Effective Codes of Ethics in the Events Industry

Abstract

The events industry is burgeoning globally and events as such, are playing a very important role in the tourism industry and in elevating national GDPs. Consequently, there is a dire need for developing effective and efficient ethically oriented practitioners. While there are numerous very high-quality events associations, this article suggests that there be a universally recognised and workable code of ethics in order to mitigate the likelihood of unethical conduct impacting on the stakeholders of the industry and society in general. It is essential that whatever code/s have been crafted or are under construction, that these accurately reflect the positive values and behaviours espoused by the industry. The code/s which are purported to be in operation as well as new ones, should be then dynamically and virtuously practiced to the benefit of all, and should not be mere facades of good intention and added value. This article reviews relevant literature especially peer-reviewed and scholarly works on events management ethics and related issues. It discusses the issues that codes of ethics in event management should be considering in a world in which the ethic of self-preservation, greed and narcissism are becoming increasingly popular. Thoughts and recommendations for refining sustainable event management through an ethical code which is suggested as a framework, provide guidelines for event managers to follow, and for the promotion of organizational support concerning ethics so as to ensure a decrease in ethical anxieties on the part of stakeholders. Thus it is posited that ethical practitioners will lead to a more sustainable industry.