ABSTRACT
The first chapter in this fifth edition of Event Studies begins with the depiction of a world in turmoil, ravaged by an ongoing pandemic, wars, food shortages, environmental disasters, and a litany of other bad news, including tragedies at events. Major global issues identified by the United Nations are highlighted. In this context, planned events can be a beacon of hope, carry good news, foster well-being, and contribute to positive change. The study of planned events must take disasters, risks, and negative impacts into account, but should nevertheless concentrate on the positive aspects that planned events of all kinds bring to the world. With this philosophy as an introduction, Chapter 1 describes Event Studies as an academic field encompassing event management and event tourism (a diagram is provided), describes how the field has evolved and examines education for Event Studies. This chapter should answer the questions: Why should students study events, and why become event professionals? Key drivers of growth in event education are illustrated. A graphic framework is discussed for creating knowledge and understanding events, starting with the core phenomenon: event experiences and their meanings. All the components of this diagram are discussed in subsequent chapters.
