you mentioned at the weekend some books relating to risk management – can you pop the names up

would be greatly appreciated

cheryl

http://www.silverstone.co.uk/jobs/Experiential-Event-Team-Manager-/

The notion of design also fits in with the experience economy; events have to have an aesthetic and visual wow factor to create the spectacle. Moreover, the highly competitive nature of events requires ‘differentiation’ and design can offer that. On a personal level, design and creativity was integral to biding (my club night) and the press and the audience picked up this aspect. However, most of the design element was done on a shoestring of a budget. For example, for the six month run at the Arches we only had a £200 budget, so we dressed the venue in ivy cut down from the Necropolis in the middle of the night! We also made giant origami flowers; in the b.ding room my decks were on the floor of a low level stage dressed in pink and gold fabric; accompanied by a hippy sitar player and an Icelandic percussionist. This was quite different for the time, as DJ’s normally would be in a booth or a stage raised above the dance floor. It might seem insignificant but a design decision like that can change the whole experience for the performer and the audience. Therefore design can challenge the prescribed and formulaic way in which things (even in club land) are done. In the world of clubs, which are generally run by men lighting design and videos are predominantly used as design features; b.ding opted for a more tactile approach.

Another point I would like to make that as b.ding was peripatetic some venues were more accommodating of our ideas than others but inevitably as a promoter there are always compromises to be made.

On a last note this lecture was really informative if not a little out of date – however, to correct Bruce, King Tuts is owned by DF concerts and the management there are involved in T in the Park.

For what its worth, I think there are clear indicators from both industry and educational sectors that indicate event management / events is fast becoming an emerging profession. Just look at our course in terms of the educational aspect! Also, looking at modern events, they are so complex, evolving at a rapid rate, and are in fierce competition with other events that specialist personnel are hired to bid for, manage and produce events. I vaguely remember reading Goldblatt (?)last year who discussed this topic in some depth, drawing on evidence such as continuing education in the sector too.

Anyway. I personally think that if events are going to continue to capture people’s imagination, provide entertainment and be world spectacles, the further professionalisation of the industry is virtually inevitable, especially in the current climate of regulations, guidelines etc, and even more so for the large scale events where there is such a high price put on hosting e.g. Olympics. Just my thoughts though!!

Looking forward to seeing you all at the weekend.