Exploring Special Events: History, Sectors, and Economic Development

This essay explores the history of special events and festivals, emphasizing their cultural and religious significance, as well as their role in fostering cohesiveness within societies. It examines the evolution of events from ancient community purposes to modern-day event tourism, highlighting their economic impact and how they have been repurposed for economic development. The essay also describes various sectors of the event industry, including community, government, private businesses, and fans, artists, and performers, detailing the types of events they conduct and their motivations. Furthermore, it categorizes events by type (festival, sport, business, political) and size (mega, hallmark, major, community), providing examples to illustrate their characteristics and outcomes, such as regional economic boosts, socio-cultural changes, and environmental enhancements. The essay concludes by underscoring the crucial role of event management in shaping societies and driving economic accomplishments.

Special Events and Festivals

History of events
Events in a society are organised to celebrate a certain characteristic aspect of the society. Such
events often have cultural and religious significance like Christmas or Eid. sometimes they are
organised purely for entertainment purpose. Events promote cohesiveness in a society and offer a
sense belonging for a community. Events are a representation of the social paradigm and are
often a reflection of how the society at that particular point of time sees itself as.
Events can be classified into different categories based on their purpose for being celebrated.
They can be religious, sporting, business or socio political. Religious events like Christmas or
thanksgiving promote harmony and togetherness in society and provide the population with a
sense of unity. Sporting events generate passion and intellectual debate which can be considered
as primary reasons for their popularity throughout history.
From the first olympics that were held in Greece, to the violent Roman gladiatorial contests, to
modern day super bowl, sports are a defining aspect of humanity and have become and
integrated part of our society (Getz and Getz, 1997). Political events define the course of history,
rallies and marches define the direction of humanity.
Event tourism and events for economic development
Since ancient times the celebration of events at a certain location have attracted visitors and in
recent times events have become an increasingly significant tool for developing the tourism
prospects of a particular location. Events like soccer matches in Euppore, carnivals in Brazil or
New year celebrations throughout the world have a tendency to tap tourism interests on a grand
scale. Thus throughout history events have been reposed for economic development. Customs
that promoted the start of an event a grand scale is prevalent throughout History (Kubler, et al.
2017). Like carrying the Olympic torch or parades for the celebration of victory. All of them were
part of announcing that something grand was about to take place. Human being have always had
an affinity towards splendor and grandiosity and cultural events are the epitome of such display.
In recent times tourism has become solely dependant on effective management of events. Events
trigger a boost in tourism. Celebrations are the most virile display of a country’s culture and
offers one of a kind experiences to tourists. Such experiences promote loyalty. Thus it is
essential that events and cultural extravaganzas are restructured for the purpose of tourism
development.

Types of events
The event industry can be divided into several groups based on the type or size of the event.
Based on on size an event can be mega, hallmark, maor or community.Mega events are large
scale events that are followed by the whole world such as world cups and olympics. Hallmark
events include cultural and sporting events that are held periodically and attract a large audience
like the Superbowl in America or the Champions League finals in Europe. Major events are
significant events for a community that does not have any major effect on the world but have a
significant effect on a particular region (Park, and Park, 2017). Community events are held by a
particular community such as religious festivities. Different sectors of the event industry require
different approaches and planning. Mega events are mostly organised by government bodies
while hallmark events are organised by corporations (Buning, and Gibson, 2016). Major events such
as religious festivals are mostly organised by the community and often do not have any central
point of attraction.
Based on type, events can be sports,festivities, political or business sporting activities are mega
or hallmark events that generate a vast amount of interest. They attract a wide demographic and
play a major role in the culture. A cricket match between India and Pakistan is considered a
proxy for the cold war that they have been fighting for decades. Sporting events are equivalent to
religious festivals in terms of their effects on our society. They shape popular opinion and spark
intellectual debate. Religious events are celebrations of culture and are most celebrated by
communities. Festivals promote harmony and togetherness. They do not have a focal attraction
point like sporting events but have scattered celebrations which boost the economy and promote
tourism.
Political events bring forth political change which provided direction to the socio-cultural
backdrop of humanity. Demonstrations and rallies have brought massive change to societies.
From the abolition of slavery to bringing down dictatorships, all have them were achieved
through mass mobilisation and political demonstrations. Sporting event boosts a regional
economy in a massive way (Kubler, et al. 2017). Planning a major event like the soccer world cup
leads to development of infrastructure and economy. It exposes the location to the world and
promotes its cultural background. Music as alway been an integrated part of the cultural dogma
of a region and music festivals can be considered as cultural touchstones. Like the Woodstock
Festival of 1969, which was a critical reflection of the socio political scenario of USA in the 70s.

Events promote cohesiveness in a society and offer a sense belonging for a community. Events
have always been an integrated part of what humanity stands for. Be it political social, domestic
or business. Major events have shaped societies and brought forth change. From historic boxing
matches in remote localities thja only the inhabitants of that particular are know about o
international bout that the whole world celebrates. Events have created legends and myths. The
violence that was on display in the Roman colosseum of an immediate reflection of the barbaric
nature of their society. Events go down in history as the cultural identity of the region. Thus the
economic aspect of these events are considerably massive if utilised properly can lead to great
accomplishments. Event management is of crucial importance to any region and society as a
whole as they shape the future and create history.

References
Buning, R.J. and Gibson, H.J., 2016. The role of travel conditions in cycling tourism:
Implications for destination and event management. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 20(3-4),
pp.175-193.
Getz, D. and Getz, D., 1997. Event management & event tourism.
Kubler, S., Robert, J., Hefnawy, A., Främling, K., Cherifi, C. and Bouras, A., 2017. Open IoT
ecosystem for sporting event management. IEEE Access, 5, pp.7064-7079.
Park, S.B. and Park, K., 2017. Thematic trends in event management research. International
Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29(3), pp.848-861.