Convention Destination Research Articles

Perceived Convention Destination Image : Evidence from Convention Attendees in Beijing

Research on destination image has been a main theme in the travel context. The study on convention destination image, especially focusing on Asian cities received little attention in the literature. This study empirically investigated the attendees’ perceived image of Beijing as a convention destination, the relationships between perceived image and overall impression and the intention of revisit in the future. The results show that the perceived image is composed of four dimensions, named organizer and venue capability, hotel facility, humanistic atmosphere and natural environment. Using multiple regression analyses, it is found that humanistic atmosphere, natural environment and organizer and venue capability have positive impact on overall impression; all four factors have positive impact on intention of revisit. It is also found that humanistic atmosphere, natural environment and organizer and venue capability are the key factors determining the attendees’ overall impression and revisit intention. However, the average perceived satisfactory level of natural environment, especially the air quality is much lower than other image attributes. It can be concluded that the air quality in Beijing must be improved significantly to improve the perceived image among all participants, and encourage convention attendees to visit Beijing again. Other suggestions and managerial implication are given too.

A Study on the Effect of Convention Participants’ Convention Service Quality on Convention Destination’s Visiting Value, Intention to Behavior

최근 컨벤션산업이 발전함에 따라 컨벤션개최에 따른 방문가치 및 방문성과에 대한 논의가 늘어나는 시점에서 컨벤션 서비스의 품질관리가 주목받고 있다. 이에 본 연구는 컨벤션 참가자의 컨벤션 서비스 품질지각정도에 따른 컨벤션 목적지 방문가치와 향후 행동의도에 대한 영향관계를 보고자 하였다. 이는 컨벤션 참가자가 개최된 컨벤션 행사에서 제공되는 다양한 서비스에 대한 평가에 있어서 이를 긍정적인 평가를 하게 된다면 컨벤션 참가뿐만 아니라 포괄적으로 컨벤션 목적지에 방문가치와 더불어 향후 행동의도에 영향을 미칠 수 있는가에 대한 문제제기에서 시작하였다. 이를 해결하기 위하여 본 연구에서는 서울지역 컨벤션 행사에 참가한 참가자를 대상으로 연구 및 조사를 실시하였으며, 유효표본수 308부를 분석에 활용하였고, 요인분석 및 다중회귀분석을 실시하여 연구목적을 달성하고자 하였다. 컨벤션서비스 품질15개변수를 활용하여 요인분석을 실시한 결과 총 4개의 차원이 도출되었으며, 이는 인적상호작용, 참여프로그램 우수성, 정보유용성, 교통 및 시설편의성으로 명명하였다. 이러한 컨벤션 서비스 품질 요인에 따라 컨벤션 목적지 방문가치 및 향후 행동의도에 대한 다중회귀 분석결과, 컨벤션 서비스 품질 모든 요인이 복합적으로 영향을 주고 있었으며 특히, 참여프로그램 우수성 및 정보유용성이 비교적 의미 있는 결과를 보이고 있었다. 또한 컨벤션목적지 편안함과 즐거움이 향후 재방문 및 추천의사에 긍정적인 결과를 보이고 있었다. 본 연구결과는 컨벤션기획 및 프로그램 구성, 특히 컨벤션 목적지 관리에 유용한 정보로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Meta-analyses on the Competitiveness Evaluation of Convention Destinations

There are many studies carried on about the competitiveness of convention/exhibition destinations with intense competition among convention cities worldwide. This study examined the recent literature about convention destination competitiveness with meta-analyses. To fill the research gap, the literature were selected from journal papers in multiple languages initiatively, which are in English, Chinese and Korean. Key elements of academic papers such as publish year, key words, research paradigm, methodology were examined. The research found that studies in English were still the dominant researches, leading the topics, issues and research directions in related academic fields with a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods. These studies paid more attention to the attractiveness/attributes of the destination during site selection or decision--making process on the perspectives of meeting planners or attendees. Korean studies strictly followed western studies and developed new conceptual frameworks innovatively. Chinese studies were in the take-off stage of scale development for convention destination competitiveness with simplified methods. Limitations and implications of the study are given based on the research findings.

A Study on Influence of Convention Destination Marketing Mix on Image and Loyalty

본 연구는 컨벤션 목적지 마케팅 믹스가 목적지 이미지 및 충성도에 미치는 영향관계에 관한 연구로서 국내 컨벤션 목적지의 경쟁우위의 확보를 위한 개선방안 및 향후 효율적 마케팅 활용방안에 대한 시사점을 제시하고자 한다. 이에 따라 컨벤션목적지인 서울 코엑스, 경기 킨텍스의 컨벤션행사 참가자를 대상으로 컨벤션 목적지 마케팅 믹스, 목적지 이미지 그리고 충성도와의 관계에 대해 집중 분석하였다. 또한 컨벤션 목적지 마케팅믹스 전략이 어떻게 목적지 이미지에 영향을 미치는지 알아보고, 가장 적합한 모델을 찾아보고자 한다. 이를 통해 컨벤션 목적지가 참가자 방문충성도를 만족시킬 수 있는 마케팅믹스 요인을 인식하고 그에 따라 마케팅 믹스 전략을 수립하는 방안을 제시하고자 한다.

