Event management is increasingly becoming recognised globally as a distinct occupation though the level of recognition varies between countries. Practitioners and their representative associations routinely talk about ‘professionalism’ and the importance of a ‘professional workforce’, but these terms are rarely defined clearly. There is an associated set of techniques advocated by professional associations and large event companies that are becoming sophisticated and designed to ensure that returns on investment accrue to those organising meetings and other planned events. Moreover, several organisations have mapped the competencies required to be effective as an event manager and offer training programs to develop the skills base. Little of this has been informed by academic research, grounded in theory, or influenced by the thinking of academics.

Educators have also experienced an explosion of interest from potential students who are keen to gain qualifications to enter this occupation (or profession). There has been a corresponding expansion of events courses as well as the development of a community of scholars who define themselves wholly or partly in relation to their teaching and/or research on planned events. In spite of an overt vocational focus, there has been little engagement with practitioners on what might represent a research agenda for the field or how industry might articulate with events educators in other ways. For many, such conversations would open new avenues of research and strengthen the value of programs. Others would consider such developments intrusive. Discussions about the strategic development of the field of study has also been limited; questions about where events should be located within universities, the extent to which new or existing subject associations might better represent the interests of events scholars have not been prominent. This international conference provides an opportunity to explore these and related matters.

The conference will focus on issues associated with event management education, business engagement and the professionalization of event management in an international context. Topics will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Critical perspectives on professionalism and the professionalization of event management
Engaging with industry: perspectives and practices
Event management education
The politics of the events curriculum and its position within universities
The skills agenda
Finding a voice for events scholars: strategies and tactics
Issues of distinctiveness: sports events, cultural events, meetings and exhibitions
Examining the relationship between event studies and event management

All abstracts will be peer reviewed. Those submitting full papers will be able to publish their paper in the open access on-line proceedings.

Submit abstracts to icreth@leedsmet.ac.uk. Please limit abstracts to 500 words maximum. Queries about papers can be sent to Professor Rhodri Thomas, r.thomas@leedsmet.ac.uk.

Key dates:

Abstracts deadline (but submissions are very welcome before this date): 6th January, 2014.

Deadline for submitting full papers (optional): 24th March, 2014