There is no question that COVID-19 is hitting the events industry hard, with cancellations around the globe—but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still leverage your trade show program to connect with your target audience. It’s time to re-imagine live experiences by inviting your attendees to experience your trade show or event… virtually!
The transition to virtual events may cause some skepticism, but our team of experts at 3D Exhibits is encouraging brands to think outside of the box (or in this case, outside of the trade show hall!). While virtual events may not allow for the true face-to-face engagement that trade shows are great for, they still enable brands to engage, educate, and move their target audience further down the sales funnel.
Plus, technology advancements are on our side. Companies can invite clients and prospects to experience a virtual tour through their space and have the same attendee experience as one would have on the trade show floor—all from a home or office!
Here are three options to consider when taking your events virtual:
Option 1: 360 Interactive Virtual Tour
A 360 interactive virtual tour will transport your attendees into a virtual version of your exhibit space. Your attendees will be able to interact with the environment through navigational and informational hotspots that move them around the space and activate content. This option can be developed in a variety of ways, including:
- At a show using 360-degree cameras
- In our 3D Exhibits shop with your actual booth properties
- With your detailed exhibit renderings (if the properties haven’t actually been built yet)
- Built to order in a virtual space
This virtual tour is based on a website technology, meaning anyone who has a browser can access the space via a unique link and login. The tour can also be experienced through cardboard or Oculus VR goggles. The cardboard VR goggles are a great option for sending a branded package to a larger quantity of clients or prospects, whereas the Oculus VR goggles are perfect for hosting a smaller lunch and learn at your or your client’s facility.
Option 2: Real Time Interactive Virtual Tour
A real time interactive tour invites your attendees to experience a first-person point of view through this virtual version of your trade show or event. While the 360 interactive tour in option 1 enables attendees to navigate to certain points in the space (think Google Maps street view), the real time interactive tour allows attendees to move freely throughout the space. Attendees can walk up to and interact with all parts of the booth, just as they would in your actual exhibit. The end goal is to recreate the same experience the user would have if they attended the show.
This option also is based on a website technology, meaning anyone who has a browser can access the space via a unique link and login. The tour can also be experienced through cardboard or Oculus VR goggles, allowing for the same branded package or lunch and learn opportunities as mentioned above.
Option 3: ProCast
ProCast is an internet broadcasting solution that enables companies to broadcast content to viewers, including panel discussions, live presentations, product launches, and more.
This online platform allows you to:
- Extend your communication reach by delivering your message to thousands of employees or customers throughout the world, in real-time
- Interact with your audience with live Q&A, messaging, polling and surveys
- Communicate your message cost-effectively without decreasing work efficiency or incurring travel expenses
ProCast can also be combined with options 1 or 2—for example, attendees may walk up to an in-booth theater area and then watch a LIVE presentation on the screen through ProCast.
If you’re interested in learning more about virtual events and exploring examples to figure out which is the best solution for you, our team would love to help. Contact Stephanie Coupland (scoupland (at) 3DExhibits (dot) com), to set up a meeting with one of our virtual event experts.
