Glossary of events in Spain

24-hour delegate rate

Rate per delegate, based on one night's accommodation, that is quoted either prior to or on the day of the conference.

360-degree marketing

Marketing format that integrates all the media available to the target audience in the same campaign; i.e., an integrated approach + Web 2.0 applications. See Web 2.0

ABPCO

Association of British Professional Conference Organisers.

Abstract

Short summary of a scientific or scholarly work.

AC

Air conditioning.

Accessibility

Hotel, venue or mode of transport that can be used by the disabled or people with mobility problems.

Across the board

Term used by meeting planners to refer to the all inclusive price, covering all hidden fees (i.e., taxes and gratuities).

ACTE

Association of Corporate Travel Executives.

Activity Provider

Company or individual located in a destination who organizes unique local activities for tourists or business travellers. See Business traveller

Ad hoc

Something made or done without planning so as to meet an immediate need.

Adaptive web design

Type of web design that makes it possible to develop websites that adapt to the screen size of different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet). AWD detects a user's device before loading the webpage and then delivers the best version of the site for the said device. The design and content can be different depending on the device used to visualize them. See Responsive web design

ADME

Association of Destination Management Executives. See DMCP

ADR

Average daily rate.

ADSL

Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line.

Advance registration

Act of registering for a meeting or event before the day it is scheduled to take place. See Early-bird registration

AFCAN

Andalusian Association of Congress and Tradeshow Centres (in Spanish, Asociación de Palacios de Congresos y Ferias de Andalucía).

AFE

Spanish Exhibition and Trade Fair Association (in Spanish, Asociación de Ferias de España).

AFIDA

International Association of Exhibitions in Latin America.

AI

Artificial intelligence.

AIBTM

The Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (Reed Exhibitions, Orlando, Florida, USA).

AIM

Accredited in Meetings. Nationally recognised standard in the UK for accredited venues and service providers in the meetings, conferences and events industry.

AIME

Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (Reed Exhibitions, Melbourne, Australia).

AIPC

International Association of Congress Centres.

Air walls

Moveable panels used to subdivide a larger area, such as a hotel ballroom, into smaller rooms.

All-inclusive resort

Holiday resort offering meals, drinks, activities and other services at a fixed daily rate.

AMA

American Medical Association.

AMC

Associaion management company.

American plan

See Full board

APCE

Spanish Association of Congress Centres (in Spanish, Asociación de Palacios de Congresos de España).

APEX

Accepted Practices Exchange.

App

Typically a small, specialized programme which users downloaded onto their mobile devices. See Mobile web app

Application

See App

AR

See Augmented reality

ASAI

American Society of Association Executives. See CAE

Association meeting industry

A segment of the MICE industry dedicated exclusively to the planning of meetings and events for associations. See ICCA

Attrition

According to the terms of the attrition clause in a contract, when a group does not fulfil its room-block commitment, a payment is required to make up for the rooms not used. See Room block

Attrition rate

Term that is used to refer to the rate at which an event decreases in size or the number of attendees who do not show up on the day of the event, divided by the number of registered attendees.

Audience response system

Tool designed to create an interaction between a presenter and his or her audience.

Audioblogging

Type of moblogging in which audio clips (phone calls received by a mobile) are sent to an audioblog where users can listen to them. See Moblogging

Augmented reality

Type of virtual reality in which a composite view is generated for the user, combining the real scene viewed by his/her with a computer-generated virtual scene enhancing the former with additional information; the system used to generate this type of virtual reality. See Virtual reality

AV

Audiovisual, as in audiovisual equipment, provider, etc.

AV contractor

See AV provider

AV provider

Supplier of audiovisual equipment (projectors, screens, sound systems, video, staging, etc.) and technical staff. See AV technician

AV technician

Professional responsible for the set-up, configuration and operation of all the audiovisual equipment used at an event. See AV provider

Avatar

Graphic representation, normally of a person, which is associated with an online user for his/her identification.

AWD

Adaptive web design. See Adaptive web design

B&B

Bed and breakfast.

B2A

Business-to-business administration.

B2B

Business-to-business.

B2B marketing

Business-to-business marketing.

B2C

Business-to-consumer.

B2C marketing

Business-to-consumer marketing.

B2E

Business-to-employee.

Baby boomers

Cohort of people born between 1941 and 1960.

Backdrop

Cloth, curtain or panel placed at the back of a stage set.

Badge

Printed card with the name and/or company of a delegate/participant at an event. See Badge holder , Lanyard

Badge holder

Transparent plastic envelope containing the printed badge of event delegates/participants, with a clip to attach it to their clothing or a lanyard for wearing it round their neck. See Badge , Lanyard

Bandwidth

Maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection measured in Mpbs (megabits per second) or Gpbs (gigabits per second).

Banner

Type of display advertising on a webpage. Banners can come in a variety of sizes and formats (jpg, animated gif, Flash, etc.). See Click-through rate

Banqueting hall

Large room at a hotel or venue available for corporate or private events in which food is normally served.

Banqueting room

See Banqueting hall

BEA

Best Event Awards (created by ADC Group). See EUBEA

Beamer

See LCD projector

Behavioral remarketing

See Retargeting

Behavioral retarketing

See Retargeting

Benchmark

Standard or set of standards used as a point of reference for assessing performance or quality.

Benchmark study

See Benchmarking

Benchmarking

Term used to refer to the measurement of the quality of an organization's policies, best practices, products or services, strategies, etc., and their comparison with standard measurements or those of its competition set, with the aim of identifying what and where improvements should be made so as to boost performance.

BEO

Banquet event order: a document summarizing all the event logistics and instructions a venue needs to successfully execute at an event.

Best practices

Series of guidelines, parameters or norms, designed on the basis of past experience, which have obtained good or even excellent results, proving their efficiency and usefulness in a specific context.

Bid

Proposal submitted by a convention and visitors bureau and/or hotel(s) or other suppliers to an event organizer that includes detailed specifications (such as dates, rates, terms and conditions, etc.). See Contract , Proposal

Big data

Buzzword used to refer to large amounts of both structured and unstructured data that are too voluminous to process using conventional database techniques and information technology. See Buzzword , Big data analysis

Big data analysis

Process of analyzing massive amounts of diverse data to obtain unique insights. See Big data

Bit

Unit of measurement used for computing and telecommunication purposes. See Byte

Black tie

Dress code for evening events and social functions: black suits, white shirts and black bowties for men and evening dresses for women. See Dress code

Blackout dates

With regard to venues and hotels, dates that are not available to be sold as a result of high demand or limited availability.

BLE

Low energy bluetooth.

Blog

Discussion or informative website consisting of posts usually displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent appearing first) to which users can subscribe through an RSS feed. See RSS , RSS feed

Blogger

Someone who runs a blog. See Blog

Bluetooth

Wireless technology developed by a number of companies (Ericsson Inc., Intel, Corp., Nokia Corp., Toshiba).

Boardroom style

See Conference style

Booth

See Stand

Boutique hotel

Luxury property with 10-100 rooms, usually located in a chic district of a city, offering guests a special atmosphere, cutting-edge facilities, unique amenities, fine dining, and a very personalized service.

Brainstorming

Group technique use to generate ideas in a relaxed atmosphere, making the most of the creative capacity of the participants.

Brand advocate

Consumer who sees a brand under a favourable light and will speak well of it to family members, friends and acquaintances.

Brand awareness

Extent to which consumers are aware of a particular product or service.

Branding

Set of marketing strategies and tools geared to creating or strengthening a brand.

Breakout room

Smaller room, near a larger meeting room, for use when a larger group breaks up to attend different sections. See Breakout session

Breakout session

Small group sessions, panels, workshops, or presentations, offered concurrently during an event. SeeBreakout room , Workshop

BRG

Best rate guarantee.

Broadband

Term that refers to the wide bandwidth characteristics of a transmission medium and its ability to transport multiple signals and traffic types simultaneously; high-speed Internet access. See Bandwidth

Brunch

Combination of breakfast and lunch usually eaten in the late morning.

Buffet

Term used in catering to refer to a service where hot and cold dishes are displayed on tables from which guests can help themselves.

Buffet breakfast

See Buffet

Business casual

Term used to refer to a dress code that is less formal than traditional business wear, but nevertheless gives the impression of professionalism and efficiency.

Business formal

Dress code that generally refers to formal attire, i.e., suit and tie. See Dress code

Business incentive

See Incentive

Business tourism

See MICE

Business traveller

Any person who goes on a trip whose aim is to attend a meeting, event or conference, or participate in an incentive or training workshop. See Dress code

Buzz

Speculative or excited talk or attention relating especially to a new or forthcoming product or event.

Buzzword

Word or phrase that becomes very popular for a time.

Byte

Eight bits. See Bit

Cabaret style

Room layout in which the tables face the front/centre with a large space in the middle of the room. Also known as Bistro or Café style.

