For the foreseeable future, the physical events that we are all familiar with and enjoy will be moved online. Fortunately, the transition towards digital events does not have to cause you to lose momentum or for your plans to come to a grinding halt.
A virtual trade show, also known as a virtual trade fair, on the other hand, may make your trade fair just as interesting as a live event. If done correctly with the help of professional app development companies like Magneto IT Solutions, a virtual trade exhibition might prove to be a compelling option that offers value in and of itself.
In order to spare you important time and annoyance, here are some of the available platforms for your convenience.
Dreamcast
With more than ten years of experience in the industry, Dreamcast is a one-stop virtual event platform that renders you with a complete event suite solution. Organizing virtual trade show events with the platform means ensuring a matchless & hassle-free online event well-resourced with every feature and tool you prefer.
Dreamcast’s all-in-one virtual trade show or exhibition platform provides you with innumerable extraordinary features that help you in making the best out of your event. Another beneficial aspect of the platform is, it doesn’t let you compromise with any of your needs and requirements.
Dreamcast is a highly scalable online trade show solution that renders you with the best features to fit your budget. The inventive & modernized engaging, networking, and interactive features of the platform ensure a highly productive virtual show where all you gain is a positive attendee experience and feedback.
Mentioned below are some of the top features provided by Dreamcast:
- Highly Customizable Platform
- Business Card Exchange
- Dynamic Device Support
- B2B Meeting Scheduler
- Branded Exhibit Booths
- AI Matchmaking
- Signature Wall
- Third-Party Integration
- Networking Lounges
- Fun Gamification
- On-Demand Content
- Multi-Format Communication
- Live Poll, Q&A sessions, contests, trivia
- Photo Booth
- Complete Backend Support
- Social wall
- Dashboard and Event Analytics
- And a lot more
Communique
Communique is a configurable 3-D environment that allows guests to walk around the virtual event venue with ease, thanks to intuitive navigational aids.
Because of the availability of 1:1 chat and group chat options, the platform encourages engagement and networking possibilities. Providing high-value material within their unique booths allows the exhibitors to optimise their prospects in order to get maximum exposure and profit.
When you have solid and scalable hosting, dedicated support available around the clock, different language choices, and high-level reporting and analytics, you can easily expand your trade show to other countries.
Map your show
Map Your Show is an event and conference management software that contains multiple distinct solutions for live events as well as a relatively new virtual event platform. It is available in both English and Spanish.
In fact, it was utilised for the latest online version of the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, which had a big exhibitors’ area, but it was a little lacking in terms of interactive features.
Exhibitors may keep track of leads in their exhibitor’s portal, and the platform also enables Exhibitor Icons to be displayed across the website to direct guests to exhibitor resources. Exhibitors can also use the platform to promote their own events.
GTR
GTR is an event technology tool that has been adapted for use in virtual events. In accordance with their website, the virtual event platform intends to mix webinars with networking opportunities, and it may also be used for virtual trade exhibits.
Many of the features, such as one-on-one real-time meets among participants or between attendees and exhibitors, are beneficial to a successful exhibition. This enables participants to network with one another as well as provide exhibitors with the opportunity to demonstrate their products live.
Attendees may also request further information from exhibitors, which allows exhibitors to collect and track possible leads. GTR’s platform, like the other tools on this list, has the appearance and functionality of a website. Different parts of the event, such as the schedule, exhibitors, and sponsors, are easily accessible via tabs on the website.
Custom landing pages may be made for sponsors and exhibitors that contain a description of their firm as well as any other pertinent information they may need.
INXPO
INXPO is one of the platforms that has been in operation for quite some time now. The INXPO live-streaming service excels at presentation aspects like viewing live or on-demand, depending on their preference.
While attending trade fairs, it has a virtual booths feature that allows guests to click through to “see” the various booths, containing a short overview of the firm and pertinent content such as case studies.
To make the exhibitor more interesting, the platform also incorporates event venues like the lobby and theatre, which create a dynamic atmosphere while also including recognisable themes.
