Future of the face-to-face trade fair?

Präsenz Messe
What challenges will shape the future of trade fairs?

Of course, even after Corona, there will be trade fairs, events and other events in the same form as before. Well, maybe not completely. Through the forced break, we have also learned what advantages can result from the digital world. And then it’s time to figure out and define how to get the best out of both worlds. Unfortunately, there is no ideal solution for this yet. Because these formats must first be conceived, tried out and evaluated. But one thing is clear, the world is different. And just as we have to get used to cars that move autonomously (or are better allowed to), new formats will also emerge and establish themselves in the event sector. The typical face-to-face trade fair of recent years with increasingly expensive areas, countless parallel lectures, numerous subject areas, trade fair television, radio, newspaper, etc. cannot be the end of the development. No one will deny that the advantages of working from home will disappear after Corona. Let’s be surprised what our creativity will bring here for hybrid event formats in the future.
With Fairsnext, a hybrid implementation at eye level is possible.

5 top reasons to use a virtual trade fair platform:

Fairsnext Virtuelle Messehalle
Events on a virtual trade fair platform are the future of the trade fair industry. Thousands of exhibitors and visitors have already visited a virtual trade fair in this way. So why not use a virtual trade fair platform?

The following reasons should motivate you to deal with a virtual trade fair platform:

  1. Save time and money.
    No costs for travel time and accommodation costs. These are completely eliminated at a virtual trade fair. There is no need to build or rent a physical stand. It is much more comfortable and less time-consuming for employees.
  2. Reach a larger audience.
    A normal computer or mobile device and a sufficient Internet connection are sufficient for participation. Almost anyone can participate via the virtual trade fair platform. Whether from the office, from home or on the go.
  3. You don’t need exhibition space.
    No real hall space is required on a virtual trade fair platform. This not only makes it much cheaper, but the event can also take place indefinitely or be used as a year-round theme platform.
  4. Easily expand the fair to other countries and time zones.
    Contact persons from different countries can also be “present” at different times. This allows different time zones to be mapped in an event.
  5. Analyze the success of the trade fair in real time.
    Thanks to the digital implementation, the behaviour of visitors on the virtual trade fair platform can be analysed very precisely. And in real time!

We hope that you have now gained a better insight into how a virtual trade fair platform works.

  • With our Fairsnext platform for virtual trade fairs and events, you avoid investments in additional physical communication channels.
  • Fairsnext is a novel, innovative and disruptive solution for creating digital trade fairs and events.
  • You increase customer loyalty with our platform.

Are you curious about a virtual trade fair platform?
Would you like to know more about our solution? We would be happy to show you how this works in a 30-minute online demo. Just make an appointment:

Book a demo


Here are a few reactions and conclusions about events of our customers on our virtual trade fair platform:

1. StB-Expo

2. METAV digital

3. ProFACHHANDEL

4th International Leather Goods Fair (ILM)

5. ALTENPFLEGE (leading trade fair for the care industry)

Hybrid event – what is it?

Hybride Messe - Illustration

Event Planning of the Future: Hybrid Events

We have currently observed the first changes in the event landscape due to the corona pandemic. Here we inform you why these developments make adjustments to the planning of your event seem absolutely necessary. Because the future is the hybrid event or the hybrid event.

We explain these topics in the following article:

  1. Changes in the event world
  2. What is the difference between face-to-face and hybrid events?
  3. What are the advantages of hybrid events?
  4. Current trends
  5. Where is the event strategy going?
  6. Economic advantages of hybrid events
  7. Environmental benefits
  8. What are the consequences?
1. Changes in the event world

The event world is currently affected by a number of changes: digital trends in knowledge transfer, changes in event formats, adaptation to reduced exhibitor and visitor numbers. Many events have already adapted to the changed framework conditions. Other formats will have to adapt to this and deal with the topic of “hybrid events“.

2. What is the difference between face-to-face and hybrid events?

Many companies and organizations are already planning the upcoming time – and hybrid events are an element they will soon have to pay attention to.

A hybrid event is an event that can be both physical and digital. The difference between a hybrid event and a classic event is that the physical presence of a hybrid event is also digitized, while the digital presence of a hybrid event can also include physical elements.

Event content, such as exhibition and knowledge transfer, can also be implemented in different formats for hybrid events.

3. What are the advantages of hybrid events?

Hybrid events have many advantages that you should not miss as an organizer.