CAE

Certified Association Executive (two certifications of the same name sponsored by ASAE and CSAE, respectively). See ASAI , CSAE

Call centre

Centralised office used for handling a large number of both inbound and outbound calls, usually with some amount of computer automation.

Call for papers

Invitation sent out by the organizers of a conference to potential attendees asking them to submit papers on a specific subject or subjects; also a set of instructions for submitting papers for assessment and selection by a team of reviewers.

Call for presentations

See Call for papers

Cancellation clause

Terms and conditions by which a contract may be cancelled and the subsequent penalties incurred by the cancelling party established. See Contract

Carbon credit

Permit that allows the holder to emit one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon footprint

Total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product, or person.

Carbon neutral

Term referring to having or achieving a net zero carbon footprint.

Carbon offset

Reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere.

Caterer

Company or person that provides food and beverages for events.

Catering

Provision of food and beverages.

Catering company

See Caterer

C-band

Portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies used for long-distance radio transmissions. See Ku-band

CCTE

Certified Corporate Travel Executive (certification sponsored by NBTA). See NBTA

CDME

Certified Destination Marketing Executive (certification sponsored by DMAI). See DMAI

CDN

Content delivery network.

CEC

Continuing Education Credit.

Ceiling height

Distance from floor to seiling at an event venue.

Celebrity

Very famous person.

CEM

Certified in Exhibition Management (certification sponsored by IAEM). See IAEM

CEO

Chief Executive Officer.

CES

Consumer Electronics Show (held every January in Las Vegas).

CEU

Continuing education unit: non-academic credit unit conferred by professional organizations for formal educational programmes followed by members who must maintain their level of professionalism. SeeContinuing education

CGM

Consumer-generated media.

Channel manager

Software that allows companies to give distributors access to its room or tour inventory. See Room Inventory

Charming hotel

Urban or rural property, usually with a limited number of rooms, which stands out for its exquisite décor, bespoke service and lovely, inspiring atmosphere, as well as scrupulously respecting the architectural elements of the building in which it is housed.

Charter

Private use of a form of transport such as train, plane or boat.

Chatbot

Programme that simulates a conversation with someone.

CHME

Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (certification sponsored by HSMAI). See HSMAI

Chuchotage

See Whispered interpreting

CIBTM

China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (Reed Exhibitions, Beijing, China).

CIC

Convention Industry Council

CITE

Certified Incentive Travel Executive (certification sponsored by SITE). See SITE

Classroom style

Room layout in which desks/chair desks are arranged in rows in front of a blackboard, screen, dais, or podium. See Podium , Dais

Click-through rate

Number of clicks on an online banner or ad divided by the number of times the banner or ad is shown (impressions), represented as a percentage. See Banner

Climate neutral

Products or services that reduce and/or offset the greenhouse gases generated at each stage of their life-cycle. See Carbon offset

Closing ceremony

Function marking the end of an event, usually as part of the closing session. See Closing session

Closing session

Session held at the end of an event in which the issues that have been discussed are summarized and possible conclusions reached and announced. See Closing ceremony

Cloud computing

Business model for delivering information technology services in which resources are retrieved from the Internet via web-based tools and applications. See Web-based tool

CME

Continuing medical educatio or Certified Manager Exhibits (certification sponsored by E2MA) See E2MA

CMM

Certification in Meeting Management (sponsored by MPI). See MPI

CMP

Certified Meeting Professional (certification sponsored by MPI). See MPI

CMS

Content management system.

Coaching

Method that goes beyond traditional training techniques, focusing on the individual or company's needs and accomplishments, close observation, and impartial non-judgmental feedback on performance, with the aim of bridging the gap between "thinking about doing" and "doing." See Coaching session , Feedback

Coaching session

One-to-one session. See Coaching

COCAL

Latin American Federation of Professional Congress Organizers.

Cocktail party

Function similar to a reception, but normally less formal. See Reception

Cocktail party format

Room or venue with plenty of floor space so that both guests and staff can circulate freely. See Venue

CODEC

Short for coder-decoder or compression-decompression; a videoconferencing standard. See Videoconference. See Videoconference

Coffee break

Pause or break between meetings or sessions when refreshments are served to attendees.

Cold calling

Telemarketing technique consisting in contacting prospective customers, who are not expecting any such contact, by telephone, email, via a social network or through a house call, usually with the aim of selling them something. See Spam

Colloquium

Informal meeting usually keyed to discussing research or academic issues.

Commission

Payment made to an individual or organization for bringing business to another individual or organization. Although this is standard procedure in the meeting and event industry, Event Planner Spain implements a commission-free business model.

Compère

See Presenter

Competitive edge

Ability of an organization to produce goods and services more effectively than its competitors, thereby outperforming them.

Complementary

Service or amenity provided free of charge.

Compliance

Act of complying with a set of established regulations, especially concerning medical events.

Concierge

Person at a hotel, venue or facility who can arrange transport, tours, tickets or restaurant bookings. See Tour , Boardroom style

Concurrent sessions

Sessions addressing several themes or subjects scheduled at the same time.

Conference

Public dissertation or presentation on a scientific, technical, or cultural theme; also a meeting between government or state representatives with the aim of addressing international issues.

Conference centre

See Convention centre

Conference hotel

See Convention hotel

Conference style

Room layout featuring circular, oval or rectangular table with chairs on all sides and ends.

CONFEX

International Confex (Mash Media, London)

Congress

Formal meeting or series of meetings for discussion between delegates from a political party, trade union or sphere of activity.

Congress centre

See Convention centre

Congress hotel

Property, usually with more than 500 rooms, with meeting and event facilities or its own congress centre; a property with meeting and event facilities, located next to a convention centre.

Consecutive interpretation

Type of translation in which the speaker delivers a couple of phrases at a time and then pauses to allow the interpreter to translate them.

Contactless transaction

Secure payment made by credit or debit card, smartcard or other devices that use radio-frequency identification. See Radio-frequency Identification

Continental breakfast

Light morning meal that usually features fruit juice, coffee or tea, cereals, pastries or rolls. See English breakfast

Continuing education

Educational and training programmes for personal and professional development. See CEU

Contract

Legally binding document in which the client agrees to the terms and conditions established by a venue, agency, supplier, etc. See Cancellation clause , Force majeure clause

Contractor

See Service provider

Convention

Formal meeting of members, representatives, or delegates, as of a political party, profession, or industry.

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Non-profit organization of a private, public or mixed nature responsible for promoting a city, region or country as a MICE and tourism destination, and for providing event planners and visitors with information and logistic support.

Convention centre

Privately or publically owned facility designed to host congresses, conventions, conferences, tradeshows, and other large events, equipped with large venues (auditoriums, halls, etc.), as well as a number of function and meeting rooms varying in size.

Convention hotel

See Congress hotel

Conversational search

New type of search introduced by Google in its new Chrome browser which interprets full sentences spoken by users into a device and then returns a human-like response.

Copyright

Term that refers to laws that regulate the use of the work of a creator, such as an artist or author.

Corporate

Pertaining to a company or organization.

Corporate event

Event organized by a company for a number of different reasons, such as training, launching a new product, motivating or rewarding staff, clients or suppliers, etc. See Event

Corporate gift

Gift given to someone by a company or business as an expression of appreciation or goodwill, which does not generally carry a marketing message and which can either be tangible (e.g., an object) or intangible (e.g., a trip).

Corporate golf challenge

Golf tournament in which amateur players from the corporate world compete.

Corporate regatta

Regatta organized as a team building/incentive activity for the employees of a company. See Incentive , Team building

Corporate retreat

Event, usually held at a venue offering a minimum of distractions, such as a country hotel or secluded resort, where executives and employees participate in seminars, team-building activities, and brainstorming sessions. See Brainstorming , Team building

Corporate social responsibility

Sense of responsibility of a company towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates.

Corporate travel

Groups or individuals working for a company who travel for business reasons at the company's expense.

Cost per adquisition

Bidding method that allows marketers to indicate to AdWords the amount that they are prepared to pay for a conversion.

Cost per click

Internet advertising model in which the advertiser pays a pre-established amount each time a user clicks on an ad.

CPA

Cost per adquisition. See Cost per adquisition

CPC

Cost per click. See Cost per click

CPCE

Certified Professional Catering Executive (certificate sponsored by NACE). See NACE

CPD

Continuing professional development.

CPL

Cost per lead.

CPM

Cost per 1,000 impressions.

Crew

Term usually referring to an event production team, often including technicians, stagehands, truck loaders, etc.

CRM

Customer relationship management.

Crowd funding

Practice of obtaining funds by soliciting small contributions from a large group of people, especially from the online community.

Crowd sharing

Any website or app that allows people to engage and share.

Crowdsourcing

Practice of obtaining services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially from the online community, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers.

CRS

Computerized reservation system.

CSAE

Canadian Society of Association Executives. See CAE

CSEP

Certified Special Events Professional (certification sponsored by ISES). See ISES

CSP

Certified Speaking Professional.

