This document summarizes the proceedings of an opening seminar for IFITT Finland, an organization dedicated to information and communication technologies in tourism and travel. The day included presentations on eLearning in tourism, social media use by Finnish tourism businesses, and needed eTourism education. Requirements for founding an IFITT chapter include a minimum of 10 members, annual activities plan, and board of 4-7 members. Key benefits of membership are access to international peers and commentary on research and best practices. Successful chapters require commitment from representatives of industry, government, and academia to organize events and networking. The seminar concluded with electing a board and setting objectives for IFITT Finland.

1. IFITT Finland avajaisseminaari, Savonlinna, 20.11.2013
IFITT Finland avajaisseminaari
Juho Pesonen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto,
Matkailualan opetus- ja tutkimuslaitos,
Savonlinna, eMatkailu-hanke

2. Päivän ohjelma
• 9.00–11.00 Professori Rodolfo Baggio, Bocconi University (etäyhteys): Seminaarin
avaus ja IFITT Finlandin perustaminen
• 11.00–12.00 Omakustannelounas
• 12.00–12.45 Alessandro Inversini, lecturer, Bournemouth University: eLearning in
Tourism
• 12.45–13.15 Juho Pesonen, suunnittelija, Itä-Suomen yliopisto: Suomalaisten
matkailuyritysten sosiaalisen median käyttö ja koulutustarpeet
• 13.15–14.00 Päivi Salmi, CRM, sähköinen liiketoiminta & markkinointi, Savonlinnan
Oopperajuhlat: Minkälaista eMatkailun osaamista ja koulutusta matkailuyritys
tarvitsee?
• 14.00–14.30 Kahvitauko
• 14.30–15.15 Pekka Ranta, erityissuunnittelija, Itä-Suomen yliopisto: Oppimisen
mobiili tulevaisuus
• 15.15–15.45 Paneeli: Critical developments in eTourism education and eLearning
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3. IFITT Finlandin avaus
• Esittäytymiset
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4. Rodolfon tervetuliaissanat
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5. IFITT Finlandin perustaminen
• REQUIREMENTS FOR IFITT CHAPTERS
• 1. Active membership of the IFITT and ENTER community
• 2. Clear objectives and annual activities plan approved by IFITT
• 3. Minimum of 10 members in the country or region
• 2. AGM where all country members are invited (teleconference and
Skype can do it)
• 3. Establish Board of 4-7 members with an elected Chapter
President
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6. IFITT Finlandin perustaminen
• The chapter then signs an agreement with IFITT which defines the
obligations of IFITT and the local IFITT chapter which includes for
example, the scope and reporting of chapter activities. IFITT
Chapters can remain chapters only if the meet these requirements
which will be revised annually at the IFITT AGM.
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7. Membership
• Individuals are IFITT members but form a local (location based) or
special interest (topic based) groups to explore things more relevant
to their interest and context
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8. Legal status
• Some chapters establish their own legal entities and become
registered associations but this is not obligatory - it is up to the
local chapter board. In any case the IFITT Chapter
Agreement regulates the IFITT Chapters.
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9. Finance
• In general IFITT chapters do not receive any funding or a share of
IFITT membership fees. Chapters can raise revenue if they wish to
through local events and sponsorship. Sometimes the IFITT Board
will be in a position of offer limited financial assistance to cover
start-up costs and in the past short term agreements can allow
revenue to be shared with chapters if new members join IFITT as a
result of a local membership drive.
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10. Range of activities for chapters
• Organise events or collaborate with other relevant events. Produce
newsletters and material relevant to the local chapter.
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11. Key benefits
• One of the key IFITT membership benefits is the access to
international peers and the opportunity to observe and hear
commentary on new research and global best practice in IT in travel
and tourism. At the chapter level membership benefits are more
about facilitating local engagement between industry, government
and academia, particularly in geographic areas that are far from our
European base.
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12. Best practice
• In Australasia, the key to the modest success of the chapter has
been the commitment of 3 or 4 individuals with representation
from government, industry and academia. Typically they run
business networking sessions (for example breakfasts with a
speaker and possibly a sponsor if appropriate)and work with local
Tourism conferences for example, advising on program themes and
speakers and getting some IFITT recognition in return. To be
successful a chapter needs at least 3 leaders prepared to make the
chapter work and its help to have a clear idea of the activities that
the local chapter will undertake. Be aware that this a commitment
will involve on going work and active promotion of the chapter.
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13. Electing the board
• President
• Vice-president
• General Secretary
• Accountant
• Board members
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14. Signing chapter agreement
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15. Setting the objectives
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16. www.uef.fi/mot
Kiitos mielenkiinnosta!
Juho.pesonen@uef.fi
www.uef.fi/mot/
www.matkailututkimus.fi
www.facebook.com/uef.mot