The overlooked public: examining citizens’ perceptions of and perceived role in hosting mega-events

This research aims to answer questions about how citizens perceive the hosting of mega-events, they view their role in interacting with foreign visitors (e.g., person-to-person diplomacy), and what extent communicate support of, or against, country’s mega-event efforts. By focusing inward examining citizen perceptions communicative actions, this expands work that has been done around nation branding impact which usually foregrounds response publics. Internal/citizen publics are largely overlooked bear great importance from a communication, public relations, diplomacy standpoint. A convenience sample 426 Italian completed online survey. Results indicate who placed high on interactions foreigners reported significantly higher scores attitudes toward Italy World Exposition (Expo), positive megaphoning behaviors Expo perceived themselves as ambassadors during mega-event. The findings highlight important can play ambassadors, both country behalf Their behavior perception have potential magnify mega-events internally abroad.