A critical review of technology-facilitated event engagement: current landscape and pathway forward

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to conduct a critical review of technological innovations, attendee engagement and their dynamic relationships, while proposing a future research agenda for experience design in the digital age. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 79 articles on technology-facilitated engagement, collected from commonly used online databases and leading event journals, were analyzed using bibliometric and thematic methods. Findings – The results identify three categories of event technology: media technology, immersive technology and smart consumer-assistive technology. The analysis examines their impact on attendees’ cognitive, affective and behavioral engagement across pre-, during- and post-event phases. Finally, the authors propose a future agenda to fill existing gaps, providing theoretical understandings of attendee engagement in the digital era and practical implications regarding enhanced event experience design through technology. Research limitations/implications – This study contributes to research on engagement dynamics by categorizing three technology contexts and interpreting how they shape attendees’ engagement from a temporal perspective. The findings offer insights for practitioners to enhance engagement, operational efficiency and inclusivity through technology-driven strategies. Originality/value – This study advances knowledge of technology-facilitated engagement by redefining a multidimensional, multiphase conceptualization, proposing a categorization of technology types and pointing out directions for further exploration.