Hi everyone, generally I really enjoy attending trade shows. I like the feeling of being there in person, and I appreciate having things shown or explained to me. I have attended all kinds of trade shows, not necessarily related to construction, gardening, or interior design. I have also been to a book fair, a career fair, and a bike expo. I think it’s a great way to gather ideas and get an overview of what’s available in a certain field.
Nowadays, some trade shows also take place virtually. It seems like this has become more common since the pandemic, and I think it’s a good alternative when attending in person is not possible. Hybrid trade shows combine both aspects. I haven’t tried this format myself yet, but I could imagine it working well.
Here’s the situation: a close friend and her husband plan to start building a house within the next few years. They would like to attend a home building trade show to get ideas and gather information in advance. It might make sense for them to look for a hybrid trade show. Would that be worthwhile, or should they just get their information on-site in person? Regardless, I’m interested in hearing experiences from others. Maybe someone here already has some insight and can share their thoughts. Thanks!
Nowadays, some trade shows also take place virtually. It seems like this has become more common since the pandemic, and I think it’s a good alternative when attending in person is not possible. Hybrid trade shows combine both aspects. I haven’t tried this format myself yet, but I could imagine it working well.
Here’s the situation: a close friend and her husband plan to start building a house within the next few years. They would like to attend a home building trade show to get ideas and gather information in advance. It might make sense for them to look for a hybrid trade show. Would that be worthwhile, or should they just get their information on-site in person? Regardless, I’m interested in hearing experiences from others. Maybe someone here already has some insight and can share their thoughts. Thanks!
Pakon schrieb:
However, I can only experience things firsthand when I am on site. As far as I know, there is currently no way to truly engage with things online. For some industries, it is very important for me—and probably other customers as well—to see, touch, and test everything in person.
Hybrid solutions certainly have their benefits, but you also need to consider who they are suitable for. I definitely see potential—but not for every situation or person.
If you’re unsure whether it will be useful for you, I would strongly recommend consulting a professional exhibition stand builder. They usually have practical experience and can tell you if it offers added value. So, in that respect, it is better to seek professional advice. I never said that things can be physically engaged with online. Hybrid means that virtual and physical elements work together. 🙂 So BOTH components can be used—you don’t have to choose just one. It would therefore be possible to visit a site to see, touch, and even smell everything you want in person, and then also review these things virtually at your own pace, or if you don’t have much time, stay on site and revisit these details virtually, explore other options more thoroughly, have conversations, watch tutorials, and so on. That is exactly the convenience of a hybrid approach. It combines virtual and physical elements, allowing you to take advantage of the benefits from both. You are not forced to decide on just one option... I do believe this approach has potential in many areas.
driver55 schrieb:
What are you constantly “blubbering” back and forth about?Well, how else is a conversation supposed to go? Someone asks, and then you try to respond. I just find it hard to stop replying in the middle of a discussion. At least I’m trying to help. Sorry that I don’t have the time or interest to thoroughly review every trade fair builder and then, as a layperson, immediately present 10 different companies.
trx_type schrieb:
I never said that these things could be attacked online.But this is exactly what you will need in some industries. That is where the added value of a trade fair comes in: you can see everything on site, try it out, handle it, and ask questions right away. Online, I can only do that to a limited extent when watching a video. That’s why I believe virtual or hybrid fairs do have advantages, but you need to consider whether these advantages apply to the particular industry and company.I’m not going to try to talk you out of it; do what you think is best. I’ve shared my concerns, but the decision is yours.
Pakon schrieb:
But this is exactly what you will need in some industries. That’s where the added value of a trade fair comes in—you can see everything on site, try it out, touch it, and ask questions right away. Online, I can only do that to a limited extent when watching a video. That’s why I believe virtual or hybrid trade fairs do have advantages, but you still need to consider whether those advantages apply to the specific industry and company.
I’m not going to try to talk you out of it, do as you think best. I’ve shared my concerns; the decision is yours. Yes, that’s true, in some industries a visit on site is essential, and as has been said several times now, hybrid trade fairs offer BOTH options: on site AND virtual. So you can use both. You can visit in person one day and participate virtually on the second or third day! That’s the convenience and also the reason why hybrid events have potential in almost every industry. Fully virtual trade fairs don’t always fit, as something is missing in some sectors, that’s true. Often people want to feel, taste, or try things out. With hybrid fairs, you can do all that...
What use is a virtual presence when you want to introduce a new product in the food retail sector?
At the trade show where you present your product, you want as many people as possible to try it. If they like the taste, there is a good chance they will buy it in the supermarket.
Do you really think you can convince end customers with just a few videos about the product?
The video may be enough for supermarkets and suppliers, but it will not be sufficient for the customers.
So again, I see the advantages of virtual or hybrid trade shows, but you have to consider whether it makes sense to promote the product online and who the target audience is. If in the end, you conclude yes, it makes sense to also have a virtual presence, then go for it. But it does not make equal sense everywhere, as my brief example is meant to show.
At the trade show where you present your product, you want as many people as possible to try it. If they like the taste, there is a good chance they will buy it in the supermarket.
Do you really think you can convince end customers with just a few videos about the product?
The video may be enough for supermarkets and suppliers, but it will not be sufficient for the customers.
So again, I see the advantages of virtual or hybrid trade shows, but you have to consider whether it makes sense to promote the product online and who the target audience is. If in the end, you conclude yes, it makes sense to also have a virtual presence, then go for it. But it does not make equal sense everywhere, as my brief example is meant to show.