Virtual Event Experiences: Does the Virtual Event Platform Matter?

Abstract

The goal of this research is to understand how online platforms for virtual events work to shape attendees’ flow experience and their behavioral intentions. To achieve this goal, our study tested relationships among the experience of using the online platforms, flow experience, and future behaviors. A national survey was administered online using Qualtrics, targeting participants who were at least 18 years old and had attended a virtual event in the past 12 months. Structural equation modeling analysis shows that two dimensions of online platform experience (i.e., informativeness and communication) significantly and positively affect the flow experience. Furthermore, the flow experience has significant positive effects on intentions to share information about the event and to recommend it to other people. Although the small sample size in this study may restrict statistical power and the ability to draw firm conclusions, these findings contribute to a better understanding of virtual event experiences.