Understanding Motivations, Inhibitors, and Facilitators of Association Members in Attending International Conferences

Exploring Intentions to Attend a Convention: A Gender Perspective

“…A study of family decision-making in the convention tourism context shows that family members, especially spouses, play an integral role in the decision to attend a convention (Oh, Roel, & Shock, 1993). The work of Rittichainuwat et al (2001) and Ngamson and Beck (2000) also support the view that convention attendance can be influenced by an individual's family. Additionally, findings from M. J.…”

“…There is a general consensus that attendees obtain greater value from attending conventions that have a strong educational component, provide networking opportunities, and are held in a desirable location (Deery, Jago, Fredline, & Dwyer, 2005;Mair & Thompson, 2009;Rittichainuwat, Beck, & LaLopa, 2001;Severt, Wang, Chen, & Breiter, 2007). In particular, visiting the convention destination is undoubtedly perceived to be a positive outcome of attending a convention for attendees (Bauer, Law, Tse, & Weber, 2008;grant & Weaver, 1996;; M. J.…”

“…In particular, visiting the convention destination is undoubtedly perceived to be a positive outcome of attending a convention for attendees (Bauer, Law, Tse, & Weber, 2008;grant & Weaver, 1996;; M. J. Lee & Back, 2007a;Ngamson & Beck, 2000;Oppermann & Chon, 1997;Rittichainuwat et al, 2001;Yoo & Chon, 2008zhang et al, 2007). Since convention attendees prefer to visit certain destinations over others, registration numbers tend to be higher in some destinations because of their perceived image (M. J.…”

Integration of Congress Tourism to the Cultural Tourism Destinations as an Economic Product

“…The study of Grado et al (1998) found that the tourists that participate in congress tourism spend more money than other types of tourists, and consequently, provide more revenues for rural tourism destinations. The motivations of congress tourists include sightseeing, self-improvement and business and organizational activities (Rittichainuwat et al, 2001). High number of congress participants and overnight stays, huge expenses made by the international congress delegates, expenses made by the congress attendees before and after the congresses and the positive effects of congresses on different sectors within the congress site led many countries and cities to promote the development of congress tourism (Kim et al, 2003).…”

“…Previous studies on congress tourism have dealt with the economic impacts and planning of congress tourism, motivational factors of the visitors, perceptions of target groups and conventional quality dimensions in congress tourism (Braun, 1992;Grado et al 1998;Rittichainuwat et al, 2001;Baloğlu and Aşk, 2001;Kim et al 2003;Severt et al 2007;Kim et al 2012). However, neither of these studies have focused on the opinions of the managers or owners of boutique hotels on congress tourism.…”