13 – 15 October 2021
USING TECHNOLOGY TO GROW THE GLOBAL TOURISM INDUSTRY
INTRO
The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented disruption to the global economy and world trade, as production and consumption are scaled back across the world and buyers scramble to secure solid and diverse sourcing suppliers, as a result of supply disruptions.
One of the most effective means of addressing this crisis is through E-trade platforms. The International Export Import Virtual Expo is such a platform.
It provides video-call match making services that links buyers and suppliers of an appropriate fit. It’s virtual exhibition showcase also enables exhibitors to display and describe goods in a 3D, full-colour and multi-media way. Exhibitors and buyers can engage richly at exhibition booths, real-time, via instant chat and email, while viewing product catalogues and corporate videos.
WHY AN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPORT EXPO SHOW
TRADE is GLOBAL.But how do buyer and suppliers across the world optimise the way they engage each other – especially during and post COVID, which imposes travel and other restrictions? The solution is e-trade on relibale and functional platforms
COVID 19 has shifted the way of doing business. The solution is a virtual platform (accessible via internet) that removes market access obstacles like travel restrictions, alerts, natural disasters and costs but that can even improve the effectiveness of physical exhibitions by offering outstanding interactive features.
New markets await. Choosing which physical shows to attend limits the marketing function as a result of time and cost constraints of attending these but reduces the possibility of reaching new markets and agreements with truly emerging products that face the same constraints and which are not well represented at physical shows. The Virtual platform creates opportunity for both established and emerging products.
Truly Global. The International Virtual Tourism Show is organised collectively (and is a global partnership) by leading event organisers in 25 countries. This collective ownership is unique and ensures that marketing is keenly focussed in all of these markets.
GLOBAL TRADE IN CONTEXT
Global GDP growth is expected to average 0% for 2020/1 as a whole, a faster contraction than during the 2008 global financial crisis.
The pandemic has been a wake-up call to many businesses about the importance of being able to mobilize rapidly, set up crisis management mechanisms, including a diversified and alternate supply base. For example the pandemic has created temporary “manufacturing deserts”, whereby a city, region or whole country’s output drops so substantially, they become a no go zone to source anything
Additionally, due to intellectual property issues and complex production processes, or in a bid to reduce unit costs, firms can sometimes become overly reliant on a single company or geography to source particular goods. This has left many companies with limited contingency plans to deal with supply disruptions. There may also be little scope to source parts from alternative locations in highly tradable sectors with a large production base in China, particularly important for sectors such as electronics and textiles. With the West now as epicenter of the pandemic these same issues become acute for those sourcing highly specialist goods and services in key markets such as Germany and the US. There may even be challenges in securing some categories of commodities if the epicenter shifts again to emerging markets
“The record number of force majeure certificates issued in China shows the vast impact of COVID 19 and the challenges companies face in fulfilling their contractual obligations. To the extent these certificates are enforceable under the contract between the parties, there are opportunities for companies to revise, and possibly renegotiate the terms of their agreement. Where it is not commercially viable for the parties to perform their obligations under the contract, companies with operations in China may need to consider looking elsewhere either permanently or temporarily. In general, there are four key legal challenges to consider when thinking about this supply chain shift: broadly, taxation, employment, intellectual property and compliance risks. With this in mind, it is important for exporters to build resilience and look to diversify their portfolio of customers and supply chains to mitigate these risks. These same practices will need to move across geographies as the epicenter of the pandemic shifts.” Nandakumar Ponniya : Dispute Resolution Principal, Singapore
At present, both the timeframe and extent of the COVID-19 impact are uncertain, but the ramifications will continue to be felt even after the spread of the virus is contained. For some organizations, the legacy of the COVID-19 outbreak may linger for much longer due to the hit on profits, especially for those facing a short-term supply-chain crisis, stemming from a lack of understanding of their global supply chains or vulnerabilities in their sourcing strategies.
We acknowledge: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/ for much of this content.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL IMPORT EXPORT VIRTUAL EXPO
- The expo gives both exhibitors and visiting roleplayers access to products and their agents (sourcing options) across sectors and vast geographical areas.
