Event Management - for Tourism, Cultural, Business and Sporting Events - Essay Example

Between the 1970s and 1980s, large multipurpose halls were constructed, are mostly funded by local authorities for hosting events (Barbieri, 2002: 40). As a result of the highly significant growth of the events industry worldwide, the need for events management was acknowledged in 1985s (Bowdin et al., 2006: 32). According to Bowdin et al (2006: 18) and Harris (2009: 51), management of events became popular due to the development of the industry, increase in the number of events, elevated amount of resources required in planning for an event, emergence of competent professionals to plan for events as well as the emergence of complex technology in the industry.

Despite its positive outcome, event management also brings with it some challenges and complications which lead to the emergence of several difficulties to events stakeholders such as customers, employees, scholars and management (Bowdin et al., 2006: 33). . Ransburg (2008: 73), event management has to do with the identification of audiences, creating concepts in an event, coming up with logistics and coordinating all event aspects before implementing the planned event. On the other hand, Harris (2009: 51) defined event management as the application of management skills in the development of events.

As observed by Joe (2007: 121), event management helps in the communication of management aspect in organizations. However, in general terms, event management has been the way that organizations deal with their events. Event management encompasses the objectives of an organization for events management, assigned responsibilities and roles, ownership of processes and tools, standards, success factors and procedures followed in handling events (Christie and McAteer, 2006: 20; Dolles and Soderman, 2008: 153).

The main focus of event management is the way different departments involved are connected and the way information flows between them (Christie and McAteer, 2006: 20). Events are often categorized on the basis of size and include mega, major, hallmark and community events (Musgrave, 2011: 258; Bowdin et al., 2006: 39). Local events usually target local visitors and are mostly organized for fun, entertainment, or social value for instance birthday celebrations. Major events attract a large audience, coverage in the media, and economic benefits are given their size and the media interest (Bowdin et al., 2006: 39). Organizational Planning The process of planning for events follows a similar approach as one used in organizational planning. According to Deery and Jago (2005: 379), organizational planning entails the entire process of coming up with the short-term and long-term goals of an organization.