CSR

Corporate social responsibility. See Corporate social responsibility

CTR

Click through rate: the number of click-throughs per ad impression, usually expressed as a percentage.

Cuisine classique

French cooking style popular from the end of the 19th century to the end of the 20th, based on the theoretical and practical approaches set out by the chef Auguste Escoffier in his Guide culinaire. See Haute cuisine , Nouvelle cuisine

Cultural tourism

Type of tourism that revolves around the cultural aspects (historic-artistic heritage, attractions, traditions, lifestyle, etc.) of a specific place, region or country.

Cut-off date

Date on which all prior arrangements made with a venue or hotel as regards logistics, attendee numbers or room blocks have to be confirmed or cancelled. See Logistics , Room block

CVB

Convention and visitors bureau. See Convention and Visitors Bureau

Cyber attack

Action that causes damage, harm or injury to people or groups of people, entities or institutions, and which, generally speaking, is carried out using computers via Internet.

Cyberspace

Online world of computer networks and the Internet.

Dais

Raised platform for speakers or honoured guests.

Data mining

Process of sifting through very large amounts of data to find useful information.

Data projector

See LCD projector

Data Protection Act

UK legislation regarding the rights and responsibilities of those dealing with personal data.

Database

Collection of information on all prospective attendees and/or exhibitors.

Day delegate rate

Special rate that the majority of hotels and venues offer corporate clients, including accommodation, meeting space, coffee breaks, basic equipment, meals, etc., the size of the discount depending on the number of rooms booked.

Décor

All the elements (such as lighting, furnishings, props, etc.) used to create a theme, ambiance or mood at an event.

Delegate

Registered meeting participant.

Deposit

Partial payment to secure the fulfillment of a product or service

Destination management company

Term used to describe a professional service company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources, specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation, accommodation and programme logistics.

Destination marketing organization

See Convention and Visitors Bureau

Digital coupon

Electronic marketing method in which coupons, similar to the printed kind, can be exchanged for a discount or rebate when buying products online.

Digital marketing

Type of marketing that uses the internet to make known, promote and sell products and services.

Digital merchandising

Digital promotional material, such as screensavers, desktop wallpaper, cyber postcards, etc.

Digital technology

Tools used to conduct different types of online activities.

Digital visual arts

Broad term for a range of artistic works and practices using digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process.

Direct marketing

Type of interactive marketing that uses one or more communication media or channels to obtain a measurable response from a target audience. See Mailing , Target audience

Disabled-friendly

See Accessibility

Distribution channel

Network of individuals and/or organizations involved in the process of moving a product or service from the producer to the end user. See Marketing channel

Distribution list

List of email addresses to which communications are sent. See Opt-in

DLP

Digital light processing: system used in a variety of display applications.

DMAI

Destination Marketing Association International. See CDME

DMC

See Destination management company

DMCP

Destination Management Certified Professional (certification sponsored by ADME). See ADME

DMO

Destination Management Organization

Dress code

Preferred style of dress for an event usually requested by the organizers.

Dubbing

Act of substituting the voice of an actor/actress in a film, video or TV programme with that of another person who reproduces the dialogues in the original or another language.

E2MA

Exhibit & Event Marketers Association (product of the merger between EACA y TSEA). See CME

EACCME

European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (EUMS).

Early-bird registration

Act of registering for a meeting or event well in advance of the date on which it is scheduled to be held, usually to obtain special discounts or benefits. See Advance registration

Eco-friendly

See Green-friendly

e-Commerce

Type of commerce in which products or services are bought or sold via an electronic system, such as the Internet.

e-Coupon

See Digital coupon

EFAPCO

European Federation of the Associations of Professional Congress Organizers.

EIBTM

The Global Meetings & Events Exhibition (Reed Exhibitions, Barcelona, Spain).

e-learning

Use of electronic media and information and communication technologies (ICT) in education.

Elevator pitch

Very short presentation of a product, service or company including all the most important details.

Email blast

Short, targeted and often personalized email message sent to a large number of recipients. See Email marketing

Email marketing

Type of direct digital opt-in marketing using email as the marketing communication delivery method. Not to be confused with spam. See Opt-in marketing , Spam

e-Marketing

See Digital marketing

EMEA

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

EMEC

European Meetings and Events Conference. See MPI

End user

Person who uses a product or service.

Engagement

Emotional connection that a person feels towards an organization, company, association, event or product. The higher the level of engagement, the greater his/her motivation, effort, performance, interest, or quality of work.

English breakfast

Complete morning meal with juice, coffee or tea, toast, sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, eggs (fried, poached or scrambled), fried bread, baked beans, etc. Also know as full English breakfast. SeeContinental breakfast

Enotourism

See Wine tourism

Entertainer

Person commissioned to entertain the guests or attendees at an event.

Entertainment

Activities organized for the amusement of event attendees.

Environmentally-friendly

See Green-friendly

ESEA

European Society of Association Executives.

EUBEA

European Best Event Awards (created by ADC Group). See BEA

EUMS

European Union of Medical Specialists. See EACCME

European plan

Hotel rate plan that only includes accommodation.

Event

Organized function, such as a conference, congress, tradeshow, gala dinner, meeting, incentive, etc., which can involve different yet related activities. See Function

Event organizer

See Event planner

Event planner

Qualified and accredited professional responsible for the partial or total planning, organization, management, coordination, and staging of an event.

Event site

See Venue

Event staff

Any person participating in an event as part of the staff of the organizers or the agency or company commissioned to provide services.

Event technology

Any technical or technological requirement for a meeting or event, such as audiovisual equipment, computers, software, connectivity (Wi-Fi,ADSL,bandwidth), access control, badging, ticketing, registration, signage, video streaming, teleconferencing, power, etc.

EVVC

European Association of Event Centres.

Exclusive use

Booking option in which a hotel, venue or facility is occupied by only one group.

Exhibition

Large-scale public showing of objects, artefacts or products for artistic, scientific, cultural or commercial purposes. See Trade show

Exhibition floor

Area containing stands, session rooms, F&B services, etc. at a show. See F&B

Exhibition hall

Facility within a venue or free-standing facility for hosting large events, such as tradeshows and exhibitions. See Exhibition , Trade show

Exhibition manager

Term used to refer to the specific person responsible for all aspects (planning, promotion, and staging) of an exhibition or tradeshow. See Exhibition , Trade show

Exhibition plan

Document indicating areas to be occupied by an exhibition; i.e., the spaces intended for stands, passages, catering, session rooms, etc. See Exhibition

Exhibitor

Person or company showcasing products or services at an event; a stand holder at an event. See Stand

Experiential marketing

Marketing strategy that connects audiences with the authentic nature of a brand through participation in personally relevant, credible and memorable encounters.

Expo

See Exhibition

F&B

Abbreviation for "food and beverage".

Face-to-face meeting

Meeting in which all the stakeholders are physically present

Facility

Any building designed to host events, such as convention centers, arenas, hotels, coliseums, exhibit halls, banqueting halls, etc.

Fair trade

Business model that seeks to change the terms of trade to ensure that small farmers and artisans get a better deal.

Fam trip

See Familiarization trip

Familiarization trip

Free trip organized above all by convention and visitors bureaux and tourism boards for travel agents, event planners, and other buyers, so as allow them to familiarize themselves with the destination in question with an eye to offering it to their clients. See Convention and Visitors Bureau

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

FB

See Full board

Feedback

Helpful information or constructive criticism that is given to someone on what can be done to improve an event, product, service, etc.

FIEXPO Latin America

The international show of the Meetings and Incentives market aimed at infrastructure and services in South and Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico.

FIT

Free independent traveller; foreign independent traveller; fully independent traveller; fully inclusive tour; foreign independent tour.

FITUR

International Tourism Fair (Madrid, Spain).

Flash mob

Group of people summoned (by e-mail, text message or social media) to a designated location at a specified time to perform an indicated action before dispersing. Flash mobs can also be organized by agencies as publicity stunts. See Guerrilla marketing , Street marketing

Flash sales

Limited-time deals offering high discounts (on hotel accommodation, travel, etc.).

Flip chart

Pad containing large sheets of paper, which can be easily turned over, typically fixed to the upper edge of a whiteboard supported on a tripod of four-legged easel, which is used for presenting reports or data sequentially.

Floor plan

Scale diagram of a function room or exhibition floor viewed from above and used for planning the effective use and arrangement of furnishings, stands or other elements.

FNAVM

National Federation of Travel Agents of Morocco (in French, Fédération Nationale des Agence de Voyages du Maroc).

Food tourism

Type of tourism whose purpose is to visit an area or region of a country in order to discover its culinary traditions and its best known restaurants. Food tourism, which is also known as culinary tourism, is also usually combined with wine tourism. See Wine tourism

Food Travel

See Food tourism

Force majeure clause

Clause included in most venue contracts that exempts the venue from liability should it not be able to honour its contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond its control. See Contract

Forum

Meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among a panel of experts and often including a moderator and audience. See Moderator

Front office

Hotel department responsible for handling front desk and booking functions.

