How to create an app for trade shows: This is a guide!

Due to the recent global pandemic, many professional events were forced to cancel or postpone. The event industry, like other industries, has had to reinvent itself to address these issues. One simple solution is going digital. There are more and more professional events, trade shows, conferences, and other events being redesigned. Hybrid events are also known as “phygital” or 100% digital. Companies have plenty of imagination, and there are many options to help them transition to digital. The best way to create an app for your professional event is to do it quickly, easily, and cheaply. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up the perfect professional event and optimize your marketing strategy.

What’s a virtual tradeshow?

Virtual trade shows are organized gatherings of companies and brands within an industry. Virtual trade shows are entirely hosted online. The organizer creates a landing page for the trade show and promotes it to the public. To access the event’s content, visitors can register. Then, you can stream the content live or prerecord it and stream it as video-on-demand. In addition, virtual trade shows offer a variety of engagement tools, including sponsor booths and chat rooms that allow visitors to connect with brand representatives. These events can be intimate Q&A sessions or large-scale international conferences.

Professional Event: Understanding the Challenges of a Shifting Industry

Trade shows are significant events that bring together decision-makers, exhibitors, and visitors from the same industry. They take place around conferences and exhibitions. Each participant represents their company and has a booth to showcase their knowledge and activities. These events are essential for companies because they offer many benefits:

• Enhance the company’s image and increase its value
• Promote the company’s products and services
• Establish a network of knowledge among the actors in the company
• Attract new prospects and customers
• Engage employees by providing an enriching, challenging experience.

However, professional events are targeted at a limited audience. It is a highly specialized, passionate, and knowledgeable audience. This type of event communication is difficult. For example, some sectors, like manufacturing, are only sometimes attractive. Trade shows are increasingly being digitalized to be more relevant, affordable, and adaptable to modern markets. Phygital has been a popular new event in recent years.

The health crisis has strongly affected the digitization of the event industry. As a result, new alternatives have emerged to overcome event cancellations. Many companies have found digital solutions to avoid lockdowns or cancellations. However, after long periods of isolation and social distance, people want to return to human interaction. The ideal solution combining physical and digital is entirely adaptable to the current environment.

Why are virtual trade shows better than on-site events?

The Global Association of the Exhibition industry report shows that visitors and exhibitors spent $137 billion each year on exhibitions in 2019. Although on-site events are more engaging and entertaining, their economic and organizational cost is not as high as virtual ones.

Virtual events conducted via trade show app software are more challenging to run than in-person events, but they will not be equal. However, they are cheaper, bring in more people, and have more visibility.

Another important feature of virtual trade shows companies are their asynchronous factor. Only online events allow you to record the entire event and save it for later viewing.

Sometimes, the unexpected happens. You can record the conference via a virtual platform. You can also view it from anywhere and get the same experience as if you were there.

Exposure to the target customer is the last important point. Finally, exposure to the target client is usually a key point at trade shows. People who visit trade shows on-site often just look around and pay little attention to the product or service.

You can choose the audience for virtual trade shows. They are eager to learn about your product, share their opinions, and make learning experiences. In addition, virtual trade shows allow for more interaction at once, which is another great advantage. This will enable them to increase and broaden the communication channels, allowing the host to speak to a large audience at once and then one-on-one.

Traditional onsite trade shows make it more difficult because fewer people can accommodate them. A product presentation to a large audience can be difficult because some people may be distracted or need more time to talk to potential clients. This means that the rest of the participants will have to wait.

What are the benefits of virtual tradeshows?

Virtual trade shows have a few key advantages over brick-and-mortar events. First, virtual trade shows can be summarized in a single sentence. Second, they require less investment and have a higher ROI. Third, you get more bang by using even fewer words.

1. Virtual trade shows can be cost-effective

A virtual trade show can be set up for as little as a virtual platform, promotional campaigns, keynote speakers, entertainment, and other bits and pieces. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the high costs of hosting physical trade shows, such as venues, catering, staff travel, lodging, or even venue hires.

2. You can easily access virtual trade shows

Virtual trade shows are held at home in front of attendees’ computers. Instead of driving to the venue and waiting in traffic, the attendee can click a link on a trade show management software. It is almost zero friction. Automatic translations and captions are great tools for increasing accessibility and inclusion.

