Browsing by Author "Shonkwiler, Erica"

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    A Post-Pandemic Reflection of the Changing Role of Contemporary Event Professionals: Implications for Event Professionals and Higher Education
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023) Kramer, Savannah Kay; Liu-Lastres, Bingjie; Cecil, Amanda; Shonkwiler, Erica; Tourism, Event, & Sport Management, School of Health and Human Sciences
    While the event, tourism, and hospitality industry is constantly evolving, COVID-19 vastly shifted the roles, responsibilities, and jobs for event professionals, which caused event management educators to reevaluate their curriculum and course offerings. This study investigated the potential changes COVID-19 has had on event professionals’ skill sets. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, where data were collected from event professionals via focus groups and a national survey. The results highlighted the importance of general business management skillsets (communication, business writing, negotiation) as well as specific event management skills (digital and technology skills). Through a timely reflection on these changes during the pandemic, this study not only highlights the requirements for contemporary event professionals, but also offers implications for higher education institutions regarding how to effectively embrace the new landscape of event management in post-pandemic times.
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    Post Pandemic Reflection: The Changing Role of the Event Designer/Planner
    (2022-05) Kramer, Savannah Kay; Cecil, Amanda; Liu-Lastres, Bingjie; Shonkwiler, Erica
    This study is to assess the potential changes COVID-19 has had on the event, tourism, and hospitality industry; specifically, how the skillsets of event professional have changed. While the event, tourism, and hospitality industry is ever changing, COVID-19 vastly shifted roles, responsibilities, and jobs for event professionals. So far, few studies have been conducted to identify the potential changes in skillsets that current and future event planners need to be prepared for their job. Using data from event professionals via focus groups and a survey, this study identifies these new or heightened skillsets. The findings provide useful information for current event professionals in addition to educational programs who can adapt their curricula to best prepare future event professionals.