Posted: November 29th, 2014

Events and Sustainability

Events and Sustainability

TOU3009M
15 Credits
Year 3 (Level 6)

Term 1

Contacts

Module Coordinator and Lecturer:

Dr Chris Phelan (ext. 5593, Room 2106 Business and Law.

Module Lecturer:

Dr Eerang Park (ext. 5537, Room 3102 Business and Law.

Administrator:

Sara Healy ([email protected]), ext 6152, Faculty Office, Business and Law.

Academic Year Tutor(s)

Dr Eerang Park (), ext. 5537, Room 3102 Business and Law.
Mr Richard Voase (ext. 5638, Room 3213 Business and Law.

Introduction to the module

TOU3009M is a new module for the academic year 2014/15 and builds upon the foundations of TOU2028M (Managing the Environment for Tourism and Events) at level five. As such, student feedback is encouraged as this module is integrated into the programme.

TOU3009M focuses on contemporary debates and issues associated with sustainability in the context of event management. Sustainability remains a controversial and highly contested framework, with competing discourses on sustainability reflecting different paradigms and value systems. Sustainability is under-researched in this context, and is not necessarily the prerogative of event management and event managers but is claimed by some to be integral to socially responsible business practice. This socially responsible practice will be a central theme of the module, which aims to move away from an economically-centred analysis to the wider understanding of sustainable development.

Social responsibility (corporate and individual) will be introduced as a framework to facilitate discussion of the extent to which principles of sustainability can, or should be embedded within the sector. Many policy initiatives encourage voluntary action, articulating a compatibility of business success and sustainable development. This module will critically evaluate self regulation as a means of achieving sustainable event management goals, both in the private business sector and in NGOs and the voluntary sector. Moreover, the module will engage students in a critical examination of some of the techniques used for claiming sustainability by businesses; using case studies from various related sectors, TNCs and SMEs. Thus, students will consider whether such practices are effective in the contexts of sustainability and event management. The purpose of the module is to engage the students in constructive critique of the practice of event management, and the constraints of voluntary compliance.

Learning Outcomes

This module will encourage students to consider in detail the underlying meaning of sustainable development and how it may be applied to the sector as a whole, as well as in the context of particular festival end event settings. On the successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1.    Demonstrate a deep and detailed understanding of sustainable practice in the events industry
2.    Critique real life examples of the event management process, from a sustainable development perspective, making reference to best practice and sustainability indicators.
3.    Assess the contribution of the voluntary and non-profit sector in driving good practice in event management
4.    View events as social, economic and environmental phenomena and recommend ways in which all of these facets can be managed sustainably.

Transferable Skills

In addition to the specific learning outcomes detailed above, the module also facilitates the development of a number of transferable skills; these are skills which will contribute to your own personal development as a ‘scholar’, but also in the world of work.  These can be identified as:
?    Apply appropriate IT and research skills.
?    Apply academic approaches to issues and decision making.
?    Illustrate an awareness of issues relating to economic, social and environmental sustainability in festival and event settings.
?    Demonstrate an ability to synthesise theoretical understanding with real-life observations.
?    Develop reasoned argument to support or refute a case.
?    Evaluate a real world case effectively and make recommendations accordingly.

Module Organisation

This module is made up of one lecture and one two hour seminar/workshop per week but requires further independent study and research in order to comply with the module outcomes. Please refer to the table below for allocation of module hours and expectations around independent study.

Allocation of hours to module
Lecture    12
Workshop    12
Tutorial    4
Fieldwork and Preparation    25
Independent Study    67
Case Study Development    30
Total     150

Module programme

Preparatory reading and pre-seminar tasks will be identified each week and you are asked to check the module Blackboard site for relevant information. It is your responsibility to prepare appropriately for every seminar and lecture.

All lectures will be delivered by Chris Phelan with seminars delivered jointly by Chris (Group A) and Eerang Park (Group B). Weekly copies of PowerPoint presentations and associated teaching materials will be available from Blackboard, and you are advised to print these before each lecture.

Module Schedule

Week    Date    Lecture / Seminar
1    22.09.14    Module Introduction and Overview
2    29.09.14    Sustainable and Responsible Event Management:  Conceptual Frameworks
3    6.10.13    The Social and Economic Impacts of Events
4    13.10.14    The Physical and Environmental Impact of Events
5    20.10.14    Green Marketing, Engagement and Communications
6    27.10.14    Sustainable Energy Use in Event Production
7    3.11.14    Guest Speaker: Nicky Barr, Director Essence Event Solutions Ltd.; Project Manager for the International Bomber Command Memorial; former Head of Sponsorship and Hospitality for the CLA.
8    10.11.14    Sustainable Transport Solutions in Event Production
9    17.11.14    Sustainable and Ethical Purchasing in Event Planning
10    24.11.14    Sustainable Waste Management in Event Production
11    1.12.14    Sustainable Water Management for Event Production
12    8.12.14    Event Management Systems and Certifications
13    15.12.14    Module Review and Evaluation
14    22.12.14    Vacation
15    29.12.14    Vacation

Assessment

The assessment for this module consists of two parts, which have been designed to offer insights into the practicalities of applying for a sustainability award and to align with the principles of students-as-producer.

