ABSTRACT
By definition, a special event is a gathering of human beings, generally lasting from a few hours to a few days, and designed to celebrate, honor, sell, teach about, or observe human endeavors. This is my personal definition and it is intended to be as all-encompassing as possible. Dr. Joe Jeff Goldblatt, a pioneer in special events, has a similar definition, perhaps more general, when he says ‘a special event is a unique moment in time celebrated with ceremony and ritual to satisfy specific needs (Goldblatt, 2002; p. 6).’ Getz (1997; p. 4), on the other hand offers two definitions, from each of the event organizer’s and the guest’s point of view, respectively:
■ ‘A special event is a one-time or infrequently occurring event outside normal programs or activities of the sponsoring or organizing body.’
