Perceptions of Convention Destinations

Abstract

This paper discusses the perceptions of North American convention destinations as held by association meeting planners. Based on a primary survey of meeting planners, it reveals distinct differences between the destinations. The comparative analysis of large-half and small-half meeting planners discloses a few significant differences with respect to which decision attributes are important in choosing a convention destination. However, hardly any differences exist in the perceptions of the destinations themselves between the two groups of meeting planners.     

Kelo

Abstract

Cities spend billions of dollars to build or expand convention centers (Sanders, 2005). To cities with ailing downtowns, the lure of the convention business has long been something coveted by local politicians as a means to rejuvenate these markets. Now local governments wishing to expand their convention business by rejuvinating an ailing downtown market, and thus making their citiy more attractive to convention planners, may have another weapon in their arsenal in the form of “public use” under government's eminent domain power.     

Exploring Content and Design Factors Associated with Convention and Visitors Bureau Web Site Development

Abstract

Convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) have become important organizations within the tourism industry. The International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB) reported that it represents approximately 500 destination management organizations in 30 countries (IACVB, 2003). As one of the most important components of the tourism industry in the United States, the Convention and Visitors Bureau performs various activities to facilitate destination marketing and development, with the aim of enticing leisure and convention customers to their particular city or region. Meanwhile, meeting planners are using technology to enhance their ability to produce and execute meetings that demonstrate a high return on investment. Consequently, CVBs' websites have enormous potential in selling a destination and facilitating the meeting/convention planning process. This paper explores the content and design factors associated with convention and visitors bureau web site development. It also demonstrates how planners utilize the Internet and CVB websites.     

Study on the Degree of Importance of Convention Service Factors

ABSTRACT

As customers come to understand that service is one of the most important industry products, identifying customer needs and providing what they want will be essential to a successful approach in service-related industries. In consideration of the increased importance of service in the convention industry, this article identifies convention service factors and provides statistical analysis based on data from the actual industry. The results of this research will enhance an understanding of the factors used by customers to evaluate the quality of convention service and help planners improve their performance in the planning of conventions.     

Revisiting Determinants of Convention Participation Decision Making

In the midst of the unprecedented economic downturn, attracting a large number of attendees at annual conventions is more challenging than ever for associations and meeting planners. In order to boost attendance, an organization must understand what would be the factors affecting convention participation decision of potential delegates, and what would be the reasons to put a particular convention on the top of their must-attend list. This article empirically validated the key determinants of convention participation decision making that had arisen from previous studies, and further examined the relative influence of each factor on the convention participation intention. Four determinants were identified (networking, destination, travelability, education), and they are largely in line with the major factors that had been suggested in the extant literature. The findings of the study showed that “networking” and “travelability” factors significantly influenced the convention participation intention of the survey respondents. Several implications and convention marketing strategies for associations and meeting planners were discussed.     

Dress for success: the effect of exhibitors’ dress conformity and self-construal on attendees’ approach behavior

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the current study is to investigate how attendees’ approach behavior is influenced by exhibitors’ dress conformity. A 2 × 2 between-subjects quasi-experimental design was utilized for this study. Our results showed that conforming dress for exhibitors can lead to a higher level of approach behavior of trade show attendees as compared with nonconforming dress, and the effect of exhibitors’ dress styles on approach behavior is moderated by attendees’ self-construal. Findings of this study provide significant insights for trade show exhibitors and attendees.     

Determinants of convention attendees’ willingness to pay for additional programs

Abstract

Prior to developing addition programs in a convention a convention organizer wants to identify attendees’ willingness to participate in the program. One of the most important factors which lead to their participation is price. Therefore, this study aimed to explore factors which can determine convention participants’ willingness to pay for additional programs. According to the results of binary logistic regression analysis, attendees who wanted to expand their knowledge and socialization showed a willingness to pay for extra programs for post-conference local tours. Based on investigating the significance level (p?<?.001) women showed a higher intention to pay for the extra programs than men did. Those who had their own company had a higher intention to pay for the 1:1 private golf lesson with a former LPGA star than did those who were working for a private company or others. Results of this study help development of additional programs in a convention.     

