Winner of International PhD Student Competition

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

We are proud to announce that Barbara Neuhofer, who is one of ST’s excellent PhD students and also won the ITT PhD Student of the Year 2013 Award, has been selected as one of the winners for the International PhD Student Competition 2013.

The School of Management, University of South Australia will host 15 of the top PhD students from around the world to participate in a forum on the future of management in the 21st Century in Adelaide, Australia from 11th – 13th November 2013. After receiving 107 entries from 33 countries, 15 winners have been chosen through a rigorous selection process by a panel of academic experts.

Barbara will depart on her trip this Friday 8th November to participate in the forum, network with academics and strengthen the existing collaboration between Bournemouth University and the University of South Australia. While Barbara is in Australia, she will also take the opportunity to visit and meet academics at the University of Wollongong and the University of New South Wales.

ITT Summer Cocktails 2013.

Barbara said: “I feel very honored to have been selected as one of the winners in the competition to travel to Adelaide and participate in the interdisciplinary management forum. It will be a fantastic opportunity to share my PhD research and discuss cutting-edge management issues of the 21st century with other top PhD researchers in the field and visit a total of three Australian universities for networking and future collaboration. I look forward to a great experience.”

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis as Barbara’s supervisor, commented “I am delighted that Barbara was selected through tough competition to participate in this sponsored workshop. This is a recognition of the excellent work that Barbara is doing for her PhD and is well deserved. I am delighted that the work we do at the School of Tourism eTourismLab in Bournemouth University is recognised externally. Traveling to Adelaide is a great opportunity for Barbara to extend our existing partnership with the University of South Australia and winning the competition is a real accolade for Barbara and the school.”

Below is the abstract of the research paper Barbara submitted to enter this competition, entitled:

 “The Experience Economy of the 21st Century:

Innovation Through Technology-Enhanced Tourism Experiences”

The creation of unique, meaningful and memorable consumer experiences constitutes a key concept in today’s business environment. With products and services having become increasingly interchangeable, the consumer society has undergone a shift, away from material commodities towards the pursuit of experiences. The experience economy of the 21st century is however currently undergoing a dramatic change. Experiences are transforming as a) active consumers have become increasingly empowered to co-create their own experiences and b) information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become implemented as a catalyst of change revolutionising experiences. In order to act upon this change, a rethinking in strategic management is needed for businesses to embrace these opportunities and take experience creation to a new level. By implementing the plethora of ICTs, experiences will become more dynamic, interconnected, social and ubiquitous and technology will be the driving force for innovation and competitiveness of consumer experiences of the 21st century.

For more information about the International PhD Student Competition 2013, visit:

http://www.unisa.edu.au/Business/Management/International-PhD-Student-Competition/

STUDENTS RESEARCH CLOSE FINN-ISH!

Posted . Filed under News.

The prestigious British Rally Championship was decided in favour of Finland’s Jukka Korhonen and Marko Salminen in Poole last Saturday in their Citroen DS3 R3T.

Behind the scenes final year Sports Management students of the School of Tourism were undertaking an economic impact survey on behalf of the organisers of Rallye Sunseeker, the final round of the 2013 British Rally Championship.

Such surveys are vital to the organisers and competitors as a justification for sponsorship deals and to gain the support too of the local community.

Lecturer in Sports Management research supervisor Paul Boyce said, “Consultancy projects such as this allow the application of academic areas, such as research methodology, to the benefit of real-life industrial partners. We have been very lucky over the years to have had the close co-operation of the Rallye Sunseeker organisers, headed by Event Director Rick Smith. He has personally gone out of his way to make it possible to poll spectators, competitors and officials to establish accurately what such a large event contributes to Poole as well as the region’s economy.”

Dr Bruce Grant-Braham, head of the School’s Motor Sport Research Group is also Chair of Poole Tourism. “I wear two hats,” he said. “Whilst it is absolutely great to see our students getting so involved, Rallye Sunseeker is a core element in extending Poole’s tourist season into the shoulder periods. I look forward to receiving the results in the near future which will demonstrate to Dorset’s local authorities and the wider tourism industry how an events-based marketing strategy can work and what it can tangibly generate. Dorset would have been much quieter this weekend if Rallye Sunseeker had not been in town. I can’t believe, how many Finns I met over the weekend!”

