The Nautical Industries Federation presents Virtual Nautic
During a press conference, very logically in videoconference, the Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) and its show management subsidiary, Nautic Festival, presented their new initiative to compensate for the cancellation of traditional boat shows in 2020. During an online demonstration, we were able to walk through this video game-like show, where the visitor, equipped with a virtual character, discovers a series of virtual booths offering ticket booths and video broadcast screens. If the ships are not present, the sales representatives are there to answer the prospect directly in a voice chat, via microphone. Seminars and workshops in virtual conference rooms can also be organized by exhibitors, for an optional fee. Playful features such as dancing, clapping or shaking hands will entertain video game enthusiasts. "Looking at existing initiatives, we saw digital events, but not virtual ones. In our opinion, they were not warm enough, hence this idea of a virtual meeting positioned to prepare the 2021 season" explains Fabien Métayer, general delegate of the FIN.
2021 objectives for Virtual Nautic
The first edition of Virtual Nautic should be held in March 2021. The FIN aims to open 10 thematic halls, similar to the physical Nautic Porte de Versailles. "We are aiming for 25 to 30,000 visitors over 2 days. We estimate the average length of visit to be 2 hours," says Fabrice Lacoume, chairman of the FIN Strategy and Trade Show Committee. The objective is ambitious, as the visitor must download the platform, which is only available on a computer.
To ensure the balance of the operation budgeted at 1 Meuros for the FIN (including a third for communication), the organizers set a base of 200 exhibitors, to convince by mid-December. "At that time, we can give the GO or NO-GO. "explains Fabien Métayer. For this, the rates have been set from 3 000euros to 8 000euros the stand. The non-invited visitor will have to pay an entrance fee of 5euros.
More than a replacement for the Nautic
The FIN insists that its initiative does not replace the Nautic. "Virtual Nautic is a newcomer. It is possible and probable that it will take its place alongside the physical shows that are essential. The reflection on the reformatting of the Nautic is still in the works. It was important not to remain inert and suffer" concludes Fabien Métayer.
It remains now to know the support of the nautical industry, and its evaluation of the ratio between the investment and the potential prospects of such an operation, key criterion for the emergence of Virtual Nautic.
