The Effect of Basic,Performance and Excitement Service Factors of a Convention Center on Attendees' Experiential Value and Satisfaction: A Case Study of the Phoenix Convention Center

This study investigates how the various services provided by a convention center and its service quality affects attendees’ experiential values, and in turn, leads to the attendees’ overall satisfaction and loyalty. The sample consisted of 217 convention attendees in Phoenix, AZ, representing a response rate of 54%. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used for analyses. Results indicate that basic and excitement service factors have a positive influence on individual experiential values. Also, the study shows that enhanced individual experiential values have an impact on raising overall satisfaction with the convention center.     

Understanding convention attendee behavior from the perspective of self-congruity: The case of academic association convention

Based on the concepts of convention quality, multidimensional value, and behavioral intentions, the current study examines how distinctively convention attendees evaluate a convention when they perceive different levels of self-congruity (SC), that is, low versus high SC. Cluster and discriminant analyses are employed. The findings show that low-tiered SC attendees evaluate a convention negatively, whereas high-tiered SC attendees evaluate it positively. Furthermore, differently tiered SC attendees can be best discriminated by social networking, social value, and revisit intention. Given the potential significance of SC in attendee-based convention evaluation, understanding the distinction between differently tiered SC attendees enables convention planners to gain insight into how to cultivate and sustain high SC, thus promoting positive attendee attitude and preference toward conventions.     

Conference mobile application: Participant acceptance and the correlation with overall event satisfaction utilizing the technology acceptance model (TAM)

Abstract

Although many studies have been conducted focusing on technology trends and acceptance, there is a lack of research investigating the factors that influence conference attendees’ attitudes toward a mobile event app based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants that influence conference attendees’ attitude toward using a conference mobile event app. The results found that perceived usefulness was the greatest predictor of the app users’ attitude toward the mobile event app, attitude is a significant predictor of overall conference satisfaction, and perceived ease of use was the only significant variable found to vary between age groups. The study’s findings have implications for stakeholders in the MICE industry and the open-ended survey responses offer insights into what conference attendees deem as valuable app functionality and how attendees’ age group may affect technology preferences.     

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.     

基于协会会议参会人角度的国际会议目的地竞争力研究——以北京为例

北京建设国际会议城市是其实现建设世界城市的重要组成部分，因此，研究北京作为国际会议城市的竞争力具有重要意义。文章从协会会议参会人的角度，研究影响国际会议目的地选择的因素，并通过重要性一绩效分析方法（IPA）研究北京作为国际会议目的地的竞争力。文章指出，北京建设国际会议城市具有多方面优势，其中“可达性”、“目的地形象”、“安全”重要性高、表现性好，属于“继续保持”的因素，同时北京也有很多需要改进的地方，如“通用语言”、“住宿成本”、“当地居民的友好程度”以及“接待和住宿设施”。     

Developing Loyalty Programs for Convention Attendees: An Exploratory Study

Reward programs build loyalty for hospitality businesses. Such programs are rare in the convention industry, despite the fact that the industry is challenged to increase attendance while maximizing profits. This study evaluated the attributes of a possible reward program for convention attendees. Attendees at a large international convention completed a survey on which they rated potential reward program attributes and benefits. Benefits were classified into four primary dimensions: monetary, redemption, functional, and recognition; and two secondary categories: tangible–intangible and direct–indirect. Attendees prefer tangible, monetary rewards directly related to the convention. Suggestions are provided for creating effective reward programs that could increase loyalty for conventions.     

