Benefits

What is a virtual trade show?

 

Bricks & Mortar (definition - a physical structure of solid construction and set proportions).

Looking at the basics of a physical or “Brick & Mortar” trade show, there's no denying that there is a lot of excitement. The hype usually begins a month or two before with emails and mailings of promotional literature, billboards, magazine ads, and phone calls. When the date arrives, The Show Begins! A lot of energy and expense goes into the build up and putting on of these enormous events. Much is riding on the success of those three or four days and all that effort and expense must be carefully coordinated as playing host to thousands of exhibitors and attendees is a daunting task.

The “Brick & Mortar” trade show is a necessary investment for both exhibitor and attendee. It is an important part of any company's activities in order to be an active participant in it's industry. No matter what size the company, the cost of exhibiting is indeed a significant part of the marketing budget.

Anyone who has ever exhibited at a trade show knows the intense planning involved and if it's an overseas show that planning needs to begin well in advance because of shipping and customs concerns. The cultural differences are not just evident in local language and customs, but also in drayage and labor management which can hold some surprises.

I could go on and on, but let's face it, exhibitor or attendee or anyone in any way experiencing a trade show can attest to the enormous energy and financial consumption that fuels the controlled chaos. It just goes to show how necessary trade shows really are to make brands and products move along the highways of global commerce.

 

Virtual -(definition - being actually such in almost every respect).

So, The Virtual Trade Show,....What is that?

Let's start by taking away a few things we expect from a Brick & Mortar Trade Show.

  • Let's do away with travel...that's easy. A virtual show is obviously computer based. No baggage, no crowded airport, no cramped hours in coach and of course expense.

  • Delete the storage, shipping, drayage and we won't get into overseas costs here. No union scale fees or VAT eating up that budget.

  • No need for the time away from the office, not just your time, but your staff with you. What's going on when you're not around?

  • You won't need to make reservations at the Red Roof Inn because the Hilton had no vacancies.

  • We can do away with all those expensive catalogs and brochures that end up in the trash - send them to your quallified buyers instead.

  • Lose the jostling masses - everywhere - at the loading dock, on the floor, at the food venues...toilets - everywhere!

  • Speaking of food, let's toss all those tuna salad sandwiches in plastic boxes.

  • No need to worry about low attendance and manning an expensive but empty exhibit.

  • Oh those aching feet, legs, back....miles of aisles behind and miles to go. Go ahead, put your feet up on the desk, relax and browse the aisles on OTE.

  • If you are enviromentally concerned, then shun the huge energy and carbon consumption that the physical shows require - go virtual with OTE.

  • Cut expenses.......Your budget will thank you for considering the virtual alternative with OTE

  • Overseas shows - no need if you can't afford them. You can still reach your global markets right on OTE.

 

I'll stop there...Yes, a Brick & Mortar trade show is a major expense, hassle, drain on finances and manpower. Again, we are not counseling to abandon them completely. For some companies they are tremendously successful and absolutely necessary. What we are promoting is that the virtual trade show can be a valuable alternative for some, and supplement for all by adding it to your trade show strategy. Strategy because it should be a well thought out plan to establish your business goals and we believe that Online Trade Expo can be a valuable part of that.

Virtual – One definition is “...being actually such in almost every respect...”. That's what Online Trade Expo is. As a virtual trade show, it is actually such in almost every respect. OTE delivers the same important functions of exhibiting at or attending a trade show. We give you the take away you expect from a Brick & Mortar show and it all comes at a cost far less than even one day of attendance at the physical show.

What do you expect from a successful show?

  • Connections with legitimate buyers or sellers qualified to do business within your industry.

  • Qualified sales leads and orders.

  • The opportunity to present your products to a global audience of buyers and brand them within your market.

  • Buyers look for new opportunities and suppliers or connect with existing ones to see the latest items.

  • Updates and news on the latest trends and industry buzz.

  • An excellent ROI. The feeling that you r energy, time and cash spent was well worth it.

     

Online Trade Expo offers you all these take aways and more and the best thing is it's not over in a three or four day event, but it goes on 24/7, 365 days a year.

Different, OTE is not a B2B site like you see abounding on the internet, OTE is focused on your market. Like a physical trade show, you enjoy a focused presence. All members, buyers and sellers, are interested in the products within the scope of the OTE expo where you are exhibiting.

If you sell ladies handbags your company brand and products will not be vying for attention alongside truck transmissions or tractor parts. All members are in business within your market. OTE will promote and brand the site to enhance the branding you work so hard to build and protect.

Verified & Qualified equals Quality...OTE, will work hard to bring together qualified buyers and sellers. Members go thorough a similar screening process as a physical trade show. So that you are assured all members are legitimate and qualified to do business within your market. This also adds a solid layer of security to the website making for a safe and quality business environment.

 

Strategic Planning (definition - Using all resources available to make informed and intelligent decisions effectiing long term results).

OnlineTradeExpo is a tool. It can be used in many different ways to strategically market your business.

It may be a replacement for some to the costly expense and logistics of exhibiting at a Brick & Mortar show, especially for overseas business who have exorbitant travel and transportation costs, and customs red tape to deal with.

It can be a web presence taking advantage of the SEO and draw that such a market focused web hub would offer either as a standalone site or as a satellite destination pointing to your own website.

Present an entire product catalog with detailed product pages. Tools to facilitate establishing accounts and processing purchase orders are available at no extra cost with premium memberships..

Representatives and agents can use OTE as an online showroom to present all the vendors they represent with product catalogs and detailed product listings. Transactions may be processed directly through OTE to the agency office.