5 Best Virtual Trade Show Platforms

Due to the growing threat of COVID-19, more and more events are held online during these turbulent times. Ranging from conferences to trade shows, there are various virtual platforms helping event organizers to shift the events from offline to online.

With miscellaneous service providers available, it seems confusing to select the best virtual trade show platform, as most of them serve as a similar tool to assist in bringing the events online.

As such, below is a comparison between our newly developed virtual event platform and other service providers’ online trade show platform options for readers’ consideration. It is hoped that you can gain some insights after reading this article.

What is a virtual trade show?

Up until recently, trade shows have been executed in-person, with a vast lineup of exhibitor booths displaying, demonstrating, and discussing their latest products and services to prospective clients. Now that virtual events are becoming more common, especially given the benefits they offer such as a global audience, trade shows are increasingly being held virtually as well. Thus, simply put, virtual trade shows are places where sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees can connect, network, and gather leads through the means of virtual technology.

What are the benefits of organising a virtual trade show?

An online audience means a global audience

It is no secret that virtual events tend to have higher attendance numbers as compared to in-person events. This can be attributed to a number of reasons, most notably the increased accessibility in terms of proximity as well as cost. For one, virtual trade shows are held online, thus making them accessible to anyone with Internet access, even if they are on the other side of the world. This means reaching out to a global audience is easier than ever before! Additionally, this makes it more attractive to attendees and exhibitors alike, as costs incurred to attend or set up for virtual trade shows are now lower!

Increased visibility for exhibitor booths

In physical trade shows, booth placements are undoubtedly one of the factors that will contribute to how visible a booth is to attendees. Exhibitors will try their best to find a location with the best traffic flow, usually near the entrance, at intersections, or near snacks, coffee stops and restrooms. Those booths that are nowhere near any of these heavy traffic landmarks will have to spend more effort and manpower attracting attendees to their booths.

In virtual trade shows, the playing field is more level, and depending on the platform the event is held on, there can be many features that will allow exhibitors to maximise their exposure and lead attendees to their virtual booths.

• Pricing
  • Budget could be a pivotal factor for every virtual event planning. Some brands may even offer a free demo/trial so that you can experience the platform and familiarise yourself with it to make the decision.

• Language
  • If you are hosting a foreign event, it is important to set up a multi-language platform to reach international customers. Besides, make sure the virtual event platform can work in other countries. 

• Customer support
  • Even if you are a virtual event organizer, it is hard to prevent technical problems before they happen. Therefore, it is important to find a reliable vendor that can provide full I.T. support and fix the problem immediately, especially during the live event day.

Virtual Exhibition is a platform designed by EventX and it aims to bring numerous events including but not limited to industry expos, job fairs, annual conferences and trade shows online.

Among all features that are favourable to a successful trade show, what makes it stand out is the virtual 3D demonstration. Apart from the 3D demonstration, exhibitors can view the exhibit and products as well as interact with the booth staff via chatbox and video call.

Aside from that, users can also customize trade show booths to showcase company multimedia elements such as e-brochures, posters, videos and so on. As for the pricing, clients can directly communicate with sales representatives to get hold of it.

The virtual trade show platform also supports fast and seamless virtual event experience for China attendees, making your event successful even if it was hosted in China. They will still provide the best solution for their honorable clients.

Pricing: Available on request.

Language: Vendor is located in Hong Kong. The platform supports various languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc.

Customer support: Provide full support online during business hours and limited service after working hours.

vFairs is a tool which provides online exhibition services like virtual conferences, trade shows, job fairs and networking fairs.

Similarly, it allows interactions between exhibitors and attendees. There are live streaming and real-time chat box functions where users can communicate with each other. Besides, exhibitors can also customize virtual booths to make them resemble real exhibit booths on the virtual trade show floor.

Additionally, It incorporates e-commerce elements into the platform. Attendees can purchase products that appeal to them during the trade show or save them by adding them to the cart and buying later.

Pricing: Available on request.

Language: English based. Vendor located in the United States. 

Customer support: Provide 24/7 service support online with a live representative.

Hexafair is a platform well-matched to a virtual summit, virtual trade show and virtual expo. With 3D interactive features, event visitors can explore the booths through a bird’s-eye view.

Unfortunately, both attendees and exhibitors cannot have live streaming communication, since it doesn’t foster live demonstration. However, there is room for interaction. Trade shows visitors can first view the pre-recorded videos which are uploaded by exhibitors and then raise questions regarding the products afterwards.

In terms of the execution, there is a special function called “attendee directory” which can be regarded as a networking tool. It enables users to view profiles, and strike up conversations via video calls or chatbox. 

Pricing: Available on request. You can also request a free demo.

Language: English based. The vendor is located in India. 

Customer support: Provide 24/7 service support online with live representatives.

6Connex is an online event platform particularly designed for virtual trade shows, summits and job fairs. With regard to the setting, it provides visitors with a “Sims” like environment to walk in the virtual exhibit booths. It is also possible for the exhibitors to customize and add some branding elements to the booths.

Although there are chatting features for both exhibitors and attendees to interact via live messages, there is no video chat function or room for them to host any meeting in the trade show, implying that the interactions are limited.

However, the platform empowers event organizers to facilitate audience engagement through a Leaderboard function. Points can be delivered to visitors for completion of specific actions during the virtual trade show and they can also view their scores on the Leaderboard.

Pricing: Available on request.

Language: English based. Vendor located in the United States. 

Customer support: No detail.

GTR is an event tool tailored for virtual events. It combines virtual networking and webinars which can be used for virtual trade shows.

Both trade show exhibitors and visitors can communicate with each other through one-on-one live meetings. Exhibitors can also demonstrate and showcase their products to attendees to comment on.

Moreover, there is a searchable directory that allows all event stakeholders to search for all information they need, enhancing the info accessibility and ease of connection.

Pricing: Available on request. Free trial provided.

Language: English based. Vendor located in the United States. 

Customer support: Provide 24/7 service support online with a live representative.

All in all, the social distancing measures may seem to cause some inconveniences for the entire event industry, but every cloud has a silver lining. With different virtual trade show platforms available these days, it is still attainable for participants to organise and attend the events online. Knowing all the benefits and loopholes among various platforms, it is believed that all readers can eventually pick out the most ideal event tool for them.