RESEARCH

Event Case Studies

A series of case studies have been produced, covering a range of cultural and sport events across the UK. These case studies provide information on the economic impact of each event and a breakdown of the statistics that contributed to the impact (e.g. attendance figures, local visitors, day visitors, commercial/non-commercial stayers, number of days attended, average bed nights, average daily spend and average accommodation spend). The statistics detailed in the case studies match the fields that are required in the eventIMPACTS economic calculator and can be used by event organisers to help with using the economic calculator. You can download all of the case studies below.

Piping Live! 2017 - Case Study

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2017 - Case Study

World Pipe Band Championships 2017 - Case Study

Homeless World Cup 2016 Case Study

The 145th Open, Royal Troon 2016 - Case Study

Canoe Slalom World Champs 2015 - Case Study

Cardiff Half Marathon 2015 - Case Study

Edinburgh Festivals 2015 - Case Study

Glasgow Gymnastics World Cup 2012 - Case Study

Hay Festival 2016 - Case Study

Lumiere London 2016 - Case Study

Taekwondo World Grand Prix - Case Study

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup - Case Study

Ride London 2015 - Case Study

Or - Download all of the case studies in one file

The Olympic Games Cultural Programme and it role in fostering local creativity

This project, funded through the IOC’s 2010 postgraduate research grant programme, looks at the role of the Olympic Games’ cultural programme in fostering local creativity in the host region. The study, carried out by Dr Ilaria Pappalepore of the University of Westminster, focuses on the development of local talent and entrepreneurship and on the enhancement of local creativity as a result of the Cultural Olympiad. A case study approach, based on two case studies (Turin 2006 and London 2012) was used. Face-to-face interviews and a qualitative e-mail survey were selected as the most appropriate methods.

While greater visibility and publicity for creative activities emerged as the main perceived advantages of participation in the cultural programme, the author found Turin participants to be somewhat more positive about their experiences in 2006 than London participants ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Download the full article here

Download the Appendices here

Blue Mile - An Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment

The Blue Mile – Race for Environment is a new UK mass participation open-water event designed to encourage engagement with, and appreciation of, the marine environment. The inaugural event took place in Plymouth in July 2010. Using a large scale street survey, and an adapted version of eventIMPACTS recommended methodology, SERIO (University of Plymouth) carried out an economic impact assessment of the event. An initial assessment of the Blue Mile’s environmental impact was also carried out, based upon an estimate of the greenhouse gases emissions produced as a result of visitors travelling to the event.

In terms of its wider social effects, findings suggest that the Blue Mile had a positive impact on participants’ and other visitors’ views and awareness of the environment and environmental issues. Respondents were also overwhelmingly positive about the impact of the event on the community and local area, with the large majority agreeing to some extent that attracting events like the Blue Mile was good for the image of Plymouth.

Download the full article here

An Impact Assessment of the Edinburgh Festival

The Edinburgh Festivals Forum, in conjunction with key stakeholders, commissioned BOP Consulting to conduct an impact assessment of the twelve Festivals represented by Festivals Edinburgh in 2010. In line with eventIMPACTS, the study set out to take a ‘360 degree’ approach to assessing impact that extended beyond economic impact and also considers social, cultural, environmental aspects. The study shows that, aside from the value that people place on the experience of attending the event, the Festivals have an impact on cultural participation more widely, in particular on audiences’ year-round attendance.

This comprehensive report not only presents the findings in each impact area but discusses in some detail the development of the methods used in the study, taking account of eventIMPACTS. The final section of the report reviews this methodology and contains recommendations for repeating the assessment process at future Festivals. A separate technical report is also available.

Download the full article here

Download the Technical Report here

Global Major Events – 2012 and Beyond

London and Partners recently commissioned two surveys which have been published together in Global Major Events – 2012 and Beyond.

Over 100 industry experts were interviewed by IMF Sports Marketing Surveys in order to examine the appeal of international destinations to investors in major events, while SMG/YouGov surveyed over 4,000 members of the public in four countries with a view to understanding the extent to which events help attract visitors to major cities.

Download the full article here

An impact assessment of the World Duathlon Championships

This eventIMPACTS report on the World Duathlon Championships 2010 has been produced by EventScotland on behalf of the partners involved in the event, drawing on a study carried out by EKOS.

While it is standard practice for EventScotland to commission economic impact studies in line with eventIMPACTS, the duathlon event lent itself to additional forms of eventIMPACTS-related assessment because of a strong drive from British Triathlon to limit, mitigate and measure environmental impacts and, from Triathlon Scotland, to use the event to develop the volunteer workforce.

Download the full article here

The Inspirational Impact of Major Sporting Events

The idea that major sporting events have an inspirational impact on their audience has been a key factor in driving their acquisition. However there has been comparatively limited research which seeks to understand the link between events and participation.

This research considers the impact of major sporting events in terms of their ability to inspire people towards participation. The impact on both spectators and TV viewers has been assessed in an effort to consider how the inspirational effect is altered through different mediums. The findings demonstrate that major events can have a significant impact in stimulating interest in greater participation, whilst noting that this interest needs to be connected to resourced programmes which harness that interest.

Download the full article here

As a result of the outcomes of this study, UK Sport has continued to assess the links between events and participation in sport or physical activity and has since conducted further research at seven more major events. The full report, “The Inspirational Effect Of Major Sporting Events”, on the research carried out by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of UK Sport, is now available for download.

Download the full article here

The Impact of the Ryder Cup 2010

UK Sport and EventScotland have been among a number of organizations involved in a multi-faceted study of the impact of the 2010 Ryder Cup, which was held at Celtic Manor, Newport at the beginning of October 2010. The other organizations taking part were Ryder Cup Europe LLP, Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd, the Celtic Manor Resort and Newport City Council

Ryder Cup Europe LLP commissioned IFM Sports Marketing Surveys initially to carry out an economic impact study of the event, but the research was later extended to examine the wider benefits of hosting the competition. Not only did the consortium agree that the method used for undertaking the economic impact assessment should be broadly in line with that of the eventIMPACTS toolkit, but the study also provided a useful vehicle for trialling some of the survey instruments promoted in eventIMPACTS for evaluating the experience of being an event volunteer and for assessing the effects of an event on the image and identity of a hosting locality. The resulting research report was launched by the First Minister for Wales at Celtic Manor on 23 March 2011.

Download the Economic Impact Assessment here