What Does PAX Mean in Event Planning?
If you are new to meeting and event planning, you may see the term “PAX” used on banquet menus, proposals, event orders and transportation schedules.
PAX is an industry abbreviation used to describe the number of people attending a meeting, meal, activity or other event function.
For example:
50 PAX means 50 people
Dinner for 100 PAX means dinner for 100 guests
Transportation for 25 PAX means the vehicle must accommodate 25 passengers
Hotels and event suppliers may use PAX when discussing banquet guarantees, meeting-room capacities, seating arrangements, tours and transportation.
Does PAX refer to guestrooms?
No. PAX refers to the number of people, not the number of guestrooms.
For example, a group may have 100 PAX attending the meeting but require only 75 guestrooms because some attendees are sharing rooms or live locally.
Who should be included in the PAX count?
Your PAX count may need to include more than registered attendees. Depending on the function, it could also include:
Speakers
Executives
Staff members
Exhibitors or sponsors
Vendors
Entertainers
Drivers or guides
Always confirm who needs to be included when providing a final attendance guarantee. An accurate PAX count helps the hotel prepare the correct amount of food, staffing, seating and event supplies.
Need help getting started?
You do not need to have every detail figured out before requesting assistance. If your meeting requires 10 or more guestrooms on peak night, I can help you identify the information needed to begin, build the request for proposal, source hotel options and negotiate the contract.
Complete my Meeting Request Form with the information you currently have, and we can refine the details together as your program develops.
Global Event Prof is operated by Jen Cease, CMP, CMP-HC, who is also an independent associate of ConferenceDirect. Hotel sourcing and contracting services are provided through ConferenceDirect.
