How attendees can leverage meeting online to make the most of virtual trade shows

Virtual events are not a fad. They have been serving organizers and attendees for years with their cost-effective and user-friendly model. Virtual trade shows are a type of virtual event that allow exhibitors to connect with attendees in a virtual space to showcase products and capture leads. Meeting online to attend virtual trade shows has become the new normal for the masses all over the globe amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To get the outcomes you want from a virtual trade show as an attendee, you need to prepare for the event beforehand. In this article, you will get to know the tips and tricks of making the most of a virtual trade show.

So let’s get started!

Register in a timely manner

Getting yourself registered as an attendee on a virtual trade show is easy and can be done in a few minutes. However, this does not mean that you delay it till the last minute. A better practice is to register beforehand and familiarize yourself with the platform. 

Also, while a virtual event can accommodate a lot more attendees than a physical event, event organizers can cap the number of attendees based on their requirements. To avoid being left out, it is better to enroll in a timely manner. 

Familiarize yourself with the technology

If you are attending a virtual event for the first time, this step is extremely important for you. In a physical event, you just have to show up and start visiting the exhibitors of your choice. But, in the case of a virtual trade show, you need to make sure that you know how to navigate the event website and find what you are looking for without any hassle.

Learn about the event schedule

Let’s be real. No one stays at an event for its entire duration. When meeting online, this becomes even more important as sitting in front of your computer for half a day for an event can be tiring.

This is why you need to learn about the event schedule. Get to know when your preferred exhibitors will be hosting a webinar or a presentation to become a part of it. Learn about the event timings and when exhibitors/booth representatives will be available to assist you through the purchase process. 

Know what you need for the event

Visit the event website beforehand and read everything carefully. Event organizers put in a lot of time and effort to make the event a breeze for the attendees. So, go through the content and see if you need to prepare in advance. 

For example, you might be needing headphones to listen to a webinar or a mic to ask questions after a presentation. Even if it’s simply a notebook that you need for the event, arrange it before the event starts to avoid issues during the virtual trade show.

Minimize distractions

Virtual trade shows introduce convenience by enabling attendees to be a part of a trade show from anywhere in the world. However, joining the event and meeting online with the exhibitors from a place that is too noisy or distracting for you will not yield positive results.

Pick a nice place before the event that has good internet connectivity and offers minimum distractions so you can enjoy the virtual trade show in peace.

Given that a virtual trade show happens online, you can easily get distracted by other things on your computer or smartphone. For example, scrolling through social media or browsing through another website while the event goes on. 

To avoid that, close all the tabs on your browser except the event tab and put your phone away if you plan on joining the event through your laptop. We encourage you to avoid these easy distractions so you can truly make the most of your time at the event and retain as much info as possible.

Be active during the event

Slipping in and out of the event can be very tempting, we get that. Attending the event from a cozy place has some downsides such as being too lazy to participate properly during webinars or not interacting during the event with the exhibitors.

But, will that be useful for you? No, right? 

Make sure you stay focused during the event and ensure active participation. 

Pro tip: Keep some snacks and drinks next to you to munch on during the event and stay energetic.

Meeting online is the norm now and making yourself used to virtual events will help you in the long run. We hope with the help of these tips, you will be able to make the most of a virtual trade show as an attendee.

About vFairs

vFairs strives to deliver top-class virtual events for all audiences, with an intuitive platform that recreates physical events through an immersive online experience. With a range of powerful features and dedicated support for users around the world, vFairs removes the hassle from organizing, exhibiting at, and attending events such as conferences, trade shows, and career fairs. Contact the vFairs team to learn more or request a demo to see a virtual event in action.