Festival & Special Event Management, Essentials Edition

About the Author

Johnny Allen was the Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Event Management (ACEM) at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) from 1999 until 2013, where he taught in the Event Management Program and conducted a series of International Event Management Conferences. Prior to this he was the Foundation Special Event Manager for Tourism NSW from 1996 to 1998, and Event Manager for the Darling Harbour Authority from 1989 to 1996. Johnny has had an extensive career in event management and planning, and is the recipient of an Order of Australia Award for his services to the event industry and event education, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Event Awards. He now semiretired but continues his involvement in the events field.

Dr Rob Harris has over 25 years’ experience in event management research, education and training, including 15 years as the Director of the Australian Centre for Event Management, University of Technology, Sydney. Upon leaving his university position in 2017 he established Event Training Australia as a vehicle through which to continue his work in the field of event management.

Leo Jago is a Professor in Events at Griffith University and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Surrey in the UK. Over the last 20 years, Leo has been Director of research centres in Australia and the UK including as the inaugural Chief Economist and General Manager of Tourism Research Australia. The focus of his research agenda has been the evaluation of events particularly from economic and social perspectives. He was awarded an OAM in 2016 for contributions to education and the tourism industry.