Industry professionals’ perceptions of sustainability in meeting and event education

ABSTRACT

The size of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events/Exhibitions (MICE) industry, and its popularity as a career choice are growing, along with the number of MICE college programs. Although the industry has begun to recognize its impact on sustainability, and is increasing efforts to improve sustainability-related practices, there is a lack of research on MICE education about sustainability. This study examines MICE professionals’ perceptions about sustainability in meeting and event education in order to help MICE educators equip students with the knowledge that is pertinent to their future. In-depth interviews with 10 MICE professionals show that they think students should learn about sustainability not only as a general concept but also as a business case for meeting and events. Measuring and tracking impacts were also important. The interviewees had mixed views about the industry’s current sustainability practices. Several practical recommendations for MICE educators, and future research topics are discussed.     

Government Intervention in the Australasian Meetings,Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions Industry (MICE)

Abstract

The meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Australasia is continuing to expand, and for those working in the industry, its contribution to the economy is beyond doubt. The first section of the paper addresses the roles of governments in MICE and identifies the perceptions of the industry of government involvement. It makes recommendations on how industry can become more active in lobbying governments. The second section investigates the concept of market failure in the Australian MICE sector and identifies the schemes of Australian governments designed to assist the industry. The third section reports the findings of a survey of seven member organizations of the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (ACVB) and identifies government support schemes as well as problems facing the MICE industry in Asia.     

The Future of the Meeting,Incentive, Convention,and Exhibition (MICE) Industry Buyer-Seller Relationship

ABSTRACT

Business on the Internet and in the MICE industry are both experiencing rapid development. The construction of dedicated-convention centers, usually by the public sector, in large cities reflects this trend. In order to obtain a return on investment in the competitive MICE market, centers must competitively market themselves on the global stage, and the World Wide Web has provided the ideal vehicle. Findings from this study indicate that while the Internet and the Web are providing branding and information services, to date, clients still prefer printed promotional material and personal interface as a way of doing business. In the MICE market, marketing collateral appears to have a very short shelf life, with updates having resource implications for each center.     

Development of MICE Tourism in Australia

Abstract

The meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector is one of the more rapidly growing market segments of Australian tourism. While demand for this form of tourism is increasing, there are several issues on the supply side which must be addressed. The paper identifies five key challenges relating to promoting cooperative behaviour among industry stakeholders, government support, infrastructure, training and service and marketing which must be met to maximise the scale and scope of these benefits. The paper discusses these issues in turn and assesses the implications for stakeholders in both the public and private sector. It concludes with some observations regarding the development of MICE tourism in Australia.     

A Review of MICE Industry Evaluation and Research in Asia and Australia 1988-1998

Abstract

This paper reviews research in the MICE sector from 1988 to 1998 and identifies a number of problems and issues. Current research efforts focus mainly on direct economic impact, with some efforts in Australia to estimate the indirect and induced effects generated by the MICE industry. A more comprehensive research agenda to address the wider management, industrial and technological dimensions is proposed, with an acknowledgment that some research has already been completed in important areas which could provide a model for future research in Asia and Australia.     

Market Segmentation in Time of Crisis

SUMMARY

The MICE sector (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions), has generated high foreign exchange revenue for the economy worldwide. In Thailand, MICE tourists are recognized as 'quality' visitors, mainly because of their high-spending potential. Nonetheless, Thailand's MICE sector has been influenced by a number of crises in the past since September 11, 2001. While a number of researchers have discussed the tourism market segmentation strategies during a crisis situation, less effort has focused on the MICE sector. Using Thailand as a case study, this research has adopted Seaton and Bennett's (1996, p. 31) concept of tourism market segmentation in order to understand the market segmentation strategy implemented by organizations in the MICE sector in time of crisis.     

Where the World Meets

Abstract

Singapore's meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition industry (MICE) attracts over 4,000 events and over 400,000 foreign participants every year. Since 1982, Singapore has been the top convention destination in Asia and today ranks among the top ten in the world. An assessment of Singapore MICE attractiveness shows that while the country has many strengths, particularly infrastructure and management, it has a number of weaknesses, as well, including limited entertainment and cultural attractions. Further analysis shows that much of Singapore's success has been based on regional meetings, rather than truly global events. As regional competition heats up, Singapore will need to better develop the global market. To do this Singapore is attempting to leverage its well developed transportation, hospitality and human resources, along with its role as a regional and global economic center.     

