ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the challenges of event management as a growing trend in hospitality industry in Aba Metropolis. The specific objectives were to ascertain the socio-economic characteristics of event managers in Aba metropolis, identify the types of events present in Aba metropolis, ascertain the challenges faced by event management in the hospitality industry in Aba and investigate how the identified challenges affect the hospitality industry in Aba Metropolis. This study employed the use of descriptive survey with the help of a questionnaire. The population of the study was 132 event managers of purposively selected from Aba metropolis in Abia state. In choosing the sample, the entire population was used. The data realized was analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of carts and tables of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation respectively. The study found that the major type of events engaged in by the event managers include; weddings, burials, birthdays, traditional holidays, national events etc. The major challenges facing the event management industry in the area include; Insecurity, overcrowding, difficulty choosing a good location, climatic conditions in times of unfavorable seasons, multiple taxation, budget and cost control challenges, limited power supply and legal regulations. The effect of the above named challenges include; low income generation in the hospitality industry, people are becoming apprehensive in participating in events due to poor security, increased climate change resulting from poorly planned events, increased expenses resulting from poor financial management and budgeting and lack of interest in the event industry thus leading to monopoly. The study recommended that further studies can be carried out to ascertain the effect of event management challenges on the successful planning of an event.