Online virtual event platform serviced by iPresencevFairsWe asked UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) for an email interview, and JCD (JTB Communication Design Co., Ltd.) for an online interview, asking about the actual usability, advantages, and problems. rice field. (Honorifics omitted below)
Please refer to it as an actual use case of vFairs, which can be expected to be used at large-scale meetings and events for VIPs.

Overview of the 7th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism

7th UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism World Forumis organized by UNWTO and BCC (Basque Culinary Center).
This time, it was held in Nara Prefecture, and about 30 government officials involved in food and tourism from about 450 countries including Japan participated.Focusing on "promoting the active participation of women and young people" and "improving the value of tourist destinations and producers", we shared success stories and challenges of gastronomy tourism.

JCD is entrusted by Nara Prefecture and oversees the overall operation of the 2022th UNWTO Gastronomy Tourism World Forum held in Nara Prefecture from December 12th to 12th, 15.

<Forum Overview>
Implementation date: December 2022 (Monday) to 12 (Thursday), 12
Location: Nara Prefecture Convention Center, etc.
Theme: Gastronomy Tourism for People and Planet: Innovate, Empower and Preserve
　　　　　　(Gastronomy Tourism for People and the Planet: Innovating, Promoting and Sustaining)
Number of participants: Over 30 people from about 450 countries (about 300 people in Japan, about 150 people overseas)　* Online participation: Over 125 people from about 1,000 countries
Organizer: Co-sponsored with UNWTO and BCC
Local organizer: Nara Prefecture
Sponsored by: Japan Tourism Agency

UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Impressions of vFairs

I have sent an e-mail to the person in charge of UNWTO asking about their impressions of vFairs. We were able to receive candid opinions on vFairs services, usability, merits and demerits, future expectations for the online virtual event platform, etc.

iPresence Contact:
Did you already know vFairs?What did you think when you first saw the service?

UNWTO contact person:
I didn't know about vFairs. The service provided by vFairs includes many functions and feels very fulfilling.

iPresence Contact:
Are there any benefits or points that you felt from using vFairs at this event?

UNWTO contact person:
First, it is multilingual.And there are live streaming and rewatchable archive options, poll-style questions, and the ability to embed your sponsor's logo on your webpage.
Other benefits include links to social media platforms and technical support before and during the event.

iPresence Contact:
Is there anything you liked about using it?Were there any points that were difficult to deal with?

UNWTO contact person:
vFairs has given me a very good experience.
Event planning requires preparation and coordination in a short time.In particular, I was extremely grateful for their prompt responses and actions regarding technical adjustments.

However, while there were many options for the exterior lobby design, it was difficult to find a suitable design for this event.
It would be interesting to have the option to change the design to suit the host country.

iPresence Contact:
Have you received any feedback from guests or speakers about the vFairs service?

UNWTO contact person:
No particular feedback from guests or speakers.

iPresence Contact:
What are your expectations for vFairs services in the future?

UNWTO contact person:
We think there is room for improvement in the content of reports on events, such as where participants are logging in from, the main keywords used in comments and conversations of online participants, and the average time users spend on the platform. .

We also hope to have the option to go to multiple social media accounts (IG, Linkedin, Twitter, etc.) with the click of a single button on the vFairs platform (this time thanks to an external service called Linktree).

iPresence Contact:
There are a wide variety of virtual platforms in the world, including vFairs.Is there anything else you would like to do with the online virtual event platform in the future?

UNWTO contact person:
Well... if there is something I would like to pay attention to in future hybrid events.For example, whether systems such as virtual livestreams and event platforms will be integrated with the registration system. (We are separate now.)

iPresence Contact:
Thank you very much for your very helpful and valuable opinion!

How did JCD first learn about vFairs│How did you feel when you heard about it?

I had the opportunity to interview the person in charge of JCD about vFairs online. We were able to receive real opinions based on real experiences, such as impressions of vFairs and the usefulness of the online virtual event platform, as well as the problems that are occurring because it is becoming commonplace to hold hybrid formats.

iPresence Contact:
Did you know vFairs originally?

