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Introduction
The role that emerging technologies play in terms of events cannot be emphasised enough. Several key conference centres have invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology to create competitive advantages and attract existing and new event organisers and delegates in a brand and market-proliferated industry (see for instance Adelaide Convention Centre 2023; Marina Bay Sands 2020). Likewise, Skift Meetings (2023) has published a guide to event technologies, showcasing emerging tools, and demonstrating how they enhance the event experience alongside current trends. Therefore, the key role of emerging technologies to events can no longer be ignored. Reflecting such sentiments, several academic studies have been conducted to examine recent technologies as they foray into the event landscape. For instance, Bustard et al. (2019) investigated virtual sports attendees’ experiences of using the event app, and found that attendees expected real-time updates, along with virtual/augmented engagements. Likewise, Harb et al. (2019) revealed how social media can be a valuable tool to enhance event attendee experiences. It is for this reason that Ryan et al. (2020) call for the recognition of events 4.0, reflecting the evolving landscapes that have progressed from technology as an accompaniment to event design and execution, to a more technologically-embedded and integrated ecosystem. However, many of the above-mentioned technologies have now been in existence for over a decade, and like with many other sectors, are confronted with the emergence of new technologies, of which few have been explored in the events fraternity.
List of topic areas
Prompted by extant literature (or the lack thereof), this special issue seeks to unpack emerging technologies such as:
- 3D/4D printing
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Augmented, mixed, and virtual reality
- Autonomous vehicles
- Beacon technologies
- Big data
- Biometrics (eye tracking, fingerprinting etc)
- Blockchain, cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- Drones
- Gamification
- Holograms and avatars
- Internet-of-Things
- Lab-based meals for events
- Livestreaming and simulcasting
- Micro-video platforms (e.g. TikTok)
- Robots
- Simulations and visualisations
- Wearable technologies
These technologies are to be critically evaluated against events within these proposed topics (though not limited to):
- Business model reengineering for events because of emerging technologies
- Cross cultural comparisons of emerging technologies in events
- Customer loyalty as a result of emerging event technologies
- Emerging technologies for accessible and inclusive events
- Employee sentiments in working alongside emerging technologies in events
- Ethical and legal considerations towards emerging technologies in events
- Event emerging technologies and risk/crisis management
- Experience (re)design following the inclusion of event emerging technologies
- Flow and immersion within event emerging technologies
- Future of the event workforce as emerging technologies become more prominent
- New methodologies associated with researching emerging technologies in events
- Revenue and yield management for events featuring emerging technologies
- Service failures and recovery related to event emerging technologies
- Value co-creation and/or co-destruction interacting with event emerging technologies.
Submissions Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Author guidelines must be strictly followed.
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”. Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 01/10/2023
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 31/05/2024
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