A study on the effect of mobile convention application attributes on convention destination’s experience, satisfaction, loyalty

A study on the effect of mobile convention application attributes on convention destination’s experience, satisfaction, loyalty

Measuring Event Planners' Perceptions of Place Image Attributes: The Case of Greek Convention Destinations

Meetings, convention, and exhibition tourism is a growing and relatively high value segment of the industry. As a result, it is often put forth as a strategic focus to enhance overall tourism revenues, particularly in the tourism off-season. Professional meeting planners play a major role in this sector, given their critical intermediary position and function which enable them to influence, and often determine, location choice. Therefore, knowing their views of various competitive destinations and the dimensions on which they base their evaluation can be important information for marketers engaged in destination branding and promotion. This study evaluates the perceptions of professional meeting planners concerning the relative importance of destination choice attributes and the images of selected convention destinations in Greece. Research instruments from earlier tourism studies are used and enhanced by scales from the related literature on product–country image effects on product choice, where place image is also important. The findings support those of earlier studies but also point to factors related to places and their people, which may be more effective differentiators for convention destinations than traditional tourism factors. Implications for research and practice and potentially interesting areas for future studies are discussed.

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.

An Exploratory Study of Convention Destination Competitiveness from the Attendees’ Perspective

Destination competitiveness has become a prominent part of hospitality and tourism literature. Competitiveness, however, is not easily defined or uniformly calculated because a number of diverse factors must be considered. Although meeting planners’ site selection criteria has been studied in existing convention destination research, the attendees’ perspective has rarely been examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the indicators that affect a convention destination’s competitiveness in the eyes of convention attendees. Data were collected from three trade shows hosted by three different convention destinations, which resulted in 696 usable responses for data analyses. Importance-performance analysis (IPA) was implemented on seven attributes of convention destination competitiveness. In addition, the overall destination competitiveness indices were calculated to see the relative competitiveness among the destinations. Repeated measures of MANOVA were conducted to complement and to offer valid interpretation of the IPA results.

The Spatial Distribution and Clustering of Convention Facilities in Beijing, China

This research describes the spatial layout of convention facilities in Beijing through the application of ArcGIS analysis software. The minimum distance points index, kernel density estimation, and radius of gyration methods were used to visualize the distributions and relationships of convention facilities, tourism scenic spots, and commercial and service facilities. Convention facilities were found to have a spatial agglomeration pattern and an uneven distribution within Beijing. Convention facilities and tourism scenic spots were closely spatially related. Most of the distances between convention facilities and tourism scenic spots were within a half-an-hour walking distance or 20 minutes by public transport. Beijing's convention venues and commercial and service facilities were even more closely clustered; most within less than 10 minutes on foot. This research contributes by applying geographic research methods to planning and problem solving in convention tourism. The spatial description of 192 convention facilities is also a contribution to learning about the general development situation in one of the world's top convention destinations.

Attracting Local Guests to Resort Food and Beverage Operations: The Case of the Orlando Resort and Spa

Restaurants housed inside lodging operations are often subjected to occupancy fluctuations that minimize revenues during non-peak periods. Attracting local diners to a hotel's food and beverage outlets will mitigate this impact while elevating profit margins. This case study synthesizes marketing and operational practices of a pioneering convention destination for the purpose of demonstrating a real world approach for driving local traffic at hotel restaurants. Primary interviews with the property's executive team provided in-depth insights. It was determined that differentiating product offerings, community involvement, localized advertising, clientele-specific marketing and effective social media coupled with transformational promotion strategies propelled restaurant profits during low occupancy, but that failure to measure promotional strategies was a important weakness.

Evaluating Convention Destination Images in Australia and Asia

Abstract Meetings and conventions are important sub-sectors of tourism. Convention tourism organizations select destinations that are complex. Destination image is the key to attracting most meeting planners. Conventions create significant economic benefits and job opportunities for their destinations. This study explores the image-building of convention destinations in nine countries. This study used the grey-situation decision-making method and the technique for ordering preferences by similarity to the ideal solution to compare rankings and select ten criteria for image measurement. The evaluation was based on secondary data from the World Economic Forum of 2011 and the International Congress and Convention Association Report in 2011. The results show the strengths and weaknesses of the nine studied countries in terms of the convention image development conditions. Singapore has the best image in Asia, and marketers and meeting planners can use the study data to produce more attractive advertising.

A Study of Brand Value Development on Convention Destination: Application of Means-End Chain and Laddering Technique

A Study of Brand Value Development on Convention Destination: Application of Means-End Chain and Laddering Technique

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.

