Project management for events

• Undertake an event project feasibility study.

• Apply the theory and techniques of project risk management to all the management areas of events, such as marketing, site design, operations, finance and sponsorship.

Project management is the management of the project to deliver the event. It concerns integrating all the management areas, such as marketing, design and operations, so they efficiently use the event resources and satisfy the objectives of the event stakeholders. It produces an accountable system to report to the event stakeholders, delegate tasks to the event team and establish a controlled timeline.

In particular, it employs the tools and techniques of project management to manage the phases of the event, from the concept through the planning and preparation to the event close down. It covers the tools and techniques used in all areas of event management that are found in the EMBOK (Event Management Body of Knowledge)

They are transferable to all other domains of work, not just events. Hence the student is taught knowledge and skills that are useful throughout their working life.

Students are encouraged to bring their own projects to this three-day course so that the knowledge shared can be immediately applied to event plans in progress. After the course, students will be able to:

• Apply the management science of project management to event delivery.

• Understand and use the tools: scheduling, tasking analysis, milestones, delegation, stakeholder analysis, cost estimating and quality control.

• Develop an accountable and integrated management system to deliver the events, including the project plan, risk management plan and event management evaluation system.

• Understand the requirements for event management software.

• Find additional information on project management and adapt it to the events industry.

• Understand the advantages and limitations of using project management software for event planning and delivery.

• Ensure every event is a test of the project management, and therefore it becomes an improvable system.

Project management is the universal tool used to deliver events. From the Olympics to the F1 Grand Prix to festivals, weddings and corporate product launches, the terminology and techniques of project management are employed. It enables event teams to deliver their event, use an accounting system and communicate with the modern international events industry.

Course cost: R19,500. plus, VAT pp

This course is validated to provide 24 CPD credits that can be used to maintain a SAQAregistered professional designation.

Introduction to Crowd Science

This three-day course examines the growing rate of crowd-related accidents and incidents worldwide. Using tools, methods, and work examples gleaned from over 20 years of experience, the course material provides an understanding of crowd safety. It establishes how crowd accidents and incidents (specifically mass fatalities in crowded spaces) can occur. The instructor explores the underlying causes and implements techniques for crowd risk analysis and crowd safety engineering to help minimise and eliminate occurrences altogether.

Anyone involved in a private role or a public responsibility must understand which risks play a role and how to deal with the specific safety risks surrounding crowds.

This course is delivered by Roderick van Gelder from the Event Safety Institute in Australia. It is based on a curriculum developed by G.K. (Keith) Still and described in his book “Introduction to Crowd Science”.

Developing more awareness about the behaviour of crowds and individuals in the crowd and their reactions to specific developments The course also provides insight into how public behaviour can be modelled and how specific techniques that contribute to public safety can be applied.

After completing the course, the participant will be able to:

• Recognise dangerous situations for planning and assessing events (Crowd risk analysis);

• Understand mass behaviour in the complex and built environment, under normal circumstances and in emergencies;

• Model an event in phases (inflow, circulation, outflow) and recognise factors of influence (design, information and management);

• Perform risk analyses for planning, designing and managing areas where crowds gather and move;

• apply guidelines for managing audience movements for various types of locations;

• articulate which factors determine the risks and safety of crowds.

Cost: R21,500 plus VAT pp.

This course is validated to provide 24 CPD credits that can be used to maintain a SACIA-validated professional designation.