强关系网络移动社交平台旅游分享行为研究——基于微信与QQ用户的资料分析

在移动社交媒体时代,旅游分享已成为当下旅游者的行为偏好,越来越多的旅游者选择微信、QQ这类强关系移动社交平台进行分享。国内学界对移动社交平台旅游分享行为的研究随之日增,但少有文章从理论上系统地揭示旅游分享行为的过程与动因。文章采用扎根理论研究方法,构建反映强关系网络移动社交平台的旅游分享动态过程理论模型。将旅游分享行为动态过程划分为分享前因、分享实现与分享结果3个阶段,总结每个阶段的行为特征、表现方式及阶段之间的演替规律,并探讨这类旅游分享行为的特点与动因。研究发现,在旅游分享动机上,强关系移动社交平台强调情感联结与互动,从而旅游者受到与个体相关动机的影响更为显著;分享内容上,平台的强关系特性与熟人社交促使旅游者尽量避免分享负面信息;分享结果上,强关系移动社交平台的旅游分享能调节旅游者行中、行后的体验水平,并形成兼具网络时空拓展性与熟人圈规模局限性的口碑传播。     

The Motivations Of College Students’ Use Of Social Networking Sites In Travel Information Search Behavior: The Mediating Effect Of Interacting With Other Users

Social networking sites (SNSs) have proliferated rapidly in the last few years and continue to grow in popularity. This study argues that social networking sites play a pivotal role in college students’ trip information search behavior. The primary objective is to identify motivations that influence college students’ propensity to use SNSs to search for travel information, leading to the development of a model. This study also examines the mediating effect of interacting with other users on the relationship between motivations and information search behavior using SNSs. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses and a mediating effect. The results indicate that all four motivations (i.e., self-expression, commenting, participating in a community forum, and information seeking) affect college students’ use of SNSs when they seek travel-related information. It is also observed that interacting with others on SNSs has a mediating role in both motivations and information search behavior. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

Exploring the Interrelationship between Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) and its Stakeholders,and CVB Performance from the Perspective of Stakeholders

This study examines the interrelationship between the convention and visitor bureau (CVB) and its stakeholders by identifying the respective relationships between relationship constructs (information asymmetry, goal conflict, and interdependence) and collaborative relationship. This study also develops CVB performance measurements using the balanced scorecard (BSC) and identifies the underlying dimensions of the measurements. The findings show that information asymmetry between CVBs and stakeholders does not necessarily influence stakeholders’ perceptions of CVBs’ performance via collaborative relationship. Meanwhile, goal conflict and interdependence are found to affect collaborative relationship which, in turn, impacts CVB performance. Implications are discussed.     

Does gender affect media choice in travel information search? On the use of mobile Internet

This study examines gender effects in Japanese consumers' media use in travel information search. Drawing upon gender theory and niche theory, we propose a causal model consisting of satisfaction, attitude, and habitual usage of distinct media. Specifically, we posit that females are more predisposed to media displacement–reinforcement effects than males, when mobile Internet becomes a more popular medium in travel information search than PC Internet and traditional media. We conducted an online panel survey in Japan, and collected 992 usable responses. Structural equation modeling finds that satisfaction with PC Internet and with traditional media affects the habitual use of mobile Internet negatively. Habitual use of mobile Internet is negatively associated with attitude toward PC Internet and toward traditional media. Although moderation analysis identifies no statistical difference in the hypothesized paths, latent mean analysis reveals that satisfaction from, attitude toward, and habitual usage of mobile Internet are more strongly perceived among female respondents than males.     

Understanding the relationship among motivation to attend,satisfaction, and loyalty of medical convention attendees

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship among convention attendance, satisfaction, and loyalty of medical convention attendees. The data were compiled after a major medical conference held in Las Vegas in 2015. A total of 1,091 completed surveys were evaluated using structural analysis. The study indicated that attendee's motivation for attendance was significantly different than other studies that utilized different target markets. It was found that motivation impacted satisfaction which in turn influenced desire to attend future conventions. This study also provides discussions and implications for convention research and industry practices.     

Attendees’ needs and service priorities in a large convention center: Application of the importance–performance theory

The study identified attendees’ needs and service priorities when attending an exhibition at a large convention center. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from 566 subjects attending five different exhibitions. The results indicated that overall cleanliness of the convention center, a well-maintained facility, and helpfulness of guest services personnel were top priorities for attendees regarding the convention center's facility services. Attendees also attributed high importance to the following features of the convention facility: directional signage within the convention center, availability of high quality lodging near the convention center, sufficient restrooms throughout the facility, and ability to get cell phone signal. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between the level of importance and performance of the majority of the facility services and features of the convention center. Implications for decision makers regarding these importance–performance gaps are discussed.     

