What is the target audience of the average trade show? We tend to project this kind of event as exclusively B2B, i.e. dedicated only to professionals. GECO's ambition as the first major online trade show for sustainability, however, is to stand out in this scenario by offering, for the first time in an event of this kind, a platform for professionals and members of the public to connect, in other words, by offering a brand new format in which B2B and B2C approaches can coexist.
Why combine B2B and B2C in one online event?
First of all, because we are all in the same boat, even though not everyone is playing the same role.
The issue of sustainability is complex and multi-faceted, encompassing virtually all industries and serving as an “umbrella”-concept for a wide range of activities.
Take the tourism industry, for instance. From skiing holidays to business trips, from conferences to weekend outings: travelling is something humans do for a variety of reasons and in many different ways, some of which are more sustainable than others. Now try to apply this concept to any and all other existing industries and you might be closer to gauging the complexity of this issue. And, as the global crisis puts pressure on nearly all aspects of our economy,
it is essential for the debate on our recovery strategies to be widened and extended to include everyone. We all stand to benefit from it.
Become an exhibitor for tourism sector
Why should you attend GECO?
GECO is open to everyone: companies large and small, freelancers, businesses looking for new ideas and innovation, tech startuppers and researchers, travel agents and alternative energy providers, as well as members of the public hoping to change their perspective on everyday life and technology.
On the large virtual platform that will host the first major online sustainability trade show, all participants will be able to interact using their customised avatars, exchange information, access multimedia resources, and download brochures, participate in panels, debates, and conferences in real-time, chat privately or in groups. These
interactions will be as close as possible to those that can occur in a traditional trade show,
whilst ensuring everyone's safety, as they take place in a virtual environment.
Easy, accessible, user-friendly
There is no need to travel in order to visit GECO, which significantly reduces the cost of attendance. This also helps fulfill the objective of
bringing the B2B and B2C approaches closer together. Normally, small businesses and private individuals are unable to participate in large events involving large multinational companies, because attendance fees tend to be steep and the cost of travel and accommodation might be beyond most SMBs’ budget. This creates a sharp divide between large scale players and small and medium companies, not to mention consumers and end-users. GECO's unique business model, on the other hand,
creates a bridge between entities that do not normally meet except when it comes to purchasing and selling products and services. T
his allows companies to interact with potential customers while at the “planning” stage of their product development so that they can design offers based on their customers’ actual needs.
At the same time, taking part in an online sustainability fair allows visitors to learn about the mechanisms of several industries so that they can make informed and responsible consumption choices.
