This is the most recent subfield to develop in the research literature, even though professional practice of
event management has a much longer history. From an academic perspective, there had to be a clear demand
for graduates, and support from professionals and policy-makers, before event management could become
established as a field of study. The first major textbook on this subject was Goldblatt’s Special Events: The Art
and Science of Celebration (published in 1990), and Goldblatt has remained at the forefront of event management
studies and professional development through multiple books. This was followed closely by Getz (1991) with
the book Festivals, Special Events and Tourism, and a year later came M. Hall’s book Hallmark Tourist Events.