Assessment Overview

You are required to develop a ‘Sustainable Event Case Study’ (SEC) for consideration for a prestigious international sustainability award, by a panel of expert judges. The SEC you develop can be for a specific festival / event, or for an event space / venue. You have full choice over the chosen event / location but the appropriateness should be agreed with your tutor following your work at part one.

Your SEC should be developed through individual desk based research but may be supplemented by site visits if considered appropriate (venue suitability and appropriate risk assessment should be agreed with your tutor prior to any visit). Under no circumstances should you contact the event / venue directly.

Part One – Individual Assignment

Title: Sustainable Event – Case Study Proposal

Part one is a formative piece that carries no marks; this is a very important aspect of the overall assessment and allows you to identify and establish the feasibility of your later case. You should:
1.    Briefly review the literature on economic, social and environmental sustainability. In particular, your review should highlight the key academic texts / articles that you will use to underpin your later case (approx. two paragraphs / minimum five academic sources).
2.    Provide a synopsis of the event or venue you have selected. This may include (but is not limited to): a brief history of the event or venue; overview of the target market or audience; identification of the event stakeholders; consideration of the event aims and objectives; discussion of operational issues. If available, you should summarise any environmental or corporate social responsibility policy or strategy and highlight any existing sustainability awards, accreditations or management systems (approx. 2 – 3 paragraphs).
3.    Highlight the key measures or initiatives that have been introduced to increase sustainability (minimum three).
4.    Provide an annotated bibliography of the key sources that you will use to underpin your sustainable event case. This might include web links to the event / organisation, existing case study or award profiles, academic sources, media and industry sources.
5.    You are not required to visit your event / venue, but should you wish to do so then a risk assessment template (available to download via Blackboard) should be included as an appendix to assessment one. This template should form the basis of a pre-visit discussion with your tutor.

Word Limit: This is not an assessed piece and as such no word limit exists – ideally your submission should not exceed two sides of A4.

Due Date: Friday 31st October submitted electronically via Turnitin by 11.59pm.

Date for return of feedback to you: Your seminar tutor will co-ordinate feedback and establish a tutorial opportunity. This will act as valuable guidance at assessment two.

Part Two – Individual Assignment (100%)

Title: Sustainable Event Case Study

As highlighted above, you are tasked with developing a ‘Sustainable Event Case Study’ (SEC) for consideration by an expert panel of judges. The SEC should build on your work at assessment one and the selection of event / venue should now have been agreed with your tutor.

The SEC should be presented in report format with numbered headings and include an executive summary, title page and contents page. The report headings will be determined by your own research against module themes, with potential report templates to be discussed in the assessment briefing and in your ‘assessment one feedback tutorial’. Specifically, your SEC should critique the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the selected event / venue, highlighting issues of best practice and areas for improvement. A more detailed list of assessment criteria is provided below.

Word Limit: 3,000 words

Due Date: Friday 12th December submitted electronically via Turnitin by 11.59pm.

Criteria for Assignment
Synopsis of the event or venue to establish the parameters of the case.
Outline the importance of event sustainability (utilising appropriate academic underpinning).
Identify and appraise the event or venues relationship with its stakeholders (i.e. public, private, voluntary, community, as appropriate).
Critically explore the selected event or venue in respect to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Critically discuss (including appropriate academic underpinning) the event or venues physical and environmental performance. This may be linked to a range of module themes. This may include, but is not limited to:  energy use; transportation; ethical purchasing; waste management; water management; and environmental management systems.
Review and evaluate areas of best practice – and propose issues for improvement – in respect to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Critically appraise the event / venue overall in respect to sustainability.

Date for return of feedback to you: Friday 16th January 2015

General formatting guidelines:
NOTE – Refer to Blackboard ‘Assessments’ tab for help with presentation and layout.
•    Must use the Harvard referencing system
•    Must have a title page and contents page
•    Text must be in Times New Roman and be size 12
•    The assignment should be single sided and the text should be 1.5 spacing
•    Margins should be at least 3cm to the left and ‘justified’
•    All assignments MUST also have your name, student number and the title of the assignment clearly stated on the front page.
•    Read the UG Assignment Submission document on Blackboard for more details and grade boundaries.
•    Work will be first and second marked in accordance with University policy.
•    Where you require further feedback or clarification then you may request a tutorial with your seminar tutor.

