Banquets have a long history dating back to ancient times. In the 16th century, banquets evolved from a formal meal to also include entertainment and socializing in separate rooms. Over time, banquets grew more intimate and varied in location. Today, banquets serve many purposes from business meetings to celebrations and are no longer confined just to formal meals but can occur at any time. Large banquets and formal dinners have also become popular events outside of conferences and conventions as a way to celebrate films, TV shows, and bring fans together for socializing. These non-convention banquets have grown in popularity and shown that successful formal gatherings no longer need to be tied specifically to conferences or conventions.