Keywords

Congresses and conventions -- Florida -- Orlando -- Planning -- Case studies, Exhibitions -- Florida -- Orlando -- Planning -- Case studies, Hospitality industry -- Florida -- Orlando -- Case studies, Meeting planners -- Florida -- Orlando -- Case studies, Meetings -- Florida -- Orlando -- Planning -- Case studies, Orlando (Fla.)

Abstract

The meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) industry generates billions of dollars in direct and indirect spending annually, and is considered one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Destinations that want to capitalize on this industry must understand what drives its planners. The current study used Orlando, Florida as a case study, and investigated whether there are differences between the three meeting planners' types (association, corporate, 3rd party) in regards to destination selection attributes and the recent recession impact. The study further identified attributes that affect future bookings to Orlando. Data was collected from a nationwide survey of meeting planners with a usable sample of 2,388 completed phone surveys and 118 completed online questionnaires. Only one significant difference was found between the three meeting planners' types. This research was performed in the midst of the recent recession. Some effects of the recent economic downturn on the events industry are decreased attendance and more conservative cost management. Most association meeting planners did not cancel or postponed their events, although all planners agree that attendance to their meetings decreased. Third party planners seemed to be the most sensitive to budget allocations. Recommendations for the Orlando Orange County Conventions and Visitor's Bureau include marketing the variety and quality of its meeting facilities better, its extreme weather insurance and its website. It is also wise to pursue more local associations, because those can be the main source of income during recessions.

Notes

If this is your thesis or dissertation, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu

Graduation Date

2011

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Okumus, Fevzi

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Degree Program

Hospitality and Tourism Management

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0004008

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004008

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Location

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Hospitality Management, Hospitality Management -- Dissertations, Academic

Download

Share

COinS