Chapter 15
Special Events
Consider an “event” in your lifetime that you were present at such as a wedding,
a birthday party, a school rally, a club meeting, or a fair or festival. Do you think it
was organized well? Describe a few tactics you would have used to make it
better.
What technology do you use today that will help you in coordinating your time,
financial data, and human resource needs for your special events needs?
1. Give some examples to distinguish the differences between a daily event and
a special event.
2. What are event planners responsible for?
3. Name the stages in the event planning process.
1. What events continue to lead the industry in terms of event business?
2. When are the majority of large association conventions planned?
3. What are the key skills that a person entering the Charity Ball category must
possess?
4. What is a SMERF?
1. What does the International Festival & Events Association (IFEA) provide?
2. What is project management?
3. Define the process of negotiation.
Visit the International Special Events Society (ISES) and list why it would be an
advantage to become a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). This
designation is considered the benchmark of the industry. How would it help you
perform your job?
Define the following:
Key Words and Concepts
Charity balls (Page 412)
Coordination (Page 416)
Corporate events (Page 419)
Corporate seminars (Page 412)
Event planner (Page 413)
Event planning (Page 413)
Fairs and festivals (Page 412)
Fund-raisers (Page 412)
International Festival & Events Association (IFEA) (Page 424)
International Special Events Society (ISES) (Page 433)
Meeting Planners International (MPI) (Page 434)
Social functions (Page 412)
Special events industry (Page 418)
Weddings and holiday parties (Page 412)
Workshops (Page 412)
Read the case study on page 437 and answer the following:
1. What can Jessica do to get this exhibition to use the convention center without
inconveniencing either exhibition too much?
1. What do event planners do?
2. What are the challenges for event planners and managers?
3. Describe three of the classifications of special events.
4. Explain the skills and abilities required for event management.
Be prepared to answer the following:
Learning Outcomes
1. Define a special event.
2. Describe what event planners do.
3. Classify special events.
4. Outline the skills and abilities required for event management.
5. Identify the main professional organizations and associations involved with the
special event industry.