Date of Award

January 2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Teaching & Learning

First Advisor

Kathy Smart

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to understand tradeshow exhibits as places of learning. The existing literature suggests that tradeshows are events of learning, but the purpose of this research study was to fill a pronounced gap in the literature by better understanding tradeshow exhibits as places of learning through the perceptions and experiences of industry professionals at a Midwestern exhibit house. Tradeshows have traditionally been understood to be temporary marketplaces where organizations from a given industry convene to display their products and services to potential buyers. While tradeshow exhibits are still seen in this research study as temporary places for trade, this research study went beyond this traditional view, to understand tradeshow exhibits as a complex phenomenon that could facilitate many experiences and opportunities for learning.

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