You can use virtual trade shows to provide both live and on-demand content. Trade shows can bridge time zones and include people from all corners of the globe with on-demand content.

Also Read : Theme Park Management Software: Key Features You Need!

3. Potentially, virtual trade shows can attract larger audiences

You don’t need a venue or a schedule to limit the size of your audience. You can also make your event accessible by offering admission to all event organizers (the low cost of a virtual trade show allows it), and attendees can attend any time, anywhere.

4. More leads can be captured by virtual trade shows

More attendees means more qualified leads. Hosts and sponsors can connect with attendees and collect leads through the best virtual trade show platforms. These include chat rooms, forms, and sponsor booths.

5. It is easy to track virtual trade shows

Sponsors and hosts can track their ROI at virtual trade shows. In addition, online attendees can navigate the event and report and analyze detailed information about their actions and interactions.

6. People can connect better through virtual trade shows

Virtual trade shows connect people better than physical ones due to the numerous communication tools available. Virtual trade shows are free from distractions, waiting lines, or long wait times. Names and emails can be exchanged immediately, and chat functions encourage calm and unrestricted attention for both the exhibitor and the attendee. Virtual trade shows are more beneficial and productive for me as a shy individual.

What are the Features of a Virtual Trade Show (VTS)?

You need to know these features of a tradeshow software to launch and succeed in this competitive industry.

1. Main Hall

A virtual trade show platform allows you to create a lobby where your attendees can navigate all your spaces. This is similar to a show floor at an onsite event. You can customize the backgrounds and choose from different templates. You can also use banners or videos to make your virtual event more dynamic.

The first impression is what customers consider the most important. It’s important to make customers feel surprised by the brand’s products and services. The most important thing is to make the attendees feel at home at the trade show.

2. Exhibit Hall

The main focus of any virtual event is the exhibit hall. This is where visitors can get to know the product and its functions while streaming it from anywhere. It should be entertaining because it is a place where people can learn about and get information about the product.

You can give a talk to one person or have a lively conversation. It engages other speakers and makes the event more global. You can add pre-recorded presentations or videos, and you can also record the event so attendees can replay it.

3. Booth for Exhibitors

Virtual exhibitor booths are a location that provides more detailed, more in-depth information. This virtual booth allows attendees to have more in-depth conversations with business hosts. It’s also where attendees can access more information about the product and request a one-on-1 conversation.

4. Integrated Video Player

Videos are the glue between emails, social media, and online channels. Therefore, integrating video is an excellent tool to enhance a virtual trade show.

Pre-show videos can stimulate curiosity and provide brief information about the virtual event. In addition, pre-recorded informational videos can be played about sales and other industry topics during the event, depending on the situation.

Your organization can either use some video clips from the entire event or make a video showing the event and its human side.

5. Theater

The theater is where audience members can watch live or prerecorded brand content. In addition, theater options include quizzes, Q&As, online and offline webinars, pools, and quizzes.

6. Chatroom

Hosting a virtual event can be difficult when it comes down to interpersonal conversations. Talking face-to-face with someone and conversing behind a computer screen is a big difference. And the conversations sometimes flow differently.

Private and public chatrooms can be used to ask questions on specific topics. You can also check answers to questions you have already asked and take notes. To have a more intimate and private conversation with hosts, a user can use the remote chat feature to chat with them about specific product functions.

Also Read : Google Releases ChatGPT Competitor Named Bard!

7. Video meeting tool

Video conferencing is essential for connecting with people online and maintaining social connections. Unfortunately, video conferencing can be difficult. Sometimes, there are problems with audio and cameras or logging in to the event. To make the event a success, it’s essential to create a virtual trading platform that is easy to use. High-resolution cameras and microphones will improve the event’s effectiveness and help to build relationships with attendees and members.

8. Upload logos, banners, leaflets, and other files

Virtual events require that brands and organizations preserve their essence and values. Event branding will help you do this. It will appear on your company logo and leaflets, as well as banners, leaflets, stage designs, and marketing materials. Therefore, branding your event and showing it proudly is now more important than ever.

