Events and public policy: A literature review of public policy analysis

The proliferation of events in contemporary Australia has facilitated the emergence of an event industry, which is developing into a significant economic, socio-cultural and political phenomenon. Events have the capacity to generate positive economic impacts, including increased revenues and employment (Ritchie, 1984; Dwyer, Mellor, Mistilis & Mules, 2000) in addition to the provision of various opportunities for positive tourism and commercial outcomes for the host region (Soutar & McLeod, 1993; Alston, 1998). Furthermore, events play a central, socio-cultural role in different societies and cultures (Alomes, 1985) and can generate positive socio-cultural impacts including the opportunity for communities to not only enhance their image (Wolman & Spitzley, 1996) but to also increase community cohesion and arguably, social capital. As a result, governments are increasingly supporting and promoting "events as part of their strategies for economic development, nation building and destination marketing" (Allen, O'Toole, McDonnell & Harris, 2001, p. 5). Thus, Australian governments at all levels are producing policies in an attempt to facilitate the potential growth of events as a platform for industry and economic development (Burgan & Mules, 2000).