Full board

Hotel rate plan that includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Full breakfast

See English breakfast

Function

Organized event forming a part of a larger event.

Function board

Notice board or video screen listing the day's events, times and locations at a venue.

Function room

Room at a hotel or venue used for holding a broad range of events and celebrations.

Gala dinner

Chief social function of an event, held usually in the evening, with entertainment and speeches before, during or afterwards.

Gamification

Use of game-design thinking in non-game applications to make them more fun and engaging.

Gay-friendly

Globally-used term used to refer to destinations, hotels and services that actively create a welcoming atmosphere for LGBT. See LGBT

Gbps

Gigabits per second (1,000,000,000 bits per second). See Bit

GBps

Gigabytes per second (1,000,000,000 bytes per second). See Byte

GBTA

Global Business Travel Association.

GDS

Global distribution system.

GEBTA

Guild of European Business Travel Agents.

General assembly

Formal meeting of an organization or company attended by a specific quorum of its members with the aim of making decisions, electing board members and committees, and approving financial matters, among other things.

General session

See Plenary session

Generation X

Cohort of people born between 1961 and 1980.

Generation Y

Cohort of people born between 1981 and 2000.

Generation Z

Cohort of people born from 2001 to the present day.

Geofencing

Virtual perimeter that can be generated dynamically around any geographical area or a predefined set of limits so as to enclose a specific area such as a conference centre or show floor. It is now being used for marketing, security and anti-theft purposes. See iBeacon

Geolocation

Identifying the real-world geographic location of an object, such as a radar, mobile phone or an Internet-enabled computer or device.

Geomarketing

Use of geographic information in the process of planning and implementing marketing initiatives, including sales and distribution.

Geo-positioning

Method that identifies the location of a single point in relation to the Earth's surface.

Georeferencing

Act of associating something with a specific physical location.

GIBTM

The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (Reed Exhibitions, Abu Dhabi, UAE).

Gift bag

Bag containing gifts given to event attendees. Also known as goody bag. See Giveaway

GIS

Geographic information system. See Geomarketing

GIT

Group inclusive tour.

Giveaway

Promotional gift given to attendees by the organizers or exhibitors at an event. See Gift bag

Glocal

Term used to refer to the connections and relationships between global and local issues in many spheres of life: economic, business, social, etc.

GMIC

Green Meetings Industry Council.

Golf hotel

Property with its own golf course(s) or located in an area close to number of courses.

Golf meeting

Business meeting in which the chief leisure or networking activity is playing golf. See Networking

GPS

Global positioning system: a satellite navigation system.

Green meeting

Meeting or event incorporating environmental considerations to minimize its negative impact on the environment (source: Convention Industry Council).

Green-friendly

Term used to refer to products, services, policies, business processes, etc., which claim to have a reduced, negligible or no effect on the environment. See Greenwashing

Greenwashing

Term used to refer to the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service or technology. See Green-friendly

GSM

Global system for mobile communication. See WTM

GSMA

Global Mobile Connections Association. See GSM

Guaranteed late arrival

Guest room that is guaranteed by credit card or advance payment in the event that a guest is intending to arrive at the hotel later than the pre-determined arrival time.

Guerrilla marketing

Advertising strategy in which unconventional, low-cost means are used, often in a localized fashion or large network of individual cells, to convey or promote a product or idea. See Flash mob , Street marketing

Gymkhana

Type of team-building activity that involves multiple challenges, both physical and mental. See Team building

Hacienda

Large country estate with a nucleus of buildings that are, architecturally speaking, usually very valuable.

Halal

Food and beverages that Muslims are allowed to eat or drink under Sharia or Islamic Law. See Kosher

Half board

Hotel rate model that includes accommodation, breakfast and either lunch or dinner.

Hammam

Moroccan steam bath (series of steam rooms at different temperatures), similar to a Turkish bath.

Hashtag

Label used on Twitter (and several other social media platforms) to aid searching; a keyword phrase without spaces, prefixed with the # symbol.

Haute cuisine

Type of cuisine served at world-class restaurants and hotels, characterized by the meticulous preparation and careful presentation of dishes prepared with the very best ingredients and accompanied by rare wines. SeeCuisine classique , Nouvelle cuisine

HB

See Half board

HD

High-definition.

Health resort

Locality with a beneficial climate and natural amenities, such as thermal/mineral waters, dedicated to healing and relaxation, usually offering medical attention and hotel or another kind of accommodation.

Heavent Paris

Trade show for event, exhibition, seminar and congress professionals.

High season

Period when the demand for a product or service is at its highest. See Low season

Holistic marketing

See 360-degree marketing

Hologram

3D image created by means of photographic projection.

Hospitality industry

Broad category of fields within the tourism industry including accommodation, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transport, and cruise lines, among others.

Hospitality suite

Hotel room or suite where free drinks and other amenities are offered to event attendees.

Hosted buyer

Buyer invited by the organizers to take part in a show, with all expenses paid, on the basis of his/her profile and buying power.

Hosted buyer programme

Programme in which buyers are invited by the organizers to take part in a show, with all expenses paid, on the basis of their profile and buying power.

Housing bureau

Organization that provides accommodation booking services for groups of attendees or individuals.

HSMAI

Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. See CHME

Hunting tourism

Form of tourism in which a person travels outside his or her place or country residence to hunt.

Hybrid event

Event that has both face-to-face and virtual components. See Face-to-face meeting , Virtual event

I&D

Installation and dismantle.

IAAPA

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

IACC

International Association of Conference Centres.

IACVB

International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaux.

IAEE

International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

IAEM

International Association for Exhibition Management. See CEM

IAHMP

International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals.

IAPCO

International Association of Professional Congress Organisers. See Professional congress organizer

IATA

International Air Transport Association.

iBeacon

Indoor positioning system using a Bluetooth low energy signal detectable by iOS or Android devices. SeeGeofencing

IBT

International Business Travel.

IBTA

Iberian Business Travel Association.

IBTM Africa

The Incentive, Travel & Meetings Expo (Reed Exhibitions).

IBTM India

The Incentive, Travel & Meetings Expo (Reed Exhibitions).

ICCA

International Congress and Convention Association. See Association meeting industry

ICT

Information and communication technologies.

IGLTA

International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.

IGTM

International Golf Travel Market (Reed Exhibitions).

IMEX

The Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events (Frankfurt, Germany).

IMEX America

America's Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events (Las Vegas, USA).

IMSERSO

Spanish governmental agency dedicated to managing travel programmes for the elderly.

Inbound operator

Firm that organizes trips in the city or country where it is based for groups from other cities or countries.

Incentive

Gratuity, either in cash or in the form of a trip or unique experience, with the aim of motivating or rewarding employees, customers or suppliers for their performance, goals reached, or loyalty.

Incentive house

Company that designs and runs incentive programmes, often including travel, for other companies looking to award their staff, clients, suppliers, etc. See Loyalty programme

Incentive trip

See Incentive , Incentive house

Influencer

Person who has the power to influence the purchase decisions of others due to his or her real or perceived authority, knowledge, position or relationship.

Insurance liability

Insurance policy that protects event organizers from the risk that they may be sued and held legally liable for something such as injury to third persons, negligence or failure to honour contractual promises.

Integrated services digital network

Rather dated set of communication standards for simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video, data, and other network services over ordinary copper telephone lines.

Interactive exhibit

Exhibit that engages visitors through direct interaction with display components, working models, simulations, or multi-sensory or multi-media elements.

Interactive learning

Learning model in which learners participate in hands-on activities which provide them with a direct experience, as well as allowing them to interact together.

Internet protocol

Data transmission method via a network in which the data is sent in completely independent individual packets that contain the address of the sender and receiver. Each computer (or host) has at least one IP address that exclusively indentifies it.

Intrapreneur

See Intrapreneurship

Intrapreneurship

Act of behaving like an entrepreneur while working within an organization.

IoE

Internet of Everything.

IoT

Internet of Things.

IP

See Internet protocol

iPad

Tablet computer developed by Apple, which uses its iOS operating system like the iPhone. See Tablet

IPS

Indoor positioning system

ISDN

Integrated services digital network. See Integrated services digital network

ISES

International Special Event Society. See CSEP

ISO

International Standards Organization.

ISP

Internet service provider.

IT&CM Asia

Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (organized by IT&CM Events).

IT&CM China

Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings China (organized by IT&CM Events).

IT&CM India

Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings India (organized by IT&CM Events).

ITE

International Trade Exhibitions.

Kbps

Kilobits per second (1,000 bits per second). See Bit

KBps

Kilobytes per second (1,000 bytes per second). See Byte

Keynote address

Address, presentation or speech that is delivered to set the underlying tone and summarize the core message or most important feature of an event. See Keynote speaker

Keynote speaker

Person who delivers a keynote address. See Speaker guidelines , Speaker proposal

Kiosk

Free-standing pavilion or light structure, often located inside a venue, where printed or electronic information is available; a small enclosure for ticket sales, information, etc.