Taking the Classroom into the Real World

Abstract

The increase in number of international tourist arrivals, the holding of the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, and a solid domestic tourism industry has had an effect on the meetings, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) industry in Australia, worth A$7 billion in 1996/1997. To meet this increasing demand from the industry to train professionals for the tourism and hospitality industry, some institutions are offering specialized subjects to prepare students for employment in the MICE industry. One of the inherent problems in teaching such a subject is to introduce a practical and experiential element. This has been addressed successfully over the past two years by offering students an opportunity to take part as delegates attending a specifically designed conference while spending a night at one of the many 5-star international hotel properties with convention facilities on the Gold Coast. In 1999, 135 students stayed at an international 5-star hotel, with the hotel cooperating with the university to provide a full-day conference on conference management, including hotel inspections and workshops. Students were assessed on their experiences at the hotel with the completion of a semester report and a questionnaire on the perceptions of their stay. Almost three-fourths of the students surveyed responded that they had benefited from the visit by being able to apply theoretical concepts to real life scenarios and that this enhanced their individual understanding of the subject.     

The Effect of Cross-Industry Cooperation on Performance in the Airline Industry

Summary

Airline services are one part of the inter-connected network of travel services. Brandenburger and Nalebuff (1995, 1996) suggested that firms may add value to their offerings by cooperating with other members of a firm's value net (competitors, substitutors, customers, and suppliers). In a 14-year longitudinal study, this paper explores the evolution of cooperative relationships between members of the U.S. domestic airline industry and other firms outside the U.S. domestic airline industry, with the goal of identifying performance effects associated with such cooperative alliances. Results of the pooled, cross-sectional time series regression indicate that cooperative alliances outside the U.S. airline industry contribute positively to performance when environments are rapidly changing and variable.     

A Proposed Research Agenda for the Refinement of the High Performance Work System Construct in the U.S. Restaurant Industry

Abstract

The current research proposes a framework for the investigation and conceptualization of high performance work systems in the U.S. restaurant industry. The projected U.S. restaurant industry sales for 2006 are $511.1 billion according to the National Restaurant Association (National Restaurant Association, 2005). Because of its size and impact on the foodservice industry and the hospitality industry in general, improving the performance of the restaurant industry could help increase overall revenues and guest satisfaction in the foodservice and hospitality industry. By identifying a list of high performance work practices in the industry, a more in-depth exploration of these practices and then organizational policies can be aligned together to help improve overall performance in the U.S. restaurant industry. The current study provides theoretical background and support for the high performance work systems theory.     

Casinos and Conventions

ABSTRACT

The casino industry has always relied on the leisure traveler whose primary motivation is to gamble. Thus, one would expect the casino and convention industries to operate in totally different arenas. This was the case until the mid-1990s. Today, the casino industry is embracing the convention industry and constructing facilities to meet the needs of the convention and meeting attendee. This article starts by setting up the framework for this dichotomy between the two industries by tracing the history of casino gaming in the U.S. Discussion leads to a review of how and why there was a lack of conventions/meetings business in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The article then goes on to review specific development of the conventions/meetings business in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other jurisdictions. It concludes with a prognosis about the future along with opportunities for future research.     

区域间投入产出模型(IRIO)的我国会展业经济影响分析

在事件活动领域,相对于体育活动,关于会展活动经济影响的研究较为薄弱。如何将与会展相关的产业和区域全部纳入其中以避免失真和漏损,是会展经济影响研究的难点之一。该研究首次运用区域间投入产出模型(IRIO),通过将波及的12个产业部门进行归并,计算了我国30个省区会展产业的区域及区域间影响力,并以广交会为案例,进行了会展间接经济影响的实证分析。研究结果显示:我国会展业对国民经济具有较强的拉动作用,而且几乎所有的省区都会产生相互间的波及效应;在总产出层面,会展产业的影响力在东部沿海和中西部地区表现出较为明显的差异性;我国会展业还有一定的发展空间。案例研究表明,第104届广交会的间接经济影响约为162.43亿元(其中广东占比最高,为35.09%),直接与间接效应之比为1:2.94;批发和零售贸易业等五个产业部门受广交会影响较大,合计占比为77%。     

The Use of Information and Communications Technology by the European Meetings,Incentives, Conferences,and Exhibitions (MICE) Sectors

ABSTRACT

In their quest to operate ever more effectively, efficiently, and rapidly, those active in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sectors have readily welcomed advances in information and communications technology (ICT) and used them to the fullest. This article begins with an overview of the main uses to which the meetings, exhibitions, and incentive sectors have put ICT products and services. It then examines the evidence which gives some indication of the limits to growth regarding the rate at which MICE sectors may continue to adopt these products and services. Subsequently, the potential of ICT to actually displace and replace travel for business-related purposes will be considered. Finally, this paper provides a discussion of the results of a quantitative survey undertaken by the authors, demonstrating the extent of current and future use of ICT in the European MICE sectors.     

