Non-ProZ.com Oct 15, 2004:

Many, many thanks to everyone who answered this question!
My points go to CMJ, for in the end this is the answer that was the most helpful, even though my question was actually about the redundancy of unanimously and around the world�
I agree with the interpretation of audience here as �interet port� � qqch� (although, for the record, my �bog-standard� dic. Petit Robert also defines audience as �Ceux � qui on donne audience ou qui assistent � une audience�) J
Speaking of audience, I wholeheartedly agree that a conference has attendees and participants, Jane, although I see participant as someone more active in the conference � say, a speaker, not someone who simply goes to listen to the speakers. But there is indeed also such a thing as a �conference audience�, simply another way of saying the attendees or conference-goers, and there are oodles of excellent sources to back this up.
e.g. from the National Society of Genetic Counselors� site
�Information About the Conference Audience: Genetic counselors are health professionals with Master�s degrees and have experience in the areas of medical genetics and counselling��
Thanks again to all for your help on this question.