Virtual Trade Show by Canon – Concept of the Future?

Online Event

by Florian GintenreiterSeptember 24^th, 2020

Tradeshows are canceled left and right since The-Virus-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named is on its rampage. Companies have reacted by moving their PR online in different ways, but Canon has taken it to a new level with their “Canon Vision“ virtual trade show concept.

The Virtual Trade Show Platform…

…literally reproduces a virtual show floor that you can walk around and look at virtual booths and products within them. The first event that Canon staged in this new online environment is the reveal of a new member of its Cinema EOS line of cameras. It’s happening today, Sept 24th at 14:00 CEST (7 am CT time). Register here and find out more about the full program here.

Here is what Canon has to say about their event:

Ideal for broadcasters, cinematographers, independent filmmakers, videographers, and more. Visitors to Canon Vision will be able to learn more about the camera and explore Canon’s full range of Pro AV products and solutions. They will also gain insight into the technology from its team of product specialists and industry-leading professionals and have the opportunity to watch short film screenings.

Canon seems to be doing a lot of things right lately, especially when in comes to the Cinema EOS line of products. The Canon Vision platform is also a sign that — please forgive the pun — someone with a vision is at the helm of the Japanese corporation.

It remains to be seen whether other manufacturers will venture into virtual online product presentations with the level of sophistication Canon is showing today.

Future Developments?

Maybe The-Virus-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named will be history in a year or two, but the „damage“ is already done — companies have been forced to move online with their PR an product presentation all out.

They have now seen that online PR works and a lot of them are glad the financial and temporal pressure of attending a real-world tradeshow is lifted off their shoulders. They can release products at their own pace rather than feel the need to have something to show at a certain date in a defined location.

I personally think that real-world-tradeshows will lose their relevance and possibly fade into oblivion in the next couple of years. Whether we like it or not.

CineD’s Role in All That?

CineD has brought industry news right to your digital doorstep since 2008. In other words: “We have been virtual before it was cool”.

Nevertheless, we have stepped up our game during the crisis caused by The-Virus-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. We will continue to provide relevant information, insights, tests, reviews, and knowledge for you guys — no matter if real-life-tradeshows will be back or not.

What do you think about Canon Vision? Did you attended real-world-tradeshows and would you miss them, if they go the way of the Dodo? What about the social aspects of tradeshows? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!