In life, people carry out different activities for comfort. This could be work and anything else that attracts their attention. Mostly, every individual likes being social in order to build character and learn more. Social activities include events like the Epcot food and wine festival.
The Epcot food and wine festival is a worldwide event that brings people of various descents together. It is an event is held in high regard by all in the world, and this is due to the luxury that comes with attending. It is usually taken as a getaway where people just take a break from their everyday activities and go on some kind of more than forty-six days holiday for a change and a whole sense of different environment. People get the chance to enjoy their dream meals and the best wines that accompany particular meals, depending on one’s taste. These meals are usually prepared by Walt Disney world chefs and provide persons the advantage of variety, where for instance if what one ordered is not available there is an option for many other dishes that are more or less the same. It has been recorded that there are more than seventy-six types of foods and more than three hundred wine varieties in the festival.
Apart from food and wine, the event also provides an opportunity for other outdoor activities that make the trips more luxurious like sports, fireworks explosions and illuminations together with concerts that bring further interaction. The events are generally held so that individuals can come together and have fun. They mostly encourage people to take their entire families to enjoy the holiday together.
However, there also some risks involved with these holidays. A risk is a hazard, and it is important to assess the risks involved in such events so that they can be evaluated and reduced to avoid the incidents that result from them (Clow 2012). While it is important to assess the risks, the liability should not be overlooked. This is because the guests are usually from all parts of the world and the reputation of the management hosting the event is of great importance. If a negative incident should happen to a guest during the event, the management should be ready to take full responsibility to save its face for future events. Such risks include food poisoning, heat exhaustion, and drunkenness that could lead to a number of incidents like the drunken person slipping and falling or even causing violence such as breaking glasses, overcrowding, fire breakouts, and slips due to slippery grounds (Chair climber, 1). Analyzing these risks closely and coming up with ways of reducing them is the only way to ensure security and future continuity of the events.
Food poisoning is a serious health problem that could result in death, caused by bacterial build up if food is not properly handled, stored or cooked in the required procedure. It can be mild or severe and has symptoms such as stomach upsets, nausea and cramps. The catering management can see to it that they hire qualified staff who will take good care of the dishes, proper storage and temperature maintained as necessary. In addition, there should be provision of health services at the events, should such a case arise. The guests can also be advised beforehand on the services available, so they know where to report such incidents.
A slip due to slippery grounds is another risk that could arise in such huge events. This could lead to fatality and even death. It is thus important that the management state clearly, where it is safe to walk and put indications as to routes the guests are not allowed to use. For instance, warning signs indicating slippery floors can be erected to ensure that clients in such locations are careful when walking.
Again, overcrowding is the other risk that persons could encounter (chair climber, 1) There have been incidents where individuals are said to have been pushed in crowded rooms and some lost their lives as they bumped and fell, like in cinema halls and discotheques. Moreover, such crowds are a major inconvenience as the guests are not able to enjoy space even in the halls where performances are conducted. The crowds’ problem can be avoided by the guests themselves by means of making proper arrangements regarding what time to go to the events. They are usually very crowded during weekends, and one could plan to visit on a weekday to enjoy the facilities provided. This way, one gets a chance to have a good look at the varieties of food and drinks that are offered and knows what to order for.
Drunkenness is another risk associated with many accidents. The guests are likely to get involved in fights when drunk and cause harm. At the same time, those who drink and drive are also likely to cause accidents. In the event held in France in 2010 according to the video, that chair climber game has a high chance of causing an accident. The stacked chairs could be knocked down by a drunken person, causing injury to the others. It also poses a threat to the crowd of people building up, and there are no security personnel. The management can thus control such kind of activities at the event to avoid similar dangers or risks. The guests can also have some degree of self-control on the amount of alcohol to consume.
Heat exhaustion due to large crowds could subject the guests to fainting. High temperatures are not conducive for the events. Comfort is key here and heat is a hindrance. To avoid heat exhaustion, management ought to provide air conditioners to maintain proper temperatures by use of fans, and provision of health facilities. In addition, proper arrangements by the guests like how they dress could save them such incidents.
Another risk is overspending. These events are dream holidays for most people, and most persons look forward to them, and sometimes people may want to be involved when their budgets do not call for such a holiday. They are, therefore, compelled to spend beyond their means just to have fun. This can be managed by proper budgeting. The event’s organizers could also provide different rates, depending on the time of the year, to accommodate persons with different financial abilities. This would also be profitable the organizers.
These risks pose a great challenge to these events as all people plan to attend and enjoy themselves fully, hoping to go back home as they left. The organizers also plan to make the best out of the events in terms of monetary gain. It is thus imperative for the two parties to make proper assessment of the risks involved in the event and take proper measures as explained above so that all gets satisfied.
References
Clow , K. E. (2012). Cases in marketing management. New York: Sage Publications.
France, (2010). Chair climber. Retrieved 6th April 2013 from http:// www.you tube.com
Donald (1998). Health Protection. Retrieved 6th April 2013 from http://.www.riskmanagent.