In an Australian industry first, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has launched a new service which will provide delegates with the chance to attend an event - virtually.
On 19 August, the centre opened an online version of the Australian Business Events Expo, to be known as ABEE Online, a week after the close of the two-day event.
The ABEE Online event is first time an Australian venue has coordinated a virtual event, with the centre now planning to include the service as part of its regular offerings to clients.
Featuring a range of ABEE exhibitors as well as videos of seminars, the virtual show is designed to appeal to people unable to attend the physical event, as well as delegates who are keen to revisit parts of the show.
Visitors to ABEE Online will simply log on and enter the show through a virtual exhibition centre lobby. Once inside, they can go to the conference room to watch the seminars or head to the exhibition hall to visit the stands and download brochures and videos from exhibitors.
Amanda Anker, director of marketing and sales at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, said the virtual show concept went much further than simply webcasting lectures.
"Our virtual events will be designed to give a real sense of an event, with delegates able to engage with exhibitors and absorb the flavour of a show," Anker said.
"We see this as an event add-on which can help build event numbers. Where this concept has been used by organisers overseas, the feedback from visitors has been very positive, with more than a third saying they were more likely to visit the physical event the following year as a result of seeing the virtual show."
Anker said the centre had been able to develop the concept as part of its suite of services because of its extensive IT facilities and expertise.
"The centre has the benefit of state-of-the-art technology and its own very skilled IT team, so it makes sense to put both to good use and offer our clients an additional service which can broaden awareness of their events," Anker said.
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre opens its virtual doors in industry first
