Faculty & Staff
DON MACLAURIN
Associate Professor
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Education
1992, Kansas State University, Ph.D., Hotel and Restaurant Management; 1987, University of Las Vegas Nevada, M.Sc., Hotel Administration, 1977, Florida International University, Miami, B.Sc., Tourism Management.
Current Position: Associate Professor
Brief Biography/Comments: Don grew up in a small town near Ottawa Ontario. He began studying/working in the hospitality and tourism industries at age 18, beginning a lifelong passion for the industry and eventually completing all three academic degrees at leading hospitality and tourism Schools in the USA. Prior work experience was acquired in a broad cross-section of tourism and hospitality positions with British Airways, Hyatt Hotels, restaurants, several transportation and tour companies, and the predecessor of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).
International experience was acquired during a 3 1/2 year leave from the University of Guelph to Nanyang University in Singapore from 1998-2001, followed by a research leave of absence to the HTM program at LaTrobe University, Australia in 2001-2002, and a further research leave of absence to the HTM program at College of Charleston, Charleston South Carolina, in 2005-2006.
Courses Delivered: Don currently designs and delivers undergraduate and graduate level courses in Lodging Operations, Dimensions of Tourism, Meetings and Convention Management, and HTM Service Quality Management. Prior teaching experiences have been delivered at six tourism and hospitality programs on three continents. All courses have focused on the tourism, hospitality, and meetings and convention disciplines.
Research Areas of Interest: Research activities have focused on various facets of the tourism, lodging, and meetings and convention management disciplines and hospitality and tourism related product and service issues for persons with disabilities.
Selected publications
Books, Monographs and Chapters in Books
MacLaurin, D. J. (2005). Tourism and Hospitality Education in Canada: Past, Present, and Future. In: Global Tourism Higher Education: Past, Present, and Future. Ed. Hsu, Cathy H. C. The Haworth Hospitality Press, New York.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2002). Human Resource Issues and Trends for the Convention Industry. In: Convention Tourism: International Research and Industry Perspective, Eds. Weber, K., Chon, K. Haworth Press, Binghamton NY.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2002). Brewster Tours: An Integrative Case Study. In: Tourism: The Business of Travel, by: Cook, R. A., Yale, L. J., and Marqua, J. J., Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River New Jersey.
Williams, J. J. and MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). Business Opportunities in Western Canada: Alberta and British Columbia. Prentice-Hall, Singapore.
Conway, A., and Jones, V. (1998). Canadian Companies in Japan: Lessons from Experience. University of Calgary Press, Calgary Alberta. ISBN 1-896175-91-3, 31-58.
MacLaurin, D. J. and Wykes, T. (1997). Meetings and Conventions: A Planning Guide. A 450-page text published by Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
Polivka, E. (Ed.) (1996). Professional Meeting Management, 3rd Edition. Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) 1996. (Contributing author for two chapters and overall manuscript reviewer).
Papers/Case Studies in Refereed Journals
MacLaurin, D. J. and Wolstenholme, S. (2008). An analysis of the gaming industry in the Niagara Region. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Vol. 20 (3).
MacLaurin, D. J. (2005). Tourism Education in Canada: Past, Present and Future Directions. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, Vol. 5 (1/2), 125 - 149.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2004). 2003 Annual International Council on Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE). Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism, Vol. 4 (2), 89-92.
MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin D. J. (2003). Casino Gaming and Tourism in Canada. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 15, No. 6 (October) p.p. 328-332.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2003). Conference Review: 2003 Annual International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE) Conference "An Oasis of Hospitality and Tourism" Palm Springs, California, August 6-9, 2003. The Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism.
MacLaurin, D. J. and Litvin, S. W. (2001). Tourism Strategies in an Island Economy: How Singapore Attracts the World. Tourism, Vol. 49 (4), 383-388
Litvin, S. W. and MacLaurin, D. J. (2001). Consumer Attitude and Travel Behavior. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 28 (3), 821-823.
MacLaurin, D. J. and Leong, K. (2000). Strategies for Success: How Singapore Attracts and Retains the Convention and Tradeshow Industry. International Journal of Event Management, 6 (2).
MacLaurin, D. J. and MacLaurin, T. L. (2000). Customer Perceptions of Theme Restaurants in Singapore. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, June.
MacLaurin, T. L., MacLaurin, D. J. and Loi, S. L. (2000). Impact of Food-Borne Illness on Food Safety Concerns of International Air Travelers. Tourism Economics, 6 (2), 169-185.
