The first one-day virtual event of the three-event series – aimed at building momentum towards the much anticipated InfoComm India Hybrid Xperience in September this year – took place on Thursday, 25 Feb 2021, making the first pitch of what the ensuing events would be like.
Evolving from what it was in October last, the IFI GoVirtual platform upfront had on its Landing Page a Visitor User Guide that practically guides the visitors from Registration to visiting the desired exhibitor booth, watching demo of relevant products, getting connected and chatting with the chosen exhibitor representative, and attending the relevant webinars, besides posing questions and getting relevant info.
That was apparently, the new feature added considering the majority participants suggestion during the October 2020 event for increased familiarization with the platform.
The event also appeared to be a strategically planned one, picking up the ‘priority’ segments like MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), hospitality, transport, video-conferencing, and banking & finance as the first set in the series.
“I wish it had something on the education segment too, since it is one the badly-affected area due to the pandemic,” observed a visitor. “Hopefully, the coming edition will have a good amount of focus on that.”
The event had five major exhibitors showcasing their solutions on the Expo Hall – A&T Video Networks, BOE India, Logitech, Samsung, and Sound Control Technologies – and all of them made dedicated product demoes. A&T, Logitech and Samsung apparently tried to seize the initiative to demonstrate their recently launched products which are claimed to redefine the dynamics of the industry in current and coming the post-pandemic times.
A&T Video Networks used the platform to highlight the Aver CAM340+ and Aver VB342+ Video Soundbar – aimed at experiential video collaborative environments – while Logitech demonstrated its entire range of video-conferencing solutions, including the recently launched RallyBar. Both the VC players demoed how their solutions weave superlative conferencing experiences compared to those existing on the market.
Display majors BOE and Samsung, on the other hand, showcased their ranges of display solutions, and how they create experiences in diverse environments and segments.
The day’s webinar programming was characterized by three case study presentations by Logitech, Samsung and HSBC:
- Logitech’s B2B Product Head-India & SWA Varun Nair presented a very interesting case study on ‘Introduction To The E-Courts Project In India & The Role Of Video Conferencing In The Judiciary’ and the prideful role being played the VC major in e-connecting the judicial courts in India
- Samsung India’s Deputy General Manager Sourav Chakrabority made a sase study presentation on the New age of Transportation & how Samsung display solutions have been defining the experiences of travelers at international and national transport destinations
- HSBC India’s Chief Information Officer Aparna Kumar made yet another interesting case study presentation on the emerging industry line- Video Banking to Lower Operation Cost and Enhance Customer Satisfaction
Varun Nair also made a second case study presentation for the day on How The BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) Sector Can Reinvent Themselves After The Pandemic Through Virtual Collaboration where he detailed how the majors leading the industry had been embracing technology to redefine their business processes.
The day, of course, began with a panel discussion on what everyone in the industry worldwide are concerned about: How Businesses Can Emerge Stronger from COVID-19? with a focus on the MICE industry.
The panel had as its members Balasubramanian. S, President, IEIA and Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer – IMTMA & BIEC; Sharad Datta, General Manager, The Westin Mumbai Garden City; Sudip Sinha, Business Head – MICE, Weddings & Special Business Initiatives, International Travel House Limited; Varun Nair, B2B Product Marketing Head – India, Logitech Electronics; Varun Chhibber, General Manager, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences who underlined the trends of digital transformation that have already set in to a perceptible extent, and underscored imperatives needed to bolster the transformation.
Noticeably, almost every session had some interesting questions asked by visitors, and understandably on video-conferencing solutions and range of benefits they bring to place.
“We are excited to launch the first of three 1-day InfoComm India GoVIRTUAL event as part of our all-new 2021 program,” said Richard Tan, Executive Director of InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd. “Powered by interactive communication capabilities and AI-enabled business matching algorithm, GoVIRTUAL allows our exhibitors and visitors to connect with each other and build stronger and deeper connection even before the 3-day in-person show in September.”
“This has been a great platform for our audience who would not have the opportunity to travel and attend the in-person show to discover our exhibitors, and learn about new technologies and solutions being offered from wherever they are,” he explained. “We look forward to continue building on this unique experience in the next GoVIRTUAL event in April.”
The second of the series would be held on 29 April, followed by the third and last on 1 July before heading to the Hybrid Xperience from 15-17 September this year.
Watch out for the second one-day event, coming in roughly eight weeks from now.
