A Study on Sustainable Event Management Practices in Sri Lanka; Event Managers’ Perspective

Abstract

Sustainability practices have begun to take hold in all kinds of events, and there are very few forces or mechanisms driving the widespread adoption and expansion of sustainable event management to become a common practice throughout the community in Sri Lanka. Hence, the central focus of the study was to identify the current sustainable event management practices in Sri Lanka. Primary data collected through structured interviews from 15 event managers who have membership of the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition, and Event Organizers by using the purposive sampling technique. A qualitative data analytical method was employed, and the collected data were transcribed and analyzed by using content analysis. The findings of the study reveal that targeting high-end events, better planning, strengthening the local communities, cultural conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and dissemination of information are the current sustainable event management practices in Sri Lanka. Further, the findings elucidate effective theoretical and managerial implications for event organizers, government, and residential communities where events are held. Moreover, maximize the awareness of sustainable education, develop a sustainable event model, adapt to the green-related technology, introduce green venues and promote sustainable events, government involvement of making policy framework and private-public partnership create long term and sustainable legacies for host communities and development of sustainable event management in Sri Lanka.