Reading

Recommended Reading:

The module does not teach from any specific text but the following two books are useful:

Case, R. (2013) Events and the Environment. London: Sage.
Jones, M. (2010) Sustainable Event management – A practical guide. Abigndon: Earthscan [Available as an e-book].

Other supporting texts:

Andersson, T.D. and Lundberg, E. (2013) ‘Commensurability and Sustainability: Triple impact assessments of a tourism event,’ Tourism Management, 37, 99-109.
Bowdin, G., Allen, J., O’Toole, W., Harris, R. and McDonnell, I. (2011) Event Management. London: Sage (Chapter 5).
Buckley, R., Pickering, C. and Weaver, D.B. (2003) Nature-Based Tourism, Environment and Land Management, CABI, Wallingford [e-book]
Case, R. (2013) Events and the Environment. London: Sage.
Collins, A. and Flynn, A. (2008) ‘Measuring the environmental sustainability of a major sporting event: A case study of the FA Cup Final,’ Tourism Economics, 14(4), 751-768.
Collins, A., Jones, C. and Munday, M. (2009) ‘Assessing the environmental impacts of mega sporting events: Two options?’ Tourism Management, 30(6) 828-837.
Cumming, P. and Pelham, F. (2011) Making Events more sustainable: A guide to BS8901. London: BSI.
Death, C. (2011) ‘Greening the 2010 FIFA World cup: Environmental Sustainability and the Mega-Event in South Africa’, Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 13(20), 99-117.
Dickenson, J and Lumsdon, L. (2010). Slow travel and tourism. London: Earthscan [ebook].
Font and Tribe (2001) Promoting green tourism: the future of environmental awards, International Journal of Tourism Research 3, 9-21
Gossling, S. (2005) Tourism and Global Environmental Change, Routledge, London
Hall, C.M. (2012) ‘Sustainable mega-events: Beyond the myth of balanced approaches to mega-event sustainability’, Event Management, 16(2), 119-131.
Hall, C. M. and Higham, J. (2005) Tourism, Recreation and Climate Change, Channel View, Clevedon [e-book].
Holden, A. (2008) Environment and Tourism, Routledge: London
Jones, M. (2010) Sustainable Event management – A practical guide. Abigndon: Earthscan [e-book].
Laing, J. and  Frost, W. (2010) ‘How green was my festival: Exploring challenges and opportunities associated with staging green events’, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 29(2), 261-267.
Mallen, C., Adams, L., Stevens, J. and Thompson, L. (2010) ‘Environmental Sustainability in Sport Facility Management: A Delphi Study’, European Sport Management Quarterly, 10(3), 367-389.
Mallen, C., Stevens, J., Adams, L., and McRoberts, S. (2010) ‘The Assessment of the Environmental performance of an International Multi-Sport Event’, European Sport Management Quarterly, 10(1), 97-122.
Pernecky, T. and Lück, M. (2013) Events, Society and Sustainability. London: Routledge [ebook].
Presbury, R. and Edwards, D. (2005) ‘Incorporating sustainability in meetings and event management education’, International Journal of Event Management Research, 1(1), 30-45.
Raj, R. and Musgrave, J. (2009) Event Management and Sustainability. Wallingford: CABI.
Sharpley, R. (2009). Tourism development and the environment: beyond sustainability? London: Earthscan.

Useful websites and online guides

Brighton and Hove City Council (2014) Sustainability in the City. Available at: http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/environment/sustainability-city/sustainable-events
Defra (2007) Sustainable Events Guide. Available at: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/advice/documents/SustainableEventsGuide.pdf
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (2013) The Fringe Guide to Sustainable Practice. Available at: https://www.edfringe.com/uploads/docs/participants/Fringe%20Guide%20to %20Sustainable%20Practice%202013.pdf
HEA HLST Network (2007) Resource Guide: The Impact of Events. Available at: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/the_impact_of_events.pdf
Icarus Foundation (2008) Green Festivals and events Guide, a How to… Available at: http://ecoclub.com/library/epapers/15.pdf
Manchester City Council (2014) Sustainable Events. Available at: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500117/green_city/3831/sustainable_events/2
Seventeen Events (2010) Sustainable Events Guide. Available at: http://www.seventeenevents.co.uk/sustainability/sustainable-events-guide/
Shabajee, P.  (2011) Annotated Bibliography: Greening Events project. Available at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/greeningict/finalreports/Greening%20Events/Appendix_C.pdf
Sustainable communities Online (2014) How to Plan a Sustainable Event. Available at: http://www.sustainable.org/living/responsible-buying-a-consumption/473-how-to-plan-a-sustainable-event

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