9. Networking Lounge

Virtual events require networking. Harvard Business Review says networking can lead to more business opportunities and jobs. In addition, it allows participants to gain a deeper and more comprehensive knowledge and status and, most importantly, establish new relationships.

It’s not easy to share an interest with someone you don’t know, but it is possible. If you have common interests in networking, it will be more authentic and flow naturally. This will make it easier to build a lasting relationship.

10. Resource Center

The virtual event platform software should allow attendees to access a resource center that will enable them to find answers, get assistance, and receive guidance quickly. This is an essential tool, especially for virtual trade events.

11. Webcasting

Webcasting means that an event is broadcast live to viewers in real-time. Broadcasting audio, video, or virtual presentations to small or large audiences is what webcasting is all about. Businesses can stream their virtual event to everyone instead of hosting them locally.

12. Gamification

Virtual events are challenging to keep people’s attention. It is difficult to keep people entertained at a virtual event, especially when they cannot interact with each other as much as in an on-site event. Gamification can be a great way to add ”games”‘ to an event. This will make it more interactive and dynamic, which can increase client participation.

Gamification is about engaging customers and influencing business results. Gamification allows attendees to interact with the business and products realistically. This can increase employee engagement in the company’s performance.

Top 3 Virtual Trade Shows and Platforms

In our humble opinion, let’s take a look at the three best virtual trade shows software. We looked for software that could do everything we had mentioned, as well as stability, security, and scalability.

1. Kaltura

Kaltura Virtual Events is Kaltura’s online trade show software. It is also known as Kaltura Virtual Events. This tool is made to help you make your event more about your brand, community, and experience. Virtual Events, as we have come to expect from Kaltura, offer unparalleled reliability, security, and customization.

Kaltura Virtual Events offers many features that make it a win-win for everyone involved, regardless of their size. As a host, you have all the tools necessary to create an unforgettable experience for your audience. From A to Z, your brand defines it. There is also plenty of data collection and lead generation opportunities that will help increase your ROI. Both your exhibitors and sponsors can benefit from features that will help them generate quality leads, promote their brand, and build relationships with prospects. You and your audience will have a highly personal experience that offers plenty of learning opportunities, engagement, networking, and other opportunities.

Kaltura offers white-glove production services. This allows you to focus on the content and guests while Kaltura handles the technical aspects of your event. Kaltura is the best choice if you want reliability and flexibility when planning events of any size.

2. Bizzabo

Bizzabo is a great choice for small businesses. It offers tools and features that allow you to create and manage your event, from sponsor features to attendee registration. In addition, Bizzabo provides a simple website builder for businesses that need a website or web developer. We recommend that you create your website.

Bizzabo is a top-rated company with excellent customer service and white-glove on-site solutions. Kaltura is a better choice if customization and scalability are important to you. Bizzabo’s interface could be more user-friendly, according to many reviews. Bizzabo offers a free trial.

3. Hopin

Hopin can replicate a physical event with up to 100,000 people. Hopin events include a reception, an expo area, and a stage. There are also session rooms and chat rooms. In addition, you have access to all the basics, including analytics and attendee registration.

Hopin is simple to use and has many features that allow you to network and connect. However, Hopin may not be the right choice if you want to monetize your event. Hopin also charges a monthly subscription and a commission for each ticket sold. Unfortunately, Hopin does not offer a free trial at the time of writing.

Run a Virtual Trade Show: To Sum Up!

Virtual trade shows offer a unique opportunity to bring together industry leaders, brands, and professionals in a meaningful and useful way. There are fewer expenses associated with virtual events and trade shows, including hosting, sponsorship, attendance, and exhibiting. As a result, they provide tremendous value and return on investment for all involved. When hosting a virtual trade show, it is important to consider the vendor and attendee experience. You must take steps to improve the attendee experience and facilitate networking. You will need a trade show planning software to make your event happen and facilitate interaction across the board. You have many options for software and platforms to help you host a trade show or virtual exhibition. You should look for a platform with live chat that offers 24/7 customer support, live video streaming, virtual meeting spaces, ticketing, registration, and robust 24/7 customer service. Techugo can help you manage and create your virtual tradeshow.

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