The mission of the Hospitality and Tourism Administration undergraduate program is to provide educational, research, and
service activities with the goal of enabling students, as well as industry and community professionals, to function in an everchanging environment. The program integrates many disciplines that address ongoing concerns and needs of the hospitality and
tourism industry. The mission is accomplished through teaching a combination of relevant hospitality theory and practical
solution-based examples using appropriate current technology. The purpose is to develop industry professionals able to
contribute, through employment and entrepreneurship, to the economic growth of the hospitality and tourism industry.
HTA 465: Convention Management and Service
Tuesday/Thursday 9:35-10:50
Quigley 203
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Nicole L. Davis
OFFICE: Quigley 207B
PHONE: 618.453.7516
EMAIL: ndavis@siu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays 1:00-4:00pm, Wednesdays 9:00am-12:00noon
Required Texts
Astroff, Abbey. Convention Management and Service, 8th Ed. Lansing, MI: American Hotel
and Lodging Association Educational Institute, 2006. ISBN 9780866123563
Digital rental available through CourseSmart
Note: In order to take the course completion certificate exam at the end of the semester, you must purchase a new text
from the bookstore or publisher, as it will contain the necessary test materials. You may also purchase the testing
materials separately on the AHLA website. The certificate is not mandatory.
Course Description
HTA 465 serves as a primer to understanding the role the meeting and convention planning business plays in hotel
profitability. Students will explore successful procedures, practical insight, and foundational knowledge to succeed in
convention management and services.
Program'Outcomes'and'Course'Objectives'
Students should be able to address issues critically and reflectively; retrieve, organize, create, and analyze information
using current industry technology to solve real world issues; discuss the legal environment of the hospitality and tourism
industry; and analyze the impact of tourism on the global society.
After&this&course,&students&will&have&met&these&program&outcomes&through&the&following&course&objectives:
1. identify characteristics of meetings that are important for selling to various markets;
2. describe the legal elements of an event contract;
3. describe typical function room furniture, meeting setups, and time and usage considerations;
4. describe programs that hospitality properties offer spouses and children of meeting attendees and the role of such
programs in a successful meeting;
5. describe the functions of key trade show personnel and the elements of exhibit planning;
6. discuss considerations hotel staff must make when assigning rooms to meeting attendees;
7. summarize the process of planning an advertising strategy and describe how public relations and publicity can help a
property reach meeting planners;
8. explain the scope of the convention, meetings and trade show industry in terms of types of meetings, who holds
meetings, and emerging types of meeting facilities;
9. explain typical procedures for billing groups and for conducting a post-convention review; and
10. collaborate with classmates to determine appropriate outcomes to industry specific scenarios.
HTA 465 Syllabus
1
The mission of the Hospitality and Tourism Administration undergraduate program is to provide educational, research, and
service activities with the goal of enabling students, as well as industry and community professionals, to function in an everchanging environment. The program integrates many disciplines that address ongoing concerns and needs of the hospitality and
tourism industry. The mission is accomplished through teaching a combination of relevant hospitality theory and practical
solution-based examples using appropriate current technology. The purpose is to develop industry professionals able to
contribute, through employment and entrepreneurship, to the economic growth of the hospitality and tourism industry.
Method of Evaluation
This course will utilize SIU Online to provide students with supplemental information. Below is a course outline with
assignments and point values. A full course calendar is listed at the end of this syllabus.
Case studies (4 at 15 points each)
Guest speaker/tour reflections (5 at 10 points each)
Chapter quizzes (Online – 18 total)
Final Exam (AHLA certificate exam)
Attendance & Participation
60 points
50 points
180 points
100 points
75 points
Students who consistently arrive late or
leave early will lose attendance points.
Calendar might change due to speaker
schedules. Changes will be announced in
class.
Total points: 465
Grade scale: A = 90%, B = 80%, C = 70%, D = 60%, below 60% is failing.
Course Assignments and Activities
Twitter: Twitter backchannels and front channels are used routinely at conferences, and we will be learning
about its use (good and bad) at these events. A Twitter backchannel is essentially the Twitter feed of the
conference hashtag. The front channel is the same, but displayed publicly. A hashtag (#) is used to mark
keywords or phrases in Tweets that allows for easy search capabilities. HTA 465 will use a backchannel
and the hashtag #HTA465.
While using Twitter is not required and will not be graded, tweeting along will make this experience more
valuable. Yes … tweeting during class time is allowed. Please be professional. I encourage you to share information as
well as ask questions if you have them. I will monitor #HTA465 and answer Tweets after class.
