This study addresses calls to understand the role of assessable virtual tours (AVTs) in fostering student engagement within event management courses. AVTs, by simulating real-world experiences, allow students to situate their acquired knowledge relative to real-world situations. Utilizing the dimensions of Dixson's Online Student Engagement Scale (OSE) as a guiding lens, this study explores nuances in its four dimensions of student engagement (skills, emotional, participation, and performance engagement) when applied to an AVT. An Australian undergraduate event management course was used as a case study to explore the role of AVTs in fostering student engagement. Through student focus groups conducted in 2021 and 2022, the qualitative findings expand understanding of student engagement using the OSE lens, identifying novel subthemes while confirming the established engagement dimensions. The contributions of the study are situated relative to the OSE and practical implications for event management educators are highlighted.