Virtual Events Friend or Foe? Fad or Future?
A Business Revolution
PanelistsRobert ‘Rebel’ Rosenbloom
RD ‘Resistance’ Whitney
Carrie ‘No Control’ Brown
Stephen ‘Insurrectionist’ Nold
PanelistsCarrie Quinn Brown
Marketing ManagerRed 7 [email protected]
Robert RosenbloomPresident & [email protected]
Stephen NoldPresidentTarsus [email protected]
RD WhitneyCEOTarsus Online Media603-925-1160 [email protected]
Virtual Event A Virtual Event is a gathering of people sharing a
common virtual environment on the web, rather than meeting in a physical location. Virtual events are highly interactive, looking and feeling a lot like their physical counterparts.
Evolution of Virtual Events– .com boom/bust (early 90’s)– Rise of solutions that enhanced supplier sales cycle:
RFID & Social Networking– ReEmergence of Virtual Events
Disruption Social Media Mobile Applications Semantic Web Virtual Platform
Virtual events have come of ageMarket Research Media, 02/07/10
Virtual Events projected to $18.6B industry in 5 years
Proliferation and growth 52% have attended a virtual event
48% said there is no virtual trade show yet in their industry
36% see virtual events as a potential revenue builder for their company
75% view virtual events as add-on/extension to existing show (i.e. hybrid event) as opposed to a replacement. They are looking for an “add value” creation tool.
1Market Research Media, 02/07/10
RESEARCH
Top use of virtual events
Ease of use, price, search engine visibility Overall virtual tradeshow success
– Useful, quality content (62%)– ease of navigation (60%)– more cost efficient (55%)
Ways currently used to monetize a virtual tradeshow– Sponsors (49%),– virtual exhibitor booth fees (44%)– online banner ads (39%)
Environmental/Green focus is drawing companies toward virtual events as a way of reducing their carbon footprint.
RESEARCH
Marketplace
Multitude of vendors Do-it-yourself
– requires adequate staff to set-up and complete– low-risk, high profit potential
Fully custom shows– less profitable because of the high cost– higher associated risks
365-day hybrid shows– best R.O.E. (Return On Event)– best lead generation results
RESEARCH
Virtual Events Value?
• Should virtual events become an integral part of the show organizers marketing strategies to extend their event brand?
• What are “best practices” in adopting and executing these tools?
• Best practices and tips for selecting and executing a virtual solution?– connect, inform and engage online community.
• Suggestions on Dos and Don’ts of the virtual space?
Virtual Events Value?
• How to optimize content for online consumption?
• How to measure community participation?• How to educate audience and sponsors?• Can you define efficiencies of social media
tools in promoting virtual event relationships?• Examples of real world successes with these
solutions