10.21.2009
CE Pro announced that it's launching CE Pro Virtual Trade Shows in 2010, holding one on May 11-13 and another on October 12-14.

We are excited about them, expecting 7,000 integrators to register to see killer online stories and interviews and visit with vendors in "virtual booths" filled with:

• Educational Webinars
• Instructional videos
• Chat rooms
• FAQs
• Downloadable marketing materials and technical specs
• Special product deals

But will Virtual Trade Shows ever replace real trade shows? No way. There is no replacement for physically being at an event, seeing the products, listening to the audio, watching the video demos, networking over a beer, shaking the hand of the vendor rep you've been dealing with on the phone for so long, etc.

Trade shows also are energizing. Dealers and manufacturers (and especially editors) need them to get juiced up about the industry.

But in today's digital environment and tough economy, virtual events make sense. It's convenient, fast, wide-reaching (there will be significant international attendance) and, most of all, economical.

For vendors, there are no shipping costs, paying through the nose for union booth setup fees, carpeting, trash cans, electrical connections, chairs, pipe and drape, etc. Now add in the hotel, airfare, meals, etc. to staff the booth.

One large vendor who skipped CEDIA Expo told me the company saved $250,000 by no exhibiting. I did not advocate the company pulling out of the show, but I was shocked at the cost. Heck, I bet some exhibitors spend more in meals alone at a trade show than they will spend for the CE Pro Virtual Trade Show.

CE Pro Virtual Trade Shows mean eliminating travel expenses and, more importantly, less time away from your business.

What do you think?