JCD contact person:
Of course I didn't know.

iPresence Contact:
Please tell us how you first learned about vFairs.

JCD contact person:
Meetings have been held overseas until now, and after the corona crisis, it was difficult to hold them in person.
Overseas, online events tend to take precedence, so when I was looking for a proposal for an event using an online platform, I was introduced to iPresence from another department within the company.

I was originally introduced to Airmeet, but since iPresence signed an agency contract with vFairs, the person in charge of iPresence introduced me to vFairs. Here's how.

I myself have only used online distribution tools such as Zoom and Teams, so it was my first time dealing with vFairs.Of course, the visuals are better than conventional online tools, and I think it was good because it was useful in terms of convenience for participants.

However, adding options such as avatars inevitably costs money, so it was honestly difficult to adjust the cost side.

What are the advantages and challenges of using vFairs?

JCD contact person:
Seeing that people from overseas are actively using chat, I thought it would be easy to use for the participants who are accustomed to online tools.It would have been even better if we had taken a questionnaire so that we could understand the real reactions of the participants.

It was difficult to respond, but iPresence has just started handling vFairs, so I think there were many things I didn't understand.Under such circumstances, I think that it was difficult to proceed without knowing the details such as the need to match the items in Japanese and English to create the application form.

However, in terms of services, including simultaneous distribution, iPresence was able to handle it, so I think that the UNWTO side was able to proceed smoothly.I entrusted some parts to iPresence on the way, so this is just my impression.

iPresence Contact:
We were able to handle the basic services of vFairs without any problems. Just one point, we have added a voting function on the webinar screen in response to suggestions such as "Is it possible to do something like this?"
Originally it was only a chat function, but apart from that, we received a direct request to take a questionnaire for voting.We responded flexibly, and used a system called Mentimeter, which is different from vFairs, and incorporated it into vFairs to conduct a questionnaire.

JCD contact person:
vFairs originally didn't have a voting function.

iPresence Contact:
Yes, vFairs itself does not have a voting function and will be used within the Zoom system.
However, this time, we used a method that included only the Zoom image and displayed it on the screen by combining another system called Zoom and Menthometer.
It was an additional request, so it was customized and provided.

JCD contact person:
Not only the method of vFairs, but you can also combine other systems.
Did you end up using the voting function?

iPresence Contact:
yes.A Menthometer folder is created in the analytics file that I sent you last time.
The votes were selected by UNWTO and the Menthimeter system was selected by iPresence.

For example, the afternoon session on the 13th is shown on the table, and we have received responses from the fill-in form.

JCD contact person:
I will check it next time.

iPresence Contact:
The request for the voting function came at the last minute, so I decided on the question content and reflected it.
In terms of interface (viewer side), it was installed on the same screen and when clicked, it was like jumping to the survey, so a reasonable number of people participated in the survey.

Although it is not the main function of vFairs, such combination is also possible.

How have stakeholders reacted to using vFairs?

iPresence Contact:
Did you receive any feedback from event officials and guests?

JCD contact person:
I haven't checked the questionnaire, so I don't know the details, but I feel like I managed to do it despite being unfamiliar with it.
Was the connection good from the distribution screen?

iPresence Contact:
I watched it from home by telework, but the connection was good.
JCD contact person:
Inevitably, there were times when there was a slight time lag.

iPresence Contact:
yes.However, in general, the content itself delivered at the webinar was delivered without problems.

JCD contact person:
By the way, there were some inquiries about not being able to enter the system.What was it like?

iPresence Contact:
It was a problem with the account, and I didn't know the ID and password.
Also, since the email information was sent all at once, there was a reception error on the customer's side, or it was in the wrong mailbox, so the email could not be received.
So where do you enter the webinar?The inquiry was also from the same person.

