People participate in professional events to share their experiences, stay updated on the latest innovations, establish networks and discover learning opportunities. These events not only offer avenues for acquiring knowledge but also serve as platforms that supports professional development. Attendees' experiences at these events shape their expectations and this sense of satisfaction emerges as a crucial indicator of event success. Satisfaction indicators include factors such as networking opportunities, event location, content quality and professional development opportunities. Furthermore, this sense of satisfaction significantly influences the intention to participate in future events. This study explores the impact of attendee satisfaction on the intention to participate in future events. It focuses on professional development, networking and event environment as key satisfaction indicators. The sample comprises 415 individuals who attended a forum in Istanbul. Data were collected using the "Event Participation Satisfaction Scale," developed by the researchers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the reliability and validity of the data collection tool, while structural equation modeling (SEM) assessed the effect of satisfaction on intention. The results of CFA confirmed the reliability and validity of the data collection tool, while SEM revealed a positive effect of satisfaction on intention. To enhance attendees' satisfaction and encourage long-term participation, organizers should enrich networking opportunities, choose accessible and suitable event locations and prioritize delivering high-quality content that supports professional development. Additionally, engaging with attendees post-event and implementing feedback-driven improvements can further strengthen the link between satisfaction and long-term participation intentions.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial used, distribution and reproduction in any medium.
1. Anderson, E. W., Fornell, C., & Lehmann, D. R. (1994). Customer satisfaction, market share, and profitability: Findings from Sweden. Journal of Marketing, 58(3), 53-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299405800304
2. Aktas, G., & Demirel, B. (2019). The genuine needs of conference attendees: an analysis by the modern quality function deployment. International Journal for Quality Research, 13(1), 13-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.24874/IJQR13.01-02
3. Butler, R. (1999). Information seeking and achievement motivation in middle childhood and adolescence: The role of conceptions of ability. Developmental Psychology, 35(1), 146–163. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.35.1.146
4. Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
5. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E. & Hyun, H. H. (2012). Correlational Research. In How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education (8th ed., pp. 330-364). McGraw-Hil, New York.
6. Hahm, J., Breiter, D., Severt, K., Wang, Y., & Fjelstul, J. (2016). The relationship between sense of community and satisfaction on future intentions to attend an association meeting. Tourism Management, 52, 151–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.06.016.
7. Halim, A. H. A., & Mokhtar, A. R. M. (2016). Creating memorable visitor experiences by assessing the satisfaction level and behavioural consequences of attendees. Procedia Economics and Finance, 37, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(16)30084-3
8. Jung, M. (2005). Determinants of exhibition service quality as perceived by attendees. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 7(3–4), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1300/J452v07n03_05
9. Jung, S., & Tanford, S. (2017). What contributes to convention attendee satisfaction and loyalty? A meta-analysis. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 18(2), 118-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/15470148.2017.1290565
10. Kırant Yozcu, O., Kurgun, H., & Bağıran Özşeker, D. (2022). Factors that Influence Attendance, Satisfaction, and Loyalty for Virtual Events. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR),11(1), 97-119. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1068444
11. Kim, S., Lee, J., & Kim, M. (2012). How different are first-time attendees from repeat attendees in convention evaluation? International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31(2), 544–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2011.07.014
12. Kim, Y. S., Lee, Y. Y., & Love, C. (2009). A Case Study Examining the Influence of Conference Food Function on Attendee Satisfaction and Return Intention at a Corporate Conference. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 10(3), 211–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/15470140903178567
13. Koo, S. K. S., Byon, K. K., & Baker III, T. A. (2014). Integrating Event Image, Satisfaction, and Behavioral İntention: Small-scale marathon event. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 23(3), 127-137.
