A virtual tradeshow (sometimes called a virtual tradefair) is a type of virtual event run in an online environment, that goes live and stays live online for a limited period of time. It can be considered the online equivalent of a traditional tradeshow or exhibition, but exhibitors and visitors connect with one another via the Internet, regardless of geographic location, to exchange valuable information.
Video Virtual tradeshow
Origins
The "virtual tradeshow" was first publicly described and presented as "ConventionView" by Alan Saperstein and Randy Selman of Visual Data Corporation now known as Onstream Media in April 1993 in a presentation to investors at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York city. The company was videotaping trade show exhibitors booths and then attaching the videos to HTML floor maps. Although Conventionview met with some early success, the company closed it down returning to the market with a multimedia virtual tradeshow platform called MarketPlace365 in November 2010.
Maps Virtual tradeshow
Overview
The structure of a typical virtual tradeshow often includes a virtual exhibition hall which users enter with specific permissions and capabilities., Exhibitors can build virtual stands or booths to exhibit information related to their products or services, just as they would at a trade fair in a convention center; visitors view these virtual trade show displays in the exhibition hall. Users - both exhibitors and visitors - within the environment often create avatars as a visual representation of themselves.
Like their physical counterparts, virtual tradeshows may have other components such as a web conference, a web seminar ('webinar'), or other educational presentations. The virtual trade fair thus provides live interaction between users on several levels (one-to-one, one-to-few, one-to-many and many-to-many) and simultaneously. Detailed tracking mechanisms allow organisers to determine the flow of traffic in the virtual tradeshow. Although virtual tradeshows are usually conducted in specialised web environments, some have been organised and conducted in tightly controlled text based environments.
Virtual tradeshows can be used for international tradeshows, business match-makers, procurement fairs, or product launches. The experience also translates well for other applications such as virtual job fairs, virtual benefits fairs, online employee networks, distributor fairs, and venture capital fairs.
Providers of virtual event platforms have seen immense growth in the demand for their products partly attributable to the 2009-2010 recession driving cost-cutting approaches to business. According to a Champion Exposition Services study, one in four people planned to use a digital event platform in the association market. The study also found that 70% of "respondents are actively producing, considering or interested in pursuing virtual events." However, many were not looking to replace physical events, but add on virtual components.
Visitor facilities
Visitors to a virtual tradeshow usually fill out an online registration form to create an online badge, and then enter a virtual exhibit hall to visit virtual booths. The virtual booths often reflect the imagery of a real-world tradeshow booth with desks and displays (this similarity helps users relate to them more easily). A virtual booth typically has several icons which can trigger different responses upon the click of the mouse. For example, visitors might initiate instant communication with the exhibitor via an instant message, email or a voice-call. Icons might also deliver multimedia such as videos and audio messages or other slide-show presentations.
Exhibitor facilities
Virtual exhibitors use online tools to upload relevant and tailored content to appeal to the audiences. Virtual exhibits may be made to look like an exhibitor's real-world booth in any in-person trade fair where they may be exhibiting.
While some events are online-only, virtual tradeshows could also be run in conjunction with real-world or in-person tradeshows, creating 'hybrid events'.
Virtual tradeshows typically cost much less than traditional trade shows. Since virtual trade shows can be conducted from a person's desk, the cost of travel, lodging and physical construction of a trade show display is eliminated (exhibitors will usually, of course, be charged for the privilege of having an online stand at the virtual tradeshow).
References
External links
- Jay Rizoli (2008-08-08). "Virtual event companies gaining traction with new tech and soaring fuel costs - Mass High Tech Business News". Masshightech.com. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- Toppo, Greg (November 13, 2007). "Registration open for 'virtual college fair'". USA Today.
- Clancy, Heather (September 12, 2007). "Cyberspace Trade Shows Bring Action to the Desktop". The New York Times.
- Gopalkrishnan R. Iyer, David Bejou (2003). Customer relationship management in ... - Google Books. Journal of Relationship Marketing. 2,. Haworth Press. ISBN 0-7890-1945-0. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- Philip R. Cateora, John L. Graham (2002). International marketing - Google Books. McGraw-Hill. p. 395. ISBN 0072398841. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- "Virtual Trade Show Benefits". Communique Conferencing Blog. June 26, 2016.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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