MICE Abbreviations Glossary: 50 Terms Every Event Planner Must Know

The MICE industry uses 50+ specialised abbreviations that appear in hotel contracts, RFPs, and event proposals. The most important are: DDR (Day Delegate Rate), 24HR (24-hour rate including accommodation), BAFO (Best And Final Offer), RFP (Request for Proposal), F&B (Food and Beverage), AV (Audiovisual), BEO (Banquet Event Order), and ROI (Return on Investment).

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Core Financial Terms

DDR (Day Delegate Rate): per-person daily conference package price. 24HR (24-Hour Rate): DDR plus one night's accommodation. BAFO (Best And Final Offer): the final price a hotel submits after competitive negotiation. F&B Minimum: the minimum food and beverage spend you're contractually committed to. Attrition: the minimum room/revenue commitment, with penalties for shortfalls.

Document and Process Terms

RFP (Request for Proposal): the briefing document planners send to hotels. BEO (Banquet Event Order): the hotel's internal document confirming all event details — the legally binding operative document. ROS (Run of Show): the minute-by-minute event day script. LOI (Letter of Intent): non-binding indication of intent to book, sometimes requested by hotels before issuing a full proposal. GDSS (Global Distribution System): the hotel booking platforms (GDS) where corporate rates are loaded.

AV and Technology Terms

AV (Audiovisual): all sound and visual equipment. FOH (Front of House): the audience-facing setup (screens, speakers). BOH (Back of House): the technical area behind the scenes. LED Wall: large-format display made of LED panels — more expensive than projection, brighter and sharper. PTZ Camera: pan-tilt-zoom camera — used for hybrid events without a camera operator.

Venue and Capacity Terms

PAX: number of persons/delegates. Theatre: rows of chairs with no tables — maximum density. Classroom: tables and chairs in rows — allows note-taking. U-Shape: open rectangular arrangement for interactive workshops. Cabaret: round tables with chairs on 3 sides — collaborative format. Pleniere: French for plenary session. Breakout: smaller room or group for workshops within a larger conference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does DDR stand for in events?

DDR stands for Day Delegate Rate — the all-inclusive per-person daily price for conference packages, typically including room hire, AV, Wi-Fi, and all-day F&B.

What is BAFO in hotel negotiations?

BAFO stands for Best And Final Offer — the final price submitted by a hotel after a competitive negotiation process. Requesting a BAFO from 2–3 shortlisted hotels is standard professional practice.

What is a BEO in hotel events?

A BEO (Banquet Event Order) is the hotel's internal operative document that confirms all details of your event — timings, room setup, F&B quantities, AV requirements, and billing instructions. It is the legally binding confirmation of what the hotel will deliver.

What is PAX in event planning?

PAX (from Latin 'pax', peace) is the industry shorthand for 'number of persons' or delegates. A '100 PAX conference' means an event for 100 people.

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