Macao is becoming a world leader in the creation and delivery of major events recently. The completion of more, better and bigger convention, exhibition and entertainment facilities enables us to play host to international conferences, entertainment and sports events. As the events industry grows and develops, so will the demand for well-qualified, knowledgeable executives to manage the vast human, technical and financial resources that go into events. With this reason, IFT has organised two one-day Executive Development Programmes on “Event Management”, 9 and 10 November. The programme is a part of the executive certificate programme in “Event Management” which is now taught in 7 cities around the world including London, Sydney and Singapore. The certificate programme will be launched in early 2008 and participates undertaking the programme will receive advanced standing in the programme, as well as a 25% discount of the course fee. The programme has been designed to both enhance the professional skill and knowledge base of those already employed within the event industry, it is also intended to serve as a useful platform for people wishing to launch careers in the exciting and varied field of event management. IFT has the honour of inviting Rob Harris, Director of Australian Centre of Event Management (ACEM), University of Technology, Sydney and Johnny Allen, Associate Director of ACEM to deliver the two one-day Executive Development Programmes. Rob Harris has been involved in event management training, education and curriculum development for over 10 years and was a Foundation Director of the Festivals and Events Association of Australia. He has an international reputation as an event management educator in a variety of locations around the world including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, China and New Zealand, as well as throughout Australia. Rob is a co-author of the texts Festival and Special Event Management and the Regional Event Management Handbook, as well as a number of event related Journal articles. He is on the editorial board of the international journal Event Management, and is the founder of the recently established Event Education and Research Network Australasia. Johnny Allen is the Foundation Director of ACEM and an adjunct lecturer at the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney. He has over 30 years’ experience in the field of event management during which time he has been involved in the development and delivery of well over 1000, public and private events ranging in scale from a few hundred people to large outdoor celebrations approaching 250,000 attendees. Prior to joining ACEM, Johnny was employed as Special Events Manager for Tourism NSW and Special Events Manager for the Darling Harbour Authority in Sydney. He is the patron of the Festival and Events Association of Australia, a co-author of the texts Festival and Special Event Management and the Regional Event Management Handbook and a sought-after consultant to both Government and event management companies. The focus of the programme was on core knowledge and skills involved in event creation and delivery. Processes that are specifically dealt with include:
- Event management basics
- Creating innovative event concepts and themes
- Event planning and initiation
- Applying project management to events Most of the participants of the programme were senior executives from various professional sectors, including tourism organisations, major 5-star hotels, Macao Government Tourist Office, private organisations, academics,
