MGMT530 – Conference Decision
Week 1 Case Analysis Template

Katrina Johnson
Management 530 Managerial Decision-Making

1) Define the decision problem?

This case is about an Accounting System User’s Conference that was to be held in New Orleans, LA. However, due to Hurricane Katrina, the hotel is no longer able to accommodate the conference. Management must decide whether to move the conference to a different venue or change the dates to a later time, giving registrants’ limited notice.

2) What is the general nature of the problem?

Competition for participants to take part in this conference is critical for customer retention, product development and product enhancements. Due to the magnitude of the destruction left in the wake of the hurricane, there is a strong likelihood that the conference will not be held. In addition, switching locations could possibly result in a loss of customers and the reputation of the hotel.

3) What event triggered the situation?

Although Hurricane Katrina was the root cause of the dilemma, a natural disaster is a foreseeable event. Management should have had a backup plan in place, therefore the triggering event in my opinion is the lack of preparation on behalf of management, conference organizers, and hotel management.

4) What are the imposed constraints on the situation?

As stated in the case, all attendees have prepaid their registration fees. They have to decide whether they want to still attend the event. Flight changes and cancellations could result in a decrease in profits. In addition, the hotel will also have to face profit loss for those attendants who decide they no longer want to attend the conference. If they decide to change the dates of the event, will the speaker still be available or will they possibly face additional expenses to hire another speaker at the last minute.