Destination Branding and Images: Perceptions and Practices from Tourism Industry Professionals

The intensified competition among convention cities has created an increasing interest for cities to better understand how to market themselves as a convention destination. A city's image is one of the highest indicators of its success as a convention location. It becomes imperative for each city to specifically analyze its strengths and weaknesses. Because there is a lack of literature regarding medium-sized convention cities, this study compares Knoxville, Tennessee to other similarly populated cities in the southeastern United States. The perceived importance of city attributes and the tourism professional's perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the particular city as a convention destination are based on the years of experience of the tourism professional in the industry and participants' demographic characteristics. The sample of the study was industry professionals that attended the Tennessee Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Knoxville in September 2006. Implications from this study may be used to improve the competitive position of Knoxville as a convention destination.

Assessing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Macao as an Attractive Meeting and Convention Destination: Perspectives of Key Informants

Macao's meeting and convention industry has begun to develop in the past few years. The interest in developing this industry is due to the recognition of its significant contribution to the local economy and the belief that it could help to diversify the city's economy and reduce its reliance on the gambling industry. Macao's meeting and convention sector is still at an early stage of development, and research in this area is limited. This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of Macao as an attractive meeting and convention destination by interviewing 16 stakeholders in the industry. Macao's major strengths are identified as sufficient hotel, entertainment, and convention facilities; strong governmental support; a location connecting the European countries and the East; and the passion of local people working in the industry. The weaknesses include the lack of human resources, poor infrastructure and transportation, the lack of attractions, the lack of legal regulation or a government department to coordinate the sector, limited capacity of the border gates, and the absence of an industry base and a poor business climate. Recommendations are proposed to increase the attractiveness and competiveness of the industry.

Evaluation of Convention Destination Images for 2006 and 2010: Importance-Performance Analysis of Meeting and Exhibition Planners’ Perceptions

Evaluation of Convention Destination Images for 2006 and 2010: Importance-Performance Analysis of Meeting and Exhibition Planners’ Perceptions

Way to New Orleans' Heart Is Through Your Stomach

Way to New Orleans' Heart Is Through Your Stomach

Study on the impact of satisfaction with convention destination on city image: Focusing on Cheonan 2009 Well-being Food Expo's case

컨벤션 유형의 하나인 엑스포(Expo)는 일반대중의 계몽을 그 주된 목적으로 하는 전시회를 말한다. 신선하고 건강미 넘치는 웰빙식품의 전시물들을 전시하기는 하지만, 그 직접적인 목적은 제품의 구매자를 찾는 것이 아니라 제품의 가치, 유용성, 독창성을 제시하는 데 있다. 따라서 세계인들이 만나는 엑스포는 그 시대에...

Convention industry and destination clusters: Evidence from Italy

The study investigates aspects of the convention industry not well explored in the literature. Using a framework of cluster theory, a quantitative method is used to assess the Italian convention industry and its relationships with local infrastructure and tourism product supply. The development of the different phases of the life cycle of convention destinations in Italy is outlined and locational factors which influence them are investigated. Managerial and political strategies which would enhance the competitiveness of the Italian convention industry in the global market are proposed. Furthermore, the study evaluates the use of the cluster theory in investigating the hospitality industry, contributing to the debate on local tourism development.

The CAT (Casino Tourism) and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions): Key Development Considerations for the Convention and Exhibition Industry in Macao

ABSTRACT In 2006, Macao became the world's leading gaming destination in terms of gaming revenue and by mid 2008 had surpassed the gaming revenues of Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined. Casino tourism (CAT) in Macao continues to grow, but with the opening of The Venetian, the first integrated resort on the Cotai Strip,1 convention and exhibition-based tourism is beginning to emerge. Due to its lure of being a high-yield tourism sector, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) tourism has been increasingly introduced at destinations, including gaming jurisdictions such as Las Vegas. Yet, Macao's gaming industry for the greater part remains divorced from the need for a convention product in terms of revenue creation at present, with two models of gaming development emerging. It is a key aim of the Macao Government to develop Macao into a major leisure and entertainment center, widening and expanding its tourism market segment beyond gaming. The MICE sector has therefore become an increasingly important focus and direction of resources for the Macao Government. Macao, though, is faced with the challenge of changing traveler perceptions of the destination from being solely a gaming destination to that of additionally being an attractive convention and exhibition destination image. Macao is also entering a regional market with mature and leading MICE destinations. This article examines strategic planning and management considerations for Macao as it attempts to reposition itself to develop the MICE industry in the world's most lucrative gaming market. Highlighted are the challenges in re-branding and repositioning Macao, economic justification, and tourism policy considerations on issues such as infrastructure development to support this vision of the Macao Government and those of the newly integrated resorts emerging on Macao's Cotai Strip.