Vision Expo to Launch Virtual Vision Expo - Thoughts?

[acar]

Interested in your thoughts on the new idea to launch a virtual Vision Expo. Would you log in? Would you take the online ce credits, chat with other guests and visit virtual booths?

It won't replace the New York or Las Vegas shows. It's really an extension of the brand and a test of new technologies. Here's the "official" press release:


Norwalk, CT (May 17, 2010) Show management is pleased to announce the creation of Virtual Vision Expo, an online extension of International Vision Expo’s physical trade shows held in New York City and Las Vegas. This new online platform will allow eye care professionals to experience the networking and business-building aspects of physical trade shows throughout the year.

Virtual Vision Expo, which will launch in early November, will include an auditorium for continuing education and training sessions; a networking lounge for one-to-one chats and peer-to-peer networking; an exhibit hall to visit booths, view product presentations and demonstrations, ask questions and place orders. Attendees will also have access to a resource center for where they will be able to save presentations, white papers and e-brochures to a virtual brief case.

“We’re seeing an emerging trend in the trade show industry of virtual trade shows,” said Tom Loughran, vice president for Reed Exhibitions. “Advances in technology have greatly changed the way we do business. Now with just a computer and an internet browser, Virtual Vision Expo will offer eye care professionals the experience of a trade show without the travel costs and time away from the office.”

Final details regarding Virtual Vision Expo will be available in the coming months and registration is set to open shortly after International Vision Expo West.

[Johns]

I wouldn't log on. It sounds like virtual ice cream.

[obxeyeguy]

No thanks for me, as I don't go to ce's at expo. As for product and vendors, I am kinda a touch and feely guy, so the computer screen does little for me.:D

[Fezz]

I wouldn't log on.

That would take too much effort for the reward as far as I am concerned!

[Craig]

I can imagine this working as a appointment setter prior to a show and also a great way to see new technology on my schedule.
Count me in.
Craig

[Chris Ryser]

Virtual Vision Expo..............................

1) would become like an Opti Board, with paying advertisers + probably visitors....................... ===> commercialised competition to Opti Board

2) would give the deadly bullet to their own live optical show........east and west

3) would only be used by advertisers that to not have their own websites yet. (why pay 2x for internet presence ?)

4) if it can not show top ranking traffic ratings, right off the starting date it will die a slow miserable way.

5) why not stick to live Expos..........but in different instead format and places and revive it physically instead going the virtual way.

[YrahG]

The Canadian shows have had this feature for a number of years now. I have logged on and attended a few CE's this way and it was nice. I welcome the opportunity. I don't think the virtual booths will get much traffic.

[Johns]

No thanks for me, as I don't go to ce's at expo. As for product and vendors, I am kinda a touch and feely guy, so the computer screen does little for me.:D

Even if it was only in NYC?:bbg:

[Chris Ryser]

Virtual Vision Expo will offer eye care professionals the experience of a trade show without the travel costs and time away from the office.”

...................There is only one problem, most probably you are too late by entering this game now, that all the big optical shows have even lost the attraction of making a holiday out of it.

The Vision Expo.com website shows today an Alexa traffic rating of 8,037,648 which is in a downtrend over the last...........3 month 0.00001 -7%

As you want most probably make money with this new venture by advertising and showing merchandise for sale against payment.

How would you expect a corporation like Luxottica for example, to pay you for showing their frames, when that corporation enjoys an Alexa rating as of today, of 43,935 which translates into a website traffic increase of.................
3 month 0.00289 +58%
and makes it a 183 times better visited site than the visionexpo.com one.

For every 1 visitor to your site Luxottica gets 183, could one relly believe that they would participate and pay continously for a spot on a website that ranks that much lower than their own?

And if you start a new website for the purpose you will have an even bigger uphill battle because you have to start at zero. I have never invested one cent of advertising with any internet publication that has lower rankings than my own sites.