MacLaurin, T. L. and MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). Convention Planning Essentials: The Critical Role of Food Safety. Journal of Convention and Exhibition Management, 2 (4).
Papers/Case Studies in Refereed Conference Proceedings
Wong, J., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2007). The Toronto waterfront revitalization project’s impact on central waterfront attractions visitation levels. TTRA Canada annual conference, Charlottetown, PEI, October 09-11, 2007.
MacLaurin, D. J., and Matthews, M. (2006). Olympic Games and the Lodging Industry: Lessons from Sydney for Vancouver and Other Host Cities. TTRA Canada annual conference, Montebello Québec, October 15-17, 2006.
MacLaurin, D. J., and Lavoie, J. (2006). The Golf Industry in Québec: an Industry in Transition. TTRA Canada annual conference, Montebello Québec, October 15-17, 2006.
MacLaurin, D.J. (2005). Assessing Service Quality in the Meetings and Convention Industy: An Application of the Servqual Model. Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit, June 5-7.
Wong, Y. and MacLaurin, D. J. (2005). An Assessment of Guest Satisfaction and Training Practices in the Front Office Departments of Upscale Hotels. Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit, June 5-7.
Ketcheson, R. A., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2004). Strategies for the Survival and the Sustainability of Visitors and Convention Bureau's. The Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit, June 5-7.
MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2004). From Candy Floss to Casinos: The Tourism Rebirth of Niagara Falls. The Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit, June 5-7.
Collins, K., Diodati, J., Ypma, P., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2004). Childcare Services Strategies for Conference Attendees. The Las Vegas International Hospitality and Convention Summit, June 5-7.
Hillhouse, D., and MacLaurin D. J. (2004). Canadian Educational Tourism: Comparing Japanese and Chinese Inbound Markets. Administrative Association of Canada Conference (ASAC), Québec City, June 7-9.
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2003). Service Quality Management in the Meetings and Convention Industry. International CHRIE conference, Palm Springs CA, August 6-9.
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2003). Perceived Value and Loyalty Effect of Hospitality Loyalty Programs. Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC), Halifax NS, June 14-17.
MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2003). Identifying and Segmenting Canadian Casino Gambling Markets. 12th Annual International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Vancouver B.C., May 26-30.
MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2002). Consumer’s Receptivity to E-Commerce in the Tourism Industry. International CHRIE Conference, Orlando FL, July.
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2002). Hotel Service Expectations: Does Customer Culture Make a Difference? Refereed Paper Proceedings of the CAUTHE Annual Conference. Freemantle, Australia February 7-10.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2001). Innovations in Destination Development and Marketing: Contrasting Canada to Singapore. TTRA Canadian Annual Conference. Niagara Falls, October.
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2001). Buying Behavior of Japanese Visitors in Singapore: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. International CHRIE Conference, Toronto, July 25-27.
Xu Gang, MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2001). Modeling the Macro Economic Impacts of Tourism in China. Proceedings from the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference, July 4-7, 2001, Manila Philippines.
MacLaurin D. J., Xu Gang, and MacLaurin, T. L. (2001). Hotel Attributes Preferences of Asian International Travelers. Proceedings from the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference, July 4-7, 2001, Manila Philippines.
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2000). Singapore Inbound Travel Trends to Australia: Projections for the New Millennium. In M. Ewen (ed.) Proceedings of the Council of Australian University Tourism & Hospitality Education Conference (p. 67). School of Tourism and Hospitality, La Trobe University, Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia.
MacLaurin, D. J. and Leong, K. (2000). How Singapore Attracts and Retains the Convention and Tradeshow Industry. In W.S. Roehl (ed.) Proceedings of the Convention / Expo Summit VII (pp. 38-61). Las Vegas, Nevada: William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
MacLaurin, T. L. and MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). Convention Planning Essentials: The Critical Role of Food Safety. In W.S. Roehl (ed.) Proceedings of the Convention / Expo Summit VII (pp. 38-61). Las Vegas, Nevada: William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
MacLaurin, T. L., Loi, S. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). Air Travelers’ Attitudes on Food Safety. In National Sanitation Foundation and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (ed.) Proceedings of the Food Safety in Travel and Tourism Conference (p.17). Barcelona, Spain.
MacLaurin, T. L. Loi, S. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). Effects of Food Safety Knowledge and Concerns on Travelers' Behaviors. Council of Australian University Tourism & Hospitality Education Conference. School of Tourism and Hospitality, La Trobe University, Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia.
