THE EVENTS INDUSTRY - 2025/6

Module Overview

This is an introductory module that provides students with the knowledge and understanding required to study the diverse international events industry, and to begin to plan their careers in events. The module will introduce event typologies and explain how different events are designed, managed and evaluated. The demand side of the industry will also be explored, through a consideration of the motivations of event attendees and the nature of live event experiences. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits, guest lectures and case studies, students will develop their understanding of a wide range of different types of events and will be introduced to key theoretical approaches used in the study of events.

Module provider

Surrey Hospitality & Tourism Management

Module Leader

KENNELL James (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

• Overview of the international events industry


• Careers in events management


• Events industry associations


• Event typologies


• Event stakeholders


• Motivations for events


• Event Experiences


• Events and public policy


• Scenario planning for events

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

A 1500 word report that covers the same learning objectives as the group presentation

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding that they have developed in the module.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Presentation (group) Students will work in groups to give a presentation that categorizes and explains an event in terms of its type, audiences and impacts


• Coursework (individual) Students will write a report that analyses the importance of one key contemporary issue affecting the events industry

Module aims

• Develop students understanding of the international events industry
• Develop students knowledge of a diverse range of types of events
• Develop students ability to identify the demand for different types of events
• Develop students understanding of the nature of event experiences

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Facilitate the development of students knowledge of the scope and diversity of the international events industry, and its interactions with other parts of society.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• lectures and tutorials which may include a variety of team activities, discussions and presentations

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN1137

Other information

This module adopts the university curriculum framework, which aims to develop learners with strong capabilities in Employability; Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities; Sustainability and; Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module contributes to the development of all of these:

Employability Throughout this module, students are encouraged to reflect on what they have learnt and how this is valuable for developing their careers in events. As such, the students will be required to demonstrate and apply research and analytical skills transferable to many workplace contexts. In addition, guest lecturers will present up-to-date insight from industry and provide an opportunity for students to directly learn from event management professionals.

Digital Capabilities On this module, students will learn about a range of digital technologies that are integral to event management, including in the planning, producing and marketing of events. Further, the preparation of their assignment will require students to use appropriate digital tools and methods, as well as engage with the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), SurreyLearn, and video conferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams to facilitate learning.

Resourcefulness and Resilience The event industry requires resourceful and resilient professionals who can adapt and respond to fast paced change in the external and internal environment. Resourcefulness and resilience will thus be a thread running through the module and case studies will be used to demonstrate these values in practice. In addition, the module will provide the students themselves with opportunities to further develop these skills, as they learn in and contribute to the workshops and reflect on their own experiences and problem-solving abilities.

Sustainability Sustainability is a core aspect of this module. Successful events embrace sustainability and event customers expect that the events they attend have been planned to maximise their positive impacts and minimize their negative impacts. The lectures and workshops on this modules will give students the opportunity to explore many dimensions of sustainability and to consider how these can be addressed by event businesses.

Global and Cultural Capabilities Graduates in events need to have excellent skills in working in diverse teams, collaborating internationally and communicating with complex groups of stakeholders. This module will support students to develop these skills by taking an international approach and encouraging students to apply their learning to real world case studies and examples. In addition, the workshops will require students to work in groups with other students from diverse backgrounds. This will broaden their world view, challenge their perspectives, and enhance their understanding of the values, norms, and behaviors, which exist in other cultures.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.