module specification

The principal aim of this module is to provide students with an insight into and appreciation of how conferences industry work in terms how these events are designed and managed in a range of sectors as well as in terms of their broader complexities including the role these events plays within the wider business tourism and events sectors.

To this end the module seeks to explore both the supply and demand sides of the events including examining the role of organisers, venues, facilities and the range of activities, which take place before, during and after a conference as well as the importance of technology in conferencing experiences.

The module also examines the purpose of these events, their scope within the events and business tourism sector as well as discussing issues and trends that impact the way these events are hosted and managed.

The module overall aims are:

1. To provide an in-depth critical overview of the conference sector of the events industry, its purpose, structure and and role within the wider events/tourism contexts
2. To examine current issues and trends that impact the sector and encourage students to explore these to develop ideas and solutions.
3. To develop an understanding of the organisational and managerial skills needed to create, design and operate conferences (and other corporate events and similar).

• Diversity of types and categorisations
• Key stakeholders and their motivations
• The role of tourism bodies and DMOs
• Role of these conferences in relation to the wider business events sector and tourism industry

LO2

• Sector environment including factors influencing conference patterns, organisers’ choice of venue and alternative provision of facilities in a range of sectors.
• Strategies and policies adopted by conference organisers and venue suppliers in terms of management, operations and marketing including as reactions to the changing environment, complexity and dynamism in the conference market.

LO3

• Sales and selling in conference management. The formulation of conference packages, sponsorship packages, delegate plans (including delegate acquisition) and the functions of conference and event organisers and co-ordinators.
• Programme development
• Feedback analysis and management including business development and growing conferences and the conference sector

This module will be delivered through a 2-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar which will be enhanced with various additional activities during the course of the academic year including external visits to conferences and other relevant events.  A strong industry practitioner and student-centred focus means that concepts of action and experiential learning will be emphasised. Students will be encouraged to attend conferences and volunteers to help with and gain insight into the administration and on the day running of conferences. Where appropriate, the lectures will be delivered by industry experts as guest speakers.

Lectures explore the intricacies of this types of events and their management implications and seminars are oriented towards enabling students to consolidate their learning, discuss and debate issues and work towards completing the assessment. Students are expected to actively participate in all sessions and to come to sessions prepared, which will entail a certain amount of guided and self-guided independent study.

Weblearn will be used for the distribution of module material and it will also be used as an interactive mechanism between students and tutors, for example, to direct students to particular readings or to provide news about the module or the module content. It will also be used for the timely provision of personal feedback following formative and summative assessments.

On completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the role of conference within the events and tourism sector and their benefits to conference destinations, other sectors and stakeholders (LO1)
2. Assess supply and demand patterns and perspectives within the conference sector and identify directions for future developments in the sector or work in this area (LO2)
3. Evaluate strategic, operational and marketing procedures and issues and their implications for a range of conference (LO3)

Patchwork text: Students are required to write several short pieces that respond to different aspects of the module. For example, a guest lecture, venue show round, conference website or visit to a conference. The Patchwork text will be an iterative piece of work, that is developed with their tutor and peers during the module. The tasks will respond to potential employers, in that it will reflect self-motivation, independence of thought, commitment and work effort as well as focusing on issues of direct relevance to conference management.

Students will receive formative feedback throughout the module as they work on different aspects of conference management.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/886F1C72-EB0A-4057-12AB-8E0DB622469E.html?lang=en-GB
Core Text
Rogers, T. (2013) Conferences and Conventions: A Global Industry, 3rd Ed.  Butterworth Heinemann
Rogers, T. & Davidson, R (2015) Marketing Destinations & Venues: for conference, conventions and business events, 2nd Ed. Butterworth Heinemann

Other texts
Ali-Knights, J. (2008), International perspectives of festivals and events: paradigms of analysis, London Elsevier.                                                        Allen, J. (2008) Festival & Special Event Management, John Wiley & Son Davidson, R & Cope, B (2003) Business Travel, conferences, Incentive Travel, Exhibitions, Corporate Hospitality & Corporate Travel Pearson Fenich, G.G. (2013), Meetings, Expositions, Events & Conventions: Pearson New International Edition, 3rd ed.                                                               Quinn, B.  (2013) Key Concepts in Events Management, Sage, London.     Mair, J. (2013) Conferences and Conventions, Taylor & Francis Ltd, London.    Shone, A. Parry, B (2010) Successful Event Management- a practical handbook, Thomson Learning                                                                             Shone A. (2014) Conference Management, Conference Direct, Derby.        Van der Vagen, L. And White, L (2018) Event management: for tourism, cultural, business and sporting events, 5th Ed.
Journals and other online resources:
Event Management
International Journal of Event and Festival Management
International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management
International Journal of Event Management Research
Journal of Convention and Event Tourism
Tourism Management
Annals of Tourism Research
ABCPO (https://www.abpco.org/)
Conferences and Incentive Travel (http://www.citmagazine.com/)
Event Magazine (http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk)
Eventia  (http://www.eventia.org.uk/)
International Confex (http://www.international-confex.com/)