Monday, March 03, 2008

Virtual trade show

From Tech Target

A virtual trade show is an online version of an event at which goods and services for a specific industry are exhibited and demonstrated.The format can be as simple as a basic online directory or as complex as a virtual 3D world.

A 3D virtual trade show functions like a traditional offline tradeshow, translating exhibit halls, educational seminars, job fair and training events into a virtual world environment. This type of trade show is gaining popularity because it allows the attendee to forgo the expense of travel while enjoying some of the amenities of a traditional show.

At a virtual trade show, there are usually realistic-looking halls or lobbies with booths for showcasing products and services. The attendee can view demos, pick up literature and chat with sales representatives in real time. Keynote speeches and seminars are delivered either in real time or on-demand by videocast, podcast and Webcast technology.

A 3D virtual trade show requires specially designed software to allow exhibitors to build their virtual environment. The show can be built in a web page or in a downloadable software application like Second Life.

Read more about it at:
> In "Trade Shows go Virtual" at MarketingPilgrim.com, Janet Meiners explored the trend.
> Lisa LaMotta described "Trade Shows, Web 2.0 Style" at Forbes.com.
> Dr. Jeanette Cates offered 12 tips on hosting virtual trade shows at Trade-Show-Advisor.com.

Q1. How can this help global marketing?
Q2. What are some of the limitations?
Q3. Can potential clients be targeted more easily?

2 comments:

Donna Sallmann said...

I must admit, I was a sceptic... that is until I trialled the Unisfair demo tradeshow. Amazing, I really think there would be a significant place for virtual tradeshows, if only initially as a compliment to real-time events.

Having recently attended the AIME tradeshow (for the meeting and events industry), a follow-up virtual space would have allowed the capacity for exhibitors to reinforced their product information as opposed to me putting a couple of fliers and samples in my tradeshow bag on the day and then sticking it into the draw when I got back to work... never to be seen again. Having the ability to tour a show and not have to interact on a face-to-face (sales) level I think would be much more relaxing and enable visitors to really investigate the resources available. I also enjoyed the conference hall... the options are definitely endless here. No more trying to get speakers in the same place at the same time!

From an events perspective, I’m very much looking forward to what the future holds, not to mention the global marketing opportunity.

Kim Lajoie said...

I am still a skeptic, and yet... I have not trialled the Unifair demo tradeshow.