event.
Exhibition: An event at which products and services are displayed and the primary activity of attendees is visiting exhibits on the show floor. Exhibitions focus primarily on business-to-business relationships of products or promotional material for the purpose of sales and marketing.
F & B: Food and beverage.
Fixed expense: Expense incurred regardless of the number of event attendees.
Floodlight: A light designed to provide general illumination.
Floor plan: Schematic drawing of the floor area of an event space or function room with specific requirements, drawn to scale.
Freight on Board (FOB): When something is purchased “FOB origin,” it means the responsibility of the seller stops once goods are delivered to the transporting company. It is the responsibility of the buyer to pay for transportation.
Follow spotlight: Manually movable spotlight (a brilliant light projected onto an area).
Formal attire: Men should wear a suit and tie or tuxedo; women may wear an evening gown, cocktail dress, or evening attire.
French service, banquet style: Food is served from the guest's left side from platters that have been composed in the kitchen.
French service, cart style: This pattern of service involves the use of serving pieces, the heating and garnishing of food table-side by a captain, and the arrangement of food on a heated plate, which is then served to the guest from the right. Bread or salad is served from the left. Beverages are served from the right.
Fresnel: Lens that produces a soft-edged beam of light.
Function space: Area in a facility that can be reserved by an individual.
Gala dinner: Primary social function of an event, usually held during the evening. May include entertainment or speeches after a formal meal.
Gel: Colored filter used in conjunction with lighting fixtures and spotlights.
General session: A meeting open to all those in attendance at an event.
Genie lift: Mechanical platform used to raise workers or materials.
Gobo: A pattern that is put in a lighting fixture called a leko to project patterns, words or images. Can be glass or metal and can be colored.
Go to black: Room lights are turned off or video screen becomes black. Also called fade-out.
Green room: Room stocked with refreshments for use by performers or speakers before and during an event. Also called holding room or ready room.
Ground support: Lifts, truss, or other freestanding devices used to suspend equipment such as lighting above the floor and the heads of attendees.
Ground row: Freestanding low scenery or painted cut-out used to mask mechanical or electrical devices.
Guarantee: A promise of commitment to provide a minimum amount of guest rooms, F&B, or other revenues. Usually there is a financial penalty if the commitment is not met. The final number of persons needing rooms, F&B, etc. is usually required at least 48 hours in advance of a food and beverage event.
Guest program: Educational and/or social events planned for event participants and their spouses.
Half-moon set up: A seating arrangement in which 60", 66", or 72" diameter round tables are seated with chairs on two-thirds to three-quarters of the table and no chairs positioned with their backs to a speaker or performer. Also called crescent round set up.
Half-moon table: Half of a round table or two quarter-round tables attached to form a half-circle. Also called half-round.
Hand service: One server is assigned for each two guests. Servers wear gloves. When serving, they stand behind their guests, holding pre-composed plates. When a signal is given, all guests are served at the same time.
Hollow circle/square set up: Seating arrangement of tables and/or chairs all facing each other in a single circle or square.
Horseshoe set up: Tables arranged in a u-shape. Chairs may be placed outside the horseshoe if needed.
House lights: The lighting of a room that is separate from stage lighting.
Image magnification: Technology by which a presenter's image is projected onto a large screen or black surface, allowing large audiences to see details from the stage. Also called I-mag.
Incentive travel program: A reward event intended to showcase employees who meet sales or production goals.
Incentive travel company: Company that designs some or all elements of incentive travel programs.
Individual Pays Own (IPO): Guests are responsible for their own charges.
Informal dress: Business suits or jackets with shirts and ties for men; suits for women. Usually taken to mean office and not recreational attire. May include informal forms of national dress.
Keynote address: A session that opens or highlights a show, meeting, or event.
Landscape: Alignment of document or sign in which the width is greater than the height. Opposite of portrait alignment.
Lavaliere: Portable wired or wireless microphone that hooks around a speaker's neck. Can also be attached to the wearer's clothing.
Light emitting diode (LED): a solid-state diode rectifier that emits light when an electric current is passed through it. LED lights are available in many colors. The new generation of lighting equipment utilizes this because of its low power consumption and excellent color mixing abilities.
Leko: Type of adjustable spotlight, also known as a klieg light or ellipsoidal reflector spotlight, used to create a tightly focused pool of light or project a gobo.
Light box: An enclosure of translucent plastic or glass that is internally lit.
Lighting plot: A print showing the location and type of all lights used.
Lighting truss: A construction of tubular steel or aluminum alloy onto which lighting instruments are hung and which is in turn suspended above the ground.
Liquid crystal display (LCD): Display composed of mobile crystals in liquid suspension that align themselves and polarize light in response to a small electric charge. Inexpensive display screens or computer monitors are usually LCD.
Load in/load out: Scheduled times for crew to load and unload equipment.
Loading dock: Raised platform of the same height as most trucks located at the on-site area where goods are received.
Lucite: An acrylic plastic material similar to Plexiglas.
Masking drapes: Drapery used to cover unsightly areas such as construction or storage.
Master of ceremonies (MC, emcee): Person who presides over an event program.
Microphone: Instrument that converts sound into electrical signals for the purpose of transmitting or recording sound.
Off-site: A function or activity that occurs off the premises of a primary event facility.
On-site: A function or activity that occurs within a primary event facility.
Open bar: Private bar at which guests do not pay for drinks.
Open seating: Guests may sit at any table.
Over-set: Number of covers set over the guarantee, typically 5%.
