Mega-events have different phases of planning. The first phase as aforementioned is the bidding process. The bidding process is regulated by such bodies as FIFA, BIE, and IOC among many others; they are collectively referred to as the right holders and have the mandate of laying down specific regulations that have to be met so as to win the bid (Yu et al., 2012: 48). The bidding process is followed by the evaluation that is done by international event bodies’ inspectors. Here the right holders evaluate the suitability of the potential host to host the event.
The host country is then awarded the bid and given recommendations on the requirements to be met. While preparations are fast in paper, it actually takes ten or so years to stage a mega-event. The host is frequently monitored so as to record the progress and further have more plans in place. The next phase is the staging where the event now occurs as planned (Hall, 1989: 267). This often takes a few weeks to months and could involve the use of more than one venue depending on the complexity of the events that are within the mega-event.
The world Expo was held in the Shanghai World expo Park that covered 528 hectares and had almost over 23000 events within itself each with different objectives (Yu et al., 2012: 49).After the event is over there is the post event phase where the local government in conjunction with volunteers clear the venue and return the conditions to normal. Mega events also draw a large number of crowds that come from different states. These people are from different cultural settings and thus cultural diversity.
Mega-events attract a minimum of one million people and have the largest number of receipts sold compared to the hallmark events. Additionally the events also draw a large number of in situ as well as on site audience (Yu et al., 2012: 48). This has been the case due to the advancements in broadcast technology allowing individuals to enjoy such events from their living rooms. The media plays a key role in image branding of the host country and the transfer of knowledge across nations (Müller, M. 2015: 3). Such events are also known for large expenditures so as to sustain the mammoth of people that attend the events (Müller, M. 2015: 6). The 2010 Shanghai World Expo broke the record of all expenditures in the history of World Fairs by using over $46 billion in the preparation and staging of the event (Yu et al.
, 2012: 48). Hall mark events are not enormous as mega events and are often confused by most authors (Getz et al., 2012: 47).The outstanding feature of hallmark events is that they are held one-time or recurrently over the same venue within a limited period of time. There is therefore a close link between the venues and the events (Hall, 1989: 264). Not all hallmark events are huge; some small events that are held over the same venue for a specific period of time qualify to be hallmark events (Getz et al.
, 2012: 48). In the UK the most common hallmark events is the mix coordinated by Melbourne Events Company annually (Getz et al., 2012: 48). Some of the popular events in the mix include Open tennis, Formula One Grand Pix, Carnival, Rules Football Grand Finale and the peculiar Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Getz et al., 2012: 49). Outside the Melbourne Events, is the Indianapolis 500 car race that showcases the vintage car race culture (Getz et al., 2012: 48). These hallmark events could either occur multiply or one time.
An example of the latter is where such events are held to commemorate anniversaries. Hallmark events are iconic in nature and often take short durations. The events serve as cultural icons and national identities that make the hosts unique and confer prestige (Getz et al., 2012: 48). Hallmark events do not immediately attract the attention of international audience (Hall, 1989: 264). However, through time they gain fame in the media and thus attracting large number of people who come in to share the prestige and cultural heritage of the host communities (Hall, 1989: 265).
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