Kosher

Food prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. See Halal

KPI

Key performance indicators.

Ku-band

Portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies used for long-distance radio transmissions. See C-band

LAN

Local area network.

Lanyard

Cord worn around the neck for carrying a badge holder. See Badge , Badge holder

Lapel microphone

Wireless microphone that is affixed to the lapel of a speaker.

Laser pointer

Small visible light laser used for pointing out features on a projected visual display.

Lavalier microphone

See Lapel microphone

Layout

See Room layout

LBM

Location-based marketing. See Location-based marketing

LCD

Liquid crystal display.

LCD panel

Liquid digital display: a digital display using liquid crystal cells that change reflectivity in an applied electric field.

LCD projector

Type of video projector, with a liquid crystal display, for screening videos, images, or computer data on a screen or another flat surface.

Lead

Potential sales contact; an individual or company expressing interest in a service or product. See Lead retrieval , Lead tracking

Lead generation

Act of generating potential contacts. See Lead

Lead retrieval

Process whereby exhibitors receive the contact information of potential customers by any number of means (business card exchange, business card or badge scanning, barcode or QR code scanning using a smartphone or scanner, mobile apps, etc.). See App , Lead

Lead tracking

Manual or automated system used to conduct follow-up activities for sales prospects stemming from an event. See Lead

Lectern

Stand or light structure used by a speaker or presenter to place his/her notes, which can either rest on the floor or on a table top.

LED

Light-emitting diode. See LED display

LED display

Output device, composed of LED modules, used to display data or information. See LED

LEED

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. See LEED certification

LEED certification

Certification system based on the analysis and validation of a number of aspects related to sustainability in the construction industry by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). There are four certification levels: LEED Certificate, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum.

LGBT

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders.

LGTB Travel

Travel geared specifically to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders. See Gay-friendly

Line array

Loudspeaker system made up of a number of loudspeaker elements coupled together in a line segment to create a near-line source of sound.

Location

Term used interchangeably with "destination" to refer to the city or geographical area where an event is going to take place, and also to any kind of facility used to stage it partially or totally, such as a hotel or convention centre. See Convention centre , Facility

Location-based marketing

Use of mobile marketing techniques to target mobile users within a certain geographic area.

Logistics

Detailed planning, organization and implementation of any complex task, such as a major event.

Lounge suit

See Business formal

Low season

Period when the demand for a product or service is at its lowest. See High season

Loyalty programme

Marketing strategy geared to identifying and offering clients loyal to a company or brand some form of incentive. See Incentive

Mailing

Direct marketing technique in which a message is sent by land mail or email to the people on a mailing list.

Maître d'

See Maître d'Hôtel

Maître d'Hôtel

Person in charge of dining room service at a restaurant or hotel.

Marketing automation

Use of software and Web-based services to execute, manage and automate marketing tasks.

Marketing channel

Path travelled by goods and services from the vendor to the consumer. See Distribution channel

Marquee

Temporary structure, with a rigid or canvas roof, used as a venue to host all types of events.

Mashup

Website or app that uses and combines information, presentations and functionalities coming from one or more sources. See App

Master of ceremonies

Person who presides over an event.

Mbps

Megabits per second (1,000,000 bits per second). See Bit

MBps

Megabytes per second (1,000,000 bytes per second). See Byte

m-Commerce

Mobile commerce. See Mobile commerce

Media coverage

 

Media streaming

Multimedia delivered by a provider which is constantly received by and presented to an end-user.

Meeting and event industry

See MICE

Meeting architect

Professional with the knowledge to assist the meeting owner in creating meeting or event content. SeeMeeting architecture

Meeting architecture

Investigation, design, execution and assessment of meetings and events. See Meeting architect

Meeting hotel

See Congress hotel

Meeting management company

Company specializing in the management of all meeting planning logistics on behalf of another organization. See Logistics

MeetingMetrics

Comprehensive online meeting measurement and reporting system, based on 25 years of meeting measurement experience of its parent company, GuideStar Research

Merchandising

Any practice that contributes to the sale of products or services to a retail consumer.

Meta search marketing

"Hybrid" digital marketing format, resulting from the convergence of online hotel distribution and online advertising, that requires real-time room availability and pricing.

MIA

Meeting Industry Association (UK-based association).

MICE

Acronym for the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition industry.

Microblog

Broadcast medium similar to a blog, but whose posts/messages are limited to 140 characters: e.g., Twitter. See Blog

Millennial Generation

See Generation Y

MIMA

Meeting Industry Marketing Awards (organized by Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine).

MITM Americas

Meetings and Incentive Travel Market for the American Continent and the Caribbean (GSAR Marketing).

MITM Euromed

Meetings and Incentive Travel Market for Europe and the Mediterranean (GSAR Marketing).

m-Learning

Distance learning model using mobile devices. See e-learning

Mobile commerce

Type of commerce, based on e-commerce, in which all transactions are carried out with a mobile telephone or another mobile device. See e-Commerce

Mobile marketing

Use of mobile devices as a medium for launching ad campaigns.

Mobile web app

Internet-enabled app that has specific functionality for a mobile device and which is accessed via its browser and does not have to be downloaded and installed. See App

Moblogging

Act of posting information on a blog using a mobile device. See Audioblogging

Moderator

Person who presides over a meeting, forum, or debate so as to maintain the objectivity of those involved and to uphold the respect for different opinions. See Forum

Morning coat

Dress code for social functions, especially weddings: black or grey tails, waistcoat and tie, white shirt, and black or grey top hat and gloves. See Dress code

Morning suit

See Morning suit

Motivational speaker

Professional speaker whose addresses are intended to uplift and motivate the audience.

Motivational travel

Travel programme that includes engaging experiences that result in measurable value for both the participants and the sponsoring company. See Incentive

Mouth-to-mouth marketing

See Viral marketing

Mp3

Audio compression technology. See Podcast

MPG

Standard compression algorithm for audio and video archives.

MPI

Meeting Professionals International, one of the meeting and event industry's leading global associations.

Multimedia

The use of two or more audiovisual media in the same presentation.

Multitrack conference

Conference with parallel programme sessions where participants can choose the track they which to follow and change tracks whenever they want during the event.

NACE

National Association of Catering Executives. See CPCE

Native app

App designed for a particular platform or device (smartphone, tablet, etc.), usually downloaded from an app store. See App

Natural search

See Organic search

NBTA

National Business Travel Association. See CCTE

Networking

Act of cultivating productive relationships for employment or business

Neuromarketing

Term used to refer to the application of neuroscience research techniques based to marketing.

News release

See Press release

NFC

Near field communication: a short-range wireless technology that enables communication between devices over a distance of under 10cm.

NFC ring

Near field communication ring: wearable device (worn by the user on his or her finger like a normal ring) that can be used to control smartphones, unlock doors, transfer data, etc. See NFC

Niche

Highly specialized market segment.

Non-profit

Organization whose members cannot benefit from its net proceeds.

No-show

Registered attendee, speaker, or visitor who fails to turn up at an event, usually without following correct cancelation procedures; a hotel booking that is not kept.

Nouvelle cuisine

Culinary concept that emerged in France in the 1960s, characterized by lighter, more delicate dishes and an increased emphasis on presentation, in contrast with la cuisine classique. See Cuisine classique , Haute cuisine

O2O

Online-to-offline.

Occupancy rate

Number of sleeping rooms of a hotel that are actually occupied, calculated by dividing the total number of rooms occupied over a given period by the total number of rooms available for occupancy during that same period, and shown as a percentage.

Oenotourism

See Wine tourism

Offline

Opposite of online: non-digital advertising and marketing strategies and channels.

Off-season

See Low season

Off-site

Term used to refer to any activity or function that takes place outside the primary venue. See On-site

One-to-one marketing

Customer relationship management strategy, or form of direct marketing, in which a sales person or representative listens to what a customer wants before proposing a service or product that satisfies his or her needs. See Direct marketing

One-to-one meeting

Individual meeting between two people.

Online

Opposite of offline: digital advertising and marketing strategies and channels.

Online registration

Registration made via the Web.

On-site

Term referring to any activity or function that takes place at the primary venue. See Off-site

On-site registration

Registration made at the venue.

OPC Spain

Spanish Federation of Professional Congress Organizers (in Spanish, Federación Española de Empresas Organizadoras Profesionales de Congresos), comprising the 15 regional PCO associations in Spain.

Opt-in

Voluntary subscription to a distribution list or database. See Database , Distribution list

Opt-in marketing

Email or mobile campaign in which messages are only sent to users who have given the sender permission to do so. Also know as Permission marketing.

