Title: The social impacts of a special event on the host city: a conceptual framework and a case study of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

Authors: Julie Cencula Olberding; Douglas J. Olberding

Addresses: Northern Kentucky University, 424 Founders Hall, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA ' Xavier University, Joseph Building, 3rd Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45207, USA

Abstract: This article provides a conceptual framework to study the potential impacts of a special event on the host city's social assets. This framework is more encompassing than traditional studies of social impact, which tend to focus only on city image; it includes local pride, social networks, and support of social causes. It then presents a case study of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and its social impacts on the host city, using unique data from surveys of participants (2002 and 2008) and volunteers (2012). The analysis finds some evidence that this event has had positive effects on Cincinnati's social assets.

Keywords: special events; host cities; social impact; city image; local pride; social networks; social causes; participants; volunteers; case study; social assets; Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon; USA; United States.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHEM.2014.062860

International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management, 2014 Vol.1 No.1, pp.44 - 61

Received: 10 Aug 2012
Accepted: 04 Feb 2013
Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *