1. Practical Events Management Lecture 1: Theorising Events Jenny Flinn Jenny.Flinn@gcal.ac.uk

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

3. 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

4. Planned Events EMOBOK 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, organizing, implementing, controlling, and evaluating an event’s design, activities, and production.” (www.juliasilvers.com)

5. 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

6. Events: a brief history Pre-industrialisation Events tended to be secular Based around times of the year and religious observances Many of today’s event can be traced back to these times

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

8. 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

9. The Experience Economy Pine & Gilmour (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

10. 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)

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

12. Module Overview Lectures Seminar/Workshops Attendance Readings Blackboard Assessments

13. Module Overview Key Milestones Week 2 – confirmation of groups Week 4 – presentation of event concept Week 7 – submission of Group Event Report Week 8-12 – your events! Week 15 – submission of individual report

14. I hope you enjoy the module!!