Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020 - 60

EXPO UNVEILED

What to expect at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020

This digital
platform will give
attendees the
flexibility to take
full advantage of
Expo offerings.
AARON MONSON
IFAI manager of
education and events

Virtual doesn't mean boring. Virtual
Expo 2020 will offer 25 hours of relevant
education spaced over 10 days, and exhibitor
hours will be spread over 10 days. IFAI will
even host its second annual 5K Fun Run/
Walk in a new way during IFAI Virtual Expo.

ike so many organizations, Industrial
Fabrics Association International
(IFAI) has opted to host its Expo
2020 on a virtual platform. Attendees and
exhibitors can expect to experience all the
major components of past Expos, including
education, networking opportunities and
access to resources that support business growth
in the textile industry.
"We've been working very hard to offer
Expo attendees opportunities to learn about
trends, visit with exhibitors and get answers to
their business concerns," says Aaron Monson,
IFAI manager of education and events. "Virtual
doesn't mean boring. We have 25 hours of relevant education spaced over 10 days. Exhibitor
hours will be spread over 10 days as well. This
digital platform will give attendees the flexibility to take full advantage of Expo offerings.
We'll also be hosting our second annual 5K
Fun Run/Walk in a new way. Don't miss this
fun opportunity for a self-guided workout."
Monson offers five tips to make the most
of Virtual Expo 2020.
1. Log in early and get familiar with the
virtual platform. Once you are registered,
we recommend that you log in at least a day
before the event and look around the site.
This will help you familiarize yourself with
the different areas. You can also log into a
demo site to click around and familiarize
yourself with the platform's functionality.
The site includes a lobby, webcast auditorium,
networking lounge and exhibit hall where you
explore booths and chat directly to company
employees during designated hours.
2. Plan your time and block off your
schedule in your calendar. Attendees of
virtual events report that they get more out

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Five best practices
for attending a digital
conference
of their experience when they are clear about
their goals and what they want to accomplish
at the conference. Study the schedule and make
a plan for what presentations you want to
attend and what companies you want to visit.
A 2020 Expo Guide will be mailed to the first
3,000 attendees before the event to help with
planning. It will also be available online.
3. Coordinate your activities with your
coworkers. Just like a live event, attendees of
virtual events say it is helpful to communicate
their plans with colleagues so the team can
maximize their efforts. If you are working
from home, as so many of us are, it can be
helpful to let your household members know
you will be engaged in online chatting and
education during certain hours.
4. Network with other industr y
professionals. Chat opportunities are
available in each area of the event, as well
as at each exhibitor booth. You can chat to
everyone in the room using text, or have
private one-on-one texts, audio or video chat.
You can even share virtual business cards.
There are many built-in efficiencies in this
virtual event that you will come to appreciate.
5. Take notes and make follow-up
reminders for yourself. Treat this virtual
event like a live event. Figure out what you
want to follow up on and check it against the
goals list you made earlier.
"We're all learning what the new normal
is," says Monson, "but IFAI specifically chose
an engaging virtual platform for Expo 2020.
COVID-19 has changed everything, that's
for certain, but our industry has been at the
forefront at preventing infections, and we
believe Virtual Expo 2020 will offer many
great solutions to textile experts."

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Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review October 2020