参展商参展决策研究——以东莞展览会为例

本文以展览业发达的东莞为研究样地,探究参展商参展决策权衡、评估的主要因素以及类型各异的参展商不同的参展决策.研究表明,参展商参展决策主要是对主办方、专业观众、同行参展商、举办地、外在因素这5个指标权衡、评估的过程,其中主办方的声誉、交通、展览会举办区域是参展商参展决策最重要的3个因素.从决策过程来看,参展商分为理智型、大众型、尝试型3种类型.     

Understanding Associations and Their Conference Decision-Making Processes

Abstract

A critical question for organizations and businesses involved in destination marketing and the provision of services for conferences and meetings is how associations decide where to hold their conferences and meetings. An understanding of these decision-making processes could provide valuable insights into how a destination can best promote themselves to this sector. The aims of the study presented in this paper were to identify the decision processes of association conference planners and to explore the attributes that they consider important when organizing a conference. The study used in-depth interviews with association conference organizers who had either planned an event in a regional Australian center during 2003 or who were currently in the process of planning for a future event to be held in that destination. The interviews revealed that while similar attributes were important to all planners, their importance differed between different types of associations. Major findings from the study included the importance of the bid process and the use of committees for the planning and organizing of tasks. Budget constraints were also a major component of the decision-process, as a majority of the associations studied were non-profit organizations. The venue was the most important attribute regarding the decision of host destination. The study concludes with an expanded model for convention planner decision processes based on Crouch and Ritchie's 1998 model.     

FROM THE EDITOR

Abstract

Thailand has some of the finest conference venues in Southeast Asia, and the convention/exhibition industry is important to the development of the nation's overall tourism industry. The convention/exhibition industry is good for the tourism industry, because it helps to enhance the quality of accommodations, hospitality, and services that are located in such an exotic location. Also, it stimulates the convention/exhibition industry investment in terms of associated facilities and services. An analysis of the performance of the convention and exhibition industry in 1996 and 1997 was conducted in this paper. The results solidly suggest that Thailand has a strong convention and exhibition industry which should produce substantial economic impact in the years ahead. Recommendations for future research are also provided.     

Estimating the Economic Impact of Convention and Exhibition Businesses,Using a Regional Input–Output Model: A Case Study of the Daejeon Convention Center in South Korea

Past research on the economic impact of convention and exhibition businesses has neglected disaggregated expenditures of these consumer groups. The primary reason for this neglect is that estimating the economic impacts of these businesses is complicated and requires comprehensive surveys of various consumer groups. Thus, this study estimated expenditures based on surveys to different consumers such as convention and exhibition visitors, convention and exhibition organizers, and exhibitors. This study also employed a regional input–output (I–O) model and then matched the types of expenditure patterns with the I–O table. Survey results show that exhibition visitors spent the largest amount (US$153 million), followed by convention attendees (US$48 million), convention organizers (US$47 million), exhibition organizers (US$3.3 million), and exhibitors (US$2.8 million). The results of the I–O model indicate that the Daejeon Convention Center generated US$488 million of output impact, US$102 million of income impact, US$233 million of value added impact, and 10,211 jobs.     

Convention and Exhibition Center Development in Korea

Abstract

As Korea comes increasingly into the spotlight with globally recognized events and its heightened importance as an international business destination, the demand for the modern and innovative convention and exhibition facilities has increased. This paper provides an overview of Korea's convention and exhibition industry, with a special focus on the development of convention and exhibition centers. Following the delineation of the boom of convention and exhibition center development, it concludes with some pertinent issues.     

Impact of clusters on exhibition destination attractiveness: Evidence from Mainland China

Clusters, as concentrations of businesses in particular localities, may explain the spatial distribution of exhibitions, and exhibition destination attractiveness (Rubalcaba-Bermejo & Cuadrado-Roura, 1995). Drawing on Porter’s (1998a) cluster theory in the context of the exhibition industry in Mainland China, this study tests and confirms the validity of this proposition. A mixed method approach was employed that involved in-depth interviews with 32 exhibitors and a survey of 616 exhibitors to 1) establish what constitutes ‘clusters’ in an exhibition context and develop appropriate measurements, and 2) assess to what extent ‘clusters’ contribute to exhibition destination attractiveness. The study developed measures for and confirmed two distinct cluster effects – ‘leadership of the host city in the industry’ and ‘host city as a source of exhibitors.’ Both cluster effects had a significant influence on exhibitors’ perceived destination attractiveness, with other destination factors being less important, in a marked contrast to convention destination attractiveness. Implications of the study results are discussed and directions for future research provided.     

