CALL FOR PAPERS – 2026

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Call for Papers: THEREPS 2026

The 2026 Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Conference for Researchers, Educators, Practitioners, and Students
Hosted by the Korea America Hospitality and Tourism Educators Association (KAHTEA)

Dates: April 17–18, 2026

Location: Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina, Los Angeles, USA

The Korea America Hospitality and Tourism Educators Association (KAHTEA) cordially invites you to its 14th annual conference, THEREPS 2026. This year’s conference theme is “At the Intersection of K-Culture and Global Tourism: Shaping the Future of Guest Experiences.”

Join us in beautiful Los Angeles to examine how Korean cultural exports are redefining hospitality products, services, and guest expectations worldwide. This event is a premier platform for sharing innovative research that explores this dynamic intersection and its impact on the future of our industry.

Call for Submissions

We welcome submissions on all topics related to tourism, hospitality, and event management. In line with our theme, we particularly encourage research that explores how K-culture is shaping the guest experience. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • The influence of K-pop, K-dramas, and K-movies on tourist motivations and experiences (e.g., film-induced tourism, fan pilgrimages).
  • The globalization of K-food and its role in creating unique culinary and dining experiences.
  • The impact of K-beauty and K-fashion on hospitality, wellness, and retail service design.
  • Case studies of Korean hospitality brands and their strategies for delivering culturally unique guest experiences globally.
  • Digital marketing strategies leveraging Hallyu (the Korean Wave) to engage guests and build brand loyalty.
  • Cross-cultural studies on how the K-culture phenomenon is influencing service expectations and satisfaction in international markets.

Presentations will be delivered in one of the following formats:

Refereed Research Presentations: Open to faculty, practitioners, and graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.). Submissions should be grounded in theoretical or empirical studies. Both stand-up and poster presentation formats are available.

Undergraduate Student Research Forum: Designed exclusively for undergraduate students to present research proposals, case studies, or completed studies. This forum is available in a stand-up presentation format only. The student’s faculty advisor is required to attend the conference.

Submission Guidelines

All submissions will undergo a double-blind review process. The official language of the conference is English.

Extended Abstract Submission Deadline: February 28, 2026 (For Review)

THEREPS_ExtendedAbstract_TemplateDownload
  • Format: Submit a 1,500-word (maximum) extended abstract in a Microsoft Word document. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double spacing. References and tables are not included in the word count.
  • Note: Extended abstracts are used for the review process and Best Paper Award consideration only; they will not be published in the conference proceedings.

One-Page Summary Abstract Submission Deadline: March 27, 2026 (For Proceedings)

THEREPS_1PageAbstract_TemplateDownload
  • Format: Upon acceptance, authors must submit a one-page, single-spaced summary of their research for inclusion in the official conference proceedings.

Submission Portal

  • All (extended & 1-page) abstracts must be submitted through the official EasyChair system:
  • Paper Submission: https://easychair.org/conferences?conf=thereps2026
  • To upload the final one-page abstract, log in to EasyChair, navigate to “Your paper,” select “Update file,” and upload the document.

Poster Presentation Guidelines

  • Dimensions: Posters must not exceed 36 inches (height) x 48 inches (width).
  • Setup: Display boards will be provided. Presenters are responsible for mounting and removing their posters at the designated times and must be present at their poster during their assigned session.

Recommendations:

  • Ensure your poster is self-explanatory and written in clear English.
  • Include the title, author names, and affiliations.
  • Use visuals and avoid excessive text.
  • Highlight key findings, implications, and actionable recommendations.
  • Provide your contact information (name, email) for interested attendees.

Important Dates

  • Extended Abstract Submission: February 28, 2026 (11:00 PM PST)
  • Please note: This deadline is firm and will not be extended.
  • Notification of Acceptance: March 6, 2026
  • Early-Bird Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026
  • At least one author must register by this date.
  • Hotel Special Offer Deadline: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
  • Final One-Page Abstract Submission: March 27, 2026 (11:00 PM PST)
  • Conference Dates: April 17-18, 2026

Conference Venue & Registration

Registration Fees:

RegistrantEarly-Bird
(On or before March 13)		Standard
(After March 13)
Faculty$425$475
Student/Guest$250$300
  • Registration includes access to all sessions, networking events, luncheons, and dinners.

Payment Information

KAHTEA accepts payments via Zelle and PayPal. To help the association avoid transaction fees, payment by Zelle is preferred. Receipts are available for both methods.

To register and pay, please visit: https://kahtea.org/2026/01/registration-2025/

Inquiries

For general conference inquiries, please contact the Conference Co-Chairs:

  • Seunghyun “Brian” Park, Ph.D. (President of KAHTEA, St. John’s University) – Email: parks2@stjohns.edu
  • Esther Kim, Ph.D. (Vice President of KAHTEA, Montclair State University) – Email: kimes@montclair.edu

For inquiries regarding abstract submission, please contact the Conference Research Chairs:

  • Hyoung Ju Song, Ph.D. (Conference Research Director, Kyung Hee University) – Email: hyoung.song@khu.ac.kr
  • Jeongyeol Park, Ph.D. (Conference Research Director, University of Central Florida) – Email: Jeong-Yeol.Park@ucf.edu

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