CHAPTER 01 An Overview of the Event Field Prepared by Thomas Keily
Learning Objectives Define special events Demonstrate an awareness of why special events have evolved in human society Describe the role of special events in Australia and the Australian tradition of special events
Learning Objectives Discuss the growth of state event corporations and the emergence of an event industry Distinguish between different types of special event List and describe the components of the event industry
Learning Objectives List and describe the main professional associations in the event industry Discuss the attributes and knowledge requirements of a special event manager List the types of organisation involved in the delivery of event management training
Special events as benchmarks for our lives Historical examples harvest rituals, Christmas, new year Private events births, christenings, coming of age celebrations, marriages, deaths Public events the Depression, world wars, Australia’s Bicentenary, the Sydney Olympics, the New Millennium, Centenary of Federation
The modern Australian tradition of celebrations The arrival of the First Fleet Anniversary Day Federation 19th-century agricultural shows and picnics Post-war city and town festivals The community arts movement Multiculturalism
The birth of an event industry Commonwealth Games in Brisbane 1982 America’s Cup Defence in Perth and Fremantle 1986–87 Formation of state event corporations Australia’s Bicentenary/Expo 88 Increasing government involvement and state rivalry in the 1990s Sydney Olympics and corporate involvement in 2000
Challenges Upheaval in the Insurance industry Environmental sustainability Global Financial Crisis
What are special events? ‘Special events’ has been coined to describe specific rituals, presentations, performances or celebrations that are consciously planned and created to mark special occasions and/or to achieve particular social, cultural or corporate goals and objectives
Types of events Size Mega-events Hallmark events Major events Local or community events
Types of events Figure 1.2 Categorisation of events
Types of events Form or content Festivals Sports events Business events Business or trade focus Value of the industry - $17.3 billion Meetings Incentive travel Exhibitions
The structure of the event industry Event organisations Event management companies Event industry suppliers Venues Industry associations ISES (Int'l Special Events Society) MEA (Meetings & Events Australia) EEAA (Exhibition & Event Assoc. of Australia) External Regulatory bodies
Event management, education and training Identifying the knowledge and skills required by event managers Training delivery Industry associations Universities/tertiary education institutions
Career opportunities in events Table 1.1 Roles in the event industry