A Temporal Analysis of Conference Venue Refurbishment Within the U.K. Conference Sector

Abstract

This paper examines conference venue refurbishments within purpose-built venues, hotels, educational establishments, and visitor attractions across the U.K. conference sector. The main data relate to six refurbishment activities undertaken to create a venue conference product. Additionally, refurbishments undertaken since the conference facilities opened, and future plans for refurbishments across the four venue classifications are examined. The refurbishments examined are those of upgrading furnishings, upgrading décor, complying with health and safety legislation, the implementation of modern conference technologies, converting and/or extending the venue to supply or improve conference facilities and the provision of disabled access. The results show that initial level of initial investment across all venue classifications is not sustained, and a decline in future investment is apparent.     

The U.K. Conference and Meetings Industry

Abstract

During the last ten years, the U.K. meetings industry has developed rapidly. Regard for the industry and competition amongst venues is growing. The industry is attracting increasing levels of attention, while an intensified incidence of venues other than hotels are competing within this sector. This progressive expansion of demand experienced by the industry heightens the importance of the quality provision for customers when differentiating between venues. The ultimate aim of the research is to determine whether gaps exist between the attributes employed to assess the quality and desirability of a U.K. conference venue-firstly by conference organizers and conference delegates and secondly between their perceptions and the characteristics of the product provided. This paper presents an approach to the development of a research instrument to measure and compare an inventory of service quality attributes as perceived by meetings organizers and delegates.     

Introduction

ABSTRACT

The U.K. meetings industry has grown dramatically over the last 10 years. Interest in the industry and competition is increasing, and the move toward using venues other than hotels for meetings is growing. The pattern of expansion experienced by the industry brings with it the question of the quality of provision, which is becoming increasingly important to customers when differentiating between venues. Therefore, the aim of the research is to determine whether gaps exist, first, between the attributes employed to assess the quality and desirability of a U.K. conference venue by conference organizers and conference delegates and, second, between their perceptions and the characteristics of the product provided. This paper presents a qualitative approach to the development of the research instrument. This paper was originally presented at the Ninth Annual CHME Hospitality Research Conference.     

UK Conference Delegates' Cognizance of the Importance of Venue Selection Attributes

Abstract

The UK meetings industry has grown dramatically over the last ten years. Interest in the industry and competition is increasing and the move towards using venues other than hotels for meetings is growing. The pattern of growth experienced by the industry brings with it the question whether the quality of provision is becoming increasingly important to customers when differentiating between venues.

The research forms part of a larger study, which proposes to establish whether gaps exist between conference organizers' and conference delegates' needs when selecting and assessing the quality of a conference venue. This paper presents the findings of a quantitative study of 547 conference delegates. Conference delegates' perceptions of service quality attributes were compared and contrasted by importance of attributes and attribute subsets. The results provide a unique perspective and will be extremely valuable to venue managers.     

The Asian Perspective

Abstract

The following paper investigates the use of unusual venues as conference facilities within the United Kingdom and identifies the current and future management issues. Unusual venues include such diverse properties as castles, visitor attractions, boats, sports stadiums, and galleries able to accommodate from ten to one thousand delegates. Reduced government funding has encouraged many of these venues to diversify their revenue generation activities, with conference activity providing lucrative and innovative opportunities. This paper provides a market analysis of this sector within the United Kingdom, with particular reference to market demand, the motivations for investment, and future influences on their management.     

Selection attributes of wedding banquet venues: An exploratory study of Hong Kong prospective wedding couples

Despite the significant contribution of the wedding business to the hospitality industry, few studies of wedding banquet venues have been conducted. This study aimed to investigate the perception of Hong Kong prospective wedding couples of the importance of venue selection attributes. Among the 25 venue attributes identified, employee attitude was viewed by the 205 respondents as the most important, followed by cleanliness and food quality. Among the 11 extrinsic and intrinsic personal attributes, first impression was the most influential while an auspicious wedding date was the least. Marketing strategies are recommended to industry practitioners on the basis of the findings.     

Group/Convention Cancellation Policies in the U. S. Hotel Industry

Abstract

This study looks at the group/convention cancellation policies of various U. S. hotels and how they are implemented. It first gathers general information about the cancellation policies that hotels are currently operating, then presents the differences in the group/convention cancellation policies of U. S. hotels in terms of property profiles, such as size, location, type of ownership/management pattern, and percentage of group/convention business in the property.     

