Boating Industry Canada
The 2021 Toronto International Boat Show introduced a new digital way of shopping by taking its annual indoor boat show to the virtual space. A virtual show was chosen in response to consumer and exhibitor feedback, record demand for boats, and growing interest in the boating lifestyle.
Designed by Canadian company Unity Event Solutions, the virtual show successfully supported highly innovative and interactive virtual showrooms, thousands of product listings and uploaded video content, as well as simultaneous live-streaming and chatroom capabilities.
Consumers could shop, experience and interact on the new platform, and exhibitors found new ways to connect directly with those consumers. There were virtual appointments, online live chats, Zoom meetings and Facetime, 3D technology, virtual boat tours, and live showroom cameras that offered personalized customer service as with an in-person experience.
An online marketplace featured thousands of used and new boats, services, marine accessories, product debuts and boat show deals. The Community Chatroom discussions brought the camaraderie to the virtual show, allowing participants to post discussions and questions to fellow boaters; while TIBS LIVE streamed daily content curated for boaters including live interviews, expert panels, boat walk arounds, and boating lifestyle videos.
This year’s seminar schedule offered a wide variety of know-how, inspiration and education for seasoned and new boaters. Total seminar attendance surpassed 19,000 over the show run, with an average attendance of 200-300 attendees per seminar, some seeing as many as 500 attendees.
Article originally published here.