Abstract

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.

摘要

虽然活动、旅游和酒店业在不断发展，但新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 极大地改变了活动专业人员的角色、职责和工作，导致活动管理教育工作者重新评估他们的课程和课程设置。本研究调查了 COVID-19 对活动专业人员技能组合的潜在变化。采用了混合方法研究设计，通过以下方式从活动专业人士收集数据：焦点小组和全国调查。结果强调了一般业务管理技能（沟通、商务写作、谈判）以及特定活动管理技能（数字和技术技能）的重要性。通过对疫情期间这些变化的及时反思，本研究不仅凸显了当代活动专业人士的要求，也为高等教育机构如何有效拥抱后疫情时代的活动管理新格局提供了启示。