If guests are connected to the internet, a chat feature allows them to communicate with both employees. They also have the option to book a demo, however, this is done via an external link that directs them to the exhibitor’s website.
vFairs
VFairs is a technology that is intended for use in online conferences, trade displays, and job fairs, among other things. Customers may customise booths that are made to seem like genuine booths on a trade show floor that they can visit.
On-demand information like films and presentations is available at each exhibitor booth, and participants may watch and download it as needed. Additionally, the platform provides a variety of chat options that allow guests to communicate with exhibitors in real-time through text, voice, or video messages.
Group chats are also available if you want to communicate with a large number of buyers at the same time. Because one of the primary reasons we visit trade exhibitions is to network, such enhancements are quite beneficial in this regard.
Also included is an e-commerce interface, which enables participants to add things to their basket as if they were shopping around at a trade show, and then choose whether or not to buy them at the event or store them for a later date.
6Connex
The 6Connex virtual event platform has been particularly created for virtual trade exhibits, job fairs, and conferences, among other things. In terms of design, it gives the impression of travelling around the many surroundings of a convention centre.
Each display booth appears as an image of a booth on the screen, which can be modified to contain marketing elements specific to each exhibitor and may be changed for each exhibitor.
The inclusion of information and resources at exhibitor booths for guests to see or download, such as pre-recorded video product demos, is permitted, but on-demand interactions are restricted.
In addition, Platform 6Connex has a Leaderboard function that allows participants to compete for prizes in order to boost participation. For activities taken during the event, such as visiting booths, point values may be allocated, and everyone can keep track of their progress by seeing their scores on the Leaderboard.
Hexafair
Hexafair is one of the few programmes that is primarily advertised as a virtual trade fair and expo platform (although it also covers conferences and other sorts of events), and it includes many of the same capabilities as other comparable platforms.
The platform features a number of ‘feature-packed booths with which users may engage and even provide feedback. Due to the avatar-based interaction, the experience of being in Second Life is retained, while the design is a little more three-dimensional and expansive.
If guests are seeking product demonstrations, they may watch pre-recorded films that exhibitors have posted to their booths or speak with exhibitors directly to get more information about the products. Live demonstrations are not possible on the platform.
Also included is an attendance directory, which guests may use as a networking tool to locate other attendees and check their profiles. Also available are functions such as the ability to see who is now online, request one-on-one talks, set up video chats, and exchange business cards with others.
There is also an e-commerce interface, which allows for the purchase of items during the event, similar to what would be possible at a traditional trade fair.
Accelevents
It is a fantastic alternative for event planners on a tight budget to use Accelevents. For a reasonable fee, you may benefit from outstanding customer service as well as a variety of useful features.
On this platform, exhibitors and event organisers may benefit from live streaming capabilities, real-time chat, configurable display booths, networking possibilities, in-session polls, downloadable material, and a plethora of real-time data.
With many connectors, such as email marketing, CRM, and social media, this virtual platform is simple enough for a first-time user to use while yet being comprehensive enough for an experienced event planner to utilise effectively. Furthermore, with access to the whole API documentation, an event organiser may simply grow and develop their own solution!
Cvent
A single event platform, Cvent simplifies the administration of each step of an event’s lifecycle while also providing you with the data and insights necessary to optimise your return on investment.
With a single platform, you’ll have everything you need to locate suppliers, engage audiences, maximise sponsor value, and gather key event data regardless of whether the event is in person, on the web, or in a hybrid format.
In its position as the world’s leading provider of event marketing and management technology, Cvent is well suited to assist you with events of all shapes, sizes, and complexity.
Whova
People are increasingly attending current and stylish events, and Whova is a comprehensive event management system that helps event organisers save time by handling event logistics in one place and helps in e-commerce website development.
In addition to an award-winning event app, Whova’s platform also includes simple online registration, strong event marketing, and time-saving event management capabilities for events in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
Conclusion
Comparatively speaking, virtual trade exhibitions have been slower to take off than other types of events, which is understandable given their complexity and the fact that many event planners are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with virtual events.
This is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs wishing to launch a new firm or expand their market share in the event technology industry.