Live event venues have been outperformed by virtual event spaces. Virtual events have been increasingly popular in recent years, with event planners seeing the benefits of transitioning to an online event due to lower overhead expenses and a larger audience reach.
Hosting a hybrid event or virtual conference is simple with video conferencing technologies, but what about virtual expos? Creating an online event from an event that depends so heavily on direct interaction between attendees and exhibitors can be challenging.
The good thing is that several tools and platforms, such as virtual event software, are available to assist you in transitioning your trade show or expo to a digital environment without sacrificing value for your attendees or exhibitors!
Different age groups participate in trade shows to explore various topics. People enter the area, introduce themselves to the exhibitors, exchange information, and network with them. Both exhibitors and attendees thought trade exhibitions were worthwhile investments of time.
The downside is that attendees might miss some booths if they don’t have enough time to explore all of the world. Most of the time, guests are looking for booths and unsure where to begin and how to do so. There will be no more turmoil!
There is already a bridge between exhibitors and attendees due to exhibits taking place virtually. Unlike exhibitors and attendees traveling to these events, trade fairs, conferences, and exhibits, these trade shows provide them with access to events and exhibits.
Online trade events would perform better during a pandemic, where traditional displays may result in fatalities. Visitors can attend virtual trade shows by using a computer, laptop, phone, or tablet from the comfort of their own home or office.
The world is going digital, and exhibitions are no exception. Virtual exhibits are based on three pillars: speed, connectivity, and accessibility. Here are some platforms that will surely pump you up for a virtual trade show!
1. INXPO
INXPO has existed for quite some time. INXPO excels at presenting keynote and breakout sessions recorded and viewed on-demand within the event platform as a live-streaming service.
When it comes to trade exhibitions, it has virtual booths feature where attendees may click through to “see” the various booths (which appear as distinct web pages), which offer a summary of the company and pertinent documents such as case studies.
The platform also incorporates event venues such as the lobby and theatre to offer a dynamic atmosphere and recognizable features, making it more engaging for the exhibitor.
You can book a demo via the chat tool if you are online and communicate with booth workers. However, this is done through an external link that redirects them to the exhibitor’s website.
2. vFairs
VFairs is an ideal solution for an online trade show-like event. Its trade show service includes customizable booths that appear like real booths on a trade show floor that attendees can visit.
All exhibitors offer on-demand movies and presentations for attendee viewing. Attendees can also interact with exhibitors in real-time by using text, audio, and video chat options on the platform. The process also allows multiple purchasers to participate in group discussions simultaneously. Because one of the main reasons we attend trade exhibitions is to network, such additions are beneficial. Additionally, vFairs has an e-commerce integration that allows guests to add things to their cart as if they were buying at a trade fair and buying them right away or storing them later.
3. 6Connex
Virtual trade displays, job fairs, and summits are all possible with the 6Connex virtual event platform. You can walk through various areas of the convention center with a ‘Sims’-like feeling. Good? Bad? You’ll be the one to decide. Each exhibit booth appears on the screen as a customized representation of a booth that incorporates brand elements for each exhibitor. A chat feature allows exhibitors and booth visitors to communicate in real-time, but no video chat or the option to schedule a meeting between exhibitors and guests.
To improve increase engagement, 6Connex offers a Leaderboard function. This function allows guests to participate & compete for rewards & view their scores based on actions they take throughout the event, such as visiting booths.
Exhibitors may provide attendees with prerecorded video product demos and information and resources to view or download at their booths.
4. Hexafair
The Hexafair technology is advertised mainly as a virtual trade show and expo platform (although it is also used for conferences and other types of events). Attendees can engage with and even review ‘feature-packed booths on the forum. The avatar-based interaction retains the feel of Second Life, albeit the design is more three-dimensional and expansive.
Attendees can read basic information about the firm and its products or services, as well as any photographs or brochures that the exhibitor chooses to put in each exhibitor booth. The attendees are invited to watch or listen to prerecorded video presentations posted by exhibitors at their booths or speak with exhibitors for more information if they would like to learn more about the products. No live demos are offered.
Participants can also use Hexafair’s attendee directory to discover other attendees and read about their profiles as a networking tool. You may also utilize this function to see who is online right now, request one-on-one chats, make video calls, and swap business cards. An e-commerce integration also allows for product purchases during the event, similar to a live trade fair.
5. Map Your Show
Map Your Show is a conference and event management software that covers a variety of live event solutions and a new virtual event platform. It was utilized for the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition’s recent online version, which contained a comprehensive exhibitors’ section but lacked some interaction.
In terms of exhibitors, the site offers an exhibitor list that allows visitors to search for specific listings or categories of exhibitors. Attendees can discover a brief description of the exhibitor and an intro or promo video, brochures, and any related conference sessions the exhibitor was involved in on each exhibitor page — which mainly serves as a link to the company’s website for more information. Exhibitors may track leads in their exhibitor portal. Visitors can also learn more about the exhibitors by viewing the Exhibitor Icons displayed anywhere on the website. The exhibitors’ contact information is displayed on virtual business cards displayed on the screen for attendees to view and contact them for additional information. However, no real-time interaction options are available, such as chats or video calls. The event lacks a networking structure to promote interaction between attendees.
CONCLUSION
The fact that virtual trade exhibitions have had a slow start compared with other events makes sense, given their complexity and the fact that many planners are inexperienced with the concept of virtual events.
It has to be noted that the user interface of some virtual trade show solutions is not intuitive and appears to be from the past decade rather than the present one. We genuinely hope that additional innovation and redesign will pervade a vital sector of the virtual event landscape. This is the finest opportunity for individuals wishing to launch a new business or expand their market share in event technology.