- It enables wide participation from the global trade, including emerging products by removing obstacles of cost (travel, stand design, drayage, printing, hours out of office), time constraints, language and cultural barriers as well as travel restrictions or fear of international travel induced by COVID19
- It offers interactive trade functionality that could even outperform physical exhibitions
- It positions exhibitors and sponsors brands in a progressive, tech-savvy and futuristic way that allows for brand innovation, brand equity and that speaks to the business needs of the global sector post COVID19.
ABOUT THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM
The platform is globally unique and offers interactive, gameplay-like functionality, which ensures that the two key elements of expos are reached: Entertainment and Trade.
Functionality
Being on the platform is an engaging and explorative “sensation” with varied sights, sounds and interactions possible. This aids in visitor experience and duration in the show.
Visitors navigate through the venue, into special areas and through the bespokely designed exhibition venue (yes it looks like a real venue) and can choose to interact with exhibitors by activating the menu at each uniquely branded exhibitor stand to 1 instant voice chat, 2 instant text chat, 3 email, 4 download brochure, 5 view company intro or special message and 6 view company video.
Visitors can also choose to listen to workshops or seminars in the “Conference Room” or experience special sponsored features in the show like “Coffee Bar”, “Cocktail Bar”, “Smoking Lounge” or “Entertainment Stage”.
Accessibility
The exhibition is hosted on a web-accessed hub, which means that it is accessible on any device, including handheld, mac and windows pc running any operating system. All users would be required to register to access and with their permission, their movement and interactions in the platform will be captured and form part of analytical reporting.
Security
The hub is secured against phishing, cyber attack and unwarranted content using global security protocols
EXHIBITOR PROFILE
An estimated 1500 companies will participate in the expo – via 25 country pavilions.
The country pavilions will be anchored by the department of trade for each country.
Buyers will search for suppliers by sector and/or by country across all good and services categories:
| Class 1: | includes chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; manures; adhesives used in industry. |
| Class 2: | includes paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colourants. |
| Class 3: | includes cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics. |
| Class 4: | includes industrial oils, and greases; lubricants. |
| Class 5: | includes pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin, fungicides, herbicides. |
| Class 6: | includes metal building materials, metallic transportable buildings; nonelectric cables and wires of common metal; ironmongery, small items of metal hardware; metallic pipes and tubes; metallic goods not included in other classes. |
| Class 7: | includes agricultural implements; machines and machine tools; motors; machine coupling and belting. |
| Class 8: | includes hand tools and hand operated implements; cutlery. |
| Class 9: | includes scientific, electric, photographic, optical, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision) and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound and images; automatic vending machines; data processing equipment and computers; and their parts and accessories. |
| Class 10: | includes surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; orthopaedic articles. |
| Class 11: | includes apparatus for lighting, heating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes. |
| Class 12: | includes vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water. |
| Class 13: | includes firearms, ammunition and explosives. |
| Class 14: | includes jewellery, horological and chronometric instruments. |
| Class 15: | musical instruments. |
| Class 16: | paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials; printed matter; photographs; stationery; artists materials; office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging(not included in other classes). |
| Class 17: | includes rubber, mica and goods made from these materials; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes. |
| Class 18: | includes leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of these materials and not included in other classes; animal skins, trunks and travelling bags; umbrellas, and walking sticks; harness and saddlery. |
| Class 19: | includes non-metallic building materials and transportable buildings; asphalt. |
| Class 20: | includes furniture, picture frames; goods (not included in other classes) made of wood, cane, bone, shell, and substitutes such as plastics. |
| Class 21: | includes household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool; glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes. |
| Class 22: | includes ropes, string, nets, tents, tarpaulins, sails, sacks and bags (not included in other classes); padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics); raw fibrous textile materials. |
| Class 23: | yarns and threads, for textile use. |
| Class 24: | textile and textile goods, not included in other classes; bed and table covers. |
| Class 25: | clothing, footwear, headgear. |
| Class 26: | lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers. |
| Class 27: | includes floor coverings and nontextile wall hangings. |
| Class 28: | includes games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles. |
| Class 29: | includes meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jams; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats; salad dressings; preserves. |
| Class 30: | includes flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, ices, honey, sauces, salad dressings, spices. |
| Class 31: | agricultural, horticultural and forestry products and grains not included in other classes; living animals; fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds, natural plants and flowers; foodstuffs for animals, malt. |
| Class 32: | includes beers; non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks; syrups and other preparations for making beverages. |
| Class 33: | alcoholic beverages (except beers). |
| Class 34: | tobacco; smokers’ articles; matches. |
| SERVICES | |
| Class 35: | advertising, retail and business. |
| Class 36: | insurance and financial. |
| Class 37: | construction and repair. |
| Class 38: | communication, telecommunications. |
| Class 39: | transportation and storage; travel arrangements. |
| Class 40: | material treatment. |
| Class 41: | education and entertainment; sporting and cultural activities. |
| Class 42: | scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; legal services. |
| Class 43: | services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation. |
| Class 44: | medical services, veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care services; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services. |
| Class 45: | personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals; security services for the protection of property and individuals. |
VIRTUAL EXHIBITOR BENEFITS
1. Interactive trade and branding tools,
- Video display (TV Screen)
- Brochure/Prospectus download (Brochure Holder)
- email through the hub
- instant voice chat
- instant text chat
- branding of your stand
- customised stand options
- additional branding options eg feather banners, banner walls etc
2. Access to influential buyers and roleplayers in new, under-developed tourism markets and products as well as established markets. 20 000 visitors/buyers expected.Comprehensive visitor interaction analysis and reporting. Database of visitors to your stand.
