Project manager's work in organizing and managing Nice Run events

Abstract

This thesis is dealing with organizing and managing an event project. It consists of two parts, a theoretical framework and planning the project and developing the manual for the case: Nice Run. The main aim of this thesis is to develop an effective tool for improving the organization of a sport event in Finland in the case of Nice Run. The manual was originally requested by and created for the sports club Forssan Salama ry. The theoretical framework deals with project management, leadership, marketing and sponsorship. The aim for the theoretical part is to produce a basic knowledge of planning, organizing, managing and executing an effective event and to learn how to lead different organizers involved in it. The project has been intended to produce the thesis dealing with Nice Run Project Manager’s manual for Forssan Salama ry. The aim for the manual is to have a tool which enhances the knowledge and skills for improving the arrangements and management of the future Nice Run events.The manual is based on personal experience in the position of the Nice Run Project Manager 2009-2010, on previous available information on the event and on the theoretical framework studied for this thesis. The tool is produced for Nice Run and written from the Project Manager’s view. The manual goes into the details of organizing Nice Run and therefore it does not necessarily apply for other events. In the manual I have gathered together general information about Nice Run: the history, the organizer and the main areas of concentration and experiences for the practical work of Project Manager of Nice Run. Forssan Salama ry does not have any similar material for this purpose before this manual. The manual is a functional tool for Nice Run Project Manager’s work and will guide his or her work in the future. Based on the information presented in the thesis, it has been found that project management and event organization is a versatile job. Careful planning and throughout reporting have been noticed to be necessary for effective project management for the future continuum and development of the event. The aims of the thesis have been reached and the product is ready for practical use. By a request from Forssan Salama ry, the guidebook has been written in Finnish.