Managing International Events

W. Gerard Ryan

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781138572768
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351331746
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Industry
• Index: Business

This book provides a comprehensive overview and examination of the international aspect of Events Management and the many challenges and complications that arise in the planning and delivery specifically of cross-border and cross-cultural events.

Authored by a current academic and ex-practitioner in the field, this book boasts an excellent balance of theory with practical advice and guidance. Chapters cover all the key concepts needed to manage and deliver an international event and fully reflect the current trends and issues facing the sector today. These include: sustainability, digital communication, social media, Big Data, corporate social responsibility, accessibility, security issues, and managing volunteers among many others. International case studies are included in each chapter accompanied by study questions and useful weblinks for further reading and research.

This will be of great interest not only to students and researchers of International Events Management, Tourism and Hospitality, but also to current practitioners in the Events sector.

Part 1

PLANNING AND DELIVERY

Chapter 1

What are international events?

Contents

1.1Chapter overview

1.2Learning objectives

1.3Introduction

1.4Defining international events

1.5Origins of international events

1.6The scope of international events

1.7The value and importance of international events

1.8Summary

1.9Useful websites

References

1.1Chapter overview

This chapter will provide an introduction to international event management and how technology is used to assist with delivery by clarifying some of the fundamental considerations surrounding international events that are often misunderstood. The chapter highlights the origins, value and importance of international events to strengthen the basic knowledge required when managing international events. This is intended to provide a foundation for the concept of international event management to eliminate the possibility of errors at a later stage.

1.2Learning objectives

By the end of this chapter, the student will be expected to:

•Appreciate what is meant by international events

•Understand the origins of international events and how they have developed

•Explain the importance of international events and their effects

•Appreciate the scope of international events and their importance to individuals, communities and the wider population.

1.3Introduction

Many of the world’s most notable accomplishments are international events. The manner in which businesses, nations, and individuals meet, entertain, and trade continues to exemplify what can be achieved in a modern world. From religious gatherings of faith, to what for many are deeply fanatical gatherings of sport and politics, the draw of the international event is deep in passion, conviction, and to some, more important than life and death. Today, more people are attending, while more places than ever are planning and providing international events.

International festivals and events themselves offer a unique platform for cultural exchange, rejuvenation, or preservation (Jepson and Clarke, 2016). But while hindsight can demonstrate that many international events have existed for millennia, foresight is improving engagement through aspects of digital technology while advancing the key principles that have essentially remained unchanged. Now that the fourth industrial revolution is very much upon us – now commonly known as Industry 4.0 (I4.0) – all businesses have an opportunity to improve their entire value chain (Bordeleau et al., 2018). International events are absorbing aspects of I4.0 at every stage of the process, pushing the boundaries of event experiences far beyond the physical world. What can be produced in milliseconds today is a long way (not only in time), from the experience of the pioneers of the first notable international events.

1.4Defining international events

In the 21st century, there are many examples of what could be considered an international event. Defining what an international event is should be relatively straight forward. Krugman and Wright (2006) suggest an international meeting involves the attendees crossing national borders, lasts at least two days plus travel time, has an attendance of 50 or more, and a business agenda utilising presenters. However, while this definition is focused on meetings, the more research that is conducted on the subject, the more variations in international events become apparent, making an appropriate definition much more complex. This is because many different examples of international events exist. For example, a government might consider an ‘international event’ to be one where at least 30% of the total delegates/visitors attending in person are international or non-domiciled visitors (Gov.uk, 2019). Then there are the all-pervading global major or mega events that are marketed, distributed, and promoted on a huge scale throughout the world, where the majority of the event’s audience is at home watching on TV. These events are closing in on ticket sales of 10 million, but can estimate their broader audience in billions. Table 1.1 provides an indication of the size, reach, and cost of some recent major and mega international events.

On a more organic level, there are free-to-attend religious events that attract millions of pilgrims to one place from all over the world or the billions that follow the weekly religious schedule in local communities. There are community events that celebrate cultural activities, seasonal celebrations, business, political and tourism activities that are globally coordinated, and private events that are just as international as any modern-day professional event.

Table 1.1 Size indicators of recent major international events

Event	Edition	Tickets sold	Broadcast rights	Total costs
		Millions	US$ million	US$ billion
Expo	Shanghai 2010	73	–	55
Olympic Summer Games	London 2012	8.2	2569	14
Football World Cup	South Africa 2010	3.1	2408	5.5
Asian Games	Guangzhou 2010	2	<752	18
Olympic Winter Games	Vancouver 2010	1.5	1280	7.5
European Football Championship	Ukraine/Poland 2012	1.4	1076	48
Commonwealth Games	Delhi 2010	1	52	6.1
Universiade	Kazan 2013	0.7	ca. 32	7.2
Pan American Games	Guadalajara 2011	0.6	<45	1.3
TOTAL		91.5	7462	162.6
MEAN		10.2	1066	18.1
MEDIAN		1.5	564	7.5

Source: Müller, 2015

So we begin to see that unlike international business where the focus is trading in or with other nations across borders, international events can be held in one place and still attract an international audience, either through actual visits or through the media. They can also be held in numerous places at the same time or tour from one nation to another. International events can originate from a single or a variety of cultures or they can begin as a local event and grow into an internationally recognised event.

There is of course, the basic definition of what an event is, which varies between academics (Bowdin et al., 2011; Chambers, 2003; Getz, 2005; Shone and Parry, 2013). However, it becomes difficult not to ascribe some aspect of an event with an international activity to even the most local of events. The key to the ‘international-ness’ of an event is not just having evidence of international engagement, as this is often already present throughout the local community because of human global mobilit...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Case Studies
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Part 1 Planning and delivery
• Part 2 Internal forces
• Part 3 External forces
• Index