When reviewing the progression of a profession through history, such as medicine, engineering, project management or accounting, there seems a set pathway that is followed. The new methodology arises in response to changing times and assists in changing those times. Initially it is not recognised as a profession or a body of knowledge separate from that which already exists. It is the contention of this thesis that the time has come for event management to have such recognition.

Since 1996, when the first University courses started in event management in Australia, there are now over 200 courses that have event management as a subject. The recent Event Educators Forum in Sydney NSW in September 2004, included representatives of nine universities in the attendee list. This phenomenal growth is not restricted to Australia. In the European Union, USA, Middle East and Asia courses and training programs flourish. In 2004 I produced and facilitated event management workshops in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, USA and South Africa, as well as all major cities in Australia. My post graduate students in Australia come from China, Taiwan, Fiji and Canada. Compared to the single course in 1996 with 30 students, this is an astounding growth. The two textbooks I coauthored are now translated into three languages and have adapted versions in other countries.