The political strategy of using global sporting events, such as the Olympics, for urban regeneration, economic growth, and global image creation, are at a cross-roads. On the one hand, previous host cities show a renewed interest in staging mega-events, e.g. Paris 2024 Olympics and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. On the other hand, the wave of recent bid cancellations may signal the end of a mega-event era. Presentations will explore the various impacts the bidding, planning and/or hosting of events have had on their hosts economically, politically, socially, and spatially. Panelists will end the session by discussing the future of events as political tools.
Moderator: Eva Kassens-Noor, Michigan State University
When Entrepreneurial Cities Stop Buying Mega-Events John Lauermann, City University of New York
A ‘Host of Priorities’: A Post Mortem of Toronto’s Recent Pursuit of Sport Development Robert Oliver, Virginia Tech
A Mega-Event Center and the Economics of Tourism in Las Vegas: Can A $2 Billion Stadium Payoff for The Public and Private Sectors? Mark Rosentraub, University of Michigan; Mackenzie Zondak, University of Michigan; Madelaine Moeke, University of Michigan; Sierra Bain, University of Michigan
Reconsidering the Mega-event Strategy: How Do the Olympics Impact Cities? Greg Andranovich, California State University Los Angeles; Matthew Burbank, University of Utah
Transportation Planning and Policy During Mega-Events: Boston’s 2024 Olympic Bid Eva Kassens-Noor, Michigan State University