It’s time to change the event mode of traditional and digital events. Many organizers today opt for hybrid events to increase attendance, increase engagement, and provide additional incentives.

Hybrid events offer several advantages that you as an organizer should not miss:

  • You will receive enough time for preparation and follow-up
  • You still benefit from the advantages of classic conference formats
  • They open up additional visitors and exhibitors
  • You benefit from new ideas and reach new target groups
  • You get more interaction
4. Current trends for a hybrid event

Hybrid events have arrived in recent years and benefit from the change in business models and the realization that the media world offers new opportunities for events. Many events this year are following the trend towards a mixture of online and offline environment, show and conference, live and livestream.

Hybrid events are the optimal solution for organizers who not only want to maintain the status quo in marketing, but are looking for new strategies to be more innovative and sustainable.

5. Where is the event strategy going?

Hybrid events are the future – at least when it comes to concepts. At the decisive events of the future, the solution approach for the customer comes to the fore, not the event itself. Today’s top organizers are those who already know where the party is going and anticipate what digital marketing means for their format.

Thanks to digitization, organizers now have more marketing tools at their disposal to reach visitors in their events. The event strategy is under pressure from increasing competition. The new challenge is to reach, attract, retain and retain visitors for exhibitors or lecturers.

6. Economic advantages of hybrid events

The digitization of the event world has made a huge leap forward in recent years: Today, potential event participants can easily and conveniently buy tickets for the event, retrieve information or watch streams of the event via their smartphone or tablet. So you always have the latest results and ongoing updates about the event in your pocket.

But the possibilities that digitization offers for events go even further! Because now you can – with a hybrid event – welcome participants from all over the world. There are no more hurdles to overcome due to time and money to attract international guests.

7. Environmental benefits for hybrid events

The digital age has completely changed the global economy. Organizers of hybrid events now understand how important it is to incorporate innovative ideas into their events. To meet these requirements, they also need to rethink the environmental aspects of their events. In times of climate change and increasing resource consumption, organizers are concerned with the correct handling of the diverse planning options of events. The world depends on a new digital infrastructure. Our development in recent years has not only meant that we are reaching for distant sources of our food, furniture and building materials, but also that the everyday experience of the event experience is shifting towards virtual reality and e-commerce. We have reached a point where we need to draw on our past experience and think seriously about the future of events, event planning and event development.

8. What are the consequences for a hybrid event?

Hybrid events – i.e. events that have both online and offline components – are in vogue. But what do they actually mean for the team that organizes such an event or for agencies that manage such events? More and more organisers are opting for a combination of online and offline events.

The biggest challenge in the combination is the communication and consideration of which elements are displayed in which format. In order to master this challenge, a meaningful analysis of the future needs and added value that can be presented to the participants is required.

On Fairsnext, the platform for virtual and hybrid events, competencies for presence and digital as well as for online and offline can be bundled.

Are you curious about a platform for hybrid events?
Would you like to know more about our solution? We would be happy to show you how this works in a 30-minute online demo. Just make an appointment:

Book a demo

Read also our article on “Virtual Trade Fair Platform”

Market Overview: Software for Virtual Events

Fairsnext-3D-Plattform_Hero

If you want to get a good overview of the providers of software for virtual events, this article is recommended here .

Software für virtuelle Events: 17 Lösungen im Vergleich

Contentmanager Magazin has created a comprehensive and detailed overview of the most important providers of software for virtual events.

The fact that our platform Fairsnext, as a specialized software platform for virtual and hybrid events, performs so well in this overview does not come from anywhere. Our basis for successful software for virtual events consists of three points:

  • Best user experience!
    Our real-time 3D experience matches human vision and behavior.
  • Focus on lead generation!
    With our tools:
    – Matchscore©
    – Matchzone© and
    – Matchmachine©
    highly qualified leads can be generated and relevant contacts can be identified in a targeted manner.
  • Simplest configuration!
    For both the organizer and the exhibitors, a configuration of the event and the exhibition stands or stages is possible quickly and easily. The intuitive 3D configurator immediately shows every adjustment. In just 15 minutes you have configured your booth.

This is possible through the consistent implementation of these 3 points, as well as the development of value-added features in coordination with our customers. See for yourself here!

Digital or analogue? Neither!

Die Zukunft von Messen. Digital oder Analog?

What does it look like – the future of trade fairs?
Is it digital or analogue? Neither!
This is at least the conclusion of Roland Kümin in his exciting article about his visit to the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
“Neither” is the answer to the question of what the future of trade fairs and events should look like: Digital + Analog is the future.
I fully agree with that!

