Practical Events Management Lecture One: Theorising Events

Lecture Overview Defining Events A Brief History of Events Events and the Experience Economy The Scope of the Events Industry Event Characteristics Module Overview

Defining Events The Oxford English Dictionary defines an event as A thing that happens or takes place A public or social occasion Each of several contests making up a sports competition

Planned Events EMBOK defines event management as “the process by which an event is planned, prepared and produced. As with any other form of management it encompasses the assessment, definition, acquisition, allocation, direction, control and analysis of time, finances, people, products, services and other resources to achieve objectives. An event manager’s job is to oversee and arrange every aspect of an event including researching, planning organising, implementing, controlling and evaluating an event’s design, activities and production” (Silvers, 2011)

Events: a brief history Events have always formed an important part of human life Markers of special occasions Benchmarks for our lives The events industry as we know it has only really emerged in the last 20-30 years

Events: a brief history Pre-industrialisation There was little separation between work and leisure Events tended to be based around times of the year and religious observances Many of today’s events can be traced back to these times

Events: a brief history Post-industrialisation New work patterns Disposable income Rational recreation Emergence of consumer society

Events: a brief history The growth of the events industry Increasing consumption of events Power of events recognised Los Angeles Olympics 1984 was a major turning point

The Experience Economy Pine and Gilmore (1999) suggest that we live in an experience economy Events are experiences which can provide people with a sense of meaning and identity As event managers we are concerned with packaging and selling memorable experiences that provide people with differentiation and distinction

The Scope of the Events Industry Private celebrations (weddings, birthdays) Local community events (gala day) Special events (Queen’s coronation) Major events (British Open Golf) Hallmark events (Glastonbury, Rio Carnival) Mega-Events (Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup)

Event Characteristics According to Shone and Parry (2004) all events share the following characteristics: Uniqueness Perishability Fixed time scale Intangibility Personal interactions Labour intensity Ambience and service

Module Overview Lectures Seminars/workshops Attendance Readings Blog Assessments

Module Overview Key Milestones Week 2 – confirmation of groups Week 4 – presentation of event concept Week 6 – submission of group event report Weeks 7-12 – your events! Week 14 – submission of individual report

Enjoy the Module!!