The document discusses how research can be used as a weapon to compete for today's consumers in the tourism industry. It explains that participants at the Southwest Tourism Summit will learn how to use research to justify budgets, navigate the competitive landscape, and understand consumer behavior. Both traditional qualitative research methods like focus groups and quantitative research methods like surveys and big data are important weapons. Research provides actionable feedback that allows businesses to understand markets, trends, and which of their own marketing efforts are most effective. It emphasizes using research to inform action and engagement.