Press release

International event expert predicts major changes for Edinburgh festivals and other major events

A world renowned events guru is to tell a public audience how events such the Edinburgh Festivals, The Glasgow Commonwealth Games and other major events could become a new frontier for the next generation of workers in Scotland's creative industries.

Professor Joe Goldblatt will describe five major forces and trends that may positively impact on Scotland's ability to develop and delivery world class events and produce what he describes as "the next era of the Scottish enlightenment".

Part of Queen Margaret University’s professorial lectures series the event is open to the general public as well as industry professionals including business and event specialists.

Now Executive Director for the International Centre for the Student of Planned Events at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Professor Goldblatt, has an outstanding international track record in planning events. Formerly based in the USA, he has produced hundreds of events for celebrities including two USA presidents and the opening of the Donald Trump Taj Mahal Resort. Now based in Edinburgh and a passionate supporter of Scotland’s festivals, Professor Goldblatt is keen to share his recently developed model for linking every event to promote societal benefits in health, education, social cohesion, wealth and the environment.

In his professorial lecture, he will discuss thirty years of his research in the field of planned events including ethnographic studies with the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda and the aboriginal people of Australia. The talk will be illustrated with photographs he has taken at many of the world’s most spectacular events including the Olympic Games, the Super Bowl and Carnival in Rio.

The event will take place on Tuesday 9 th March At 5.30pm for 6pm at Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. To reserve a place, email Sarah Whigham on swhigham@qmu.ac.uk or tel: 0131 474 0000 and ask for Sarah Whigham.

ENDS

Notes to editor

The only educator in the world to be inducted into the International Festivals and Events Association Hall of Fame, Professor Goldblatt boasts an international reputation for event management. He moved to Queen Margaret University's School of Business, Enterprise and Management two years ago. While working at QMU he established the International Centre for the Study of Planned Events. The University awarded him a professorship towards the end of 2009.

Professor Goldblatt is an accomplished media commentator having provided specialist comment on areas of event management and tourism to BBC arts programmes, BBC business news, Newsnight Scotland, Scottish daily newspapers, arts magazines and international publications to mention but a few. This passion for Scotland's international festivals and his research work in this area means that he is regularly asked to provide expert opinion for TV, radio and print media.

According to the publishers, John Wiley and Sons, Professor Goldblatt is the foremost authority internationally in the field of event management. He is the author, co-author and editor of 19 books in the field of planned events.

For further information on Queen Margaret University’s Professorial Lecture Series visit http://www.qmu.ac.uk/community/QMPublicLectures.htm

For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, tel: 0131 474 0000, mobile: 07711 011239.