COVID-19 and the digitization of business events: how the health crisis accelerated ethical issues

Purpose The aim of this study is to understand the transformations that the event industry has undergone during the COVID-19 pandemic and what changes still may happen in the future, here according to business event managers. Design/methodology/approach Being explorative in nature, the study adopts a qualitative research design based on semi-structured in-depth interviews submitted to a purposive sample of 26 Italian business event agency managers. Findings The findings reveal that the pandemic boosted the digital transformation of the event industry, spurring organizers to recraft and execute their business models. Such changes may give rise to important ethical concerns that should be carefully considered by academics, professionals and policymakers. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a purposive sample of Italian business event managers. Therefore, in addition to be country-specific, the research includes only a single typology of business event stakeholders. Originality/value The article points out possible counterintuitive considerations that may rise related to the ethical issues emerging from the adoption of novel business models in the event industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests possible objects of reflection for scholars, event managers and policymakers to plan and organize a more equitable and sustainable business in the future.