Conferences and conventions are one of the fastest growing areas of the events industry. This is a substantially important sector yet research into many dimensions is in its infancy. This timely book, uniquely presents a ¿state of the art¿ synthesis of the research on both demand and supply sides of the industry as well as insights into how current and future trends are affecting conferences and conventions.

This volume provides a critical review of the players involved in conferences and conventions; destination image and impacts; and current and future trends. The players in the industry include attendees/delegates, professional conference organisers, and association meeting planners.  On the destination side, conference venues and facilities, along with convention and visitor bureaux are examined, as well as how destination image can be developed and improved.  Further, this section considers the economic, social and environmental impacts of conferences and conventions. The final section considers some of the major trends that are likely to impact on the industry, including climate change, new technologies and risk and crisis management.  To reflect the sector¿s international nature case studies and examples from different geographical regions are included throughout.

By identifying gaps in our knowledge, and presenting a collection of themes to guide future research, this book not only adds to our current knowledge, but will underpin the advancement of knowledge in the future.  This book is essential reading for all those interested in Events.
 

1. Introduction  Section One: The Key Players  2. Definitions and Terminology  3. Attendees  4. Meeting Planners and Buyers  Section Two: Destinations  5. Conference and Convention Destinations 6. Impacts and sustainability of conferences and conventions  Section Three: Trends And Changes  7. Climate Change and Crisis Management  8. Changes in the Workplace, Society and Business  9.  Technological and Experiential Changes  10 . Global Competition and the Rise of Asia  Section Four: Research Agenda and Conclusions  11. Towards a Research Agenda for Conferences and Conventions 12. Conclusions

Judith Mair is a Senior Lecturer in Event Management at the University of Queensland, Australia. Her research interests lie in the areas of Events, particularly Business Events, Sustainable Tourism, Climate Change & Tourism, Consumer Behaviour in Tourism. She has published extensively on Events in high-quality academic journals.