Special Events: The Brave New World for Bolder and Better Live Events

Recent years have seen dramatic changes to the events industry. The influence of social media and global communications technology, increased focus on environmental sustainably and social responsibility, and changes to the economic and cultural landscape have driven rapid expansion and increased competition.

Special Events: Creating and Sustaining a New World for Celebration has been the event planner’s essential guide for three decades, providing comprehensive coverage of the theory, concepts and practice of event management. The new Eighth Edition continues to be the definitive guide for creating, organizing, promoting, and managing special events of all kinds. Authors, Seungwon “Shawn” Lee and Joe Goldblatt, internationally-recognized leaders and educators in the industry, guide readers through all the aspects of professional event planning with their broad understanding of diverse cultures and business sectors. This definitive resource enables current and future event leaders to stretch the boundaries of the profession and meaningfully impact individuals, organizations, and cultures around the globe. Global case studies of high-profile events, such as the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games and Norway’s Constitution Day annual event, complement discussions of contemporary issues surrounding safety, security, and risk management. Each chapter includes “Ecologic,” “Techview,” and/or “Secureview,” mini-case studies, a glossary of terms, plentiful charts, graphs, and illustrations, and links to additional online resources.

Dr. Seungwon "Shawn" Lee is an Associate Professor of Events and Technology in the Tourism and Event Management program in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management at George Mason University. His professional careers over 25 years include, a software engineer, a Computer Aid Design (CAD) specialist, a corporate event planner, an association meeting planner, an author and a university professor and researcher. His extensive professional experiences allow him to approach event management from the view of not only multi angles but also an integrated management with comprehensive environmental scanning.

His works and research have been published in highly respected academic journals, industry trade journals, and he has presented at international and national conferences. He has authored "The 21st Century Meeting and Event Technology: Powerful Tools for Better Planning, Marketing, and Evaluation" and "Special Events (8th ed.). He is the recipient of the George Mason University Teaching Excellence "Teacher of Distinction" award (2013 and 2014) for his dedication and highly effective teaching. He was also nominated for the 2012 Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Educator of the Year award.

He serves as an editorial board member of the Journal of Convention and Event Tourism and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases. His current and past event industry service includes Event Industry Council (EIC) Knowledge Committee, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Emerging Professionals Committee, International Live Event Association, Hospitality Technology Strategic Initiative Council, and Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association.

Professor Joe Goldblatt is, according to John Wiley & Sons publishers "The foremost authority in the world of events." He held the world's only professorial chair in planned event studies for ten years at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh Scotland and served as a teacher and researcher for 47 years.

His first book was described by U.S. President Ronald Reagan's White House Social Secretary as, "A gift from the master." He is the author of the first textbook in the field of events management that has been continuously published for 30 years. He is also the author, co-author and editor of over 40 books and hundreds of articles in the field of events management. He is an occasional columnist, opinion writer and commentator for The Scotsman newspaper.