{"id":9328,"date":"2020-07-22T15:23:46","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T13:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/?p=9328"},"modified":"2020-07-24T13:49:59","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:49:59","slug":"virtual-events-how-and-why-exhibit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/en\/virtual-events-how-and-why-exhibit\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual events: how and why exhibit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The recent health crisis has challenged many business models. Events is one of them. This year, VRDays has decided to adapt and take on a new shape, and offers exclusive and virtual contents, particularly to exhibit. A new format to discover from 4th to 6th November 2020.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven months after the virtual edition of Laval Virtual<\/a> in the now-famous Laval Virtual World, virtual events are popular. Alex Howland<\/a>, founder of VirBELA<\/a>, a software that creates virtual worlds, is the first to acknowledge this: “We’ve seen significant growth in virtual events over the last few months in the wake of COVID-19, which has put a halt to in-person events around the world.<\/em>” But are virtual events the same as their real version? How do you continue to do business and present your products?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an exhibitor, it’s difficult to imagine a 100% virtual event. The codes are different from a real event, and so are the condition of exhibition. The emergence of virtual worlds is leading professionals to offer booths, in the same way as a physical event. The virtual format has a bright future ahead of it<\/strong>, and it has managed to convince many companies. At the Laval Virtual World, some were able to make meetings and product presentations. These companies testify to show their satisfaction of having participated in a virtual event, and their desire to do it again, why not at VRDays. As a partner, Laval Virtual brings its new expertise in virtual events for the next edition of VRDays<\/a> from November 4th to 6th.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge of finding contacts and meeting prospects in a new way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a VR\/AR supplier, a large company or a startup decide to take part in such an event like Laval Virtual exhibition<\/a>, the objective is to be able to meet other professionals. Laval Virtual serves as a facilitator and a mediator. One of its missions is to bring together professionals from the immersive field all year long. The virtual edition of Laval Virtual World was no exception.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the disappointment of the cancellation of the physical edition, many companies were excited to be part of a virtual event. Othman Chiheb<\/a>, Product Marketing Lead at HoloLens Microsoft<\/a>, confirms: “<\/span>I didn’t hesitate more than 5 seconds to confirm our motivation to be part of this new adventure.<\/span><\/i>” It was important for Microsoft to support this exclusive initiative, and also an opportunity to test the promise of virtual worlds.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the excitement of participating in an unprecedented virtual event, how do you approach preparation as a company?<\/strong> Virtual can be scary, because you don’t meet people in virtual as naturally as you do in real, for example by wandering through the aisles of a trade show. Franck Liguori<\/a>, Sales Manager of eMotion Tech<\/a>, French manufacturer of 3D printers, explains how he proceeded: “<\/span>As far as preparation was concerned, it consisted in using the Swap Card calendar tool to book appointments with relevant contacts. I didn’t necessarily expect to have any to be honest and I was quite surprised to have some respondents.<\/span><\/i>” During the event, Franck and his teams presented their latest 3D printer model, a virtual presentation that had its own effect on the visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enthusiasm was also present among Microsoft customers and partners: “<\/span>Our partners really wanted to be part of this world premiere<\/span><\/i>.” The virtual format didn’t stop Microsoft at all, which initiated a 3-day conference program, built in only 24 hours. 80 speakers were there, and the partners immediately invested the meeting rooms to present their products, as they would have done in real life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For others, contact through virtual channels has been quite easy. Julien Masse<\/a>, founder of Ino-VR<\/a>, manufacturer and seller of high-end hardware solutions, explains the transition from a physical to a 100% virtual exhibition: “<\/span>At Ino-VR we were able to meet virtually with prospects approached by email. This allowed us to consolidate the link and have a more natural exchange than by email or phone.<\/span><\/i>” According to him, the virtual event “<\/span>comes closer [to the physical event] than any other means of communication and is therefore a great step forward in virtual relationships<\/strong><\/span><\/i>“. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n