The Main Event: Best Practices for Managing Mega-Sports Events

For organizers of large-scale sports events, the pressure is significant. Today, as never before, the expectations for these events are on the rise, with each event raising the bar for the next. Political maneuvering and organizational effectiveness remain constant flashpoints, while new issues such as emerging technology and security concerns are forcing organizers to review their strategies and consider more innovative approaches.

A.T. Kearney experience and research reveals that organizers of successful events adopt certain best practices, and adhere to them consistently throughout the lifecycle of the event. For example, from day one, the top event organizers take a strategic and comprehensive approach to event management. They begin with a solid organizational structure, build collaboration among all parties, manage sponsors and suppliers, communicate often and effectively, track potential risks to mitigate their impact, plan for most contingencies and develop an approach to manage potential crises at the event. Despite a well-worn playbook, however, a new twist or challenge is inevitable every time out. Successful organizers understand that in sports, victory belongs to those organizations that know, and play by, the rules of the game, while anticipating the unexpected.

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