Event Management Journal (EMJ) is the leading international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the study and analysis of events and festivals. Founded in 1993 and based in New York, it is the oldest and most established publication in the field. Led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Mike Duignan, EMJ is supported by seven Deputy Editors and an Editorial Board of over 200 global experts, ensuring the highest research standards. With 25+ volumes, 200+ issues, and 1,000+ scientific publications, EMJ offers unparalleled insights. While some articles require payment, many are available as Open Access or summarised as free-to-read CEF Insight articles.

CEF and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) held a debate at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the future of public spaces and their use for staging private events. As cities balance community needs with commercial pressures, we ask: Have private events taken over too much public space? This timely conversation explores the implications for urban development, accessibility, and community belonging.

CEF welcomes Julie Finch, CEO of the internationally acclaimed Hay Festival, to its board, strengthening its vision for global leadership in events and festivals. The Hay Festival is one of the world’s leading literary charity bringing writers and readers together in events to inspire, examine and entertain globally. With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, Finch’s achievements have included developing and leading the revisioning programme and 10-year strategy for Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, setting up a cultural trust in Cheltenham, developing the concept for the new museum for Western Australia and reframing Bristol Museums Galleries and Archives around audiences.

CEF, in collaboration with Dr Milena Parent at the University of Ottawa, is examining how the international events community is generally understanding AI benefits; identifying opportunities for it’s integration, as well as barriers; how AI us transforming events and event organisations; applying best practice; and how AI use differs between event type, size, geography and sector. The aim is to use these results to provide evidence-based, practical guidance to event managers, organisations, and owners on how to get ahead of — and stay ahead of — the AI curve. As a thank you for completing each survey, we will provide you with a free executive report of the key findings.

This article looks at how too many events promise social impact but fail to plan, measure, or deliver it meaningfully. Lasting legacy requires shifting ownership to local communities and focusing on outcomes that matter most to people. Wellbeing—not just economic gain—should be the key measure of success. Smaller, local events often create powerful social ripples when designed around inclusion and belonging. To scale what works, the sector needs better knowledge sharing and consistent evidence. Establishing a national Events Data Observatory would provide the insights needed to understand, replicate, and enhance effective practices, ensuring events deliver real, lasting benefits for people and places.