At the end of this week, you will be able to: 

• define what a special event is
• distinguish between different kinds of special events by categorizing them by size, form or content
• identify the major impacts which special events have on their stakeholders and/or host communities (social and cultural, physical and environmental, political, tourism, and economic)
• research the structure of the event industry in your area and identify local examples of the components outlined in the readings.

Good planning can help you to create the positive impacts you desire, and help you to avoid potentially negative impacts, whether your event is a small intimate birthday party, or the Olympic Games.  What kind of impact do you want to your special event to make?