Research on core competency priorities of Professional Convention Organizers

This study sought to prioritize the core competencies required for PCOs in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era when the number of events is increasing and the number of professional staff is decreasing. We aimed to identify whether technical competencies are perceived as necessary when meeting technology has become essential and to identify which competencies among KSA (Knowledge-Skill-Attitude) competencies are emphasized. In addition, we wanted to identify the essential competencies within each competency. To accomplish our goals, we surveyed industry executives and practitioners involved in selecting and evaluating PCOs. To prioritize the competencies, we used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a hierarchical decision-making method that involves pairwise comparisons between factors. The results showed that attitude, skills, and knowledge were prioritized in order of importance, with attitude having the highest relative importance. This is the same result as before COVID-19, indicating that PCOs must improve their attitudinal competencies before skills and knowledge competencies after COVID-19. When analyzing the results of each competency, knowledge was ranked highest in order of importance, followed by foreign language knowledge, basic knowledge, and specialized knowledge. Skills were ranked highest in importance, followed by communication, planning, operational, and technology utilization skills. Finally, attitudes were found to be important in the order of situational adaptation, leadership and interpersonal relationships, and physical and mental management. This study differs from previous research in that it prioritizes the core competencies important to real-world PCOs. It also suggests what competencies should be cultivated in the field and provides directions for future competency-related research.