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Virtual Press Conference for Launching VX Events by Global-Link MPFour virtual trade shows lined up in October to November 2020

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Global-Link MP, a leader in trade events in the Philippines, scheduled a virtual press conference to launch their new business division VX Events. Focusing on virtual events, the new unit leverages on the company’s expertise in trade events, using technology to take them to the virtual space. A challenging goal for the virtual conference was to make it as close to an in-person experience as possible for participants - and particularly representatives from the media.

Announced at the press conference were the first four major virtual events in 2020 to be held under VX Events; namely Print Plas Philippines (8-14 October), the Hotel Suppliers Show (15-21 October), Beauty & Wellness Manila (22-28 October) and Philconstruct (5-11 November).

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Insight

VX Events will allow Global-Link MP to continue serving their core purpose of connecting buyers and sellers from across industry by pivoting their events to virtual. The combination of Global-Link MP’s event expertise with innovative technology makes for a promising business direction at a time when the possibility of holding in-person events is slim to none.

During the press conference, the potential of VX Events was demonstrated with a live demonstration of a virtual exhibition hall and dialogue between speakers and attendees.

Solution

The process of planning, marketing, designing, and executing the virtual press conference was much the same as that of its in-person equivalent. However, extra effort was made to ensure the event would enjoy a high level of engagement and interactivity.

As with an in-person press conference, the virtual event was organized into three major parts. In this case, the first was a pre-event webpage featuring a ‘virtual lobby’. The team designed the page to enable participants to ‘enter’ the virtual exhibition hall and view the press conference agenda.

On the actual day, the event began with a virtual media reception complete with emcee to ensure smooth progress. During this segment, speakers gave opening speeches to highlight how the first-hand experience of a trade show can be paralleled using the platform. A video presented further details about the new business unit, leading the way to the press conference’s centrepiece – a virtual media tour and product demo.

As participants explored the virtual exhibition hall, speakers demonstrated how different booths could display anything from organizer information to vendor shows. By clicking on a booth, visitors could see its full realistic rendering including its name and detailed description, and access interactive experiences such as live chat and scheduling, meeting and messaging functions.

Demonstrating how a virtual press conference can be a highly effective dialogue, speakers used a real-time video call to meet virtually with other guest speakers, leading up to a lively media Q&A session. As the event ended, media members stayed in the virtual exhibition hall to download press releases and photos and make direct contact with exhibition stakeholders.

Results

The press conference successfully demonstrated that virtual solutions are more than an ad hoc solution for markets affected by COVID-19, but are a long-term enhancement of Global-Link MP’s overall digital capability. Interactions during the event included:

- High attendance rate: 73% of invited guests participated, with a total of 341 including:

  • 27 media representatives
  • 76 top-level executives
  • 31 government representatives

- Over 2,000 page views

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