Conceptualising Cultural Environments

1. Conceptualising Cultural Environments Seminar Four: the demand for events

2. Motivations to Attend Events • Social Motives • Social interaction with others • Creation of community spirit • Status of recognition of achievement • Philanthropy or charitable contributions • Organisational Motives • The need to make sales • The need to have an organisational presence • Status or recognition • Sponsorship or community spirit

3. Motivations to Attend Events • Physiological Motives • Relaxation or recognition with others • Sexual enjoyment with others • Exercise or physical challenge • To eat, drink or be entertained • Personal Motives • Seeking new experiences • Learning and education • Creativity and exploration • Fulfilment of ambitions

4. Discussion Questions • How do you think demand for events has changed in recent years? • What factors do you think have contributed to these changes? • What positive and negative impacts do you think these changes can have on events? You might want to think about specific event with which you are familiar. • As event managers what can we do to try to motivate people to attend our event rather than others?

5. Illegal Cultural Consumption • How do we define illegal leisure? • Illegal leisure is tied up with the idea of social harm • “the idea of social harm suggests that the rights of individuals to enjoy leisure activities can be restricted if it causes other people harm” (Harris 2005:169) • Illegal leisure is also concerned with ‘perceived immorality’ – things that we think are ‘not acceptable’ • The role of the Government • The government decides what constitutes illegal leisure • Legislation and Acts of Parliament are in place/brought in to restrict leisure activities – control what people can do • Does this work? • Why are some seemingly harmful activities illegal and others not? • Do people pay attention to restrictions?

6. Illegal Cultural Consumption • Normalisation • The concept of normalisation has been used in many contexts but essentially it is concerned with how a ‘deviant’, often subcultural, population or their deviant behaviour is able to be accommodated into a larger group or society (Parker, Aldridge & Measham, 1998) • For example, it is often said that drug use has been normalised among young people – i.e. it has become acceptable • Why is some people’s illegal leisure seen to be ok and other’s not? • Blood sports and foxhunting • Any Winehouse • How can illegal leisure impact on events and entertainment? • What are the main issues for managers in these areas?

7. Illegal Cultural Consumption • Why are certain cultural activities seen to be acceptable while others are seen to be unacceptable? • Why do you think people participate in illegal leisure activities? • Do you think that some activities are seen to be more attractive because they are restricted? • Why do you think it appears to be acceptable for some people to participate in illegal leisure but not others? • Do you think some forms of illegal leisure are more acceptable than others and if so, why?