Prior to 2020, the overwhelming majority of trade shows, conferences, and industry events were held in person, with virtual conferences being relatively uncommon. But then the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns forced businesses to pivot and embrace new ways of conducting business. Companies accelerated their digital transformations, including shifting to the use of a virtual showroom or other online experience.
As businesses have discovered that nearly any event can go virtual, often with as many registrations as previous in-person events, if not more, virtual showrooms have emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional trade shows. Virtual showrooms represent new opportunities for businesses, thanks to their expanded reach and increased accessibility, while still providing the same advantages that businesses enjoy from attending an in-person event, in particular, networking and leads.
Why Your Next Trade Show Might be in a Virtual Showroom
Virtual trade shows are a valuable opportunity for exhibitors and attendees alike. Allowing businesses and customers to make connections from the safety and comfort of a remote location, the shift to virtual events, conferences, and webinars will not only endure but may be a replacement for in-person trade shows.
With fewer overhead costs, the ability to engage a global audience, and a greater ability to track results, for many businesses, virtual events will be a more practical and economic option for reaching customers. Your Safeguard Advisor can help make sure your company is ready for your next virtual trade show with professionally designed marketing materials as well as personalized promotional items.
What are virtual trade shows?
Virtual trade shows recreate the concept of a physical trade show in a virtual environment. In this online version of a traditional trade show, exhibitors and visitors can connect virtually rather than in person. Virtual trade shows are hosted online for a specified period of time and can include everything that is expected from an in-person event, from virtual booths and sponsorships to appointments and lead tracking.
A Virtual Showroom Can Help You Reach a Wider Audience
Your virtual showroom represents a chance for greater visibility for your business. The combination of no travel costs and less time away from the office makes it significantly more convenient for attendees to visit a virtual trade show than an in-person event, which frequently translates to significantly higher attendance numbers.
With a maximum occupancy, physical venues are limited on the number of attendees they can accommodate. However, a virtual showroom does not hold the same limitations. In-person events are also limited in length, typically only lasting for a few days. Virtual events, on the other hand, can last as long as desired. Finally, virtual events have the added benefit of attracting a global audience. The combination of these features, from the ease of attendance to the potential for higher attendance, indicates that virtual trade shows can present a meaningful opportunity for businesses to reach new audiences and increase brand awareness.
Capture More Leads With Your Virtual Showroom
Interaction with attendees and capturing leads from that interaction is one of the most important aspects of a trade show for businesses. That interaction remains a key component of virtual trade shows, but rather than interacting face to face, these conversations happen through video conferencing capabilities.
In addition to interactions within the virtual showrooms themselves, some virtual trade shows include additional times to meet with attendees through virtual networking meetings and other scheduled events. Within the showroom itself, attendees can either pre-schedule an appointment before the trade show begins or request an appointment during the event itself. Exhibitors can choose to conduct one-on-one appointments as well as meeting with larger groups.
Once exhibitors have met with an interested party, they want to make sure they can follow up with that visitor later. Here is where virtual trade shows have a unique advantage in capturing leads. With information on each event attendee readily available, businesses can easily capture their contact information and then reach out to these qualified leads for future marketing outreach.
Stand Out With an Interactive Virtual Showroom
Make your virtual showroom an interactive and immersive experience for visitors. Capture attention with consistent branding, dynamic video, clear audio, and virtual samples of your products. Give attendees the same kind of experience they would have if they visited your booth in person.
Similar to how you might divide an in-person exhibition booth into separate areas, your virtual showroom can also be split into different areas in order to best serve guests. These areas may include:
Welcome – A welcome area can be used to greet attendees and give them an overview of the company.
Products – A product area can be used to introduce attendees to specific products.
Contact – A contact area can allow visitors to ask questions, make comments, or schedule a virtual meeting.
After the event, you might consider sending promotional items to potential customers who visited your booth or who scheduled appointments. This is a way to reinforce your brand and provide attendees with swag items they might be missing from in-person events.
At Safeguard, we know that the event landscape is expanding. With virtual trade shows poised to be as successful as in-person events, you can rely on Safeguard for the right products, services, and ideas to help you maintain a competitive advantage. Call 855.778.3124 to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual showrooms have emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional trade shows.
- Virtual trade shows are a valuable opportunity for exhibitors with fewer overhead costs, maximized reach, and a greater ability to track results.
- Make your virtual showroom stand out with consistent branding, dynamic video, clear audio, and virtual samples of your products.
- Virtual trade shows are easier to attend and offer a wider reach and greater visibility.
- Rely on Safeguard for the right products, services, and ideas to help you maintain a competitive advantage.