Introducing IMASTEBOX 2.0, the new generation of virtual events and tradeshows platforms: Hybrid events go mainstream

We have blogged before about our thoughts on the new generation of virtual events, steps we were taking to integrate social networks to the events and our efforts to enhance the whole interaction and collaborative environment experience of exhibitors and attendees.

Well, now it is time to present you IMASTEBOX 2.0, our brand new (and yet beta ☺) platform for virtual events, fairs and tradeshows. Our belief is that social web has exploded as an incredible way to share your thoughts, network with your peers and stay more connected with other professionals who share your interests, passions or business focus.

IMASTEBOX 2.0 is the result of our learning after organising more than 125 events in more than 20 countries, with a complete visual make-over to make the visitors´ experience even more attractive and engaging. We have also added a lot of new features, mainly focusing in enabling a complete networking process between attendees and exhibitors and allowing multiple channels for real time communication.

Feedback of virtual attendees and exhibitors has placed a vital role to decide which features and interface changes were introduced in the platform, putting more effort in the reporting and stand Management Systems (thanks to the Google Analytics API integration) and reshaping the whole 3D environment to make it bigger and more appealing.

Our new platform allows exhibitors to schedule interviews and meetings, both online or offline. While it has a completely interactive networking lounge where visitor cards and profiles can be searched, filtered and exchanged, allowing a pre-screening of potential Business Partners, candidates or professional contacts.

From the comfort of their desk, virtual attendees and exhibitors will be able to interact with the new integrated Skype videoconferences, the written chat tool or the one-to-many Interactive Webinars, which will also allow the streaming of offline conferences.

A complete integration with Facebook and Twitter connect will not only ease the registration process (a must for virtual event platforms) but also increase the awareness of each event among many more potential attendees. Search engine optimisation has also been taken into account with a complete HTML indexation of all the relevant contents, so that the much-commented indexation issues for Adobe Flex rich Internet applications have been overtaken too.

The main improvements focus on functionality, performance, internal Management tools and reporting:

· Visual enhancements: Enlarged 3D environments and new customised pavilions, exhibition floors and venues

· Navigation aids: new usable navigation menus and dynamic tool tips

· Networking lounge and tool: To enable better interaction between participants and recruiters

· Skype integration for one to one video conferences and interviews

· Social networks integration: with Facebook connect and twitter connect, and viral marketing tools

· SEO improvements with stand pages indexation through full HTML versions

· Meetings tool: So that exhibitors can schedule meetings with attendees and perform skype interviews.

· New agenda tool with webinars, written chats and on demand seminars

· New stand interaction components: New photo gallery, video integration for products and services sheets…

· Performance improvement: with lazy loading strategies and asset size reduction

· Full reporting of all user interaction at the event’s virtual stands

The new platform aims to put together the virtual and physical trade show business, creating a community that lasts longer than the event, thanks to social Networks and networking tools.

Considering the rising transportation costs and the increased awareness for carbon footprint reduction in Global Corporations, together with the effect of situations like the volcano ashes in Iceland, transport collapse this winter, etc the virtual trade shows industry has experimented an exponential growth in 2010, with more than 5,000 events expected in 2011 worldwide.

The market is consolidating in US, with a rising importance of the main European markets and an interesting acceptance in emergent countries like Brazil or Argentina. IMASTE wants to leverage its leadership in the European and South American young markets, and its deep knowledge of the physical trade show industry to conquer the potentially huge hybrid events market.