3. Comprehensive visitor interaction analysis and reporting. Database of visitors to your stand.
4. Massive cost reductions. You do not spend on printing, travel, time out of office, drayage, branding, furniture hire etc.
VISITOR PROFILE
Whereas traditional shows require expensive hosted and other buyer programs, the International Import Export Virtual Expo gives unrestricted access to buyers across the globe. Buyers are however incentivised to register their interest for exclusive material, previews and post event follow-up.
There is no cost for pre-registered visitors to attend the International Import Export Virtual Expo.
VISITOR BENEFITS
1. Access new markets and products for reliable and diversified sourcing
2. Meet the key roleplayers and activate relationships and agreements
3. Massive attendance cost savings (no travel, time out of office etc)
4. Enjoy uber, personal, interactivity with exhibitors, incl instant voice chat
5. “Experience” the show in unique first person view, game-play mode, navigate the decored venue and explore the unique visitor experiences and areas like “Entertainment Stage”, “Cocktail Bar”, “Seminar Room” and “Coffee Bar”.
MATCH-MAKING
A world-class virtual match-making program is a key aspect of the International Import Export Expo.
How it works:
All exhibitors and registered participants, namely buyers and visitors will be given access to a personal electronic meeting link which will enable participants to:
1. Request a personal meeting during the show with another registered participant (exhibitor to visitor/buyers or visitor/buyers to exhibitor);
2. Accept or decline invitations to meet
3. View their personal show meeting diary
4. Be reminded of appointments.
All meetings will be held virtually in the assigned chat room in the virtual show and will be processed through instant voice and or text chat mechanism.
Click here for a recent video review of an exhibition hosted in the same virtual platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vjyJPN3hwk&feature=youtu.be
Click here for a short video preview of the Virtual Exhibition Platform: https://youtu.be/C49H8Zf42sU
EVENT DETAILS
|
Auckland Sydney Seoul Kuala Lumpur Jakarta Rangoon Dhaka Delhi Karachi Tehran Dubai |
22h00 – 04h00 20h00 – 02h00 19h00 – 01h00 18h00 – 12h00 17h00 – 23h00 16h30 – 22h30 16h00 – 22h00 15h30 – 21h30 15h00 – 21h00 14h30 – 20h30 14h00 – 20h00 |
Istanbul Moscow Athens Nairobi Doha Sofia Damascus Kiev Addis Ababa Helsinki Bucharest Moroni Windhoek Barcelona |
13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 13h00 – 19h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 |
Johannesburg Amsterdam Lilongwe Oslo Stockholm Valletta Budapest Brussels London Sao Paulo New York
Havana Mexico City Los Angeles Honolulu |
12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 12h00 – 18h00 11h00 – 17h00 07h00 – 13h00 06h00 – 12h00
06h00 – 12h00 05h00 – 11h00 03h00 – 09h00 12h00 – 06h00 |
CONTACT THE ORGANISERS
For enquiries, a more personalised Quotation and Bookings contact your country representative.
Host, Partner and Event/activity Sponsorship options exist for early movers. These include naming and branding rights to the event or specific activities or areas including “Entertainment Stage”, “Matchmaking”, “Coffee Bar” etc.