On the overall benefit of student consultancy projects, Lecturer Andrew Callaway, who is Consultancy Project Coordinator in the Centre for Event and Sport Research said, “We are pleased to be running a dozen student led projects this year. They all act so professionally working on real projects that make a difference to the organisations involved. These range from Rallye Sunseeker through to how to develop a National Governing Body and setting up and running major events for them. They all put their research and theory into practice in a big way, they all get something out of this learning experience, and, as a helpful by-product it looks amazing for them from an employability angle as well.”

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The champion’s Citroen DS3 RT at speed in Dorset’s Forests with Finnish flags in the background!

 

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Jukka Korhonen and Mario Salminen celebrate in Finnish-style on Poole Qu

The final Digitals Destinations event

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The final Digital Destinations event took place on Tuesday 22nd October at the East Cliff Court Hotel in Bournemouth where Dr Alford, the project lead, fed back the results and insights from the project as well as looking to the future and how the collaboration could be extended. If you weren’t able to make it to the event, you can view Dr Alford’s slides at http://www.slideshare.net/DigitalHub/digital-destinations-key-results-and-next-steps. The businesses also ‘graduated’ and received their certificates for their commitment to the project over a 12-month period, which is testimony to their support but also to the importance they attach to Digital Marketing.

The evening concluded with great Q&A with overwhelming enthusiasm for not letting the Digital Marketing journey end at this point but for finding opportunities to extent the work and the great networking that the project established. In that spirit, a number of businesses are attending the Social Media and Reputation Management event at Bournemouth University on the 8th November http://www.esrc.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/festival/

Are you passionate about licensing of events? We know someone who is!

Posted . Filed under Guest speakers, News.

This week Let’s Talk Events & Leisure had the privilege to welcome Philip Day, Solicitor and expert on the Licensing of Events from Horsey Lightly Fynn.

Horsey Lightly Finn

As a result of the Licensing Act 2003 there are a great number of regulations relating to licensing of events as well as many exemptions to keep track of. To make it even more complicated the exemptions keep changing over time. Philip said his job is about allowing people to have a good time without spoiling the fun!

Philip delivered what he calls the ‘idiot’s guide on licensing events’ and we got a crash course in what is licensable and not, what things you have to deal with when you ask for a license and how much it costs.

It was a great presentation from Philip who is very passionate and knowledgeable about licensing implications of events, and he delivered this important subject matter in an entertaining yet insightful way. The advice he wants to give to event managers is to keep it simple and try your best to involve and communicate with your stakeholders and locals.

Philip Day_ Philip Day

Philip is also Vice President and Legal Advisor of NOEA (National Outdoor Event Association)

By: Maria Näs

Geronimo Inns inspire students

Posted . Filed under Guest speakers, Student Experience.

Ed Turner, Commercial Director for Young & Co’s Brewery and Managing Director of Geronimo Inns Limited delivered an interesting and inspirational presentation to students at School of Tourism.  Ed previously worked as Retail Operations Manager for Mitchells and Butler for 10 years and clearly has a proven track record of managing, directing and leading successful businesses.

Ed shared the business that he loves and told of the latest trends in the industry and how it is changing. We are changing how we socialise, eat and also communicate and work. It is a tough climate but there are also many opportunities out there for those who are keeping up with trends. DSC_1607 low res

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The message he brought to the students was that it is personality that drives business and they should join companies with a personality. He is interested in working with and recruiting those who have a real passion for creativity, living life, fine food and those who are inspired by living outside of the box. “The people that are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”.

Applications open!

Posted . Filed under News, Student Experience.

