Employing multiple delivery partners: demonstrating success through an event case study

This study aims to explore the efficacy of using sport-specific specialist multiple delivery partners (MDPs) contracted by the World Masters Games 2017 Limited (WMG2017) local organising committee (LOC) to deliver their event’s sport programme. Using the experiences and perspectives gained through this novel MDP approach, the objective of this research is to ascertain the benefits and challenges when using MDPs, propose recommendations and develop an MDP model to guide future event organisers who wish to engage MDPs.

This exploratory qualitative case study collected data via 23 semi-structured interviews, which were thematically analysed using NVivo11. Participants were purposively recruited from the 28 MDPs contracted by the LOC to deliver the Games sport programme and from the 7 LOC Executive Team members.

Interviewees highly commend the use of MDPs and provide constructive but minimal advice for future event organisers. Findings indicate that contracting external specialists with the required capability is vital for success, as are open communication, tools and practices to aid consistency and flexibility to allow the MDPs to utilise their expertise.

There is little specific literature on using MDPs by any type or size of event. As this mode of delivery could become more popular, certainly in second-tier events like the WMG, this study provides recommendations for future event organisers through findings on the efficacy, benefits and challenges of employing MDPs to deliver an event.