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27726 Event Concepts and Contexts

UTS: Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject provides an overview of the events sector, along with the functions and impacts that events have from the perspective of various groups and organisations within society. Additionally, it examines the various external environments that impact upon, or are impacted by, events. Key tools that can be employed in assessing event impacts (such as cost–benefit analysis) are also reviewed. Issues associated with public policy and events, and the linkage between events and regional/urban development and sustainable development, are examined, often through the vehicle of case studies.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  1. identify and describe the full range of public and corporate event types
  2. describe the range of public and private sector organisations involved in the event field
  3. discuss major trends and issues currently serving to shape the event field, including the role of events in the sustainable development of communities
  4. describe and discuss the functions events perform along with their potential impacts (economic and non-economic)
  5. employ selected approaches to the assessment of economic and non-economic impacts of events on host communities.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is a core subject for students in the Master of Management in Event Management and acts to provide foundation knowledge that will be drawn upon in subsequent units. It is also relevant to students in postgraduate programs in leisure, sport and tourism management. The subject is designed to provide students with a broad perspective on, and an understanding of, the events sector, and the functions and impacts of events from the perspective of various groups and organisations within a society. Additionally, it seeks to introduce students to approaches to the measurement of event impacts, as well as the potential role some forms of events can play in progressing sustainable development goals within communities.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject involves a variety of teaching and learning activities, which may include lectures, case study presentations; expert panel discussions; student presentations; and directed readings. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

  • Event forms and their characteristics
  • Public and private organisations involved in the event sector
  • Functions performed by events from the perspective of selected groups and organisations within society
  • Economic, political, social, cultural and technological forces impacting on the event area
  • Economic and non-economic impacts of events
  • Tools for the measurement of event impacts
  • Public policy and events
  • Events and their relationship to regional and urban development/redevelopment
  • The role of events in the sustainable development of communities

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Essay based on key concepts or issues (Individual)

Objective(s): 4, 5
Weighting: 60%
Task: This addresses objectives 4-5.

Assessment item 2: Exam (Individual)

Objective(s): 1-5
Weighting: 40%
Task: This addresses objectives 1-5.

Required text(s)

Event Concepts and Contexts Reader, School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology Sydney

Recommended text(s)

Allen, J, O'Toole, W, McDonnell, I and Harris, R, (2008), Festival and Special Event Management, 4th edn, Jacaranda Wiley, Brisbane

Indicative references

Selected journals

Event Management (Formally Festival Management and Event Tourism)

International Journal of Event Management Research

Journal of Convention and Event Tourism (Formally Journal of Convention and Exhibition Management)

Journal of Travel Research

Parks and Leisure

Tourism Management

Annals of Tourism Research

Websites

Event and Olympic studies online resource: www.business.uts.edu.au/acem/resources
www.lib.uts.edu.au/finding/collections/event_studies
www.acem.uts.edu.au
www.domeresearch.com
www.ifea.com
www.ises.org.au
www.eeaa.org.au
www.aeia.org.au
www.miaanet.com.au
www.SpecialEvents.com.au
www.worldofevents.net

Industry publications

Convention and Incentive Marketing

International Festivals and Events Association (various publications)

Festival and Events Association (NSW) Newsletter

mice.net

Meetlink

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