Editorial

Citation

Mair, J. (2015), "Editorial", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 6 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-01-2015-0001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Volume 6, Issue 1

Longitudinal studies of mega-event impacts are uncommon but desirable additions to the knowledge base as they measure the beneficial and disadvantageous effects of bidding for, hosting and enduring the legacies of these events. In their innovative study, Lu and Yang analyse impact of the Sydney 2000 Olympics on real estate markets in and around the host venues before, during and after the event over the period from 1980 to 2007 and using data from over two million transactions in Sydney and other NSW cities. They find that the event did indeed escalate property prices in the suburbs around host venues during the bidding and pre-event period, but also found that property prices in non-host suburbs in the post-event period. Their findings have implications for policy makers across government as well as the real estate industry in potential Olympic host cities.

Food and wine events are flourishing around the world and the need to understand the consumer’s perspective of these has never been more acute. Bruwer and Kelley provide insights into the relationship between the quality, service and ambience of a wine festival (all elements of the “festivalscape”) and the buying behaviour of first-time and repeat wine festival attendees, or wine tourists. In the case of the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, they find strong correlations between the first-time/repeat wine tourist, their perception of festival service quality and their wine buying behaviour. Their results suggest that any wine festival seeking to maximise wine sales should target repeat visitors in their marketing, programming and service.

Business events continue to play an important role in the economies of many countries worldwide, none more so than in Asia. Whitfield and Dioko examine the case of Macau, which appears to be suffering from a drop in business event visitor numbers. Their findings suggest that Macau faces some challenges in the coming years, particularly in relation to structural factors. Whitfield and Dioko recommend focusing on international associations as a source of meetings and conventions, and suggest that the government consider stimulating the formation of associations, or association chapters in Macau.

Managing events is a highly complex process, which involves a range of stakeholders and technology. Gassner, Ellert, Schafmeister and Warwzinek take a value approach to understanding event management. Using three components of value – value chain, value network and value shop – they propose solutions for event managers seeking to solve problems more quickly and innovatively. Their findings suggest that the value shop should be considered as the dominant value creation logic, and that training and trust are key components. The findings of this paper have important implications for event management practitioners.

Experiential learning is an important component of event management courses in many institutions, offering students the opportunity to experience real life and reflect on these experiences in a student-centred environment. In the final paper of this issue, Lamb examines the use of experiential and authentic learning experiences for event management students. Using the example of the Rebel Kiwi Sports Challenge in New Zealand, the paper considers how personal involvement by students in a real life event contributes to their learning. Findings suggest that offering opportunities for experiential learning encourages students to take a more active role in their learning, and provide the means to overcome the gap between academic learning and theory and practical industry experience.

As Jack Carlsen is retiring as Co-editor, after founding and establishing IJEFM over the last five years with Leo Jago and Judith Mair, he would like to acknowledge the efforts the Editorial Advisory Board, Guest Editors, all contributors, reviewers and Emerald Publishing staff that made the production of the first five volumes possible. Will their continued support, the journal should soon join the top-tier of academic publications in the field of tourism, festivals and events.

Judith Mair