If you want to read the article, you can find it here.

Of course, Fairsnext has the right answer to the question: Hybrid is the keyword and the future of trade fairs.

Digital oder analog? Weder noch!

Die Zukunft von Messen. Digital oder Analog?

Wie sieht sie aus – die Zukunft von Messen?
Ist sie digital oder analog? Weder noch!
Das ist zumindest das Fazit von Roland Kümin in seinem spannenden Artikel über seinen Besuch der Consumer Electronics Show CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
“Weder noch” ist die Antwort auf die Frage, wie die Zukunft von Messen und Events aussehen sollte: Digital + Analog ist die Zukunft.
Dem stimme ich voll und ganz zu!

Wer den Artikel lesen will, findet ihn hier.

Natürlich hat Fairsnext die richtige Antwort auf die Frage: Hybrid ist das Stichwort und die Zukunft von Messen.

Marktüberblick: Software für virtuelle Events

Fairsnext-3D-Plattform_Hero

Wer sich einen guten Überblick zu den Anbietern von Software für virtuelle Events verschaffen will, dem sei dieser Artikel hier empfohlen.

Software für virtuelle Events: 17 Lösungen im Vergleich

Das Contentmanager Magazin hat einen umfangreichen und detaillierten Überblick geschaffen zu den wichtigsten Anbietern zum Thema Software für virtuelle Events.

Dass unsere Plattform Fairsnext, als spezialisierte Softwareplattform für virtuelle und hybride Events, in diesem Überblick so gut abschneidet, kommt nicht irgendwo her. Unsere Basis für eine erfolgreiche Software für virtuelle Events besteht aus drei Punkten:

  • Beste User-Experience!
    Unser Echtzeit 3D-Erlebnis entspricht den menschlichen Seh- und Verhaltensweisen.
  • Fokus auf Lead-Generierung!
    Mit unseren Tools:
    – Matchscore©
    – Matchzone© und
    – Matchmachine©
    lassen sich hochqualifizierte Leads generieren und zielgerichtet relevante Kontakte identifizieren.
  • Einfachste Konfiguration!
    Sowohl für den Veranstalter, wie auch für die Aussteller, ist eine Konfiguration der Veranstaltung und der Messestände oder Bühnen, schnell und einfach möglich. Der intuitive 3D-Konfigurator zeigt sofort jede Anpassung. In nur 15 Minuten hat man seinen Messestand konfiguriert.

Das geht durch die konsequente Umsetzung dieser 3 Punkte, sowie die Entwicklung Mehrwert bringender Features in Abstimmung mit unseren Kunden. Überzeugen Sie sich selbst hier!

Your own virtual booth on the homepage

Virtueller Messestand im Browser

Bringing your own company appearance up to date with the latest technology, but how? A virtual booth!

A virtual booth brings you the power of a physical trade fair to your website! With this step-by-step guide, you will get a unique web presence that will increase the engagement of your website visitors and increase sales.

  1. Define the design of the virtual exhibition stand or have a custom model created.
    You can quickly and easily select a virtual exhibition stand from a large selection of designs and sizes and then configure it.
    Alternatively, a custom design can be created on request.
  2. Then you can configure the exhibition stand quickly and easily using the intuitive 3D configurator:
    • Assign colors. Simply store the colors of your corporate design.
    • Choose the flooring.
    • Upload your own company logo or several. And it is already applied to the corresponding surfaces.
    • Upload or create media in the CMS. Whether images, texts, videos, PDFs etc. External links are of course also possible.
  3. Of course, a virtual trade fair stand also requires “stand personnel” for direct contact. For the contact, the contact persons with the corresponding communication channels are defined. This can be any number of contact persons or just one. The following communication channels are available:
    • Appointment booking tool: Easily provide slots and be notified by email.
    • Text chat: Either with push notification or by email after 5 minutes without response.
    • Phone: Enter your phone number and you can be reached.
    • Video chat: Super flexible – store the preferred video chat solution as a link.
    • Business card exchange: Exchange the digital business card with one click and conveniently download the lead list.
  4. Then you generate the publication link. This can be quickly and easily integrated as an iFrame on your own website.

    Advantages:

    • Simplest configuration.
    • Administerable and changeable at any time.
    • Easy integration on the website.

      More information about your own virtual booth can be found here or book it here today.

      Maybe also interesting for you: Our article on the hybrid event