Comparing Two Events in West Michigan: Spending Patterns by Demographic and Trip Characteristics

Abstract

Few studies have compared different events to understand commonalities and differences between demographic and trip characteristics and the amount of spending by event attendees. Therefore, this study compared two annual events, with a similar population size, held in the same year and located within close proximity by using the same instrument and method for the comparative study. The onsite data was randomly collected during the two events. The final usable sample size was 412 from Tulip Time Festival attendees and 862 from ArtPrize attendees. The responses were compared by using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. The present study found that although both events had different demographics and trip characteristics and spending patterns, the events had consist results in spending patterns that significantly differed by trip purpose, repeat attendance, and age. These similarities that this study found will be useful for a more effective management of local cultural events.