David M. Pearlman

HURRICANE KATRINA'S EFFECT ON THE PERCEPTION OF NEW ORLEANS LEISURE TOURISTS

Destination image is a critical factor to potential travelers. Many say that Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate the tourist destination images of leisure travelers to New Orleans before and after the storm. Further, this study assessed the influence of media exposure and geographic point of origin on perceptions. The results of this research provide fundamental implications for strategic image management that can assist in designing and implementing marketing campaigns to enhance tourism destination images and to overcome prevailing negative ones.

Hosting business meetings and special events in virtual worlds: a fad or the future?

Several industry challenges have resulted in reduced business activity. Additionally, reduced budgets combined with increased demands have required practitioners to be innovative in meeting business needs. In response, some forward-thinking companies have adopted information technology solutions. This research investigates the awareness, acceptance, and adoption of virtual reality applications. Findings indicate that virtual meetings and special events are innovative and viable methods to effectively and efficiently achieve organizational objectives. Still, in the early stages of development, the use of virtual reality within the meetings, incentive, convention, and exhibition industry looks promising; however, widespread adoption may be years away.

Labor issues within the hospitality and tourism industry: a study of Louisiana's attempted solutions.

The purpose of this study was to illustrate short-term and long-term methods which have been identified for dealing with labor issues. The hospitality and tourism industry is plagued with high turnover, which has both direct costs (e.g., recruitment, hiring, and training) and indirect costs (e.g., overtime, reduced customer satisfaction). This article identifies possible benefits realized from Incumbent Worker Training Programs (e.g., reduced training costs, reduced payroll taxes, higher employee retention, and engagement) which should encourage hospitality and tourism entities to become committed to a long-term strategy in human resource management.

Assessing hospitality programs using objective criteria: an exploratory study.

The purpose of this study was to suggest an approach to assessing bachelors-level hospitality programs using objective criteria. This study attempted to suggest a way to solve the controversies associated with previous college ranking reports such as survey respondent bias. Only published data were used to ensure an objective measurement of program characteristics. Six variables (e.g., industry accessibility, total faculty-student ratio, terminal-degreed faculty-student ratio, and percent of faculty with terminal degrees, cost, and university resources) were used in assessing the quality of programs. Findings of this study provided an objective approach for assessing hospitality programs.

Key Performance Indicators of the MICE Industry and the Top 25 United States and Canadian CVBs

ABSTRACT The conventions and meetings industry is very large and has many stakeholders. Several trade associations monitor and report industry activity; however, no one single document aggregates the various industry indicators. Approximately 15 years ago, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau started an annual survey of convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) regarding key performance indicators (KPIs). Additionally, other industry secondary data (e.g., labor rates and average daily airlift) were collected. In January of 2005, 111 CVBs in the United States and Canada were sent a self-administered survey. This report documents these findings with recommendations supporting standardization of recordkeeping and key performance indicator calculations.

Meetings, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition Evaluation Practices: An Exploratory Study among Destination Marketing Organizations

This exploratory investigation benchmarks evaluation processes employed by for-profit and not-for-profit Louisiana-based destination marketing organizations. In February 2008, selected National destination marketing organizations were interviewed and findings added in our survey development. Findings indicated that 85.7% conduct evaluations; however, the respondents’ interpretation of the term “program evaluation” varied, and many lacked the knowledge and skills required to collect objective data. Study results may be used to develop mechanisms to overcome constraints to conducting defensible assessment. Additionally, the data collected may assist in the development of a parsimonious yet robust post convention/meeting/events (post-con) survey to be used by destination marketing organizations to obtain a sustainable differential advantage.

Globalization practices within the U.S. Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions industry

AbstractGlobalization has been debated and written about extensively; nevertheless, the hospitality and tourism literature regarding this phenomenon is scant at best. This study explores globalization practices within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry and presents examples of such activity among convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), third-party service providers, and associations. Findings indicate that the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industrys adoption of globalization strategies varies in scope and length of practice. This research contributes to the body of literature by reporting several cases of successful globalization within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry. Identification of such best practices may assist practitioners employing this growth strategy.Abstract Globalization has been debated and written about extensively; nevertheless, the hospitality and tourism literature regarding this phenomenon is scant at best. This study explores globalization practices within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry and presents examples of such activity among convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), third-party service providers, and associations. Findings indicate that the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industrys adoption of globalization strategies varies in scope and length of practice. This research contributes to the body of literature by reporting several cases of successful globalization within the U.S. meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions industry. Identification of such best practices may assist practitioners employing this growth strategy.