| A virtual tradeshow, often referred to as a virtual | | | | technology such as large poster displays and what |
| event or virtual tradefair, is actually just what it | | | | not. A virtual booth will also have other computer |
| sounds like. It is a tradeshow that happens in an | | | | friendly tools such as several visible icons that can |
| online environment. The concepts of a traditional | | | | be used to trigger different responses such as |
| tradeshow trying to remain the same in this online | | | | finding out more information about a specific |
| space; where the virtual tradeshow or tradefair | | | | product, service, or the company itself. There are |
| only stays live for a certain period of time and | | | | also usually icons present for instant |
| has the expectation that many like-minded people | | | | communication with the exhibitor such as instant |
| will come together during this period allowing them | | | | messaging or instant email. Often virtual exhibitors |
| to connect without travel. As they use the | | | | will also provide online videos and audio messages |
| internet as their tradeshow floor which in turn | | | | or at least some sort of slideshow presentation |
| allows them to connect with other businesses, | | | | that virtual attendees can play. Sometimes virtual |
| customers, enthusiasts, etc. to communicate in | | | | exhibitors will even create online avatars as a |
| the virtual realm. | | | | visual representation of themselves or their |
| The overall structure of the virtual show is much | | | | salesperson. |
| like that of an actual one. With the virtual show | | | | Virtual tradeshows/tradefairs definitely have |
| including a virtual exhibit hall which users can only | | | | many different purposes and they are most likely |
| enter with specific capabilities, codes, or | | | | a trend that we will see developed more and |
| permissions granted by the virtual tradeshow | | | | more over the years. |
| hosts. With different businesses/people deciding to | | | | Often these virtual tradeshows come at a |
| build virtual exhibits to display information related | | | | fraction of the cost compared to actual real life |
| to the products or services that they offer just | | | | tradeshows, which makes sense considering the |
| as they would in an actual tradeshow venue. And | | | | logistics of the event itself, the lack of travel, the |
| with virtual tradeshow attendees coming to the | | | | easy access from any internet port, and the lack |
| virtual hall and using specific measures to attend in | | | | of real life tradeshow display unit and space |
| order to gather information or perhaps even | | | | needed. |
| purchase the specific products/services of the | | | | Often more and more there is a combination of |
| virtual exhibitors. | | | | real tradeshow events with online secondary |
| Virtual tradeshows also have many other | | | | virtual events; as they are used as a great place |
| elements such as virtual web conferences, or | | | | for attendees to check out before attending, |
| web seminars if you will, along with other | | | | after attending, and also for those who cannot |
| educational presentations. | | | | make the "live" event. |
| Virtual show organizers usually use detailed | | | | Virtual tradeshows are the wave of the future |
| tracking mechanisms to track the flow of traffic | | | | when it comes to the tradeshow circuit, whether |
| to certain virtual exhibits at the virtual tradefair | | | | they will be held in conjunction with or eventually |
| itself. | | | | in replacement of some tradeshow events is yet |
| The virtual exhibits found in the online virtual | | | | to be unfolded. The one thing for sure is that the |
| tradeshow exhibit hall often resemble actual | | | | popularity of these events and the affordability of |
| tradeshow exhibits you would find in the more | | | | them is on the rise and there is a high likelihood |
| traditional setting which is thought to allow users | | | | that more and more companies will get involved in |
| to relate to the exhibits easily. You will often see | | | | them at least on some level. |
| virtual exhibits with desks and other display | | | | |