Virtual PCB Recap…
A little before 9am this morning, I had a great conversation with a PCB Designer in Ireland while also talking to a designer in Georgia. No, I wasn’t in Ireland or Georgia, and no it wasn’t over the phone. Instead we typed back and forth in a private chat, courtesy UP Media’s Virtual PCB show currently underway. Virtual Trade Shows are rising in popularity and I fully expect to see them more often in the future. But as with anything, there are benefits and drawbacks depending on your role and your goals.
I have spent some time exploring the virtual show floor and various exhibits. My gut response? I miss shaking hands.
A virtual trade show has some great benefits. The reduced costs associated with travel is the first to come to mind. There is also the advantage of being able to go about your day at work, and to hear a notification that someone has stepped into your “booth”.
However, my first interaction with a virtual show hasn’t been the best. Please do not read that as a condemnation of virtual shows. I just don’t fit the description of someone who would truly benefit from this show. It seems that this style of show (virtual) really weeds out the moochers. What I mean is – there are a few very specific strengths of the show, and if you fit within the target of those strengths, it will be great. However, if you’re on the fence, you won’t like it.
With 2,300 attendees, Virtual PCB has been great for the exhibitors. Many have stated that their booths have been consistently busy. And it would be awesome to be an attendee looking for some services provided by the exhibitors. The ability to switch in between various companies and instantly chat with them is great. Exhibitors also have access to attendee lists, which is a very valuable resource when used correctly.
But for me, as a competitor to most of the exhibitors and being a marketing guy without technical expertise, there was not a whole lot of benefit. Had we exhibited, I might be singing a different song. This is a great benefit for the exhibitors… having a firewall/deterrant of sorts to their competitors. There is very little cherry-picking.
What are your thoughts or experiences concerning virtual shows? They are definitely a piece of the puzzle as it relates to the future of our industry. UP Media is leading the charge, and sincerely I commend them. Did you find the show helpful? Are there aspects you wish were different?
This is BBG’s third year exhibiting at the Virtual PCB show and we find it to be a worthwile event. We exhibit to keep our name in front of the customer, the prospect and the competition and UPMedia has helped us with that goal. We receive a detailed list of every attendee and we know who was at the show whether or not the customer or prospect has come to our booth. The miracle of this program allows you to identify who is at the show at any given moment and for you to contact them directly. Imagine, you are at your booth and can’t wait for a prospect to come over to visit. You can search by name, find the prospect and e-mail or request a chat from across the virtual “show floor.” Now with all those positives there is a negative and that is the face-to-face meeting with a handshake. There is no body language and that is an important part of salesmanship. All communication is done by typing–voice would get us closer to that “body language feel” so at least we can “hear” what is being said. With the above said, BBG will be there again next year.
Greg,
Great to hear that the show was a success for you! I really hope to continue seeing it each year, and seeing its effectiveness increase for all involved year by year as well.
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