Special topic sessions are designed to provide opportunities for authors to present focused presentations on important and cutting edge topics and issues relevant to consumer behavior related to hospitality and tourism. 
Two different formats, corresponding to the differences in the character of the topic addressed by a paper, are provided.

Research Paper Presentation:
Presenters will be allotted 20 minutes plus a discussion of 10 minutes, moderated by a member of the program committee.  
Research paper presentations address issues primarily relevant to theory development or theory testing.
 
Best Practice Presentation:
Presenters will be allotted 20 minutes plus a discussion of 10 minutes, moderated by a member of the program committee. 
Best practice presentations address primarily the application of existing theory to practical issues of hospitality or tourism or practical solutions to strategic, managerial or operational problems experienced by hospitality or tourism professionals.

Authors of both research and best practice papers judged by the scientific committee to have particular merit will be invited to submit full papers to be published in special issues.


PhD students are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for either tracks. A special  opportunity is offered to doctoral students who will benefit from the expertise and mentoring of Dogan Gursoy, (Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management) who will hold a mentoring session and serve as discussant for their presentations.