INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ON BANQUET AND CONFERENCE PLANNING: A STUDY IN ETI OSA LGA, LAGOS STATE.
Abstract
Due to the rapid rise in digital innovations, the event management industry specifically the banquet and conference sector is undergoing various transformations to keep up with technological advancements. This study investigates the impact of digital technologies on banquet and conference planning, assesses the level of awareness among event professionals, and examines the challenges confronting the adoption of these innovations. The research design employed was quantitative, using a structured questionnaire administered to 200 purposively selected event professionals, including planners, managers, venue operators, and technology providers. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 26, applying both descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and Chi-Square tests). For the first hypothesis, the result of the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation indicated a significant negative relationship (r = -0.71) with a p-value less than the significance level (p < 0.05). This suggests that the more efficient digital technologies become, the fewer the challenges associated with planning. Meanwhile, the results of the Chi-Square Test also showed statistically significant values (p < .001), indicating that poor connectivity, insufficient training, high costs of technological tools, and mistrust among users are all considerable issues. The study recommends the enhancement of digital infrastructure, continuous professional development, client sensitization, and the creation of supportive policy frameworks to enable sustainable adoption. Overall, the study serves as a focal point for national discourse on the digitalization of event planning and provides a foundation for strategic decision-making and innovation in Nigeria’s event industry.
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