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Abstract
Event management is a course requirement commonly found in undergraduate and graduate sport management programs around the world. The skills and competencies required to effectively plan, organize and execute special events are very broad (Gladden, McDonald & Barr, 2005). This paper offers a detailed approach to instructing an applied course in event management. Topics addressed include: experiential learning, fundraising, philosophical considerations, student-reflection, service learning, professionalism and student-centered learning. The student benefits derived from coursework in event planning are extensive, and dialogue, writings, and research regarding pedagogical approaches to instruction in this area is warranted.
Event Management: From the Classroom to the Real World - A Case Study
Effective event management skills are invariably required for success in all facets of business. Special event planning requires many skills including attention to detail, organization, discipline and patience (S awyer, 2005) . Crowd control, operations , leadership, fund-raising, scheduling, marketing, concessions, and security, are but a few examples of numerous tasks, skills and traits required of facility and/or event managers (Ammon, 1998; Graham, Goldblatt & Delpy, 1995; Russo, 1985; Sawyer & Smith, 1999; Stier, 1994). Many sport management students are involved with a variety of sporting events, from tournament management to organizing fundraising events, all which require vast skill sets to successfully manage these activities (Gladden, McDonald & Barr, 2005). Experience with conceptualizing and managing special events offers the opportunity to practice and hone skills that are related to many career opportunities (Aprhys, 2005).
Event management skills can also be directly related to leisure, recreational, or personal activities. Vacation and wedding planning or simply organizing an office basketball pool require event planning skills to achieve any measure of success. Workshops abound at many industry related conferences on topics such as goal setting, leadership, communication (written and oral), time management, public speaking, networking, etiquette, sales, marketing, and promotions, all of which are connected on some level with event management activities. Although these skills are also addressed in a wide range of college coursework, event management has long been connected to college curricula related to sport and/or recreation management (Sport Management Program Review Council, 2000). Sport has also grown in the minds of many leisure and/or sport management professionals as no longer being simply a component of...