Relationships and Factors Influencing Convention Decision-Making

Abstract

This paper examines the views of key decision-makers in the convention industry as part of a CRC for Sustainable Tourism research project. In particular, it examines the relationships between the main participants, the key factors for a successful convention and the emerging trends within the industry. In order to explore these influences, the research method used structured interviews with international convention associations, professional conference organizers (PCOs) and international delegates. In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with nine international associations from Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as eight PCOs, all of whom facilitate international conventions within Australia. Nineteen international delegates were also interviewed at two international conferences. The findings from these interviews suggest that the decision-making process for conventions is influenced by a complex set of relationships between the three sets of interviewees. The study revealed that the relationships between the convention bureaus and convention centers were very important. The interviews confirmed the findings of previous studies regarding the key success components for a convention, but also pointed to emerging trends in the convention sector that will impact upon success in the future. These trends included the increasing number of female conference delegates, the increased need for Internet facilities for conventions, and the high priority placed by convention participants on the safety of the convention destination.     

Insights from images posted on social media: Examining the motivations of volunteer tourists

Extensive research has been conducted on the motivations of volunteer tourists; however, the scope has not included how motivation is expressed through the posting of images on social media. This study examines the relationship between volunteer tourists’ motivations and social media use through the identification of picture publishing behavior based on motivations. An online survey yielding 260 complete responses is used and statistical tests investigate the relationship between demographic factors, motivations and social sharing of photos. The results show that demographics have little impact; however, there is a relationship between motivation and photo sharing and between motivation and volume of photos.     

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.     

How different are first-time attendees from repeat attendees in convention evaluation?

This study aimed to identify any distinction between first-time and repeat convention attendees based on their perspectives of convention quality dimensions, multidimensional value, and behavioral intentions. The findings showed that accessibility and extra convention opportunities were not found to affect multidimensional value from first-timers and repeaters. First-timers valued professional education the most, followed by social networking and site environment in evaluating multidimensional value. Repeaters relied on social networking more than on education in assessing value. Site environment positively contributed to multidimensional value for first-timers but not for repeaters. Multidimensional value affected behavioral intentions more positively for repeaters than for first-timers. These findings will enable convention organizers to better understand the distinctions between the two groups and thus gain insight into how to attract first-timers and turn them into repeaters.     

Service quality aspects and sports scientific conventions: An experience from Iran

This study investigates the role of service quality aspects in a Sport Scientific Convention held in Mashhad, Iran in 2015. A sample of 175 conference attendees were targeted to investigate the quality of services offered, their satisfaction, and intention to return. However, the findings show that the quality of access to destination and venue affect service accessibility quality. The hotel value and hotel staff interaction affect accommodation quality, but the atmosphere of the hotel does not. The internal environment of the venue and its staff interaction affect venue quality in a direct and meaningful way, but venue value does not. In addition, convention process and product affect convention quality in a direct and meaningful way. There is also a direct and meaningful relationship between accommodation quality, venue, and convention quality, and service quality in the sports scientific convention. Access quality, however, is not a part of this relationship. On the other hand, there is a relationship between access quality and satisfaction, and satisfaction affects participants' intent to return to the convention.     

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.     

Convention Site Selection Criteria Relevant to Secondary Convention Destinations

Abstract

This study utilizes a Likert scale attitudinal survey to assess the convention site selection preferences of association executives. The study looks at the importance of 31 site selection criteria and how the significance of these criteria is influenced by different association and convention characteristics. These analyses reveal a number of trends that are particularly relevant to smaller convention cities. The general finding suggests that while secondary convention destinations have advantages, they are not likely to be attractive to the more lucrative national and international gatherings unless they have an airport with direct flights from most major markets. Furthermore, those organizations whose geographic scopes are narrower might also be difficult to attract because they tend to have their conventions in the same, centrally located venue year after year.