Jill Bueddefeld
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Manitoba
When did you first join TTRA Canada and what prompted you to join?
I first joined TTRA in 2014. I joined in order to attend the TTRA Canada Conference in Yellowknife and the TTRA International Conference in Brugge Belgium to present my master’s research.
How many conferences have you attended?
Three so far. Most recently, I attended the TTRA Canada Conference in Halifax
What has been the highlight of attending TTRA Conferences?
I received the DMAC Graduate Scholarship in 2014 at the TTRA Canada Conference. I had the opportunity to present my work in front of the entire conference, which was a real privilege as a masters student. The award, of course, was also quite the honour!
Do you have a memory of an experience at the conference that stands out to you?
The dance parties at TTRA Canada! Everyone talked this up during the conference, and I was very skeptical if anyone would actually “tear up the dance floor”. They definitely delivered – that dance floor was shredded to pieces!
How have attending TTRA conferences benefited your educational experience?
TTRA is great because it attracts top academics and top practitioners. You get to hear first hand about how research can impact the industry, and also what the industry needs are. I think it also creates practical collaborative opportunities that you don’t necessarily always find at conferences that attract only academics.
Do you intend to pursue a tourism research career? How do you think being a part of the TTRA community will enhance your career?
I do! I think it has already enhanced my career. I’ve built a network of people that I know that has led to writing opportunities and contacts for future post-doc opportunities. And hopefully a job one day!
What would you tell another student considering joining TTRA or attending the conference?
If you’re going to go to one tourism conference, this should be the one you go to. The conference is large enough to attract top scholars and industry members, but small enough that you get a chance to meet people that are interested in you and your research career. The quality of the sessions is also worthwhile. You’ll always come away with learning something useful and having some new ideas and insights.
