Virtual vs. Live Conferences: Measuring the Participants Memorable Conference Experience
Virtual vs. Live Conferences: Measuring the Participants Memorable Conference Experience

Author(s): Dora Rašan, Marina Laškarin Ažić
Subject(s): ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Virtual conference; Memorable conference experience; Behavioural intentions; Independent t-test
Summary/Abstract: Due to Croatian government measures to prevent the spread of COVID - 19, Croatian citizens have been in several lockdowns, which causally affected the normal function of society as a whole. One of the most common consequences of such restrictions was the reduction in social contacts and reliance on virtual contacts in the online environment. The scientific community and any other sphere of business had to change its processes, particularly in organizing conferences. Virtual conferences from “rescue solution” became “pleasant with the useful solution” for organizing committees but also for participants. The purpose of this study is to detect the differences in the memorable experiences of participants concerning different quality elements in virtual and online environments. Furthermore, the aim is to detect predictors of behavioural intentions for both virtual and live conferences. For the purpose of this research, the authors have created a questionnaire, which was distributed online and onsite. The T-test and regression analysis were conducted on a sample of 256 respondents. Results confirmed significant differences between virtual and live conferences in ten variables. Furthermore, regression results revealed that only “Memorable experience” is the common predictor for both virtual and live conferences.

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