A preliminary assessment of the function and conference service product at a UK stately home

The UK conference market is estimated to be worth £6 billion and is thought to be the fastest growing sector of the hotel industry. An increasing number of less conventional venues are aiming to attract corporate business, though most empirical research focuses on the hotel conference product. A UK stately home is the venue studied in this article. To identify possible areas for improvement, a telephone survey of customers was undertaken to assess the service and facilities. The high average ratings indicate that generally organisers have a favourable impression of the stately home. The research revealed significant differences in the average ratings given for the Main Hall and His Lordship's Apartment, the two rooms available for functions. Event category and organiser experience were not found to influence the ratings. Due to the relatively small sample size, only tentative observations are made about the trends which emerged from the analysis.     

Trends Affecting the Convention Industry in the 21st Century

ABSTRACT

Competition among international convention destinations has increased dramatically in the past decade due to the heavy investment in infrastructure, marketing, and human resources, fuelled by the desire to reap the industry's significant economic benefits. This article details the major trends that are expected to shape the convention industry in two key markets-the United Kingdom and Australia-in the next five years. Using the Delphi technique, the study establishes principal business, social, technology, and political trends, discusses their impacts and highlights similarities and differences in the study results from the U.K. and Australia.     

The Virtual Enterprise

Abstract

This article discusses the need for enhancements in the way that tourism education is conducted and shows how changes in the way that technology is used in the global tourism and hospitality industry has necessitated that change. It offers as a solution an educational model called “The Virtual Enterprise” (VE). The history of the model and its implementation at a U. S. community college, as a professional education curriculum that has shown great potential to prepare students for the global nature of the 21st century workplace, is discussed. The Virtual Enterprise, has shown itself to be a business simulator that inculcates both technical and “soft” skills to students. Tourism and hospitality educators face two challenges in preparing their students for the work place. One is to prepare them with the technical skill sets that will create demand for their services amongst employers in the marketplace. The second is to find classroom exercises and simulations that allow students to take those skill sets and put them to the test under “game conditions.” The Virtual Enterprise educational model meets both of these challenges.     

Entrepreneurial Characteristics,Motives, and Business Challenges: Exploratory Study of Small- and Medium-Sized Hotel Businesses

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to gather information about the determinants and characteristics of the owners/managers of small- and medium-sized hotels (SMSHs) and identify various issues in starting up and operating businesses in the United Arab Emirates. The results of this study reveal that the majority of the owners/managers of SMSHs in the United Arab Emirates are male, young and middle age, and relatively new to the tourism industry. The motivations for the business ventures of the entrepreneurs include wanting to be financially independent, become one’s own boss, involvement in family business and the opportunities of the hotel business. Among the key business challenges highlighted by the owners/managers of SMSHs are stiff competition in the hotel industry, increased operating costs, reduced demand, and lack of skilled employees. Several key strategies have been employed to face these challenges. These include offering competitive pricing, improving the marketing and channels of promotion, enhancing the quality of service and providing superior customer service.     

Analysing the Promotion,Product and Visitor Expectations of Urban Tourism: Auckland,New Zealand as a Case Study

Abstract

Urban tourism is generally not recognized as a concept. There appears to be a lack of understanding by many tourism operators that tourists visit urban destinations primarily because they are multifunctional and offer a wide variety of activities. This study reports the findings of an analysis of 160 tourism brochures by 120 different Auckland-based operators and a survey of 170 tourists. The results indicate that there appears to be a mismatch between supply and demand with tourists undertaking urban activities while the industry is primarily offering outdoor and adventure type activities. The challenge for the future is to reformulate and promote an image which is consistent with the supply attributes.     

Comparing nightclub customers’ preferences in existing and emerging markets

This research aims to compare the needs of nightclub and bar customers from two very different markets—the existing and well-established British late-night economy and emerging and developing Polish market by examining customer preferences towards the servicescape and service offerings provided by such venues in both countries. The findings point to the significant similarities and differences between British and Polish club goers, indicating the importance of various elements of the servicescape in influencing customer decisions to enter a venue. These findings can assist mainstream venues in the UK and Poland improve their competitive position by understanding and then providing both groups of customers with service offerings that match their preferences.     

Inaudible Noise: Belgrade’s Academy Club: Legacy,Old Locals and New Spaces

Abstract

This text deals with the transformation of spaces for ‘underground’ forms of leisure in Belgrade, Serbia. In these spaces, different styles of non‐mainstream music are enjoyed by disparate social groups, referred to here as ‘the underground scene’. The spatial and stylistic transformation of venues for ‘creative leisure’ in Belgrade is read in this article as an articulation of discourse. Fragmentation of music consumption is arguably a global trend acknowledged in many treatises. Discourses within the multifaceted Belgrade underground music scene seem to correspond to such fragmentation. In this case it was found that the development of such identity practices depends on the articulation of concrete social factors and constraints. This paper focuses on the Academy nightclub, its transformations and long‐term impact on the Belgrade scene, including the emergence of other venues that have superseded, but have not fully surpassed, this seminal space.     

