Host Residents’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward an Event

This study investigates the structural relationship among perceived impacts, benefit perceptions, and supports for the event. Local residents in the Black Hills area in South Dakota, where the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held, were invited to participate in the study. A total of 190 responses were collected using convenience sampling and structural equation modeling was performed to identify the relationship. The findings indicate that the perceived positive impact significantly affects both benefit perceptions and supports while perceived negative impact is not a significant predictor of residents’ benefit perception. In order to maximize community supports, it is recommended that event organizers emphasize on positive economic impacts