MacLaurin, T. L., MacLaurin, D. J., Tay, K. A., Ang, C. H. and Lim, H. L. (2000). E-Commerce: Defining the Impact on Singapore’s Tourism Industry. Proceedings of the Council of Australian University Tourism & Hospitality Education Conference (p. 157). School of Tourism and Hospitality, La Trobe University, Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia.
MacLaurin, T. L., MacLaurin, D. J. and Loi, S. L. (1999). Importance of Food Hygiene/Safety to International Air Travelers. In A. Steene. (ed.) Proceedings of the Improving Safety and Security at Tourism Destinations Conference (pp. 1-24). Kalmar, Sweden: Department of Social and Economic Science, University of Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden.
Litvin, S. and MacLaurin, D. J. (1999). Tourism and Understanding: Does Tourism Really Make a Difference? Accepted (and nominated for "best paper" designation) at the International CHRIE conference, Albuquerque NM, August. (Note: This paper was not presented at the conference, as neither author was able to attend.)
Other Related Industry Publications
Fisher, D., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2004). Are You Ready to Respond to a Market Niche That Wants to Double Their Hospitality and Travel Expenditures? Foodservice and Hospitality, May.
MacLaurin, D. J., and Fisher, D. (2004). Wise Design: Every Restaurant Patron and Operator Benefits from Disability Friendly Upgrades. Foodservice and Hospitality, July 71-74.
MacLaurin, T. L., and MacLaurin, D. J. (2003). Comparing HTM programs in Singapore and the University Of Guelph. The HTM Hornblower, January.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2003). Update of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Guelph. The CHRIE Communique, March.
Intini, J. (2003). It's All in the Details: Service, Style, and Comfort Are Making Pricey Boutique Hotels Popular. Maclean's, November 16. (Note: The incumbent provided substantial material for this article.)
MacLaurin, D. J., and MacLaurin, T. L. (2002). Welcome back to the University of Guelph HTM Program. The HTM Hornblower, September.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2001). The Yearn to Learn: How Learning Styles Differ across Generations. Convene, April 15, p. 50-52. (Convene is the journal of the Professional Convention Management Association [PCMA]).
MacLaurin, D. J. (2001). Restaurant Service Charges in Singapore: Customer and Restaurant Owner and Employee Perceptions. SPGG Journal 2001.
MacLaurin D. J. (2000) Incentive Travel: Singapore Welcomes the World. SPGG Journal 2000, December 91-97.
MacLaurin, D. J. (2000). The Importance of Human Capital: A Skilled Work Force Must Match MICE Capital Investment. Incentive and Meetings Asia, Miller-Freeman Publishing, Hong Kong, May/June p. 39.
MacLaurin, D.J., MacLaurin, T.L., Dana, T.E. (1999). Food Industry Business Opportunities in Singapore. Produced for Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), 60 pages.
Professional Activities
External consultant (2004). Hotel Association of Canada. Revising and upgrading the current Access Canada program that is designed to improve lodging industry products and services for guests with disabilities.
Manuscript reviewer (2004). TTRA International Conference, Montréal, June
Manuscript reviewer (2004). International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration, July
Manuscript reviewer (2004). Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC), annual conference, June
Manuscript reviewer (2004). Hospitality Management Reality: A Case Book and Approach, by Lundberg, Young, & Lundberg, Prentice-Hall, February.
Manuscript reviewer (2003). Meetings, Expositions, Events and Conventions: an Introduction to the Industry, by G. Fenich, Prentice-Hall, October.
External reviewer (2003). External Tenure faculty appointment reviewer, School of Hospitality Administration, University of New Orleans, September.
Manuscript reviewer (2003). International Journal of Hospitality Management, August.
Manuscript reviewer (2003). Convention and Expo Summit, Hong Kong, March.
Build Your Own Business (BYOB), December 2002-present. Content and marketing specialist for the owners and developers of the world's first Internet based real-time hospitality management simulation.
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture and Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Toronto Ontario, October 2002. Invited contributor, Customer Service for People with Disabilities Focus Group Session.
