2.2 General Concepts of Event

An ‘event' seems simple to explain but actually is complex. Getz (1997) defined an ‘event' as a temporary occurrence, either planned or unplanned. There are some basic dictionary definitions of event, which are:

something that happens at a given place and time;

a special set of circumstances;

a phenomenon located at a single point in space-time; the fundamental observational entity in relativity theory; and

a consequence: a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon.

From these definitions, it can be seen that ‘event' has a wide and complex meaning with reference to its myriad implications. It can embrace many different occurrences from the static to the intense. It is impossible to list all events here. Watt (1998) said the event area is so large that it would be impossible to detail all the possibilities. Getz (1997) also considered the same universe of the ‘event' to be so diverse that any classification is bound to be incomplete. Jago and Shaw (1998) also discussed the diversity of event and associated different features to create a hierarchical framework (see Figure 2.1).

From this framework, ‘event' is divided into ‘ordinary' and ‘special' events, and then special events can be divided into three other categories—‘minor', ‘festival', and ‘major'. ‘Hallmark' and ‘mega' events are the two elements comprising major events. Another framework by Getz (1997) looked at a content-based conceptualisation of events. Getz treated most events as planned and sorted them into major taxonomic categories.