Guest Speakers/Tour reflections: During the semester, we will have the opportunity to visit campus event facilities as
well as have event-related speakers visit class. A typed, 1 page reflection will be due the class period following a
speaker or tour.
Convention Case Studies: Case studies are an integral part of preparing for the workplace by using what you learn in
class in a practical scenario. Case studies will be done in class or submitted online per the syllabus.
Extra Credit Opportunities: Occasionally, during the semester, students will be provided with opportunities to earn
extra credit points through volunteering at events. If you accept an opportunity by signing up to volunteer for or partake
in an event, please be courteous enough to attend as promised. Students who sign-up and choose not to attend will have
equivalent points deducted from their overall grade.
Course Policies
Instructor Availability and Email: Please note that I will respond to email within 24 hours of receipt. However, I do
not check email regularly over the weekend. As a result, if you email on Saturday or Sunday, do not expect an
immediate response. Grades will not be discussed via email or phone. If you do email me directly, please place the
course name and number (ie, HTA 465) in the subject line so I can better help you.
Late Activities/Assignments/Quizzes: All course work is due as scheduled. Late work will not be accepted. Students
who miss class will not have the opportunity to make-up in-class activities unless arrangements have been made PRIOR
to the class. If a student has an emergency situation that precludes him/her from completing an assignment, justification
must be provided to the instructor prior to the assignment/quiz due date.
HTA 465 Syllabus
2
The mission of the Hospitality and Tourism Administration undergraduate program is to provide educational, research, and
service activities with the goal of enabling students, as well as industry and community professionals, to function in an everchanging environment. The program integrates many disciplines that address ongoing concerns and needs of the hospitality and
tourism industry. The mission is accomplished through teaching a combination of relevant hospitality theory and practical
solution-based examples using appropriate current technology. The purpose is to develop industry professionals able to
contribute, through employment and entrepreneurship, to the economic growth of the hospitality and tourism industry.
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HTA 465 Course Calendar
**This calendar may change based on guest speaker availability and schedules. Changes will be announced in class.
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TOPIC/ASSIGNMENTS
Course introduction and syllabus review. Twitter introduction. Top Hat Introduction.
Intro to the Convention, Meetings and Trade Show Industry
Developing a Marketing Plan
Organizing for Convention Sales
Selling the Association Market
Tour: SIU Arena, Meet in Main Lobby
Selling the Corporate Meetings Market
In Class Case Study 1: “Departmental Conflict at The Ultra Hotel”
Selling Other Markets
Tour: SIU Student Center
Selling to the Meetings Market
Advertising to the Meeting Planner
Guest Speaker: Matt Shackleton, Assistant Director of Arena
Negotiations and Contracts
FALL BREAK – No Class
Case Study 2 Due Online: “Don’t Just Tell It, Sell It”
Dr. Davis Gone – No Class
Guestrooms
The Service Function
Preparing for the Event
Function Room and Meeting Setups
Case Study 3 Due Online: “Sales Underperforms Even While Meeting Budget”
Dr. Davis Gone – No Class
Dr. Davis Gone – No Class
Case Study 4 Due Online: “Distributing Sales Functions Between a Hotel’s Sales and
Catering Departments”
Dr. Davis Gone – No Class
Guest Speaker: Sarah VanVooren, Assistant Director, SIU Student Center
Food and Beverage Service
Audiovisual Requirements
Admission Systems and Other Services
THANKSGIVING – No Class
Exhibits and Trade Shows
Guest Speaker: Mark Scally, SIU Associate Athletic Director
Convention Billing and Post Convention Review
Exam review for those who need it
*** Final/Certificate Exam ***
8:00-10:00am, Quigley 203
NOTE: Quizzes must be completed prior to coming to class. Individual chapter quizzes will remain available until
9:00am on the day the chapter is covered in class.
