Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish Studies - Language and Literature, cilt.20, sa.Ö1, ss.537-567, 2025 (TRDizin)
This study explores the issues of terminology and classification concerning meeting types within Türkiye’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry. Meetings under the MICE framework exhibit significant diversity in terms of purpose, scale, and content. However, they are often named according to the preferences and interpretations of organisers, regardless of their actual objectives and content. Meeting terms of English, French, Latin, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian origin are sometimes used interchangeably; such careless transfers create conceptual ambiguities, and definitions derived from the literature frequently fail to align with practice. The primary aim of the study is to contribute to the establishment of terminological standards regarding meeting types and to develop a consistent classification model within the context of the Turkish MICE industry. A qualitative document analysis method was adopted; terms related to meeting types were evaluated in terms of their etymological origins, semantic dimensions, and international equivalents. In addition to modern meeting types such as congress, conference, symposium, seminar, panel, forum, workshop, and summit, the contemporary use of concepts deeply rooted in Turkish culture—such as Kurultay (Qurultai), Divan, and Şûra (Shūrā)—was also examined. The findings of the study highlight the need for terminological standardisation at both national and international levels to facilitate communication, clarify data collection processes, and support effective market segmentation within the MICE industry. It is argued that the term meeting tourism is more inclusive than the widely used concept of congress tourism. In conclusion, the study contributes to academic literature and proposes classification frameworks that offer practical value for industry professionals.