Ethical purchasing perceptions and practices of Oklahoma restaurant managers

This study examined ethical business perceptions and practices in purchasing dealings between junior and senior managers in the U.S. restaurants. This study investigated the managerial style in the context of business ethics relative to employees’ loyalty, ethical working behavior, attitude, and decision‐making process of restaurant's food purchasing personnel. Additionally, organizational business ethics training for employees is a crucial component to enhance adherence to an ethical code of conduct. The findings revealed that the managers’ ethical purchasing perceptions and practices of their employees’ behaviors were not different in terms of gender, age, and years of experiences as a manager. Corporate ethical standards and managerial ethical practices can guide managers and employees as to how to behave when confronted with a dilemma with regard to ethics and personal interest. Consequently, the prime principle of management or purchasing personnel in terms of ethical dealings has tremendous impact on a firm's operational performance and employees’ morale.     

Tourist merchandise’ as a means of generating local benefits from ecotourism

Long term protection of national parks and nature reserves is very difficult unless economic benefits can be secured for local people. Ecotourism offers a possible income source, provided that there is a means of local revenue capture from the visitors. This article examines the sale of handicrafts and other ‘tourist merchandise’ as a possible means of generating local benefits. The article considers issues of supply and demand, new product development, marketing, and the sustainability of supply of materials used as inputs. It concludes that strong possibilities exist for market development and creation of new, sustainable, culturally acceptable products. Of particular interest are active linking of tourist merchandise production to agricultural or forestry projects that provide a sustainable supply of inputs, use of ‘craft as performance’ to promote product sale, and development of products that educate tourists about park resources and local cultures.     

Knowledge Supply Chain Matrix Approach for Balanced Knowledge Management

SUMMARY

Knowledge management projects suffer from concepts which overemphasize a single factor, e.g., information technology. This single factor frequently dominates other factors as processes, structures or strategies. The research question of the paper is how to develop and apply a knowledge management tool that balances different factors in knowledge management projects. The introduced tool, called knowledge supply chain matrix, is derived from a generic business model and four knowledge management processes. The paper describes how the tool is applied within a knowledge management project in the airline industry.     

Tourist behavior analysis in gaming destinations based on venue check-in data

This research introduces the use of venue check-ins, which are available on mobile social media platforms, as an additional data source to study tourist behaviors in gaming destinations. The practical value of venue check-ins is demonstrated through a case study of Macau, a popular gaming and cultural destination. The analyses provide an overview of the travel patterns of tourists to gambling and non-gambling venues and highlight the differences between gambling and non-gambling tourists. The introduced approach is beneficial to tourism managers in understanding tourist behaviors and interests and, thus, improves the management and development of gaming destinations.     

Cross-Border Restaurant Patronage

ABSTRACT

This research takes a cross-cultural view of the variables influencing dining consumers' perception of the attractiveness of a neighboring country as a venue for dining, and satisfaction with the cross-border dining experience. Specifically, it studies consumers' attractiveness perceptions of neighboring country restaurants as a venue for dining and satisfaction, with the cross-border dining experience as a function of three key individual-difference variables associated with Western and Asian consumers. In a survey of 636 cross-border diners at United States/Canada and Hong Kong/China borders, perceptions of attractiveness and satisfaction were found to vary as a function of variables associated with the cultural attributes of individualism/collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and time perspective.     

Which hotel guest segments reuse towels? Selling sustainable tourism services through target marketing

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews and evaluates the wide range of supply and demand side measures employed and tested to reduce the environmental impacts of tourist accommodation. It focuses on the importance of understanding market segments and their pro-environmental behaviour by exploring the personal and travel characteristics significantly associated with pro-environment beneficial change, empirically investigating hotel guest characteristics associated with higher towel reuse. Towel use per day, per room, is modelled according to the number of adults in the room, the number of children, and the type and origins of guests. Observed actual towel use by 204 travel parties spending 480 nights in a four-star hotel in Slovenia reveals key personal and travel characteristics of hotel guests which are predictive of towel reuse: their country of origin, booking methods used, being a business traveller and not being a family. Results point to a-priori market segments which could be given booking preference in periods of high demand to reduce hotel environmental footprints. Results also point to promising leverage points for interventions designed to modify the behaviour of hotel guests on site. The approach and methodology used could be applied to marketing pro-environmental concepts more widely across other sustainable initiatives.