HTA 465 Syllabus
3
Syllabus Attachment
Fall 2015
http://pvcaa.siu.edu/
IMPORTANT DATES *
Semester Class Begins …………………………………………….08/24/2015
Last day to add a class (without instructor permission):.………….08/30/2015
Last day to withdraw completely and receive a 100% refund: …....09/06/2015
Last day to drop a course using SalukiNet:.……………………….11/01/2015
Last day to file diploma application (for name to appear in Commencement
program): ………………...………………………………………..09/18/2015
Final examinations:…………………………………………12/14–12/18/2015
Note: For outreach, internet, and short course drop/add dates, visit Registrar’s Academic
webpage http://registrar.siu.edu/
FALL SEMESTER HOLIDAYS
Labor Day Holiday 09/07/2015
Fall Break 10/10—10/13/2015
Veterans Day Holiday 11/11/2015
Thanksgiving Vacation 11/25—11/29/2015
SAFETY AWARENESS FACTS AND EDUCATION
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and
gender is a Civil Rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other
protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone
you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate
resources here: http://safe.siu.edu
SALUKI CARES
The purpose of Saluki Cares is to develop, facilitate and coordinate a
university-wide program of care and support for students in any type of
distress—physical, emotional, financial, or personal. By working
closely with faculty, staff, students and their families, SIU will continue
to display a culture of care and demonstrate to our students and their
families that they are an important part of the community. For
Information on Saluki Cares: (618) 453-5714, or siucares@siu.edu,
http://salukicares.siu.edu/index.html
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a
safe and healthy environment for study and work. We ask that you
become familiar with the SIU Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) pr ogr ams. Please reference
the Building Emergency Response Protocols for Syllabus attachments
on the following pages. It is important that you follow these instructions
and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering
emergency.
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
SIU contains people from all walks of life, from many different
cultures and sub-cultures, and representing all strata of society,
nationalities, ethnicities, lifestyles, and affiliations. Learning from and
working with people who differ is an important part of education as well
an essential preparation for any career. For more information please
visit: http://www.inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu/
LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Help is within reach. Learning support services offers free tutoring on
campus and math labs. To find more information please visit the Center
for Learning and Support Services website:
Tutoring : http://tutoring.siu.edu/
Math Labs http://tutoring.siu.edu/math_tutoring/index.html
WRITING CENTER
The Writing Center offers free tutoring services to all SIU students and
faculty. To find a Center or Schedule an appointment please visit
http://write.siu.edu/
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Our office's main focus is to ensure that the university complies with
federal and state equity policies and handles reporting and investigating
of discrimination cases. For more information visit:
http://diversity.siu.edu/#
WITHDRAWAL POLICY ~ Undergraduate only
Students who officially register for a session may not withdraw merely by the stopping of attendance. An official withdrawal form needs to be initiated by the student
and processed by the University. For the proper procedures to follow when dropping
courses and when withdrawing from the University, please visit http://
registrar.siu.edu/pdf/ugradcatalog1314.pdf
INCOMPLETE POLICY~ Undergraduate only
An INC is assigned when, for reasons beyond their control, students engaged in
passing work are unable to complete all class assignments. An INC must be changed
to a completed grade within one semester following the term in which the course was
taken, or graduation, whichever occurs first. Should the student fail to complete the
course within the time period designated, that is, by no later than the end of the semester following the term in which the course was taken, or graduation, whichever
occurs first, the incomplete will be converted to a grade of F and the grade will be
computed in the student's grade point average. For more information please visit:
http://registrar.siu.edu/grades/incomplete.html
REPEAT POLICY
An undergraduate student may, for the purpose of raising a grade, enroll in a course
for credit no more than two times (two total enrollments) unless otherwise noted in
the course description. For students receiving a letter grade of A,B,C,D, or F, the
course repetition must occur at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Only the
most recent (last) grade will be calculated in the overall GPA and count toward hours
earned. See full policy at
http://registrar.siu.edu/pdf/ugradcatalog1314.pdf
GRADUATE POLICIES
Graduate policies often vary from Undergraduate policies. To view the applicable
policies for graduate students, please visit
http://gradschool.siu.edu/about-us/grad-catalog/index.html
DISABILITY POLICY
Disability Support Services provides the required academic and programmatic support services to students with permanent and temporary disabilities. DSS provides
centralized coordination and referral services. To utilize DSS services, students must
come to the DSS to open cases. The process involves interviews, reviews of studentsupplied documentation, and completion of Disability Accommodation Agreements.
http://disabilityservices.siu.edu/
PLAGIARISM CODE
http://pvcaa.siu.edu/_common/documents/Plagiarism/Guide%20to%20Preventing%
Additional Resources Available:
20Plagiarism.pdf
SALUKINET: https://salukinet.siu.edu/cp/home/displaylogin
MORRIS LIBRARY HOURS
ADVISEMENT: http://advisement.siu.edu/
http://www.lib.siu.edu/about
SIU ONLINE: http://online.siu.edu/
Fall 2015 R.O’Rourke