Are trade shows the same? Taking off that plastic badge, forfeiting all the free pens, and sitting behind the computer to attend virtual events?
As we all move to make adjustments to offset the effects of COVID-19 in all industries across the globe, the abrupt halt of organized large gatherings has put the future of conferences and trade shows in jeopardy. There are now more options than ever, right in your hands.
Millions of professionals count on these conferences for opportunities to engage with other industry professionals, earn continuing education (CE) credits, and learn about new, innovative products and services. With travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, limits on capacity, and social distancing, 2020 has tested the resilience of the in-person educational events that have been vital to professionals for over 160 years. The annual regional and national trade shows have had to make difficult decisions and adjust accordingly with show cancellations, switching to a virtual platform or holding a hybrid event that offers both in person and virtual options.
In some instances, these virtual events can actually be more productive than the live event – One of the advantages being that the attendee has greater control over the conversation. They can easily get the information they need without passing through aisles of exhibitor booths of which they are not interested.
The need for this new technology has produced some very high-functioning virtual platforms where users can experience all the elements attendees would traditionally experience at a live event - a virtual lobby, resource center, job fairs/listings, new product galleries, education, and an exhibit hall. Browsing the digital hall and chatting with vendors has been successfully supplemented as a virtual experience, but the networking and learning opportunities offered at shows are still yet to be perfected in our new socially-distanced world.
Prior to the onset of the global pandemic, the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), which hosts VMX, launched their first virtual conference that was intended to be a resource for professionals to continue their networking and education throughout the year. The virtual conference has been able to fill much of the void left by the Covid-19 cancellations, but it does take away from the hands-on education and networking events that are not the same in a digital world.
With hope to return to in-person conferences in the future, NAVC and other organizations have made adjustments to their scheduled events in 2021 so more veterinary professionals can attend the in person events:
The Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX), hosted by NAVC, moved their January event to June.
The Western Veterinary Conference, hosted by Viticus Group, moved their event in Las Vegas from February to September.
The Midwest Veterinary Conference has opted to hold their February event as a virtual conference.
As we all strive towards achieving normalcy and eliminating Covid-19, we will hope to attend our favorite trade shows as soon as we can while keeping our families, employees, and businesses safe.
For more info on the new 2021 dates for VMX visit: https://navc.com/vmx/
For an article regarding schedule change on the 2021 Western Veterinary Conference visit:https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/wvc-delays-2021-conference-by-7-months/
For more info on the 2021 Midwest Veterinary Virtual Conference visit: http://www.mvcinfo.org/
To visit VMX virtual for free, visit:https://vmxvirtual.simexpo.com/page/103?form=login&returnUrl=%2fpage%2f100
To access resources on CE credits based on your state and position visit:https://www.aavsb.org/public-resources/find-regulatory-board-information/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Collier
Laura Collier has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Florida. She is the Marketing Manager at AIV, Inc.
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