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”

Hybrid trade fair – A permanent alternative for exhibitors

Virtuelle-Messe_Stand5

The Fairsnext trade fair companion as a digital companion for hybrid trade fair formats.

The pandemic has brought the classic trade fair as we canbring it to a standstill. A new perspective is hybrid trade fairs. So far, thenumber of events as a kind of substitute. Current Hybrid trade fair concepts in particular will be used as an extension of physical trade fair respected. This is also confirmed by a survey by AUMA. It states that almost 48% of members will rely on real trade fairs in the future, but would also like to use digital supplements.

Th e trade fair hybrid?

Our mobile trade fair companion makes it possible.


No messat the physical part of the event, no problem. With the Companion trade fair, companies can participate in a hybrid

trade fair purely virtually.


Information to new products can with the mobileen Interface mediates as well as Kundenkontakte be linked and maintained. Also, one Virtualr Booth as an extension with the concept of mobilen Interface linked become. The idea of a digital trade fair stand in the form of an i-frame as an integration on the company’s own website enables exhibitors to present their interested parties as well as to invite visitors of the fair to your personal online presence. This also works for pure in-house exhibitions.


This unique combination, which Fairsnext has developed with the trade fair company, represents a problem solver for the German trade fair industry. Above all, aalso from the point of view of internationality. Through Our Trade fair Companion and the virtual extension of the booth in 3D can The international Trade fair hub Germany future be preserved. Another plus is that companiess-Websites by staying longer on the 3D-enriched Web Page, be rated positively by Google –Double Win-win.

The figures of the AUMA survey on this topic also show that around 21% of companies in the virtual trade fair appearances also permanently as a serious alternative and not just as a pure replacement for the classic trade fair. look at. Our view is that the future of the trade fairworld is clearly hybrid.