Par can: A lighting instrument that provides an even wash of light over a specific area; frequently seen in an aluminum version that hangs in large groups from a truss system.
PAX: Industry abbreviation for passengers or people.
Per diem: Per day. Refers to a daily monetary allowance for food, lodging, transportation, etc.
Perimeter seating: Seating arrangement in which chairs are placed around the perimeter of a room. The chairs are often meant for spectators to observe an event that is taking place in the center of the room.
Pillow gift: An in-room amenity left in a guest��s room while the guest is attending an evening function.
Place setting: The flatware, glassware, and napkin arranged at a table for each guest.
Plated buffet: Selection of pre-plated foods and entrees presented on a banquet table.
Portrait: Direction of alignment of a document or sign in which the height is greater than the width. Opposite of landscape alignment.
Post-con: A meeting held during the period immediately following an event to evaluate the execution of the event.
Post-event report: A report of the details and activities of an event.
Pre-con: A meeting held at an event facility prior to the event. Attendees generally include the event organizer, department heads at the facility, and contractors. The agenda focuses on reviewing the details of the event and making final adjustments as needed.
Pre-function space: Area adjacent to the main event location. Often used to hold a reception prior to a meal or for coffee breaks during an event.
Premium brand: Higher quality, higher priced liquor.
Production company: A company that presents special effects and theatrical accents, including event entertainment. The company may be contracted to put on an entire event or only part of it.
Projection screen: Surface on which images are displayed.
Projector: An apparatus used to project a picture on a screen. May be an overhead projector, data (LCD) projector, or slide projector.
Proof: Final copy for approval before printing.
Props: Articles used for event d�or, such as furniture and set dressing.
Public address (PA) system: Audio and/or visual system used to convey messages during an event. Also refers to the speaker system used throughout the area.
Pyrotechnics: Fireworks display.
Quarter-round: Wedge-shaped table with one rounded edge.
Rear projection: Image projected on the back surface of a screen that is located between the viewer and the projector.
Refresh: To clean a function space or renew surfaces after or during an event.
Resort attire: Golf shirt and slacks for men; sleeveless sheath dress or casual skirt, slacks, or sundress for women.
Rigging: The process of hanging materials such as lighting or signage.
Riser: Raised platform used as a stage or to create levels on a stage.
Russian service: After placing plates in front of seated guests, a server with a tray of food moves counter-clockwise around the table, serving food from the guests�� left.
Sales incentive: A reward in excess of salary or commission provided to employees in return for achieving a stated sales goal.
Scissor lift: A driving hydraulic motorized platform used to lift people to a given height. Often used for placing lights and decorations.
Scrim: A piece of translucent fabric used as a scenic element or to diffuse or soften lights.
Seating plan: Schematic drawing that portrays where individuals will be seated or event elements will be placed.
Serpentine: Curved tables that can be placed together to form an s-shape.
Service bar: A counter from which alcoholic beverages are served that is located outside a function room, usually in an area not visible to guests.
Set for: The actual number of seats to be put in place at an event.
Shipper��s export declaration: A form required for all shipments by the U.S. Treasury Department that is prepared by the shipper, indicating basic information about an export shipment such as value, weight, and destination.
Show plate: Decorative plate, also called a charger, which is pre-set at each place setting. It is removed before service begins.
Side walls: Detachable canvas or plastic walls used to create the sides of a tent.
Sightlines: The actual or virtual lines in a venue or on a paper layout indicating the areas of a set or decorative object that will be visible from guests�� points of view.
Signage: Informational and directional signs and placards at an event.
Silk screen: A printing stencil used to reproduce an image one or more times on any surface.
Simultaneous interpretation: Process of translating one language into another while a speaker is speaking.
Site inspection: In-person on-site review and evaluation of a venue or location for an event.
Site selection: Choosing a venue for an event.
Skirting: Pleated or ruffled draping attached to the sides of buffet, reception, and bar tables and around risers and stages to conceal the area underneath.
Sound check: Verification, often by the performer, that the sound system of a venue or performance area is functioning satisfactorily.
Sound system: Audio speaker system used to amplify sound. Also called a PA or public address system.
Soundscape: Atmosphere created with the use of music and sound effects.
Speaker platforms: Platforms on the right and left sides of a stage, used to elevate sound equipment.
Spike marks: Tape or chalk marks on studio or stage floors designating the placement of props, speakers, or performers.
Spotlight: Strong light focused directly on a person, object, or area.
Spouse programs: Educational and/or social events planned for the spouses of event participants.
Staging area: An area for preparing service equipment and supplies.
Stage back: Any decorative item used at the back of a stage as scenery.
Stanchion: Upright posts used to support signage, markers, or flags. ��Rope and stanchion�� refers to a set-up of cord or rope attached to stanchions to define and control traffic areas.
Stretcher: General term for cross member mounted between upright poles in a pipe and drape. Typically holds the drape.
Strobe light: A rapidly blinking, high-intensity light. Use may require precautions as strobe lights can induce seizures in epileptics.
Three-phase: Type of alternating current used in high powered electrical wiring.
Truss: A construction of tubular steel or aluminum alloy onto which lighting instruments or any other items are hung and which is in turn suspended above the ground.
Valance: A short, overhead fabric border normally used as a light baffle or screen.
Venue: Site or destination of a meeting, event, or show.
Visqueen: A type of clear plastic sheeting.
Voltage: Measurement of the force of the flow of electricity.
Wings: Off-stage area that is out of the audience��s sightlines.