{"id":15236,"date":"2026-01-23T12:55:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/?p=15236"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:55:51","slug":"call-for-possible-hosts-for-the-15th-servsig-conference-in-2028","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/2026\/01\/call-for-possible-hosts-for-the-15th-servsig-conference-in-2028\/","title":{"rendered":"Call for Possible Hosts for the 15th SERVSIG Conference in 2028"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/New-SERVSIG-Logo_1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/New-SERVSIG-Logo_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/New-SERVSIG-Logo_1.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/New-SERVSIG-Logo_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/New-SERVSIG-Logo_1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 1999, the SERVSIG International Research Conference has brought together the global service research community to exchange ideas, build collaborations, and experience memorable academic and cultural events. A core principle from the beginning has been that each conference is hosted by a different university, and that no city is ever repeated. This commitment ensures that every SERVSIG conference provides participants with fresh, enriching service experiences rooted in diverse local cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, SERVSIG has been welcomed in remarkable locations around the world\u2014including New Orleans (USA), Sydney (Australia), Reims (France), Singapore, Liverpool (UK), Porto (Portugal), Helsinki (Finland), Thessaloniki (Greece), Maastricht (Netherlands), Paris (France), Glasgow (Scotland), and Bordeaux (France). The upcoming 2026 conference will be hosted in Braga, Portugal, by the University of Minho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We are now inviting proposals to host the 15<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0SERVSIG International Research Conference in 2028.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although SERVSIG conferences traditionally take place in June, alternative months are welcome, depending on the host location\u2019s academic calendar, venue availability, and proximity to other service research conferences. SERVSIG seeks to avoid scheduling conflicts with overlapping conferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What We Ask from Prospective Hosts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Proposals should provide information on the following points:<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Background of the host school and host city.<\/strong> Highlight the university\u2019s strengths, relevant departments or research groups, and features of the city that make it welcoming and unique.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Conference Organization<\/strong>. Identify the proposed conference co-chairs and planning team.<br \/>(Note: The final conference coordinating committee will be formed in consultation with SERVSIG Co-Chairs.)<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Conference Facilities.<\/strong> Describe both on-campus and off-campus venues for sessions, plenaries, workshops, and poster sessions.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Suggested conference dates<\/strong>. Propose 2\u20133 possible date options, each with a brief justification. Final dates will be determined collaboratively with SERVSIG Co-Chairs.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Accessibility<\/strong>. Explain how the venue and social events will accommodate attendees with disabilities or special needs.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Conference Social Events<\/strong>. Outline ideas for (a) Opening reception, (b) Conference dinner, and (c) One additional evening event (e.g., cultural activity, local experience, excursion).<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Hotel options<\/strong>. Provide potential primary and secondary hotels, with estimated room prices and walking\/public transport distance to the venue.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Travel Arrangements<\/strong>. List nearby international airports, train stations, and typical travel routes to the host city.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Projected Attendee Prices<\/strong>. Include cost estimates for registration fees, accommodation, local transport, social (if separately priced), etc.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Sightseeing &amp; Cultural Opportunities<\/strong>. Describe the city, region, and unique attractions. Emphasize what makes your location an exciting and compelling place for the SERVSIG community.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Sustainability Plan<\/strong>. Comment on sustainable practices\u2014green venues, low-waste catering, walkable logistics, etc.<br \/>&#8211; <strong>Support from Host University<\/strong>. A statement about financial commitments (if any), administrative or event staff support endorsement from a dean or rector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Host the SERVSIG Conference?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Hosting the SERVSIG International Research Conference offers universities a unique opportunity to showcase their academic strengths, increase global visibility, and deepen connections within the international service research community. By welcoming leading scholars and emerging researchers to campus, host institutions can strengthen research collaborations, attract new partnerships, and highlight their city and region to an influential global audience. The conference also creates long-lasting academic impact through new networks, enhanced reputation, and heightened engagement with industry and local stakeholders\u2014all while giving the university the chance to shape a memorable, culturally rich event that reflects its identity and strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proposal Submission &amp; Inquiries<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Please submit proposals or inquiries to the SERVSIG Co-Chairs <a href=\"mailto:Kristina.Heinonen@hanken.fi\">Kristina Heinonen<\/a> and <a href=\"mailto:hpugh@business.fsu.edu\">Harrison B. Pugh<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The deadline for submitting host proposals is March 31, 2026.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since 1999, the SERVSIG International Research Conference has brought together the global service research community to exchange ideas, build collaborations, and experience memorable academic and cultural events. A core principle from the beginning has been that each conference is hosted by a different university, and that no city is ever repeated. This commitment ensures that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":5046,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,10,949],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15236"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15236"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15237,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15236\/revisions\/15237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}