1. A pilot study of the rotation of, and motivations for attending, academic conferences
George G. Fenich, Ph.D., East Carolina University
Lisa Thomas, Ph.D., DePaul University
Amanda Cecil, Ph.D., IUPUI

2. Introduction The goals of this study are:
to investigate annual conferences and conventions put on by ‘associations’ whose membership is primarily academics and faculty
ascertain where they are held, how often, attendance, etc.
determine their rotation;
(2) to investigate what motivates attendees to participate in hospitality related academic conferences.

3. METHODS extensive review of the literature utilizing
1) LITERATURE REVIEW
extensive review of the literature utilizing
Google, Google Scholar, ABI/inform, Hospitality and Tourism Complete and other databased was undertaken.
FINDINGS
No academic studies were found that address the topic of ‘rotation’ and ‘motivation’ regarding academic conferences and attendees.

4. METHODS (cont’d) 2) INVESTIGATION OF ‘ASSOCIATIONS’
given the findings in #1 above, a review of ‘academic associations’ was undertaken to address the question of ‘rotation’ and attendance.
31 associations were analyzed
a cross section of geographic locations
Predominantly based in US
These associations were analyzed in terms of the
demographics of their members
geographic distribution of their members
whether they move their annual conference
attendance
partnerships

5. EXAMPLES OF ASSOCIATIONS STUDIED

6. FINDINGS - Associations
With regard to the rotation of association annual conferences:
Most associations are not willing to move their annual conference outside the USA / continent where based
if a majority of their membership resides in the that region.
For those global associations (where the membership represents 20+ countries)
they do seem to rotate the location of their annual conference
but do NOT take it outside the home continent every year.
Some noted their annual conference is held out of the continent every three or five years.

7. FINDINGS - Associations cont’d
4. If an association wants to be perceived as global, their events need to be global as well.
5. A key to those associations taking their events outside the USA is to have a strong university partner.
This is critical for logistics and marketing purposes.
Many associations noted they tried to host their annual conference out of the continent where they are housed and it did not work.
However, there appears to be a pattern of moving outside home continent developing
a. For future conferences

8. METHODS 3) SURVEY OF ACADEMICS
academics in hospitality, tourism, restaurant and events disciplines were electronically surveyed.
326 usable responses were received
33% response rate
from around the globe.
Respondents provided detailed information regarding
whether they attend international conferences
whether their employers reimburse them for expenses
whether their employers restrict what conventions they can attend
best / worst months to hold conference
what motivates them to attend conference
what repels them from attending conference

9. SURVEY FINDINGS YES NO attend international conferences 70% 30%
employers reimburse them for expenses % 20%
employers restrict what conventions they can attend % 92%

10. when to hold conference
Best and Worst Months to Hold Annual Academic Conference
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months
when to hold conference
Month
Best Month
Worst Month
January
16.8%
40.0%
February
15.5%
24.5%
March
17.1%
April
9.6%
5.5%
May
31.3%
17.4%
June
60.7%
11.9%
July
65.2%
August
45.8%
18.7%
September
11.6%
39.0%
October
14.5%
21.3%
November
6.8%
December
52.3%
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months

11. Top Reasons FOR ATTENDING
Best and Worst Months to Hold Annual Academic Conference
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months
Top Reasons FOR ATTENDING 1
Peer networking
76.6% 2
Location
76.0% 3
Time of year
65.9% 4
Presenting research
59.4% 5
Cost (low = better)
57.5% 6
Ease of getting to and from destination
45.5% 7
Career development
41.2% 8
Keynote speakers
22.7% 9
Safety
15.9% 10
Explore career opportunities
14.3% 11
Local academic program involved in planning conference
12.7% 12
Attendance is a job requirement
7.5% 13
Food and beverage
4.6%

12. Top Reasons for Not Attending
Best and Worst Months to Hold Annual Academic Conference
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months
Top Reasons for Not Attending 1
Cost
15.0% 2
Location
11.6% 3
Time of year
6.7% 4
My institution does not provide reimbursement
6.1% 5
Ease of getting to and from destination
4.6% 6
Attendance is not required as part of my job
3.1% 7
Do not get enough out research being presented
2.1% 8
Conference program not interesting
1.5% 9
Keynote speaker not enough of a draw
1.2% 10
I never attend academic conferences
.9%
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months

13. Reasons Appearing on Both Lists
Best and Worst Months to Hold Annual Academic Conference
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months
Reasons Appearing on Both Lists
Reasons to Attend
RANK
Reasons to NOT Attend
Location 2
Cost 5 1
Time of year 3
Ease of getting to and from destination 6
Presenting Research / Do not get enough out of research being presented 4 7
Attendance is / is not required as part of my job 12
Keynote speakers / Keynote Speakers not enough of a draw 9
*Bold: Top three months
**Italics: Top worst months

14. CONCLUSIONS
Most Associations have historically not rotated their annual conferences outside the continent where they are based
As we move into the future that pattern (or lack of) is changing
If an Association wants to be truly global
They must move annual conference outside home continent
On a periodic basis
Most academics do travel to conferences outside their home continent
Get reimbursed
Motivators to attend / not attend similar to non-academics
There are 7 variables that are both significant attractors + detractors
These should be the primary focus / concern of conference organizers

15. Thank you! Any Questions?