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Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

This glossary provides definitions for key terms used throughout the Gala Ticket Platform. Understanding these terms will help you navigate the platform effectively.


Core Concepts

Organization

The top-level entity that hosts events. An organization represents the event organizer (e.g., "The Pink Gala Foundation"). Organizations can manage multiple events and have their own branding, contact information, and administrative team.

Event

A specific gala instance with a date, venue, and ticket inventory. Each event belongs to an organization and has its own set of tables, guests, orders, and pricing tiers.

Table

The primary unit of seating inventory. Tables have a fixed capacity (typically 10 seats) and come in two types:

  • Prepaid Table: The Table Host pays for all seats upfront. Guests are then invited to claim their complimentary seats.
  • Captain's Table: The Table Captain creates the table but each guest pays for their own seat when they join.

Seat

A position at a table that can be assigned to a guest. Seats are tracked through Guest Assignments.

Guest Assignment

The record that links a person (User) to a specific seat at a table. A Guest Assignment tracks:

  • Who is sitting in the seat (the assignee)
  • Who paid for the seat (the purchaser)
  • Dietary restrictions and preferences
  • Check-in status

Order

A purchase transaction processed through Stripe. Orders track:

  • What was purchased (tickets, tables, donations)
  • Payment amount and status
  • The purchaser's information

Tier

Ticket pricing levels that may offer different benefits. Common tiers include:

  • Standard: Basic event admission
  • VIP: Premium seating or additional perks
  • VVIP: Exclusive benefits and prime positioning

User Roles

Guest

Any person assigned to a seat at a table. Guests can:

  • View their seat assignment and table details
  • Update their dietary restrictions and display name
  • Reassign their seat to someone else
  • Remove themselves from a seat (if they were invited and did not pay)

Table Host (Prepaid Tables)

The primary owner of a Prepaid Table who pays for all seats. Hosts can:

  • Manage the entire table and all seats
  • Assign guests to empty seats
  • Reassign or remove guests
  • Set a custom welcome message for the table

Table Captain (Captain's Tables)

The organizer of a Captain's Table who recruits guests. Captains can:

  • Invite guests to join their table (guests pay for their own seats)
  • View all guests at their table
  • Edit table settings and welcome message
  • Remove guests from seats they assigned (but not self-paying guests)

Organization Admin

A platform administrator for a specific organization. Admins can:

  • Access the Admin Dashboard
  • Manage all tables and guests for their events
  • View orders and financial reports
  • Configure event settings
  • Send communications to attendees

Super Admin

A global platform administrator with unrestricted access across all organizations and events.


Table Types

Prepaid Table

A table where the Host pays for all seats upfront during purchase. After purchase:

  1. The Host receives a dashboard link to manage their table
  2. Empty seats appear as "Available" for assignment
  3. The Host can claim their own seat and assign guests to remaining seats
  4. Guests receive invitation emails and can claim their complimentary seats
  5. No additional payment is required from guests

Best for: Corporate sponsors, families, or groups where one person covers all costs.

Captain's Table

A table where each guest pays for their own seat as they join. The flow:

  1. The Captain creates the table (often at no cost or a small deposit)
  2. The Captain shares an invitation link with friends and colleagues
  3. Guests use the link to purchase their own tickets
  4. Purchased guests are automatically seated at the Captain's table

Best for: Friend groups, colleagues, or communities who want to sit together but pay individually.


Actions & Operations

Claim Seat

When an invited guest takes an "Available" seat on a Prepaid Table. This confirms their attendance and allows them to set dietary preferences.

Purchase Seat

When someone joins a Captain's Table by buying an individual seat. They are automatically assigned to an empty spot at that table.

Assign Guest

When a ticket purchaser (Owner) adds someone to a seat they purchased by entering their name and email.

Reassign Seat

Changing who occupies a seat. This can be done by the purchaser (Owner) or the person currently in the seat.

Remove Guest

Removing a person from their seat, making it available for reassignment. Note: Self-paying guests (those who purchased their own ticket) can only be removed by administrators.

Mark as My Ticket

Designating one of your purchased tickets as your personal seat. This helps distinguish which ticket you'll use versus tickets you purchased for others.


Payment Concepts

Self-Pay Guest

A guest who purchased their own ticket. Self-pay guests have special protections:

  • Cannot be removed by table captains (only by admins)
  • Cannot be reassigned by others
  • Cannot "remove themselves" from a seat (must reassign instead)
  • Have full control over their own seat

Purchaser

The person who paid for a ticket or table. The purchaser:

  • Has control over unassigned seats from their order
  • Can assign and reassign tickets they purchased
  • Receives purchase confirmation and receipts

Unassigned Seat

A purchased seat that has not yet been assigned to a specific guest. Unassigned seats:

  • Show as "Guest Ticket" or "Available"
  • Can only be assigned by the purchaser or table owner
  • Remain available until the purchaser assigns someone

Access & Authentication

Customer Token

A secure, long-lived access code that grants access to your dashboards. Tokens:

  • Are embedded in email links (no password required)
  • Last for 180 days
  • Provide access to all your tables and tickets
  • Can be recovered via the "Send me a login link" feature

Magic Link

A passwordless login link sent to your email. Clicking the link authenticates you automatically and redirects to your dashboard.

Table Dashboard

The management page for a specific table. Accessed via /dashboard/table/[table-slug]. Shows:

  • Table details and guest list
  • Seat management controls
  • Event information

Tickets Dashboard

The page showing all tickets you own or are assigned to. Accessed via /dashboard/tickets. Shows:

  • All your ticket assignments across events
  • Purchase history
  • Ability to manage unassigned tickets

Reference Codes

Table Reference Code

A unique identifier for a table in the format YY-TNNN (e.g., 25-T001). Used for:

  • External tracking and sync with spreadsheets
  • Quick table identification
  • Support inquiries

Guest Reference Code

A unique identifier for a guest in the format GNNNN (e.g., G0042). Used for:

  • Event check-in
  • Support inquiries
  • External tracking

Status Terms

Active

A table or event that is live and accepting guests/purchases.

Completed Order

A purchase that has been successfully processed and paid.

Checked In

A guest who has arrived at the event and been marked as present.


Communication Terms

Seat Confirmation Email

Sent to guests when they are assigned to or claim a seat. Contains:

  • Event details
  • Table information (if assigned)
  • Access link to manage their seat

Invitation Email

Sent when a Host/Captain assigns someone to a seat. Invites the recipient to claim their seat and provide their details.

Purchase Confirmation Email

Sent immediately after a successful purchase. Contains:

  • Order summary and receipt
  • Access link to the dashboard
  • Next steps for managing tickets/table

For more detailed guides on specific topics, see the User Guides Index. Still have questions? Contact us at hello@avenirthinking.com.

Still need help? Contact the event organizers directly.

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