Martin Wallstam

I am a tourism scholar researching events and their role in regional development. Issues I have focused on include how to best measure the economic and social impacts of events, and in particular what those impacts mean for the places where events are staged. Fundamental to my research is the concept of "value" and what is considered "valuable" from a practitioner perspective. Since conceptions of value influences how we measure, assess and use events in a development context, it is important to understand what these conceptions are and how they are shaped. My thesis; “Panem et Circenses”: Realizing Social Value in the Strategic Management of Events”, explored these issues specifically in relation to social value.

My research brings with it a number of different lessons for practitioners and policymakers in the interface between community development, tourism and events. Not least does my research point to the importance of shared frameworks when evaluating several events - so-called "event portfolios" - for strategic purposes. A more consistent application of evaluation models, in turn, means that communities and destinations are better equipped to leverage events, and to consistently achieve event legacies over time.

Research projects

Finished

Building social value competency ahead of a Winter Olympic bid

New perspectives on tourism, events and regional development(2)

The Event Compass