i-Rise: Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events
The purpose of the i-Rise initiative is to increase the impact of sport event research for mega and small-scale sport events through dissemination and strategic alliances in the State of Florida, the USA and globally.
i-Rise Surveys
Our surveys target spectator and participant needs, helping sport organizations evaluate the impacts of sport events on their communities. We administered surveys at the Olympic Games (London, Sochi, Athens) and sport events in Florida. We use onsite intercepts, web surveys, face to face interviews and focus groups.
What Is Sport Event Tourism?
Definitions and Resources
Sport Events
Sport events can be of international, national, regional and local magnitude. International events include mega events that are usually irregular in terms of hosting frequency. National events usually take place within the host country and can involve any sport. Regional and local events are usually of smaller scale in terms of participation and attendance.
Kaplanidou, K. & Gibson, H. (2010). Predicting Behavioral Intentions of Active Sport Tourists: The Case of a Small Scale Recurring Sport Event. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 15(2), 163-179.
Sport Event Tourists
Sport event tourists can be participants (e.g., athletes), spectators or event volunteers. In some cases research also examines sport media delegates as a sport tourist category.
Sport Event Legacy
The concrete or even more abstract outcomes from a sport event planning and delivery that can endure the test of time and can be positively or negatively related to quality of life.
Kaplanidou, K. (2012). The importance of legacy outcomes for Olympic Games four summer host cities residents’ quality of life: 1996-2008. European Sport Management Quarterly, 12(4), 397-433
i-Rise Research
i-Rise has conducted a number of research projects that have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Contact i-Rise
Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Ph.D.
Director, Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events
Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Recreation & Sport Management
Education:
- Ph.D. in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources, Michigan State University (2006)
- M.S. in Recreation Management, Loughborough University, Loughborough, England (2000)
- B.S. in Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece (1996)
Research interests:
- Impacts of sport events on host communities
- Sport consumer behavior focusing on image of sport and sport events and their fit with destination
- National and international communities’ development through mega sport event hosting initiatives
Leyi Shen, M.S.
Ph.D. Student, Department of Sport Management
Research Associate, Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events
Education:
- M.S. in Sport Management, University of Florida
- B.A. in Sport Administration/B.A. in Sociology, Pepperdine University
Contact information:
- Email: leyi.shen@ufl.edu
William Santana, M.S.
Ph.D. Student, Department of Sport Management
Research Associate, Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events
Education:
- M.S. in Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sao Paolo
- B.S. in Physical Education, University of Sao Paolo
Contact information:
- Email: wf.santana@ufl.edu
Previous Research Associates
- Hamza Khan
- Inje Cho
- Skyler Fleshman