Opt-out

Voluntary unsubscription from a distribution list or database. See Database , Distribution list

Organic search

Term used to refer to search engine results that are naturally generated on the basis of a website's natural indexing, as opposed to paid search results in which an advertiser bids for specific keywords so as to gain a prominent position in SERPs. See SERP

Organizer

Entity or individual that produces an event.

Organizing committee

Group of people who design and implement the strategies and policies established for organizing an event.

OTA

Online travel agency.

Outbound operator

Firm that organizes trips for groups from a given city or country to another city or country.

Outbound tour

Any trip for groups from a given city or country to another city or country.

Outdoor training

Any activity held outdoors that promotes interpersonal relationships in work teams. See Team building

Outsource

Act of subcontracting a task or responsibility to a supplier, instead of using in-house staff or resources.

Overhead projector

Item of audiovisual equipment used for projecting on a screen magnified images of graphic material on a horizontal transparency illuminated from below. Alterations and additions can be made to the material on the transparency while the projector is in use.

Overnight stay

Night spent by an event attendee/delegate at a hotel or similar accommodation.

Over-set

Term used to refer to the number of places or meals a caterer or venue will set or serve beyond the guaranteed number requested by the host of the event, the client only paying for the number of meals actually served to attendees.

P2P

Peer-to-peer.

PA system

Public address system. See Public address system

Panel discussion

Formal discussion of a subject by a group of experts forming a panel, normally before an audience.

Panel system

Term used to refer to any type of exhibit or stand composed of prefabricated rectangular panels of various sizes connected by an anchor system.

Parallel sessions

See Concurrent sessions

Partner programme

See Spouse programme

PAX

Abbreviation for passengers.

Payment gateway

Means of authorizing credit card or other payment transactions in real-time, which can be made both online via a website or offline at a retail establishment.

Pazo

Traditional Galician manor house.

PCI Compliance

Adherence to a set of specific security standards developed to protect credit card information during and after a financial transaction. See PCI DSS

PCI DSS

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. See PCI Compliance

PCMA

Professional Convention Management Association.

PCO

See Professional congress organizer

PDA

Personal digital assistant.

Peak season

See High season

Pendant microphone

See Lapel microphone

Per diem

Daily allowance for general expenses.

Permission marketing

See Opt-in marketing

Photo call

Photo session for the press featuring celebrities, VIPs, etc.

Plenary session

Meeting for all delegates attending a conference, either at the beginning to discuss general issues or at the end to announce progress.

Plug-in

Hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system.

PMS

Property management system.

Podcast

Digital audio file (usually in Mp3 format) which can be accessed automatically through RSS feeds. See Mp3 , RSS feed

Podcasting

Act of using audio files to deliver syndicated website content to a digital audience.

Podium

Raised platform where a speaker stands when delivering his/her keynote. See Keynote address

Pop-up display

Lightweight display that normally comes in moulded plastic crates with wheels for easy transport.

Pop-up exhibit

See Pop-up display

POS

Point of sale.

Post

Text content published on a website or blog. See Blog

Poster

Large-format paper document illustrating research methods and outcomes, used especially at scientific conferences. See Poster presentation , Poster session

Poster exhibition

See Poster session

Poster presentation

Informal session held near a poster session for presenting and discussing poster content. See Poster , Poster session

Poster session

Session usually held in a dedicated area of the show floor of a conference or in a room, where researchers exhibit their work in poster format for a fixed time from 10min to several hours. See Poster , Poster presentation

Post-event report

Term used to refer to a report detailing the outcome of an event, including the number of attendees and no-shows, total cost per person, revenue (if apllicable), etc.

Post-event tour

Organized tour taking place after an event for both attendees and accompanying persons, whose aim is usually to showcase meeting and event destinations and their infrastructure.

PPC

Pay-per-click (digital ad format).

PPI

Pay-per-impression (digital ad format).

PR

Public Relations. See Public relations officer

Pre-event tour

Organized tour taking place before an event for both attendees (usually hosted buyers) and accompanying persons, whose aim is usually to showcase the meeting and event destinations and their infrastructure.

Pre-registration

See Advance registration

Presenter

Person who introduces and explains a given topic at an informational session, or who hosts an event introducing keynote speakers, entertainers, etc. See Keynote speaker

Press clipping

Article cut from a printed publication or a set of links to online media.

Press conference

Event held to communicate information to media representatives.

Press coverage

Any activity geared to promoting an event in the media, both offline and online, including press conferences, interviews with key members of a group or organization, press releases, etc. See Keynote speaker

Press kit

Pre-packaged set of promotional materials with pertinent information on a meeting, including agenda, speakers, special events, venue descriptions, sponsors, exhibitors, etc.

Press office

Agency responsible for collecting and distributing information to the press or media.

Press officer

Chief public relations contact with the press or media for an organization.

Press release

Written or recorded statement directed at representatives of the news media, or an article intended for use by the media about a company, product, service, individual, or show.

Press room

Place where media representatives can obtain press kits, conduct interviews, or relax. Larger press rooms provide computers, Internet access, and office equipment. See Press kit

Proceedings

Record, usually distributed as printed volumes or in electronic form, containing the academic papers published in the context of an academic, scientific, medical, etc., conference or the contributions made by researchers at the conference.

Product launch

Term used to refer to the often complex process of introducing a new product or service in the market.

Production company

Company specializing in staging the recreational part of an event, with theatrical, musical or circus performances, as well as special effects. The company might also be commissioned to organize the whole event.

Professional association

Generally speaking, a non-profit organization whose aim is to advance a certain profession. See Non-profit

Professional congress organizer

Company specializing in the organisation and management of congresses, conferences, seminars, and similar events.

Programme

Schedule of an event, including times and venues.

Projection mapping

Projection of images on any multi-dimensional shape or form (buildings, ships, stage sets, etc.).

Promo code

See Promotional code

Promotional code

Code used to offer discounts and also to identify the person or company that has purchased a product.

Promotor

Person or company in charge of promoting an event.

Proposal

Response given by a supplier to an inquiry by a prospective client in which venue, hotel and services specifications, availability and costs are detailed.

Props

Items used to decorate or furnish a stage, set or venue; articles used by speakers, actors, or entertainers.

Prospect

Potential attendee, client, guest, or exhibitor.

Protocol

Forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats, heads of state, VIPs, etc., at certain events.

Protocol officer

Person in charge of handling matters of etiquette and protocol in an organization or at an event.

Proximity marketing

Distribution of local ad content to users via wireless channels, such as mobile devices.

Proximity sensing

Ability of a device to detect nearby objects, without physical contact.

Public address system

Audio and visual system used to convey messages to event attendees.

Public relations officer

Person who uses all forms of media and communication to build, maintain and manage the reputation of his or her company or clients.

Purveyor

See Service provider

Push message

Specially formatted SMS message that users receive on their mobile devices in the form of an alert, normally used for advertising purposes.

Q&A session

Question and answer time after a keynote or presentation. See Keynote address , Keynote speaker

QR code

Quick response code. See Quick Response Code

Questionnaire

Set of questions used to gather information for a survey.

Quick Response Code

Two-dimensional matrix barcode, which can be read with a smartphone equipped with a camera, normally used to store URLs and other information of a promotional nature.

Rack rate

Term used in the hotel industry to refer to the cost of a room when a customer requests accommodation on the same day, without a prior booking. This rate is often the highest available.

Radio-frequency Identification

System used to track objects, people, or animals using tags that respond to radio waves.

RAPID!

Reservations Automated Processing Input and Delivery System: computer system with the ability to receive bookings electronically or by other means from external sources, such as customers, convention bureaux, or third-party meeting planners. See Convention and Visitors Bureau

Rapporteur

See Reporter

Rate parity

Revenue management term used to refer to the maintenance of consistent rates for the same product in all online distribution channels. See Distribution channel

Reception

Stand-up function at which canapés and drinks are served on small tables or by waiters. Receptions are sometimes organized before lunch or dinner. See Cocktail party

Reception desk

Desk or area where guests are received at a hotel.

Reception format

Format usually used at wedding receptions, with a buffet and a limited number of tables and chairs for those guests who choose to sit. See Buffet

Referral marketing

Series of marketing techniques whose aim is to ensure that all satisfied clients act as brand advocates. SeeBrand advocate , Viral marketing

Refreshment break

See Coffee break

Refreshments

Food and drink taken between meals, usually during pauses between meetings or sessions. See Coffee break

Registrant

Person who registers for an event.

Registration desk

Desk or area where event attendees register or collect badges or other materials.

Registration fee

Amount paid to attend a conference or event.

Registration form

Form that attendees must fill in so as to attend an event, providing contact details and another basic information.

Relationship marketing

Strategy designed to foster customer loyalty, interaction and long-term engagement. See Engagement

Remarketing

See Retargeting

Reporter

Person appointed to provide a formal account of the proceedings of sessions and to write summaries of the papers presented by their authors.

