Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

FRONT OFFICE SEMANTICS
Professional association:
Group of persons who affiliate to promote common interests (which may or
may not include business).
There are thousands of business groups whose members have formed a trade
association to advance their own business and industry goals. Examples in the hos-
pitality industry include the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Groups such as these may have
national, regional, and state chapters, all of which may convene meetings.
OVERVIEW OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY
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FRONT OFFICE SEMANTICS
Trade association:
Group of persons who affiliate because of common business or industry concerns.
Chapter (association):
Group that is a subset of an association. Chapters are often formed on the basis
of geography (e.g., a state association chapter is a subset of a national association).
The market for government meetings is also large. Government agencies and
employees at the federal, state, and local levels meet for training, policy development, and
planning purposes. There are also a wide variety of nonprofit organizations that advance
a cause of interest to the membership. Examples include the United Auto Workers (a
labor union) and the Sierra Club (a group that advances environmental causes).
Businesses meet in convention hotels and conference centers to provide training,
to introduce new products to sales personnel, to plan strategies, and to reward
employees or customers. Transportation, lodging, and dining expenses related to
meetings for business purposes may be tax deductible. Many companies plan meet-
ings to allow attendees to mix business with pleasure. Meeting sites are selected that
can service meetings and provide minivacations for employees and customers.