Glossary of Terms

Meeting planning is complicated enough without the confusing jargon. Yet success often comes down to understanding the language of industry professionals. Don't miss out on the conversation — review this quick list and you'll never mistake a "citywide" for a "site visit."

Attrition
The difference between the actual number of sleeping rooms picked-up (or food and beverage covers or revenue projected) and the number or formulas agreed to in the terms of the facility's contract. Contracts may be negotiated to incorporate a sliding scale should there be a shortfall. Always discuss this with the appropriate contact during contract negotiations.
Citywide meeting
A large meeting or convention which utilizes multiple hotels to house attendees with the actual event taking place at a convention center.
CVB
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
DMC
Destination Management Company: Professional individual or company engaged in organizing events of all types and their related activities.
DMO
Destination marketing organization.
DMS
Destination Meeting Services, Visit Orlando's designated team to assist meeting planners.
Drayage
Delivery of exhibit materials from the dock to an assigned exhibit space, removing empty crates, returning crates at the end of the event for re-crating, and delivering materials back to the dock for carrier loading.
Executive meeting manager
A manager who handles small group meetings that usually require up to 99 sleeping rooms for a corporate group, and up to 149 sleeping rooms for an association group.
F&B
Food & beverage.
Florida Green Lodging Program
A program run by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that certifies hotel properties with One Palm, Two Palm or Three Palm designations for sustainable practices. To achieve recognition, the facilities must follow certain eco-friendly practices including water conservation measures through low-flow plumbing fixtures; linen reuse programs; energy efficiency and programmable thermostats; waste reduction programs such as recycling, purchasing items in bulk and procuring recycled materials; as well as the use of green cleaners, high-efficiency air filters and clean-air handler units.
General session
Sessions that all participants in a convention or meeting attend.
"I-Drive"
The name Orlando locals refer to the International Drive area.
In-house meeting
At Visit Orlando, an in-house size meeting is one that requires 150-1,499 peak rooms for an association, and 100-1,499 peak rooms for a corporate group. It also requires less than 60,000 square feet of exhibit space. In most cases, this type of meeting can be housed under one roof at a single hotel.
MPI
Meeting Planners International, the largest trade association representing the meetings industry.
PCMA
Professional Convention Management Association, a non-profit international association for meetings professionals.
RFP
Request for Proposal.
Run of house (ROH)
This is a standard room type available in a hotel's inventory.
Site visit
A tour of a property, venue or faculty that would be utilized during a potential event.
SMERF
A sub-group of the meetings and convention market that includes social, military, education, religious or fraternal groups and associations.
Site selection
Choosing a venue for an event.
Sustainable meeting
Booking rooms and space, planning events and building attendance as effectively as possible through the responsible use of resources.
"Unexpected Orlando"
The Orlando landmarks, venues or attractions that represent cultural, artistic, heritage and historic aspects of the destination.

Still Looking? Search the APEX Industry Glossary for close to 4,000 meetings-related terms, acronyms, and abbreviations.

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