1st Edition
Events and Economic Development Bridging Theory and Practice
Introduction
Section I Event-led destination development
1 (Re)branding a nation through a sport mega-event
Brendon Knott
2 How ‘Dark Mofo’ transformed Hobart
Ralph Crane
3 Nation-building and the African Cup of Nations: A case study of Cameroon
Jo Clarke and Becky Ashworth
4 Symbolic and significant: Qatar delivers a huge 2022 FIFA World Cup to propel a future legacy of sporting events in the Middle East
Leon Davis and Dan Plumley
Section II Commercialising events
5 Buying and selling Day of the Dead: A history of the holiday’s commercialization
Mathew Sandoval
6 From rebellion to revenue: Dance music reckonings
Christopher T. Conner and Danielle Hidalgo
7 Events and unhealthy sponsorship: An analysis of Euro 2024
Robin Ireland
Section III Event-led urban transformation
8 No more hunger games: From Olympic legacy to livability Olympics
Brendan Barratt
9 Gastrodevelopment and gentrification: How food promotes urban development and displacement
Pascale Jossart-Marcelli
10 Liveable Cities and the infra-ordinary versus the extraordinary: Commonwealth Games 2022 and Birmingham’s urban transformation
John Bryson
11 How do festivals catalyse growth in Banyuwangi, Indonesia?
Thor Kerr and Irfan Wahyudi
12 Australia and the Olympic Games: An outline of participation and Games hosting
Richard Baka and Tracy Taylor
Section IV Event bidding and business models
13 Leaner, cost-effective, practical: How the 2032 Brisbane Games could revolutionise the Olympics
Kirsten Holmes, Judith Mair, and Leonie Lockstone-Binney
14 Crisis or transition: Understanding the wave of Australian music festival cancellations
Sam Whiting and Ben Green
15 Media events 2.0: How social media developments impact event narratives
Katerina Girginova
16 Australian music festivals: Is the current crisis a perfect storm or passing shower?
John Weldon
17 Esports and the Olympic Games: Hopeless marriage or obvious pairing?
Thomas Burelli, Marie Dykukha, and Haoran Liu
18 Are major sports events worth hosting? A closer look
John Varano
19 The Rugby World Cup: A major event in an odd-shaped world
John Harris
Section V Event-related Identity Formation
20 Global migrant festivals: London Notting Hill Carnival versus the West-Indian American Parade Day
Nicole Ferdinand
21 Commonwealth Games: Civic sponsorship of festive football in medieval and early modern Britain
Taylor Aucoin
22 The Super Bowl: The risk of inauthentic brand storytelling
Lucy Gill-Simmen and Ling Xiao
23 Socially responsible live music: Do fans/consumers care?
Gary Sinclair, Todd Green, and Julie Tinson
24 Conclusions and recommendations
Mike Duignan
Biography
Mike Duignan is a Professeur at the Sorbonne, University of Paris 1, France, and the Director of Research, Intelligence, and Education at Trivandi, UK. Since 2021, Mike has been the Editor-in-Chief of the leading peer-reviewed journal for the study and analysis of events: Event Management Journal. Formerly, he was a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida, USA; the Director of the UK Olympic Studies Centre; and a Reader and Head of Department at the University of Surrey, UK.
"This is an excellent compendium of articles, championing the power and potential of all types of events and festivals from across the globe and showcasing just how central they are to economic development and leaving a personal and communal legacies for the places that host them. A must read for all professionals, professors, and students!"
Mark Camley, Executive Director of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Legacy Development Corporation and Former CEO of The Royal Parks, UK
"Events and Economic Development: Bridging Theory and Practice is an innovative resource that explores the profound roles events play in shaping cultural identity, urban transformation, and sustainable development. Through comprehensive global case studies and practical frameworks tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this book bridges theory and application seamlessly. It provides educators, students, and practitioners with essential insights to navigate the complexities of event management."
Dr Shushu Chen, Associate Professor, University of Birmingham, UK
"Increasingly events and festivals are being recognised as enablers for economic growth by communities and governments across the world. Events and Economic Development provides a skilfully structured navigation through a fascinating collection of contemporary examples, each drawing out specific relevant lessons in a way which leaves the reader with both a comprehensive understanding of the issues and a entertaining insight into the industry."
Iain Edmondson, Non-Executive Director of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and Former Head of Major Events for London & Partners, UK






