1. CHAPTER 01
An Overview of the Event Field
Prepared by Thomas Keily

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Challenges Upheaval in the Insurance industry
Environmental sustainability
Global Financial Crisis

9. 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

10. Types of events Size Mega-events Hallmark events Major events
Local or community events

11. Types of events
Figure 1.2 Categorisation of events

12. 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

13. 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

14. Event management, education and training
Identifying the knowledge and skills required by event managers
Training delivery
Industry associations
Universities/tertiary education institutions

15. Career opportunities in events
Table 1.1 Roles in the event industry