Be aware that the following terms sometimes may be used somewhat interchangeably. But here is a definition of the difference among the various types of educational gatherings. Conventions are gatherings that generally involve the transaction of organizational busi- ness such as the election of officers; many conventions also have a component of education or professional development. Conferences are similar to conventions, though conferences transfer the focus away from organizational business and toward professional development and education. Councils are meetings with a policy-setting agenda. Convocations, synods and conclaves are formal conventions, often with a religious or academic purpose.