The Great Halls of China? Meeting Planners’ Perceptions of Beijing as an International Convention Destination

This research focused on meeting planners’ perceptions about selecting Beijing as an international convention destination. Twenty-three convention destination site selection criteria organized into five categories were identified. It was found that, with respect to Beijing, the importance of site selection criteria has changed since the late 1990s, with meeting planners now attaching more weight to the quality of convention services, quality of convention planning assistance, and city image. The meeting planners who had previously held international conventions in Beijing attached greater importance to research and development cooperation opportunities and choice of accommodations than those who had not. They rated Beijing's performance lower on the convenience of the application process (required by Chinese governments) and government support. It was concluded that Beijing needs to improve most on the quality of convention services and convention planning assistance, and by relaxing government policies related to the holding of international conventions.     

Towards a Conceptual Framework for Assessing Community Attractiveness for Conventions

Abstract

The convention, exposition, and meeting industry (CEMI) has been growing at an unprecedented rate with cities of all sizes building or expanding their convention centers. While the cities may or may not have made good decisions, the underlying base for these judgements has not taken into account those characteristics of the city that convention attendees deem important. This research fills this void by delineating sixteen different city traits that impact on conventioneer destination attractiveness and develops scales for each. For each scale, applications to major convention cities are provided as examples. The framework provides an empirical base for convention decision making that was not previously possible. The extant research offers a means by which convention center operators and city policy makers can compare themselves to other cities or centers and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, entities using this approach can better position themselves in the market with a resulting increase in success with conventions.     

Development of the Convention Industry in Korea

ABSTRACT

The convention industry in Korea has experienced a rapid development, and the hosting of international meetings and events has emerged as a major business in Korea's tourism industry. This paper provides an overview of the development of the convention industry in Korea and assesses the current convention market by applying SWOT analysis. The country's current marketing strategies are also evaluated. The analysis suggests that Korea has great opportunities to emerge as a new international convention destination in the 21st century. The future growth of Korea's convention industry depends on whether the country can manage the challenges better than competitors with effective marketing strategies.     

Convention Services Management in Sydney Four to Five Star Hotels

Abstract

Little empirical research has been conducted in the field of Convention Services Management within the hotel sector. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that sought to investigate the role and function of the convention services department and the convention services manager in four and five star hotels in Sydney.

It identifies the role of convention services and convention services management within this sector of the hotel industry. From a convenience sample of four and five star hotels within Sydney City District, data was obtained through face-to-face taped interviews supported by the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis of the data reveals a trend towards increasingly shorter lead times for conference bookings, an eclectic mix of personnel assuming the responsibility of the convention service department. The study confirmed, from those interviewed, that convention services management within these organisations remains firmly entrenched in the traditional structures; hierarchical with clearly segregated divisions by occupational specialisation.     

Evaluation of Web Site Performance: Korean Convention Centers

With strong government support for the convention industry, several international-scale convention centers have been established in major cities in Korea. The convention centers have developed Web sites as an online marketing tool for meeting planners. The purpose of the study is to identify and compare the current performance level of the Korean convention centers' Web sites and to provide useful strategies to improve Web site performance. The results revealed that the Korean convention centers should improve the customer- and marketing-related aspects on their Web sites among four perspectives in Web site performance evaluation. Recommendations are made on how the Korean convention centers can improve the effectiveness of the Web sites.     

Meeting planners’ use and evaluation of convention and visitor bureaus

The MICE industry represents one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Yet, it is only in recent years that the economic contribution of this industry segment has been recognized and the relationships among the various industry players have been examined in more depth. This study focuses on the relationship between meeting planners and convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs). Results of the study indicate that association meeting planners utilize CVBs more frequently than corporate planners. Meeting planners mainly use free rather than fee-based CVB services, with destination information and referral services being the most popular. The desire to deal directly with suppliers represents the major reason for meeting planners bypassing CVBs in their convention/meeting planning. Implications of the study results are discussed.