18 Event Planning Acronyms You Need To Memorize

18 Event Planning Acronyms You Need To Memorize

With infinite acronyms floating around the event industry, here are the event planning acronyms you need to know. Step up your game by memorizing these 18!

It’s 2020, and to be honest, there are more acronyms than any one person can keep up with. Evolving technology and the trend of shortening words whenever possible (LOL!) has transformed the event industry into a landscape of letter puzzles. However, that isn’t an excuse to glaze over them. 

Here’s a round-up of 18 event planning acronyms you need to memorize, STAT.

Read More: 10 Trade Show Terms Event Planners Should Know

1. A/V – Audio/Visual

What’s a modern event without some A/V? Audio/Visual covers everything from stage lighting to extension cords, projectors, DJs, and their turntables. 

2. AR – Augmented Reality

AR is ‘augmented reality.’ It involves technology that mixes reality with digital elements โ€“ like Pokemon GO or custom Snapchat or Instagram filters.

3. BEO – Banquet Event Order

Prepare for the BEO to become your BFF. It’s one of the most common event planning acronyms. Also called an EO (event order), a BEO is a document created by the venue that outlines… everything. The BEO states the event timeline, set-up directions, F&B, A/V, costs, etc.

4. B/L – Bill of Lading

This is the document of the agreement between the transportation company and you, the shipper. The B/L specifies where the shipment is going and for what set price. 

5. CAD – Computer-Aided Design

If you have created a floorplan or room design on a computer, congrats! You’ve created a CAD. This computer-aided design is the layout of how a room should be set up. It might include things like furniture, seating areas, A/V needs, etc. 

6. CED – Certified Event Designer

This event planning acronym is given to certified event designers from the Event Design Collective. They’ve mastered the #EventCanvas to design events.

Read More: An Introduction to Event Design & the Event Canvas

7. CMP – Certified Meeting Professional

If event planning is your career path, you may think about earning your CMP. This certification is globally recognized and connects you to thousands of other event professionals. 

8. CRM – Customer Relationship Management

Keeping track of who’s who is easier with a CRM. A customer relationship management software lets you organize clients, manage communication and outreach, and more.

9. CRS – Central Reservation System

Hotels, restaurants, and larger venues commonly use a CRS to store reservation information. A CRS makes reservations and also shares information on availability, rates, add-ons/upgrades.

Read More: 10 Event Planner Software Terms to Know

10. CSM – Convention Services Manager

A CSM is a job title you’ll come across. A Convention Services Manager is the venue employee assigned to work with you and others related to the event.   

11. EMS – Event management software

An EMS is a range of software products specially designed for event planners. They are used to coordinate events, manage conferences, plan events, host exhibitions โ€“ you name it. Leveraging an EMS, like Thymebase, can bring an event planning company to the next level because of its automation, integrations, and organizational power.

12. F&B – Food and Beverage

Self-explanatory enough, right? F&B is the term you’ll hear whenever someone refers to the food and beverage of an event. Cheers!

13. FHC – Fire Hose Cabinet

You might see this acronym on a floor map to indicate where fire hoses are located in a venue.

14. I&D – Installation and Dismantle

Build it, and they will come, literally. Also known as set-up, load-in, loadout, or striking, I&D refers to setting up and breaking down.

15. MPI – Meeting Professionals International

This global organization is important to be familiar with. MPI is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide.

Read more: The 2020 Guide To Event Planning Associations

16. RFP – Request for Proposal

This document outlines the needs of an event. Planners send an RFP to venues and contractors that may be interested in bidding on an event.   

SEO – Search Engine Optimization

Being familiar with SEO is a must to rise up the ranks on Google. If people are looking for you or an event online, it’s essential to have an SEO strategy to help people find you!

Read More: 4 Steps To Great On-Page SEO for Event Planners

VR – Virtual Reality

VR is for ‘virtual reality,’ and it describes technology that creates a new environment for participants.

There are plenty of event planning acronyms to know and certainly more being created every year. Hopefully, these 18 help you feel more established and ready for any event in 2020 and beyond.

Amanda Larson, CED, is a Certified Event Designer, marketer, and content creator. With a degree in journalism and special events management, Amanda has worked in marketing and events for both international startups and Fortune500 companies. She specializes in digital branding, copywriting, and graphic design freelancing for clients globally.

You can read other articles by Amanda here: