COPPELL, Texas — Service World Expo is making a major pivot, company officials announced. The show is still on, but based on the responses of a survey of prior attendees, the show will not be physical.
“In 2020, people have become so accustomed to virtual meetings that they are now boring, passé,” said Service Roundtable president, Matt Michel. “That will not be the case with Service World. This will not be a glorified webinar. It is not another Zoom call. It is a true virtual event. As such, it will be virtually unlimited. It will be science fiction virtual. It will be like something you would expect from a video game or from a movie. It will be unlike any virtual show seen in the service trades to date. Service World Expo is making a major investment to bring contractors and exhibitors the industry’s most exciting event in 2020.”
Each day will start with a general session and a keynote speaker. The keynotes are Phoenix contractor Lou Hobaica; motivational speaker, Kevin Brown; and Service Roundtable president, Matt Michel. Breakouts follow the general session. The trade show follows the breakouts. The same speakers who were lined up for breakouts in the physical show will give the breakouts for the virtual event. Each speaker will go to a virtual room after the presentation to answer questions.
A number of booths at the trade show will be able to use virtual reality and augmented reality. Attendees will be able to immerse themselves in one of these booths and get a 360-degree panorama. They will be able to see products in three dimensions and walk around them, just like a real show.
Show attendees can talk with key personnel manning a booth in one-on-one situations to learn more about products and services that can help them make more money. Or, if the queue is too long, they can set an appointment for later. Time is reserved in the afternoons for appointments.
An exhibitor can build a portal into a booth that takes people directly to the factory. Step through, and look around the factory in real time.
After hours events are being created that contractors will want to attend. They will have the opportunity to meet virtually with others in a similar way to a physical show. Of course, attendees will need to provide their own adult beverages.
Building the virtual show will take the next two months. Each booth must be uniquely designed. The show will be held September 22-24.
Click the link for an example of the virtual booths to hear more from Liz Patrick as she would appear in augmented reality. Registration also available. Since the show is virtual, registration is free: https://bit.ly/2CDfmYE
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