Request for information

Preliminary step to a request for proposal (RFP) in which a company asks a number of potential suppliers for information about their products or services. See Proposal

Resort

Place or town offering recreational and leisure activities for holidaymakers; a hotel or property offering a broad range of sports and recreational activities on-site or in the close vicinity.

Response rate

Percentage of those people selected in a survey sample who actually provide data for analysis.

Responsive web design

Type of web design similar to AWD but with technical differences. Basically, RWD responds to the changes in width of a browser window by fluidly adjusting the placement of elements on a webpage to best fit the available space. See Adaptive web design

RESS

Responsive design + server side components.

Retargeting

Advertising technique that generates sales by encouraging qualified customers that have already shown an interest in a product or service to revisit a website when they are ready to make a purchase.

Revenue management

See Yield management

Revenue management system

Tool used to define pricing strategies.

RevPAR

Revenue per available room.

RFID

Radio frequency Identification. See Radio-frequency Identification

RFP

Request for proposal. See Proposal

Riad

Traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Many riads have been converted into boutique or charming hotels. See Boutique hotel , Charming hotel

RMS

Revenue management system. See Revenue management system

ROAS

Return on advertising spend.

ROE

Return on event (term coined by Ira Kerns in 1990), i.e., the amount of money earned or lost by investing in an event after deducting the production costs; return on experience.

ROI

Return on investment.

Roll-up banner

See Roll-up display

Roll-up display

Display made of heavy canvas or paper and aluminium, which is highly popular at all kinds of events since it is light, easy to assemble and transport, and durable.

ROO

Return on objectives.

Room block

Portion of a hotel's inventory of rooms set aside for a particular period of time for a client (corporate, group travel, etc.).

Room Inventory

Number of rooms available at a hotel. See Channel manager

Room layout

Way in which a function room's furniture has been arranged: formats include banquet, classroom, conference or imperial, reception or cocktail party, theatre, U-shaped, etc.

Room nights

Number of sleeping rooms booked or occupied, multiplied by the number of nights each room is booked or occupied.

Room turnover

Time required in order for a venue to change a meeting room from one layout to another. See Room layout

Rooming list

Comprehensive accommodation list featuring guest names, dates of arrival and departure, and any special requirements.

ROR

Rate of return.

Roundtable discussion

Term used to refer to when a group of people or a team get together to discuss strategies, plans, ideas, results, etc., on equal terms.

RSS

Rich site summary: a format for delivering regularly changing web content.

RSS feed

Device that enables publishers to syndicate data automatically. See RSS

RWD

Responsive web design. See Responsive web design

SaaS

Software as a service.

Schoolroom seating

See Classroom style

Scientific committee

Group of experts chosen by the organizers of a scientific congress to advise them in scientific decision-making. See Scientific secretariat

Scientific secretariat

Office dedicated to coordinating and managing communications (keynotes, posters, abstracts, etc.) for a scientific congress, in close collaboration with the scientific committee.

Seating styles

Term used to refer to chair and table setups for accommodating the needs of different types of events. SeeRoom layout

SEM

Search engine marketing.

Seminar

Small meeting generally organized for educational or training purposes by an academic institution or a commercial or professional organization.

SEO

Search engine optimization.

SERP

Search engine results page.

Service provider

Person or company from whom supplies are ordered which will be used during a conference or event

Services in the cloud

See Cloud computing

SET

Secure electronic transaction.

Shopping Tourism

Type of tourism in which travellers visit cities famous for their shops and boutiques, or discount retail shopping centres, with the aim of buying clothes or other articles that are unavailable or cheaper than in their place of residence.

Shoulder season

Short period between high and low season, with corresponding rates.

Show

Term used to refer to events such as congresses, exhibitions and trade shows.

Show cooking

Culinary modality in which cooks or chefs prepare dishes in front of diners or an audience.

Show floor

See Exhibition floor

Show manager

See Exhibition manager

Show organizer

See Exhibition manager

Signage

All the necessary signs (both directional and informational) so that event attendees can find their way and keep themselves informed.

SIM

Subscriber identity module: an integrated circuit of the kind used by mobile telephones.

SIMA

Spanish Incentives and Meetings Association.

Simultaneous interpreting

Process of translating one language to another while a person is speaking.

Simultaneous translation

See Simultaneous interpreting

SITC

International Tourism Fair of Catalonia.

SITE

Society of Incentive & Travel Executives. See CITE

Site inspection

Trip carried out by event planners with the aim of personally inspecting the venue chosen to host their event, so as to ensure it meets all the requirements.

Smart casual

Rather vague dress code that generally refers to neat yet informal attire, that is, wearing a suit is not required although jeans are not usually acceptable. See Dress code

Smartphone

Device for making telephone calls that also includes features that might be found on a personal digital assistant or computer, such as Internet access.

SMERF

Acronym for social, military, educational, religious and fraternal.

SMERF meetings

Meetings and events geared to social, military, educational, religious and fraternal groups.

SMS

Short message service.

Social marketing

Systematic application of marketing, along with other concepts and techniques, to achieve specific behavioural goals for a social good.

Social media

Group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, which allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content (coined by Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein).

Social network

Online platform where users can create a public or semi-public profile with the aim of engaging with friends or other users with similar interests: Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, etc., are just a few examples of social networks). See Social media

Social programme

Series of functions/activities designed to complement an event, offering attendees the chance to socialize, network, discover the destination, or contribute to the local community through CSR initiatives, among other things. See Corporate social responsibility

SoLoMo

Creative marketing technique that uses a combination of social networks, local search engines and directories, and the mobile channel to reach a specific target audience. See Target audience

Spa centre

Centre that, in addition to facilities (pools, Jacuzzis, showers, saunas, gym, etc.), usually offers a variety of beauty treatments, therapies and massages.

Spa hotel

Property that has a spa/wellness centre.

Spa resort

See Health resort

Space

Area occupied by an exhibitor on the show floor of an exhibition.

Space calculator

Online application that allows planners to determine the total square footage of meeting space needed to accommodate a specified number of attendees.

SpainDMCs

Association of Spanish Destination Management Companies. See Destination management company

Spam

Unsolicited emails or SMSs, usually of a commercial nature and from an unknown sender.

Spamming

Act of sending spam.

Speaker

Person who delivers an address at an event. See Keynote speaker

Speaker guidelines

Instructions given to speakers outlining what is expected of them at an event. See Keynote speaker , Speaker proposal

Speaker proposal

Proposal submitted by speakers to the organizers of an event with details of the address that they intend to deliver. See Keynote speaker , Speaker guidelines

Special interest programme

See Special interest tour

Special interest tour

Tour tailored to the special (cultural, artistic, culinary, sports, etc.) interests of the traveller.

Sponsor

Person or entity that sponsors, protects, or financially backs the activities of another person or entity that, in exchange, promotes the sponsor's brand or product.

Sponsoring

Act of sponsoring, protecting, or financially backing the activities of another person or entity in exchange for brand or product promotion.

Spouse programme

Series of social events and activities organized for the spouses, companions or guests of delegates.

Spreadsheet

Work sheet or table containing a multicolumn analysis of related entries for easy reference or comparison of services, products, budgets, venues, food and beverage functions, or for easy tracking of speaker presentation schedules, locations, audiovisual needs, transportation scheduling, etc.

Stage

Raised platform on which theatrical performances, shows or keynotes are presented.

Stand

Exhibition area or temporary structure at a tradeshow used by companies or institutions to showcase their products, services or destinations.

Streaming

Series of products and techniques geared to disseminating multimedia content, such as video and audio. SeeStreaming video

Streaming media

See Media streaming

Streaming video

Unidirectional video transmission via a data network. See Streaming

Street marketing

Term used to refer to publicity stunts that are carried out totally or partially in the street and in which the marketers interact directly with the public. See Flash mob , Guerrilla marketing

Subcommittee room

See Breakout room

Subscriber

Someone who opts in to a distribution list or database so as to periodically receive information, such as an e-newsletter. See Opt-in marketing

Summit

Meeting of the highest level.

Supplier

See Service provider

Sustainable meeting

See Green meeting

Syndicate room

See Breakout room

Tablet

General-purpose computer contained in a single panel, featuring a touch screen as the input device and using different operating systems (iOS, Android, BlackBerry or Windows) depending on the make. See iPad

Talent

Performers, entertainers, actors/actresses, etc.

Target

See Target audience

Target audience

Customer segment or segments that marketers pretend to reach out to with a specific marketing initiative.

Target group

See Target audience

Targeting

Selecting the target audience according to several factors ( age, gender, nationality, educational background, etc.). See Target audience

Tbps

Terabits per second (1,000,000,000,000 bits per second). See Bit

TBps

Terabytes per second (1,000,000,000,000 bytes per second). See Byte

Team building

Term used to refer to a wide range of activities whose aim is to improve team performance. See Outdoor training

Technical secretariat

Office dedicated to information, management, coordination, promotion and sales of a congress.

TED

Technology, entertainment, design. See TED conference

TED conference

Global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, whose aim is to disseminate "ideas worth spreading." The speakers at TED conference are given a maximum of 18 minutes to present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging way possible.

