Why attend an online trade show? We get asked this a lot. Those who are used to attending trade shows, of course, already know what to expect: stands to visit, brochures to collect, plenty of new encounters, interesting professional connections, meetings, and everything you need to lay the foundations for future work. At a time when meeting physically, especially in an indoor venue, poses certain risks, virtual events provide new opportunities for interaction. Of course, for those who are used to the more traditional formats, it is normal to questions and even doubts about this new way of organising a trade show. We do believe, however, that a simple review of GECO’s feature will be enough to dispel most doubts.
Why attend an online travel and tourism-related fair if we can’t travel?
Because we can certainly travel more than a few months ago and because we will go back to travel as and more than before. And we need to organize to do it well, in a sustainable way. In the meantime, we can experience a new frontier of sustainability… from our home sofa or from our office desk. In this way we learn how to put into practice one of the most important lessons of this last year: moving will always be important, but thanks to technology we can reduce the occasions in which it is necessary. For example, if it is just a matter of exchanging information and making decisions, it is not necessary to move en masse: it is enough to be in a virtual place and communicate with each other.
Because we can immerse ourselves in a virtual world while planning new ways to explore the real one
For many of our exhibitors, the appeal of taking part in an online trade show is not only in its sustainability but also in the fact that it is an engaging and interesting experience in itself. GECO, which operates on the Hypersmarter virtual events platform, will be an immersive event, with rich and detailed 3D environments that every visitor can explore at will, moving around with a customised avatar. Interactions also change, within a virtual environment. The multimedia content to which visitors will have instant access (without having to take home dozens of brochures) will be rich and detailed, with product sheets and interactive demos. In addition, it will be much easier to organise interactions between attendees, dividing them into panels, conferences, individual appointments, private chats, and the free exploration of the available stands. Some procedures will also be made easier for exhibitors: since all interactions are traceable, it will be much easier to keep track of the clients and partners with whom you meet. All of this, of course, is accomplished without travel and accommodation costs and, above all, in perfect safety.
Because saving now means investing tomorrow
Small businesses and casual travellers are the ones who can rarely afford to attend trade shows like this. For all of them, taking part in an online trade show opens up previously unexplored possibilities. No longer having to bear the travel and accommodation costs required to attend a trade show in the classic format, in fact, allows even small businesses to enjoy the considerable advantages of such an event without blowing out their budget. This means they can invest with greater confidence and be able to rethink their strategy based on solid knowledge of the market, perhaps having concluded advantageous agreements with other exhibitors and having greatly increased their visibility.