The autumn rounds for your applications within the BU Global Horizons Fund and the new Santander Grants are now open! Please visit the newly structured Student Portal pages about Study & Work Abroad opportunities at BU to learn more on how to apply, which international activities BU may be able to support and by when you have to submit your application. For any queries, please write directly to studyabroad@bournemouth.ac.uk

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Bournemouth University’s School of Tourism Invited to Join the European Tourism Futures Institute

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

Nicole Ferdinand and Dr. Katherine King of the Events and Leisure Group in the School of Tourism were invited to attend the third annual meeting of the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI), which was held at the European Parliament in Brussels on September 16th-17th 2013. Among the items raised at the meeting was the Festival Impact Monitor, a successful Bournemouth Fusion Investment Fund bid submitted under the Co-Creation and Co-Production Strand. This project seeks develop an event evaluation approach to overcome the limitations of existing qualitative and quantitative methods. ETFI were contacted prior to the submission of this bid to act as an international partner. Jeroen Oskam, Programme Manager for ETFI was very enthusiastic in supporting this project as it fits in very well with the forward looking orientation of his institution. For more on the Festival Impact Monitor, please see this link.

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By Nicole Ferdinand

Ever organised a children’s party? Crafty Arty World Group takes the connotation of children’s events to a whole other level

Posted . Filed under Guest speakers, News.

Thursday the 17th October Let’s Talk Events & Leisure had the pleasure to welcome Emily Hall, Business Development Manager and Tony Jacques, Marketing Director from Crafty Arty World Group.

Crafty Arty World

Crafty Arty World Group has grown organically at a rapid pace the past years and experienced a steep learning curve. Starting as a local company organising arts courses for children they got a call that would change everything to come. They were asked to organise a children’s party and realised quickly that there was a gap in the market. Today 99% of the business is London based though the office is based next to a beautiful meadow in Dorset. They have 3 companies under the umbrella Crafty Arty World i.e. Crafty Arty Parties™, Tikes & Tiaras™ and Prop Dead Gorgeous™ http://www.craftyartyworld.com/ and have plans to develop even further.  They deliver corporate and private children parties with bespoke and creative solutions. Everything is made specifically for each event. The company organises the biggest corporate children’s party in London for the 3rd year running. Tony explains that “corporate clients has moved away from merely treating their employees and clients and are now focusing largely on family events. Happy children make for happy parents and happy employees.”

Emily graduated from the Events Management program at School of Tourism in 2012. She started her journey with the company as a placement student and is now responsible for up to high profile 30 clients at one time. She tells the story of the first time she was invited by her manager to be part of a pitch. “I have done bungee jumping and I honestly thought that it at least can’t be as bad as that. They are just humans in that room and they are not going to eat me”.  Emily won the pitch and was promoted.

Emily Hall

“What did you think about when you hear children’s party?” Tony asked the students. They would find out that it is much more than balloons, clowns and cupcakes involved. Crafty Arty World Group is an event production company from start to finish. The audience learned about the ups and downs when it comes to building client relationships, answering to briefs, landing a pitch, and finally delivering and event. The biggest challenge is to get into the door. “There is no one way to get a client and sometimes it can take years of work to get that meeting” says Emily. She also stressed how important it is to make the clients remember you, be creative, and know your finances. But most of all make sure to get a signature on that contract.

Tony JacquesThe future looks bright for Crafty Arty World Group. They are launching a new brand, developing their e-marketing and increasing international business. After Christmas Tony and Emily will fly to New York in the search for new opportunities. When Crafty Arty World Group met with students after the presentation the room was packed. They are currently looking for students to do casual work as well as offering graduate opportunities. If you are interested contact Emily at Emily.hall@craftyartyparties.com  or Tony Jacques at Jacques@craftyartyparties.com.

By: Maria Näs

 

Seminars in October and November

Posted . Filed under News.

All seminars are on Wednesday afternoons in TAG32.

23rd October, 3pm in TAG32

Philip Long, ‘Creativity and Tourism: Theory, Policy and Practice’

Cláudia Henriques (University of the Algarve), ‘Place, Identity and Paradoxes: the case of British tourists’ attitudes regarding the Algarve’.

30th October, 4pm in TAG32

Berta Ferrer Rosell (University of Gerona), ‘A new way of segmenting tourists: defining low-cost tourists by their expenditure composition’

Adam Blake and Heather Hartwell, ‘BU PhD Studentships’.

13th November, 3.30pm, TAG32

Marina Marouda and Adele Ladkin, ‘Family Rituals 2.0 – supporting work-life balance for mobile workers in the digital age’

Ian Jones, ‘Why we carry on when things go wrong: Social Creativity, Sport and Leisure’.