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Improving engagement with virtual event interactive exhibits and booths
Interactive exhibits and virtual booths are essential components of a virtual event, providing opportunities for exhibitors to showcase their products and services, engage with attendees, and generate leads. These features create an immersive experience that attracts attendee attention and drives engagement. This guide will provide an overview of how to effectively use interactive exhibits and virtual booths in your virtual events.
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Interactive exhibits for virtual events
Purpose and benefits
- Showcase products and services: Interactive exhibits offer an opportunity for businesses to present their products or services in a way that stands out, similar to innovative virtual events from around the world. Instead of relying on static presentations, exhibitors can use demonstrations, virtual tours, or interactive content to captivate attendees. This dynamic approach creates a memorable experience and highlights key features in a relatable way.
- Engagement: Interactive elements naturally draw attendees in, making them more likely to spend time exploring what’s on display. Features like live demos, Q&A booths, or gamified experiences transform passive viewers into active participants, keeping their focus on the exhibit while fostering a deeper connection with the brand.
- Lead generation: These exhibits double as powerful lead-generation tools. By engaging attendees in real-time, businesses can gather valuable data through registration forms, digital sign-ups, or interactive quizzes. The more invested attendees feel in the exhibit, the more likely they are to convert into actionable leads.
Best practices for virtual interactive exhibits
Create immersive experiences
Bring your exhibits to life with tools like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or interactive product demos. Whether it’s a VR walkthrough of a factory or AR overlays for product details, immersive technology grabs attention and makes your exhibit unforgettable.
Provide clear and digestible information
Excitement doesn’t replace clarity. Ensure that key details about your products or services are easy to find and understand. Use concise descriptions, visuals, and takeaway resources like PDFs or brochures for attendees to reference later. Use concise descriptions, visuals, and takeaway resources like PDFs or brochures for attendees to reference later, an approach that aligns with effective event content atomization.
Incorporate fun interactive elements
Think clickable hotspots, 3D models, or gamified experiences, similar to gamification tactics that delight and retain virtual audiences. For example, let attendees virtually "test drive" your product or complete a short challenge to win a discount or freebie. These activities not only engage attendees but also help them understand your offerings more deeply.
Offer live demonstrations that spark curiosity
Schedule live demos or presentations throughout the event to showcase your product’s unique features. Highlight how it solves real problems or improves workflows—be specific and relatable to attendees’ needs. Add a Q&A at the end to make it even more interactive.
Facilitate direct attendee interaction
Encourage two-way conversations by integrating live chats, polling tools, or quick feedback forms into your exhibit. For virtual settings, a dedicated booth host can answer questions and guide attendees through the experience, ensuring everyone feels seen and heard.
Pick the perfect plan
Examples of interactive exhibit features
- Virtual reality (VR): Let attendees step into a completely new world with VR that simulates real-life experiences related to your product. Whether it’s walking through a digital model of your service in action or visualizing a product in a way they couldn’t in a physical space, VR transports them to a place where they can interact and engage in ways that go beyond what a traditional booth could offer.
- Augmented reality (AR): AR takes attendee engagement to the next level by blending the digital and physical worlds. Through their smartphones, attendees can point at a product or display to reveal hidden details, view animated tutorials, or trigger dynamic content. It's not just a gimmick—AR provides real-time, context-rich experiences that help your audience better understand your products in a personal, hands-on way.
- Interactive demos: Instead of just talking about your product’s features, let attendees try it out themselves. Whether it’s a touchscreen interface, a product configuration tool, or a hands-on demonstration, interactive demos allow participants to experience the functionality firsthand. This gives them a deeper understanding of how your solution can work for them.
- Virtual tours: For attendees who can’t visit your physical location, virtual tours are a great alternative. Offer a guided virtual tour of your facility, showroom, or product line to provide a comprehensive view of what you offer. You could incorporate 360-degree images or even a live guide to walk them through key areas and provide insights in real time. These interactive moments give attendees a more dynamic and customized experience.
Virtual event booths
Purpose and benefits
- Exhibitor Presence: Virtual booths offer exhibitors a digital space to showcase products, engage with attendees, and generate leads, a key feature of our virtual event platform. They eliminate the need for physical setups, allowing exhibitors to reach a broader audience without travel costs. With custom-branded booths and interactive features, these virtual spaces maintain strong visibility and engagement, reaching both local and international attendees.
