FOREWORD

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the events industry. Many in-person events, including conferences, concerts, and trade shows, faced widespread cancellations and postponements, resulting in substantial financial losses. Since then, event organisers have adopted a range of safety measures as restrictions fluctuated, and the industry witnessed an accelerated integration of technology. This special issue is relevant as it addresses the existing challenges in the events industry, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This global crisis compelled many event organisers to seek solutions for transitioning from physical events to online platforms. Therefore, the 2nd Asia-Pacific Virtual Events Conference (AVEC2) was organised virtually in 2021 by a group of students from the Bachelor of International Events Management program. This initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Events at Taylor’s University, the Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management (APIEM), and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

AVEC2 represents a collaborative effort, bringing together researchers, scholars, and event professionals to explore the latest research and best practices in the dynamic realm of events and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). Through vibrant presentations, engaging debates, and insightful discussions, AVEC2 has provided significant knowledge and understanding of the events/MICE industry, offering actionable insights for implementation in the workplace. As a cornerstone event among several others organised across the Asia Pacific region, AVEC2 features distinctive themes contributing to the growth of the professional body of knowledge in events/MICE. Virtual events conferences have emerged as a new frontier for global researchers, fostering idea-sharing and collaboration within the events industry. AVEC2 brought together over 100 educators, researchers, practitioners, and students worldwide. This conference was designed to expand networks, enhance research knowledge, and acquaint participants with the best and current practices in the events/MICE industry. Ten full papers were selected and have been published in this journal as a special issue.

In this special issue, three papers analysed the impacts of COVID-19 on the events and entertainment industry. Meanwhile, two papers highlighted specific events (i.e., cosplay, Cap Goh Meh) in Indonesia and the Philippines. Two papers specifically looked at the greening initiatives and promotional tools in the MICE industry. The remaining three papers focused on different types of experiential studies on running events, online dramaturgy, and technology usage.

Guest Editors Dr. Chia Kei Wei Dr. Thanam Subramaniam Taylor’s University, Malaysia