After studying the impact that events have on regional development, I have come to agree with the statement "The events industry is an effective and appropriate vehicle to facilitate regional development". The significance of this thesis is to critically discuss and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the events industry and regional development, while providing an understanding of the history of events and the growing significance of the events industry in contemporary society. Real-life examples from around the world are used to recognize and justify the events industry as part of the tourism sector and explore specific implications for event management. Various sectors of the events industry are identified and discussed to support the theoretical discussion on how the events industry is an effective and appropriate vehicle for facilitating regional development. Global events benefit regional, tourism and community development. Take the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics for example. Both are globally organized events that increase visitor spending and length of stay, while improving destination awareness and increasing civic pride. Janecko, Mules and Ritchie (2002) explain that events in small regional destinations are obviously beneficial and often play an important role in tourism development and therefore regional development; however, they differ due to the size and scope of the event. Global events create jobs and increase labor supply, expenses and even living standards. “As the local economy has adapted to changing global dynamics, hosting international events has become more common and can play a significant role in local development, acting as a catalyst for jo...... middle of paper .... ..festivals and events in regional development', Event Management, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 23-32.Ziakas, V & Costa, C 2011, 'The use of an event portfolio in regional community and tourism development', Creating synergy between sporting events and cultural events, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 149-175. http://www.rasnsw.com.au/Sydney_Royal_Easter_Show_Awarded_Hallmark_Status.pdf. Last accessed 20/03/2014. Gibson, C & Connell, J 2011, 'Music Festivals and Regional Development in Australia', pp. 199-205 , B, Mules, T & Ritchie, B 2002, 'Estimating the Economic Impacts of festivals and events, sustainable tourism.Clarence, E, Huxley, J, Easton, H, Mountford, D & Patrick, S 2010, 'The benefits for local development arising from the organization of global events", Achieving the legacy of local development from 2012, pp. 12.