In the past few years, as technology has advanced virtual events became immensely popular. Many organisations that are widespread around the globe were utilising virtual technology for a long time, to connect with remote workforce and clients. Due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the percentage of virtual events platforms have spiked up suddenly. As orders have been circulated to stay at home and maintain social distancing, physical events have been strictly stopped. Nations around the world have gone under lockdown scenarios to fight against coronavirus.
Virtual Expo & Trade Show Platform
Organisations and businesses are left with no other option rather than leveraging virtual events to keep going during uncertain times. The sudden surge in the demand for virtual events resulted in a steady increase in the number of virtual event platforms. Today, the internet is full of a wide range of platforms that offers comprehensive solutions. Right from organising virtual meetings, conferences, product launches to virtual expos, and trade shows, a virtual event platform serves all.
Organising a virtual expo or a virtual trade fair is the most difficult one in line. Transforming the live physical event into a visually rich digital environment and the newness of the technology left exhibitors in flux. Thinking whether the event format will prove fruitful or not. But, the perks served by virtual trade fairs and expo are far beyond the capabilities of the traditional fair format. Nowadays, virtual has become the new normal and is here to stay. The flexibility offered by the platform enables attendees to access the event from anywhere without having to book travel tickets. Wider reach, better visibility, maximised ROI and robust digital footprinting made it the first choice of event planners & organisers. To ensure successful virtual expo and trade shows, leveraging the right virtual trade show platform is a must.
Some Tips to Organise a Virtual Expo and Trade Shows
Hosting a virtual expo or a virtual trade fair in a captivating digital environment is not as tough as it seems to be. With the right planning, technology, and keeping a few considerations in mind you can create successful virtual expo and trade shows. We have enumerated a few tips and considerations you need to know to organise a successful virtual trade fair or virtual expo. Let’s get started!
1. Understand who your audience is?
Firstly, it is a must to have a clear understanding of who your audience is before proceeding any further. For effective planning, you must know who will attend your virtual expo or virtual trade fair. It helps in creating an effective and creative marketing strategy that appeals to your audience. Apart from it, it becomes easy to select exhibitors, sponsors, speakers as per the interest of attendees. However, resulting in having maximum attendance and engagements at the event. It helps in generating more qualified leads at the event that will generate better revenues.
In-person events come with various obstacles such as geographical constraint and space limitations. But an online virtual trade fair or virtual expo is altogether a different case. Virtual expo and virtual trade fairs are hosted on a web-based virtual trade show platform in a secure digital environment. Virtual expo and trade shows make it possible to tap a wider audience segment and reach global audiences seamlessly. While creating a strategy for organising virtual trade shows or while planning a promotion strategy, keep this pointer in mind. Focus on the elements that are likely to entice a wider audience segment. If possible, try to have translation services for regional attendees. Apart from it, make keynote sessions and speeches available on-demand for virtual attendees as it can be assessed at varied time zones. However, it results in better lead generation.
2. Set your event goals and create the content
After having a clear understanding of your potential target audience, you can set your goals for your virtual trade shows. Once you have set your goals you want to achieve out of a virtual trade fair or expo, start with the list of sponsors and exhibitors. Virtual expo and trade fair enables each exhibitor to customise their virtual booths and showcase their unique product offerings globally. While opting out for sponsors, invite those sponsors who hold similar interests and target the same set of audiences. Unlike traditional fairs, with virtual trade fairs, you are likely to collect the data throughout the event. It holds great value to sponsors as well as exhibitors. Having a clear understanding of how attendees behave inside a virtual exhibition hall and what holds their interest helps in making future marketing plans. Create engaging content and upgrade your goals by adding networking sessions.
3. Select the right technology
Choosing the right virtual trade show platform is a must to organise a successful virtual expo and trade shows. Go with the platform that enables 3d virtual event setup and the ability to customise virtual booths suiting brand image. Selecting a platform that offers a two-way flow of communication helps in delivering engaging event experiences to attendees. The platform that offers live audio/video/text chat capabilities enables attendees to have real-time conversations. There are many virtual trade show platform options available in the market. But selecting the one depends on the needs and requirements of the business. Engagement tools such as live polls, Q&A sessions, gamification, contests, etc. helps in keeping attendees engaged throughout. Going with the platform that offers robust data trackability helps in analysing every digital attendee move throughout the event. It helps in measuring the performance metrics.
4. Promote and market your virtual expo or virtual trade fair
Promoting the event before the actual date is a must to ensure maximum attendance at the event. It does not matter even if you have tried your best and put in the best efforts. It’s of no use until your audience is aware of your upcoming event. Create a promotion strategy to reach maximum attendees and make your event successful.
Leveraging social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, is one of the most effective ways of promoting your event. It helps you in reaching a wider segment of the audience globally. Apart from it, utilising direct mails, public relations, website landing pages work well in promoting virtual expo and trade shows.
Final word
Organising a virtual expo and virtual trade shows proves beneficial for all, from businesses, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees. Virtual trade fairs enable attendees to access the event from the comfort of their own space remotely. The need for booking travel tickets, accommodations, crossing the crowd, hiring a venue all gets resolved with virtual trade fairs. In addition, virtual expos or trade fairs result in generating more qualified leads when compared to traditional events. By following the above-mentioned tips, you are sure to organise a successful virtual expo or a virtual trade show.
