Many wholesalers rely on trade shows as their primary sales channel. If your business is one of them, you may have wondered in early 2020 what the future held for in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not to worry. Trade shows are here to stay, but many industry experts agree that their future is likely a virtual/hybrid model, incorporating both in-person and online components. This has led to a rapid industry shift toward virtual events, leaving B2B businesses everywhere scrambling to adapt at lightning speed.
In the online world, virtual trade shows are an attractive and powerful tool in your B2B sales and marketing arsenal. They allow you to generate qualified leads without having to leave your office and without incurring costly travel and shipping expenses. Online events also provide a lower barrier to entry, thus attracting a larger and more diverse audience. In fact, virtual events are the second biggest influencer of decision-makers when evaluating new technologies, according to Forrester Research.