JCD contact person:
I see, the same person couldn't enter many times, so it would be nice if there was a countermeasure for such people.

iPresence Contact:
I agree.There was a setting screen for people who forgot their password on the login screen, but there may have been a problem that they couldn't change it in the first place because they didn't know the original initial ID.I think it would be nice if the operations around it were easy to understand.

What do you expect from vFairs services in the future?

iPresence Contact:
What are your expectations of vFairs services?

JCD contact person:
This time, there are some parts that I can't say clearly because I only used some functions, but if you ask me more about the overall picture of the service, such as what it can and can't do, it will be easier to use while choosing. I think it will.The usage this time was very simple.

iPresence Contact:
I agree.If the scale is larger, or if other companies are entering and holding an exhibition at the enterprise, it is possible to use it like setting up individual booths in the lounge.

This time it was a simple usage specialized for webinar distribution.
In addition, there are game functions and services that are considerate of people with disabilities, so I think it is a platform that can be used by anyone.
Have you ever held a hybrid format event?

JCD contact person:
yes.Due to the corona crisis, we were limiting recruitment to half the capacity, so there were a lot of hybrid types.

iPresence Contact:
Having come to do such a hybrid format, is there anything that you think is effective or difficult?

JCD contact person:
I think it would be effective for people who cannot come from overseas to be able to watch and have some kind of relationship through chat etc. even remotely.
However, this time the theme was food, and one of my goals was to introduce the food of Nara, Japan.

On the other hand, if you make it a hybrid, it will inevitably cost you money, so how do you think about that?
Some of our clients use Zoom and Teams on a regular basis, so there are requests for something that doesn't cost money. .

It's more interesting to set up a number of cameras and project them instead of just watching them on a screen.
The only issue is how to balance costs in the future.

Future prospects for hybrid events and online tools

iPresence Contact:
Will the hybrid format continue to become commonplace in the future?

JCD contact person:
Well, it might be an academic conference, but if you have to participate, there is an opinion that it is easier to participate in a hybrid (online).
I just don't think online is suitable for a long time. If you spend more than 4 to 5 hours, you will get tired of watching, or you will have to keep in mind that you will not be able to concentrate.

iPresence Contact:
Will online virtual event platforms such as vFairs and Airmeet continue to be useful not only for tourism but also for hybrid events?

JCD contact person:
I agree.Even if the corona infection calms down, hybrid events will probably become the mainstream.

iPresence Contact:
What do you want most from a hybrid format?Please let me know if there is a decisive factor that makes the client say, "Then let's use this" among the many event platforms.

JCD contact person:
In the end, I think it depends on what level you want, but some people just say, "It's good if you can see it." There is a need for something that is even more realistic with functions and that creates an atmosphere that makes you feel like you are participating in the conference as if you were at the conference even if it was online.

I guess that depends on the organizer's thoughts and decisions.

iPresence Contact:
So that's it.
By the way, I heard from JCD that they saw the webinar.I received a comment saying that he saw my chat correspondence, so I wondered how online content was perceived internally.

JCD contact person:
Many people in the company saw it in the archive after it was over.In real life, the office was dedicated to one PC.
This time it was only this system, but this side was easy. Thanks to iPresence for communicating with the vFairs office.
This is not the case with Zoom or Teams.

iPresence Contact:
I'm glad it was useful.
Thank you for taking the time to give us your valuable opinions and interviews.

Summary

This time, we asked UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) and JCD (JTB Communication Design), who used the online virtual event platform [vFairs] provided by iPresence, about the actual usability, advantages, and problems. rice field.

Hybrid events that combine online distribution and holding at offline venues may have problems to be solved or need to get used to because of the rapid expansion of the new coronavirus infection.
However, with the evolution of AI and the spread of Metaverse, the virtual event platform will be significantly updated in the future and will become an indispensable tool for hybrid events.

It is a perfect tool for companies and organizations who want to provide cutting-edge services at large-scale meetings and events for VIPs, and who want to take on new challenges.
Please consider vFairs, our online virtual event platform.