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by Surefront on Dec 23, 2020 3:32:41 PM
Home > Blog > Part 1: NRF 2021 - A Complete Guide to the Virtual Big Show
Table of Contents
- Navigating NRF
- Increased Network Opportunities
- Industry Leaders
- Tech on Display
- Forward Thinking Presentations
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2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges and change. With large gatherings still suspended due to the pandemic and at-home workspaces becoming the new norm, it’s hard to know when we’ll be back to a life of face-to-face meetings and handshakes with business partners.
The retail industry is no exception to the impact of COVID-19. Organizations have had to shift direction, pivot strategies and practice agility in the face of these new roadblocks. With NRF’s Big Show on the horizon, you may be wondering how a trade show of this magnitude can still go on. The answer: NRF 2021 Virtual Expo.
Unprecedented global circumstances required an unprecedented solution for NRF. This will be the first year the expo is in a fully virtual format. That means on Jan. 12-14, 19 & 21-22, you’ll be able to experience Retail’s Big Show like never before. NRF will take you into a virtual experience that will provide many of the benefits of an in-person show along with a multitude of new benefits.
With our excitement for the new format, we’ve put together a guide for the NRF virtual show. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article to help you get the best experience out of Retail’s Big Show in its new virtual format:
Navigating the NRF Virtual Format
As a member of the retail industry, you may be concerned about the lack of face-to-face interaction with NRF’s virtual format. Trade shows are all about networking and lead generation. You peruse the exhibitor hall, check out the booths, lock eyes with a sales person and hear their pitch about the latest and greatest retail tech. If their solution is right, maybe you exchange info.
You’ll be happy to know that the Virtual Expo is designed to ensure that you don’t miss out on the crucial points of a traditional expo. In fact, the most encouraging piece of info out of NRF is that the virtual format will be built on the 4 pillars of engagement that you’d look for in any good trade show.
1. Increased Networking Opportunities
You heard it here first. The NFR virtual format is going to boost your opportunities to connect and build partnerships. Before we get into the exceptional work that NRF put into their virtual networking platform, let’s think of the usual show. It’s called Retail’s Big Show for a reason. If you’ve ever attended, you’ll know that the expo floor is enormous, with countless exhibitor booths. If your organization was looking to attend for networking opportunities, you can forget the less-than-fashionable walking shoes or cushioned insoles for your oxfords.
The virtual format is cutting out the legwork and keeping your step counter to 0. That means you can dedicate less time and resources to connecting and relationship building. For everything you’re missing in body language and verbal nuance, you’re gaining more in efficiency and scale.
NRF will have tools at your disposal to facilitate matchmaking and networking. You’ll be able to create a profile for visibility, allowing other companies to know who you are. Further, NRF’s platform will take your profile and use the info to recommend companies to connect with. It’s like having a guide take you through the expo floor and introduce you to the best booths for your organization.
Other highlights of this platform include:
- One-on-One Meetings – Allows retailers and exhibitors to check each others’ calendars and schedule individual video chats or text conversations.
- Profiles and Calendars – The meeting and matchmaking platform opens on December 29. Make sure you build your profile and start scheduling meetings to maximize time.
- 24/7 Meeting Platform – Once the virtual show is underway, meetings can take place 24/7 to account for different time zones.
Make sure to mark December 29 on your calendars. That’s when the platform opens and lets you get a head start on profile building and scheduling meetings. In addition to these features, NRF has come up with a range of additional networking and gathering programs to ensure you get the most out of your virtual experience. Here are the highlights you should make room for:
- Interactive Discussion Rooms – Think of these as intimate networking opportunities with focused conversation starters. Up to 50 retailers will be allowed per room with a specific discussion topic of the sponsor’s choice.
- Exhibitor Booth Chat – Since you can’t physically walk the floor and chat, NRF made sure you can still have the same experience. Each virtual booth will have an open text chat to connect with exhibitor staff and other attendees.
- Exhibitor Big Ideas Sessions – If you’ve attended trade shows, you’ll know that exhibitors set up presentations and talks for visitor engagement. You’ll get the same experience here with exhibitor-produced sessions to learn more about their latest solutions and retail concepts.
The NRF virtual show is clearly designed to make sure you have all the usual networking opportunities and more. We suggest you kick off your shoes and take advantage of all the resources in one place – you’ll get so much more networking done without having to navigate the giant expo hall.
2. Industry Leaders
A great trade show isn’t complete without speaking engagements from industry thought leaders. As an attendee, you want to hear from the industry’s best on new technology and trending topics. This was one of easiest features for NRF to transform into a virtual format. Speaking engagements, including keynote speeches, will be available via livestream.
These industry visionaries will be transported right to your home office or workspace for you to listen, learn and engage. Another great virtual feature that brings us closer to the in-person format is NRFs addition of session chat. Each keynote and featured session will have a text chat for you to interact with other audience members and submit questions to presenters (for sessions with Q&A portions). See our list of must-attend events below.
3. Tech on Display
Exhibitor booths make up a trade show’s expo floor, and the Virtual Expo will be no different. Instead of physical spaces spanning the expo hall, exhibitors will have virtual booths available for you to explore, connect with staff (as detailed above), and get info on the newest solutions on the market. Exhibitors will have product videos, downloadable content and more for their featured technology.
Though the expo floor is typically well-organized with booths methodically placed in designated sections, the virtual format takes organization and accessibility to a whole new level. You’ll be able to navigate hundreds of exhibitors by name or product category. Brands and booths will be a click away rather than hundreds of yards away.
4. Forward-Thinking Presentations
Beyond the regular set of speakers, NRF has a set of special engagements that are centered around the theme Forward Together. These presentations will have a forward-thinking mindset as business leaders address the most pressing issues facing the retail industry.
Primary focuses are in 5 categories:
- Forward-Looking Operations
- Forward-Looking Talent
- Forward-Looking Experiences
- Forward-Looking Models
- Forward-Looking Growth
These are planned as candid conversations with industry leaders for you to assimilate and apply strategies in your own organizations. The 5 points above are critical for you to reflect upon as you look to accelerate your organizational growth.
You don’t want your data to be siloed. Your company’s CRM, PIM and PLM solutions shouldn’t operate in a vacuum, either. Surefront is a Unified Product Collaboration Platform to power growth and ROI. Our patented PIM, CRM, and PLM solutions streamline the omni channel sales, merchandising and product development processes. By combining these essential functionalities, Surefront creates a single source of truth throughout your product lifecycle, sales and listing processes.
The results? Up to 150% more revenue per employee and a 40% shorter product development cycle is just the beginning. Try our 10x ROI calculator to see your company’s potential profits. Or, skip the noise and book a custom demo with one of our unified product collaboration management experts today. The retail industry evolves quickly and has a lot of moving parts. We do all of the research, so you don’t have to. Stay ahead of market fluctuations, trends and new features by subscribing to our Unified Product Collaboration Management Blog.