- Engagement: Virtual booths foster meaningful interactions through live chats, video calls, and interactive content. Attendees can ask questions, request demos, and explore your offerings in real-time. Features like pop-up notifications, polls, and instant feedback create a dynamic environment, making virtual booths just as engaging as in-person events.
- Lead generation: Virtual booths simplify lead generation by integrating tools like registration forms, downloadable resources, and real-time chat. These features allow exhibitors to collect valuable attendee data effortlessly, while real-time interactions help forge stronger connections. Plus, with built-in analytics, tracking attendee interest and following up is a breeze.
Best practices for virtual event booths
Design a booth that grabs attention
Your virtual booth should feel like an experience, not just a place to click through. Use vibrant visuals and sleek, easy-to-navigate layouts that reflect your brand’s personality. Make sure your booth immediately communicates what you offer and why it matters—people don’t have time to hunt for info. Keep it visually engaging but simple enough that attendees can quickly find what they need.
Make it interactive, not static
Visitors want to do more than just browse through a set of slides. Give them the chance to interact with your content—whether it’s watching an engaging demo, clicking through a fun quiz, or exploring product features in real-time. Make your booth something they can explore, not just consume. The more interactive, the more memorable the experience will be.
Engage with attendees in real-time
When someone stops by your booth, don’t leave them hanging. Add a live chat feature so attendees can instantly ask questions and get answers—this is where real connections happen. Whether they’re looking for more details on your product or just want to connect, real-time communication helps build trust and fosters engagement in a way that static content can’t.
Plan and schedule interactive sessions
Keep the momentum going by scheduling live product demos, discussions, or Q&As throughout the event. Pre-promote these sessions and send reminders so attendees don’t miss out on the excitement. Live interactions create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, giving attendees a reason to return to your booth again and again.
Capture leads and build relationships
Lead generation doesn’t stop once someone enters your booth. Use lead capture forms strategically, but don’t make them feel like a barrier. Offer something valuable in return—whether it's an exclusive whitepaper, access to a webinar, or a one-on-one session. Once you have their details, nurture the relationship. Follow up with personalized emails, tailored content, or invites to further discussions. Virtual booths are about starting conversations, not just collecting leads.
Examples of virtual booth features
- Live chat: Integrating live chat into your virtual booth allows for immediate, two-way communication between booth staff and event attendees. This functionality encourages direct engagement, offering answers to questions, gathering feedback, and building rapport with potential clients. Attendees can reach out without delays, making it easier for them to connect and learn more about your offerings.
- Videos: Whether it’s a demonstration of your product in action, a compelling customer story, or an overview of your company’s vision, videos captivate viewers and leave a lasting impression. Attendees can explore these videos at their own pace, which means they are more likely to absorb the information presented. Moreover, well-crafted video content can break down complex ideas, making it more digestible for viewers while adding a personal touch.
- Downloadable resources: Curate downloadable resource packs that are tailored to specific attendee interests or pain points. These packs can include case studies, product brochures, or solution overviews, making it easy for potential customers to connect with relevant content that speaks to their needs.
- Product demos: Nothing beats the experience of seeing a product in action. Live or pre-recorded product demos allow attendees to understand the real-world benefits of your solutions. You can showcase product features, explain use cases, and highlight key differentiators all while keeping the audience’s attention. Interactive demos take it further by allowing attendees to explore the product themselves, giving them a sense of ownership and involvement in the experience.
- Lead capture forms: With lead capture forms strategically placed throughout your virtual booth, you can seamlessly collect contact details and key insights from attendees who express interest. These forms allow you to gather important data such as specific needs, company information, and questions, helping you prioritize follow-ups and segment leads.
Conclusion
Interactive exhibits and virtual booths are essential components of a successful virtual event. By effectively utilizing these features, you can create an immersive and engaging experience that attracts attendee attention, drives interactions, and generates leads. For a comprehensive solution to incorporate interactive exhibits and virtual booths into your virtual events, consider utilizing RingCentral’s advanced event management platform, which offers robust features for these activities.
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