LaTrobe University, Albury campus (Australia), April 2002. Invited guest speaker at a multidisciplinary research seminar presentation. Topic: Projections for Inbound Travel to Australia for the Next Decade
LaTrobe University, Melbourne campus (Australia), May 2002. Invited guest speaker at a tourism industry research seminar presentation. Topic: Future Implications of Singapore to Australia Inbound Travel
Sin Singapore Tourism Board (STB), March 2001. Joint presentation to Four Seasons hotel executives, hospitality and tourism educators and the media. Topic: The Future of Hospitality and Tourism Education in Singapore. The University of Guelph HAFA program was used as a case study example of excellence in this presentation
Chairman of June 1999 MBA Business Study Mission to Western Canada. Conceptualized, planned and lead a group of 60 MBA students and faculty on a 17 day study tour resulting in the text book: Business Opportunities in Western Canada (2000).
External Consultant, 1999-2000, Singapore Government Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE). This project involved identifying business opportunities and implementation strategies for the Singapore food industry.
Obtained HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Program) commercial food safety certification from NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), November 1998, Albuquerque NM.
University of Guelph, Hospitality Managers Development Course (HMDC). Part of a faculty team delivering this 10-day Executive development program to Hospitality Industry practitioners, 1995-1997.
Manuscript reviewer and contributor for Passport: An Introduction to Travel and Tourism (Canadian edition) by David Howell and Robert Ellison, Nelson Canada 1994.
Manuscript reviewer for annual CHRIE conference papers, responsible for reviewing lodging sector papers, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
External consultant (1995-1997). Member of the Board of Governors of CF Hospitality, ranked as Canada's 17th largest lodging industry operator in 1997.
Appointed by President of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) to a Research Committee in 1993. The 10 member national committee made recommendations on how CTHRC should allocate approximately $10 million in tourism research projects in subsequent years.
Editorial Advisory Board member, At Guelph (University newspaper) 1993, 1994, 1995.
Manuscript reviewer for two publications for Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Standards and Certifications for Meeting Managers, and Standards and Certifications for Meeting Coordinators, 1995.
Software reviewer for Top of the House, Version II, a lodging industry computer simulator. Sponsor: Burgundy Group Inc., 1995.
Manuscript reviewer for Managing Hotels Effectively, 2nd edition, by Chacko and Nebel. Sponsor VNR, 1995.
Research report of 220 respondents to the American Culinary Federation (ACF) outlining member perceptions of foodservice technology projects, 1994.
Mystery shopper for Holiday Inns of Canada. Evaluated pre and post effects of a substantial on site service-training program for F&B service employees, 1994, 1995.
Member of Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), National Steering Committee for Human Resource Study, 1994.
Past President Canada CHRIE 1995-1997, Past Ontario CHRIE President 1993-1995.
Member of Ontario Task Force on Alcoholic Beverage Server Intervention Program (S. I. P.), 1994.
Consultant to numerous hospitality industry related projects and services since 1985.
Executive Development Programs
1994-1997
Founding member of the L. E. S. (Learning Environment Specialist) certification program administered by PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association). Successfully delivered this program 3-4 times annually to Hyatt hotel executives at various U.S. locations.
1995-1997
Appointed one of the first certified "train the trainer" designates for the NRA (National Restaurant Association) Serve-Safe in Canada. This is the leading food safety certification program in North America. Successfully delivered this certification program to numerous Canadian hospitality industry organizations and executives.
May 1997
Member of the faculty program development and presentation team for the University of Guelph's renowned HMDC (Hospitality Managers Development Course).
October 1998
Presented a seminar to the Singapore workshop on conference management as an invited guest speaker of the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau.
July 1999
Part of a four-member faculty team who successfully prepared and delivered a one-week advanced executive development program to managers of Singapore's largest Tourism attraction (Sentosa Development Corporation).
February 2000
Hosted a visiting delegation of North American meeting managers’ site inspection to Singapore in conjunction with the U.S.-based Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) on behalf of the Singapore Tourism Board.
March 2000
Prepared and delivered presentation materials for convention industry executives and meeting managers in Southeast Asia at the International Sofitel Resort, Johor Baru, Malaysia.
April 2000
Prepared and delivered presentation materials for attendees from 14 countries attending the weeklong International Association of Professional Conference Organizers (IAPCO) executive development certification program in Singapore.
July 2000
Prepared and delivered (with Dr. Tanya MacLaurin) "Developing High Impact Guest Food Safety Systems", as part of a one-day executive development program for the Singapore hospitality industry sponsored by the Singapore Productivity Standards Board (PSB).
May 2004-2005-2006
Prepared and delivered (with co-facilitator) the inaugural 4-day sales and marketing management module for the University of Guelph Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry (AMPHI). This is an advanced level executive development program for senior hospitality and tourism industry executives.
