ABSTRACT
In this chapter, two areas of event management often included in the risk area are considered in detail: legal compliance and contract management.
Risk management process Events are particularly susceptible to risks. Risk, in the event context, may be formally defined as the likelihood of the event or festival not fulfilling its objectives. A unique venue, large crowds, new staff and volunteers, movement of equipment and general excitement are all a recipe for potential hazards. The event manager who ignores advice on risk prevention is courting disaster and foreshortening his or her career in the events industry. The sensible assessment of potential hazards and preventative action is the basis of risk management, and is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE, 1999, p. 7) risk may be defined as ‘the likelihood that harm from a hazard is realised and the extent of it’.
