Date of Graduation

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

Advisor/Mentor

Hamm, Dede

Committee Member/Reader

Hubert, Stephanie

Committee Member/Second Reader

Bates, Amy

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many industries around the world. Event development careers have been severely impacted by the virus. With new regulations, leaders in the event community must be proactive in making new advances to cope with the fluctuations of the industry. The purpose of this study is to design a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the modifications faced when preparing and executing an event during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manual was modeled after the Big Night Gala event in 2020. The gala raises funding for the Jones Center, which is a recreational center for families in the Northwest Arkansas Region. The Big Night Gala is an evening complete with a live auction, dinner, and drinks for the in-person guest. Virtual guests received a goodie bag and online streaming of the live auction. The event hosted 195 in-person guests as well as 80 virtual participants. The manual will reflect the challenges presented while preparing for the gala. The guide will give insight into the precautions the event industry must address when planning a large-scale event. It will also share the steps taken to ensure all COVID-19 guidelines were followed at the event. While the manual was written regarding the Big Night Gala, it should serve as a blueprint that could be applied to similar large-scale events. It breaks down the COVID-19 suggested regulations and explain how the event was modified to ensure it followed all guidelines. This study should serve as a guide for future events and attest to how the event industry has the potential to flourish even under the circumstances of a global pandemic.

Keywords

covid19; event; hospitality; nonprofit; policy

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Available for download on Tuesday, January 01, 2030

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