Excerpt from a YouTube video (Joe Goldblatt) explaining the definition of a 'special event.' Goldblatt cites Robert Yanni's 1954 Disneyland-based definition—an occurrence different from an ordinary day—and offers his 1989 definition: a 'unique moment in time' celebrated with ceremony and ritual to achieve specific outcomes and satisfy specific needs. He emphasizes that meeting guests' needs and outcomes determines success.
Mary Carmen A special event was defined by Robert Yanni, the first director of special events at Disneyland in 1954, as that which is different from a normal day of living. By that he meant most days you don't have a parade coming down your street in Mexico, but if you go to Disney every night you can have a parade. It's a special event that which is different from a normal day of living. I then later defined Special events in 1989 in my first book as a unique moment in time. Something that's separate and apart from other experiences, that is celebrated with ceremony and ritual to achieve specific outcomes and satisfy specific needs. So in other words, if the guests needs are not celebrated and satisfied and the outcomes are not achieved, your success is not what it could have been. So a unique moment in time that celebrates with ceremony and ritual in order to achieve and satisfy specific needs. And of course, that which is different from a normal day of living, like the wonderful events you produce in Mexico.
