What is a Tent pole moment?

At a marketing meeting a speaker used the term tent pole moment.

I have no idea what she meant. Is anyone familiar with the phrase?


If you are a camper, erecting your tent, the moment when you insert the center pole is critical to the stability of the entire tent. It is the same as a "sink or swim" moment.


In the film industry, we talk about tent-pole movies, ones with broad, universal themes that everyone can relate to, and which can be expected to pull in diverse audiences. But there are also tent-pole moments in scripts, scenes that are pivotal, though often understated, that touch on universal themes and resonate deeply with people.