In this day and age, technology has truly revolutionized trade shows. With features like virtual reality experiences, it’s important for exhibitors to use this technology wisely.

AI is helping to improve the overall event experience by providing attendees with personalized experiences. It also helps to improve communication and assistance through chatbots and virtual assistants.

Interactive Displays

Many trade show attendees have a specific interest in the products and services they are seeing at a booth. This type of targeted audience is ideal for businesses trying to build awareness and generate leads.

Touchscreen displays can be used to share product catalogs, virtual tours and company videos with visitors. They can also help with booth traffic management by collecting contact information and real-time event feedback. Mobile event applications are another popular way for businesses to collect and track data.

Interactive flat-panel display (IFPD) technology offers a high-definition screen with a wide viewing angle that is capable of handling interactivity from multiple participants simultaneously. It is typically paired with an enterprise-level Wi-Fi system, which allows attendees to log in with a single, secure code. This eliminates the need to provide additional printed materials and helps reduce waste. It is also compatible with a range of apps and connectivity software.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality uses technology and computers to transport individuals into an artificial world that appears real – it’s becoming a popular tool in experiential marketing. For example, North Face created a VR experience that allows people to be transported on an epic mountain climb in Nepal, using their products, which is both unique and highly engaging.

Augmented reality and virtual reality are also a great way to tell your brand’s story at trade shows. They are a powerful way to engage attendees and keep them interested. In a time where looped videos and brochures are the norm, VR offers a multi-sensory experience that is unique and makes your company stand out.

They are also a great way to showcase large items that would be difficult and expensive to bring to a trade show. For example, a surgery simulation can give customers the opportunity to experience what it is like to use your equipment first hand.

Social Media

In addition to social media being a powerful tool for marketing, it can also be used to attract attendees and build brand awareness. Start posting and tweeting a few weeks before the show, using hashtags for the event and your company. This will position you in front of potential customers that have already started to research the show, and help you stand out from competitors.

During the event, use social media to promote new content, special offers, and giveaways to your followers. This will ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Once the show is over, AI tools can be used to analyze and process data collected during the event. This can be used to improve future events by providing insights into attendee behavior, such as the best ways to engage with them. AI can also be used to offer improved customer service through chatbots and virtual assistants, which can answer FAQs, provide schedule reminders, and even provide real-time language translation services.

Mobile Apps

Few people go to trade shows without their smartphones. Mobile apps can leverage the time attendees spend staring at their devices to engage them with your booth in a more productive manner.

Many trade show mobile applications offer event planner tools, exhibitor directories and lead tracking. These features can help businesses save time and money by automating some of the processes related to their participation in the trade show.

A few of these apps, such as Boomset, also provide real-time analytics on how attendees use the app and its different features. This can allow you to expand or refine various features of the app for next time around.

Another important feature is the in-app map that displays venues and multi-level buildings in a single, contiguous map. This can make it easy for attendees to locate exhibitors and find their way around the venue. The app can even link to exhibitor profiles with logos and descriptions of the products and services that they offer.