TED format

See TED conference

Telepresence

Set of technologies that enable people to feel as if they are actually present in a different place or time.

TFT-LCD

Thin film transistor-liquid crystal display.

Thalassotherapy centre

Centre offering therapeutic techniques based on the use of different sea elements (seawater, seaweed, mud), together or separately, among other marine extracts, as well as the beneficial sea climate. See Spa centre , Brainstorming

The Meetings Show UK

MICE event held in London (United Kingdom).

Theatre style

Room layout featuring seats facing a stage, dais or podium, normally with an aisle running down the middle, as in a theatre.

Theme party

Event at which all aspects, including food and beverages, entertainment and décor, are related to a specific theme

Think tank

Group of experts commissioned by the public or private sector to research into specific problems.

Thought leader

Individual or company that is recognized as an authority in a specialized field and whose expertise is sought after and often rewarded.

Timeline

Schedule of tasks to be accomplished in the planning of an event, ordered chronologically by their start date and featuring the date on which they must be completed.

TMC

Travel management company.

Toastmaster

Person who proposes toasts and introduces speakers at a banquet.

Tour

Any prearranged roundtrip to one or more destinations; a recreational trip or activity for event attendees or accompanying persons included in the event programme. See Partner programme , Social programme

Tour operator

Person or company who typically provides tourists with package holidays, combining tour and travel elements; company offering more than two travel services.

Trade association

Association of organizations in the same trade whose aim is to further their collective interests.

Trade exhibition

See Trade show

Trade fair

See Trade show

Trade show

Periodic event where companies or organizations with the same trade activity exhibit their products or services.

Trade show manual

Guide published by the organizers of a trade show keyed to providing exhibitors and attendees with full information about the event, such as the show agenda, equipment rental forms, exhibitor list, rules and regulations, etc.

Tradeshow

See Trade show

Transfer

Process of transporting people between terminals and hotels, or moving equipment or people from one place to another.

Travel advisor

See Travel agent

Travel agent

Expert in the travel industry who is commissioned to organize, partially or totally, a pleasure or business trip.

Trending topic

Most talked about issue in Twitter at any given time.

Trendwatcher

Person who studies trends and tries to predict future trends.

Truss

Steel bar structure used for suspending lighting and other technical equipment over a stage.

Turnkey solution

Product or service that is designed in such a way that it can be easily and readily deployed or installed by a customer, and therefore be fully operational once this has been done, opposed to a built-to-order or bespoke product or service.

Tweet

Text message with a maximum of 140 characters sent via Twitter.

Tweeter

Someone who sends a tweet via Twitter.

Twitter handle

Username (with fewer than 15 characters) selected by anyone using Twitter: e.g., http://twitter.com/username.

Twitterati

Twitter elite whose feeds attract thousands of followers.

U style

Room layout featuring a U-shaped conference table, or tables, with chairs around the outside.

U.S.TA

U.S. Travel Association.

Ubiquitous marketing

See 360-degree marketing

UFI

Association of the World's Leading Tradeshow Organizers and Fairground Owners.

UFTAA

United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations.

UGC

User-generated content. See User-generated content

UMTS

Universal mobile telecommunications system.

UNICEO

United Networks of International Corporate Event Organizers.

Unique venue

Venue whose singularity is due to its location, architecture, heritage value, décor, fixtures, normal use, etc.: example range from castles, palaces, ruins and other heritage sites where it is not usually permitted to stage events, to museums, theatres, football stadiums, etc.

Upgrade

Booking that is improved, as in hotel accommodation or a plane seat, usually without any extra cost to the customer. The majority of hotels offer a fixed number of upgrades to their corporate clients or groups, depending on the number of rooms occupied.

Upselling

Sales technique whereby a seller induces a customer to purchase more expensive items or upgrades than those initially requested. See Upgrade

Usability

User friendliness, utility and satisfaction perceived by the end users of a website, app, mobile device, etc. SeeApp

User-generated content

Content (photos, videos, blogs, comments, etc.) posted on a website by amateur (unpaid) contributors, usually monitored by a web administrator to avoid offensive language or content or copyright infringement issues. See Wiki

Value added

Term that refers to the extra features of a product or service that provide consumers with something more while adding little or nothing to its cost.

VAT

Value Added Tax.

Vegan

Person who does not consume any kind of animal products (including eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, silk, wool, etc.).

Vegetarian

Person who does not eat meat (or fish) but does consume animal by-products such as eggs, milk and cheese.

Vendor

See Service provider

Venue

Place used for hosting any type of event or celebration, whether it be indoor or outdoor.

Venue inspection

Trip that planners or organizers make so as to get to know firsthand the venue where they intend to stage an event in order to make sure that it meets all requirements.

Video

Recording produced with a video recorder (camcorder) or some other similar device that captures full motion.

Video conference

See Videoconference

Video mapping

See Projection mapping

Video wall

Bank of monitors, video screens or TV sets, forming one large screen, on which one or more images can be viewed simultaneously.

Videoconference

Use of a set of telecommunication technologies allowing two or more locations to communicate by simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions.

Videoconferencing

Act of holding a videoconference.

Videoteleconference

See Videoconference

Vinitourism

See Wine tourism

VIP

Very important person.

Viral marketing

Marketing strategy that focuses on spreading information and opinions about a product or service from person to person, especially via unconventional means such as social media networks, messaging and other online media. See Social media

Virtual community

Network of individuals who interact through specific social media or in cyberspace. See Cyberspace , Social media

Virtual event

Event in which some or all attendees are not physically present at the venue but connected in a common environment. See Videoconference

Virtual meeting

See VAT , Virtual event

Virtual reality

Computer-generated environment that simulates physical presence in real or imaginary places.

Visitmorocco

Moroccan National Tourist Office

Voice activation

Function that allows people to use voice commands to control a wide range of devices.

Voice channel

Term used to refer to any transaction that uses the voice as the primary mode of communication or interaction between two or more people.

Voice-over

Voice of an unseen person narrating events in a film or video.

Voucher

Ticket or code serving as a substitute for cash. See Digital coupon

VPN

Virtual private network.

Watering place

See Health resort

Wearable technology

Any device that users can "wear," such as Google Glass, Samsung Smart Watch, Apple iWatch, etc.

Web 2.0

Term that embraces those websites that use technology to offer users an experience that goes beyond that of the static pages of earlier websites. Examples: social networking sites, blogs, wikis, video sharing sites, hosted services, web applications, mashups, etc. See Web 3.0

Web 3.0

Technological leap forward that will have important consequences for Internat users. See Web 2.0

Web-based application

Application that requires an Internet connection and uses HTTP as its primary communications protocol.

Web-based tool

Tool that requires an Internet connection and uses HTTP as its primary communications protocol.

Webcast

Broadcasting a live event, or a recording of an event, over the World Wide Web.

Webconferencing

Web-browser based videoconferencing. See Videoconference

Webinar

Seminar or presentation that takes place on the Internet, allowing participants in different locations to see and hear the presenter, ask questions, answer polls, etc. See Seminar

Weblog

See Blog

Wedding planner

Person specializing in the planning, organization and staging of weddings.

Wellness centre

Establishment offering health services for the body and mind (the difference between spa, health and wellness centre is somewhat hazy). See Spa centre , Thalassotherapy centre

WFGTA

World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations

WFTA

World Food Travel Association. See Food tourism

Whispered interpreting

Type of interpreting in which the interpreter sits behind the speaker and translates what is being said in a low voice. This method is usually used during bilateral meetings in which neither of the two speakers understands the language of the other.

White tie

Dress code for evening events and social functions: black tails and white shirts, waistcoats and bowties for men and evening dresses for women. See Dress code

Widget

Small application with limited functionality that can be installed and executed within a webpage by end users.

Wi-Fi

Wireless fidelity (wireless Internet connection).

Wiki

Website whose content can be edited by multiple users via a web navigator: e.g., Wikipedia. See User-generated content

Wine tourism

Type of tourism whose purpose is to visit one or more of a country's wine growing regions in order to tour wineries and taste and purchase wine. Wine tourism also usually includes a gastronomic element. See Food tourism

Win-to-win

Situation in which the outcome benefits all the parties concerned.

Word-of-mouth marketing

See Viral marketing

Workshop

Educational seminar or series of meetings focusing on interaction and exchange of information usually among a limited number of participants. See Seminar

World Mobile Congress

Annual congress organized in Barcelona by the Global Mobile Connections Association

Wow factor

Striking or impressive feature; something that transforms an otherwise normal event into something special and unique.

WTM

World Travel Market (London, United Kingdom).

WTTC

World Travel and Tourism Council

Yield management

Sophisticated variable pricing strategy, based on understanding, anticipating and influencing consumer behavior in order to maximize revenue or profits from intangible products, such as hotel rooms or airline seats.

YoY

Year-on-year.