Leila Edwards' overview presentation at the 'Going Live' event at Birmingham City University on 13 November This event shared the UCB experience of managing live projects as a key area of the curriculum offering authentic experiential learning to our students. Delegates had the opportunity to discover the range of projects and exchange information with both the staff and students who are involved with them. Case studies will be drawn from Hospitality, Events and Tourism disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

1. An Overview of
The Live Events Project
by
Leila Edwards (Module Leader)

2. Introduction
What is the Live Events Project Module?
• A practical Level 5 Events Management module, which builds
upon and enhances student knowledge gained at Level 4;
enabling students to acquire and further develop their
knowledge, skills and techniques in project management and
event operations by planning and organising, implementing
and evaluating a live event.
• The module:
…emphasises the need for students to devise effective planning
and operational management processes, which can make an event
a success or failure.
…complements other related Level 5 Event Management modules
studied including: Project Management for Events;
Events Marketing and Events Finance.

3. How does it work?
• The module combines lectures with both seminar and workshop
led sessions
• The class are organised into groups of six, students are issued with
an assignment brief and detailed handbook for planning and
managing a live event, which includes guidelines and practical tips
• Students assume responsibility for a particular role within the live
events project team
• Each group is also assigned a mentor, who meets with them on a
weekly basis, providing support, advice and guidance, in turn
monitoring their progress throughout the entire event planning
process (1 semester)
• Clients are selected at random (envelope draw)

4. Our Clients

5. Live Events Project Assessment
• Assignment 1: Planning Report (60%)
• Assignment 2: Event Implementation (Practical) and
Evaluation (Presentation) (40%)

6. Learning Objectives for the Live Events Project:
1. Construct and analyse effective event objectives based on
thorough screening of an event concept
2. Appreciate the need for the detailed planning of events and
construct an effective event management plan for a live event
3. Apply risk management theory and legal considerations to a
live event project and produce an effective risk assessment for
an event venue
4. Execute a successful event demonstrating the ability to
co-ordinate a range of complex activities
‘on the day.’
5. Evaluate the success of an event using a range of
methods

7. The Challenges?
• Event concepts: creativity vs feasibility,
meeting client and stakeholder expectations
• Legal considerations including contracts and insurance
• Project constraints
Finance: initial funding is available, however, each team
must cover event costs through sponsorship and ticket
sales
Time Management: length of planning process, event
timescale and guidelines 4 hour window, no Fri, Sat, Sun
evening events; other subjects studied
• Groupwork dynamics and effectiveness of individual
contributions
• Hands-on vs Hands-off

8. Learning Outcomes
• Learning curve for students (application of
theoretical knowledge in practice)
• Invaluable event experience
• Industry networking and collaboration
• Enhanced employability prospects
• Total funds raised by 2012-13 student groups:
£7,000

9. The continuing importance of
• Event educators must ensure that event management
graduates have the optimal skill set to enable them to
work, grow and adapt (Lockstone-Binney et al. 2013) in the
events industry
• The Live Events Project provides students with an
authentic, experiential learning opportunity – “a ‘real
world’ practical experience within a safe and
nonthreatening learning environment”(Robertson et al.
2012, pp.227)
• Enhances and develops event management graduate
attributes and competencies

10. References
• Finkel, R. (2010) Resource Guide: Principles and Practices of Events
Management – Planning and Operations The Higher Education
Academy, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Network, UK
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/hlst/guide
_events_management2 - accessed 11/11/13
• Lockstone-Binney, L., Robertson, M. and Junek, O. (2013) Guest
Editorial from: International Journal of Event and Festival
Management, Volume 4, Issue 3.
• Moscardo, G. and Norris, A. (2004) Bridging the Academic
Practitioner Gap in Conference and Events Management. Journal of
Convention & Event Tourism, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp.47-62, Routledge, UK
• Robertson, M., Junek, O. and Lockstone-Binney, L. (2012), Is this for
real? Authentic learning for the challenging events environment.
Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 225-241,
Routledge, UK