14. Lee, M. J., & Back, K. J. (2007). Effects of destination image on meeting participation intentions: Empirical findings from a professional association and its annual convention. The Service Industries Journal, 27(1), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060601038676
15. López-Bonilla, J. M., Monroy-Rodríguez, S., López-Bonilla, L. M., & Granados-Perea, C. (2022). Motivational factors to participate in conferences and gender differences. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 23(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/14673584221075735
16. Lu, T. Y., & Cai, L. A. (2011). An analysis of image and loyalty in convention and exhibition tourism in China. Event Management, 15(1), 37-48. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599511X12990855575105
17. Mair, J., & Thompson, K. (2009). The UK association conference attendance decision-making process. Tourism Management, 30(3), 400-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.08.002
18. Mitchell, V. W., Schlegelmilch, B. B., & Mone, S. D. (2016). Why should I attend? The value of business networking events. Industrial Marketing Management, 52, 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2015.05.014
19. Mittal, V., Kumar, P., & Tsiros, M. (1999). Attribute-level performance, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions over time: A consumption-system approach. Journal of Marketing, 63(2), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.2307/1251947
20. Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
21. Oliver, R. L. (2014). Satisfaction: A behavioral perspective on the consumer: A Behavioral Perspective on the Consumer (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315700892
22. Oppermann, M., & Chon, K. S. (1997). Convention participation decision-making process. Annals of tourism Research, 24(1), 178-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(96)00049-7
23. Pavluković, V., & Cimbaljević, M. (2020). Factors affecting conference participation decision-making. Journal of the Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA, 70(1), 31-43. https://doi.org/10.2298/IJGI2001031P
24. Rashid, N. M., Ma’amor, H., Khir, M. M., & Ghani, A. (2020). Branded Marketing Event: How Experiential Elements Influence Attendees’ Satisfaction. Innovation Management and Education Excellence through Vision 2020
25. Rittichainuwat, B. N., Beck, J. A., & Lalopa, J. (2001). Understanding Motivations, Inhibitors, and Facilitators of Association Members in Attending International Conferences. Journal of Convention & Exhibition Management, 3(3), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1300/J143v03n03_04
26. Rosseel, Y. (2012). lavaan: An R Package for Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of Statistical Software, 48(2), 1-36. URL http://www.jstatsoft.org/v48/i02/
27. Schermelleh-Engel, K., Moosbrugger, H., & Müller, H. (2003). Evaluating the Fit of Structural Equation Models: Tests of Significance and Descriptive Goodness-of-Fit Measures. Methods of Psychological Research, 8(2), 23–74.
28. Severt, D., Wang, Y., Chen, P. J., & Breiter, D. (2007). Examining the motivation, perceived performance, and behavioral intentions of convention attendees: Evidence from a regional conference. Tourism Management, 28(2), 399-408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.04.003
29. Sheth, J. N., Newman, B. I., & Gross, B. I. (1991). Why we buy what we buy: A theory of consumption values. Journal of Business Research, 22(2), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-2963(91)90050-8
30. Siu, N. Y., Wan, P. Y. K., & Dong, P. (2012). The impact of the serviscape on the desire to stay in convention and exhibition centers: The case of Macao. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31(1), 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2011.06.011
31. Sung, H., & Lee, W. (2015). The effect of basic, performance and excitement service factors of a convention center on attendees' experiential value and satisfaction: A case study of the Phoenix convention center. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 16(3), 175-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/15470148.2015.1034908
32. Tavitiyaman, P., & Qu, H. (2013). Destination image and behavior intention of travelers to Thailand: The moderating effect of perceived risk. Journal of travel & tourism marketing, 30(3), 169-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2013.774911
33. Tanford, S., Montgomery, R., & Nelson, K. B. (2012). Factors that Influence Attendance, Satisfaction, and Loyalty for Conventions. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 13(4), 290–318. https://doi.org/10.1080/15470148.2012.728975
34. Yoo, J. J. E., & Zhao, X. (2010). Revisiting determinants of convention participation decision making. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 27(2), 179-192. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548401003590369
35. Yoo, J. J. E., & Chon, K. (2008). Factors affecting convention participation decision-making: Developing a measurement scale. Journal of Travel Research, 47(1), 113-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287507312421
36. Yürük, P., Akyol, A., & Şimşek, G. G. (2017). Analyzing the effects of social impacts of events on satisfaction and loyalty. Tourism Management, 60, 367-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.12.016