Virtual Trade Shows

Why bother with the travel to international trade shows when you can visit a virtual trade show 24/7 from your own desk?

Yes, virtual reality is encompassing more aspects of our business and personal lives every day. In the past year, virtual trade shows have not only gotten more press, they also have big businesses signing up and people showing up to participate. According to FactPoint, 2000 virtual events have been organized in the past few years with an estimated 500,000 visitors. Experts say virtual trade shows will soon become another tool we use, just like webinars and online meetings are today.

Second Life was probably one of the first to offer companies different virtual ways to market to and interact with users. I’m not a Second Lifer myself, but I understand that options can range from leasing a shop in a mall to purchasing an island to educate and entertain visitors about your products. (Thanks also to reader Simone Brunozzi who noted today that she attends job fairs at Second Life.)

There are a number of sites out there claiming to be virtual trade shows, but a random browse today showed me that some of them are less than professional, some are under construction and some are both. Unisfair is clearly one of the more professional providers out there today. They offer both a free tour (if you register) and a nice list of interesting articles, if you are looking for more information.