Hamburg's VRtual X bringing trade fairs to internet

VRtual X has chosen its business field well. Events are a promising market and set a new record in 2019, according to the Meeting & EventBarometer 2019/2020: "Around 423 million people attended meetings, congresses and events at German venues - an increase of 2.7 per cent over 2019 and a new all-time high. The number of events remained constant at 2.89 million compared to 2018."

The corona-induced halt to major events has sparked interest in other kinds of online events. "Until the beginning of March 2020 - before the corona crisis hit Germany - only 27 per cent of providers had considered hybrid and spatial events to be trend-setting. After March 9, 2020, this figure rose to 60 per cent," according to a study by the European Institute for the Meetings Industry (Europäische Institut für TagungsWirtschaft GmbH).

VRtual X relies on 360° technology to host virtual events. The Hamburg-based startup is exhausting its technical possibilities including avatars and other virtual reality applications to reach the largest possible target group. "The technical hurdle for 360° technology is almost zero," said Frank. "VR equipment is not required and 360° technology even runs on a ten-year-old operating system. Anyone can use it - even target groups who are not very familiar with the internet." Although the immersive feeling wanes in comparison to a complex VR world, 360° technology can make the main contents of trade fairs and congresses tangible. 

"We can tailor events to customers' specifications and design exhibition halls or congress halls in a conservative style or with applications for a young and tech-savvy target group to achieve greater interaction," Frank explained. Trade fair stands can be staffed by a company's employees, who answer visitors' questions in a video chat. Depending on the customer's wishes, advertising and videos can be included and speakers switched on. "We copy the real world," said Frank, and the same dynamics are at work in the virtual sphere. Stands positioned at the front are heavily frequented while those at the back are less frequented. "But we use algorithms to raise the visibility of smaller companies' stands and to be better found by their target group," he added. 

Online events can cut costs significantly. "Apart from lower admission fees, visitors save on travel and accommodation costs and on time," Frank stressed. Delegates spend hours instead of days at a trade fair or congress. The organizer can sell twice as much advertising space for hybrid events. Frank expects an even keener adaptation to delegates' needs in future depending on whether a visitor requires general or more detailed information about an event. However, this hinges on the availability of personal data, which can be collected at registration and on a voluntary basis.

Delegates at trade fairs will eventually don VR headsets and use controllers during their visit in future, Frank anticipated. "Virtual and augmented reality have a great future, but the technology has not yet reached the general public." This is likely to change when more people immerse themselves in virtual worlds. "Around 90 per cent of first-time users have a positive experience. This increases understanding and willingness to embrace new technologies." 

Hamburg offers the right framework conditions for driving VR technologies ahead. "Hamburg is Germany's VR capital. Berlin, Munich and Cologne are also attractive, but there is a greater density of players, initiatives and funding in Hamburg," Frank stressed. The interplay of immersive media i.e. VR, AR, 360° technology and holograms holds clear potential for growth and more players. Fear of competition is unfounded, he pointed out. "Our competitors' success is good for everyone, because it advances the subject." The more the merrier!
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