Factors that contribute to the selection process of meetings from the perspective of the attendee

Abstract

This research is a replication of part of Dr. Catherine Price's dissertation study "An Empirical Study of Professional Association Meetings from the Perspective of Attendees" (1993). The paper presented is a research study in the area of meeting/conference attendee preferences. This research tested which attributes of meeting selection were of importance to a particular population. Dr. Price (1993) identified four variables as important attributes for attendees in their selection of a meeting. They were: a) education, b) leadership, c) networking, and d) professional savvy. The primary hypothesis was directed at confirming the validity of these attributes. Four factors emerged in the analysis of this study. Three factors were identical to the Price (1993) study. These factors were: a) education, b) leadership, and c) networking. The fourth factor that emerged was named potpourri. Ultimately, this study attempted to be significant in assisting meeting planners in the preparation of more effective meetings.