Recap of 2019 IAEE Expo Expo

Abstract

This paper is a summary of the 2019 International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), EXPO! EXPO! Annual Meeting and Exhibition held in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 3–5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The Convention included a program for both Meeting/Event Management faculty and students pursuing degrees in the Meetings Incentive Conventions & Events, (MICE) industry     

城市会展业资金类政策传播研究——以广州、深圳、东莞为例

我国会展业资金类政策已经成为地方政府间相互效仿和借鉴的典型政策,传播速度快、范围广,某种程度上被认为是城市会展业竞争的必要条件之一.然而,会展业带有很强的产业特征,政府与业界对此类政策的目标与功效并不清晰,其效仿和传播还在继续蔓延与扩大.可以说,在中国情境下,各地方政府采纳此类政策的原因及影响因素以及如何作出理论解释尚不清晰.因此,文章一脉相承于前人的研究,同时运用内部决定模型和传播模型探究中国情境之下会展业资金类政策的传播原因及政府采纳该项创新政策的影响因素.文章运用质性研究方法收集数据,得出四点结论:第一,地方政府采纳会展业资金类政策是由内外部因素共同决定的,也进一步证实了国外学者提出的不能割裂内部决定模型和传播模型的结论.第二,内部因素主要包括受会展业带动效应的驱动、通过扶持展会数量进而带动质量的发展倾向、表明政府态度和增强行业信心的需要、体现会展业在城市发展中的地位；外部因素包括学习、竞争、压力.第三,由于效果感知模糊,地方政府在出台此类政策时存在非理性的比拼式竞争,主要源于效仿和学习.第四,政府方纠结于矛盾与反思之中,一方面认识到资金补贴并非最重要的因素,但另一方面倘若没有资金支持政策又有可能陷入不作为、不竞争的境地.     

Learning about the real-world in MICE education: The case of exhibition learning from Thailand

Abstract

The use of experiential learning in tourism and hospitality education is well-documented in literature. Experiential learning studies in this field may include, for example, internship experiences, field trip perceptions, conferences, and social events. However, there is still insufficient literature to understand students’ learning and their real-world experience in MICE education, especially in the exhibition sector. This study, therefore, addresses this gap by reporting the experiential learning of graduate students in an event course with the objectives to investigate student perceptions on academic learning experiences and the development of work-related skills by carrying out the exhibition project. Students are challenged to perform a complicated task as a real exhibition organizer, and to deal with other stakeholders of the exhibition industry (e.g., exhibition venue, exhibitors, contractors, and visitors). The experiential learning method is discussed through the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process. The results indicate that students not only gained in-depth learning about the exhibition industry, but also developed important work skills (e.g., teamwork, planning, and coordinating skills). Moreover, classroom learning, industry visits, and real-world experience are found to be the important factors contributing to exhibition learning. The current study contributes to the limited exhibition learning literature and provides event educators new insights into the teaching and learning of exhibition-based projects in regard to how students plan, learn and carry out the exhibition event through the case of Thailand. Other similar courses may apply the learning processes and results of this study to develop effective experiential learning in MICE education.     

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.     

Information Technology and Service Standards in MICE Tourism

Abstract

The meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) sector of tourism is growing rapidly worldwide and particularly in the Asia Pacific region. One of the important challenges posed by rapid growth of this sector is to maintain service standards in a context of intense competition for this form of tourism. In particular, the development of skills in information technology is regarded as essential to the provision of quality service to tourists. After providing a brief outline of the MICE sector and its major stakeholders, the paper proceeds to highlight the importance of information technology in tourism generally and MICE tourism specifically. It then addresses issues of concern and identifies areas for further research to help the nation's MICE sector achieve competitive advantage.     

Examining the link between meetings,incentive, exhibitions,and conventions (MICE) and tourism demand using generalized methods of moments (GMM): the case of Singapore

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of meetings, incentive, exhibitions, and conventions (MICE) on tourism demand in Singapore over a period of 10 years (2003–2012). Past studies have shown that MICE matters a great deal to host destinations but researchers have rarely conducted any empirical research to verify the significance of this sector to tourism demand. Our study intends to fill the gap by using Difference and System generalized methods of moments (GMM) estimators for dynamic panel models. Tourism demand is measured by tourist arrivals from the top 30 origins, and the influence of real income of the tourist generating country and real exchange rate is also examined. The GMM results show a significant positive relationship between tourism demand and MICE (with international meetings as proxies). Additionally, the findings reveal that tourism demand growth is significantly positive (negative) with respect to changes in income (relative prices). The coefficient of lagged tourist arrivals indicates a high level of habit persistence and revisiting.