An evidence informed approach to planning for event management in Ireland

Abstract

Purpose Events are a significant component of Ireland’s tourism offering. They are an important source of economic activity and an incremental driver of social change and development throughout the country. However, the visual and physical impacts often created by event activities to the environmental and social resource base upon which, events depend, have begun to draw attention to the way events are planned and managed. Although the concept of sustainability has become the topic of much discussion and debate in event management literature, there exist many gaps in relation to its practical application in event management planning in Ireland. This is despite the statutory obligation of local authorities in Ireland to license events and to facilitate the process of planning for large-scale outdoor public events in Ireland. Yet, with the continued expansion of Ireland’s event industry, there is a fundamental need for an evidence-informed approach to planning for event management. Through the application of the European tourism indicator system (ETIS), the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the national event industry in Ireland could be secured. This paper aims to examine and discuss the application of the ETIS as a possible tool to facilitate greater levels of sustainability and accountability within the events industry in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative content analysis approach involving a complete population sample of local authorities in the Republic of Ireland to determine the application of the ETIS within the legal process of planning for event management in Ireland. Findings While the findings have identified a basic provision for event management within a number of local authority legally required County Development Plans, none, however, were using the ETIS to monitor the impacts of events at the local level. This lack of data collection and benchmarking highlights the need for greater levels of sustainability and accountability within the legal process of planning for event management in Ireland. Originality/value This study suggests the ETIS as an easy, cost effective and viable solution to facilitate an evidence-informed approach to planning for event management at the local level. However, the lessons learned from this study may also have implications for destination planners and event managers outside of Ireland.

Examining the power role of Local Authorities in planning for socio-economic event impacts

“…Dwyer, Forsyth, Madden and Spurr, (2006) and Etiosa (2012) regarded economic impacts as the most important impact event practitioners and host communities look at from a positive perspective. However, a fundamental task for event practitioners and policy makers at national and local levels in modern society is to identify, predict, monitor and manage economic event impacts in a way that optimizes benefits for host communities and destinations while also minimising economic costs (Maguire and Hanrahan, 2016b;Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). Scholars argue that events can increase destination competitiveness (Konstantaki and Wickens, 2010), boost investment (Gursoy, Kim and Uysal, 2004) and leverage opportunities for further economic growth, as evidenced by the figures presented in the intro relaying the impact of events to Ireland.…”

“…However, to do this, there is a need for Local Authorities to have funding, staff, knowledge and training on the impacts of events in order to effectively sustainably develop and plan for events. Furthermore, Maguire and McLoughlin (2019) noted that the use of indicator systems Local Authorities would enable Local Authorities to monitor and manage economic activities of events and thereby facilitate an evidence based approach to planning for event management at local level. Yet, it is worth noting that Local Authorities in Ireland are facing challenges in relation to funding and staffing (Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019), which may in turn have implication for the way Local Authorities carry out their functions in this regard.…”

“…It is also responsible for creating over 11,000 jobs in the live entertainment and events industry. As such, the recognition of events as important valuable instruments for economic growth, development and regeneration and social integration and inclusion has resulted in events becoming integral to Ireland's tourism offering so much so that they have become critically important to Ireland's socio-economic health (Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). In light of this booming sector contributing towards national development, it also offers the perfect opportunity to showcase all that Ireland has to offer in respect of its culture, heritage, its people and its place (Fáilte Ireland, 2018).…”

“…As a form of soft power, events have become a principal feature and are strategically utilised by national and local level governments when it comes to developing, promoting and managing the tourism industry offering (see Wise and Harris, 2019). Concerning Ireland specifically, Maguire and McLoughlin (2019) commented that a number of Government initiative have been devised in Ireland in order to support event industry growth and competitiveness and ultimately aid Governments in achieving their broad economic and social objectives. They further elaborated that the reputation of events as a major direct contributor of economic activity and social change throughout the country is a testament to Ireland's unique tourism offering and the efforts of Government in supporting event developments and opportunities.…”

“…Jepson and Clarke (2015) deliberated that such issues can adversely affect host community support for and participation in events. Hence, the socio-economic impacts of events according to Maguire and Hanrahan (2016) and Maguire and McLoughlin (2019) must be planned for, monitored and managed to avoid the socio-economic costs and to maximise socio-economic benefits events can generate.…”