A screenshot from a Webfair Virtual video that 
shows how Thursday's online conference will work. 

It doesn't cost anything to participate in the event that will also feature Hosting and SEO. Webfair Virtual will take place on a sophisticated 3D platform provided by Hyperfair.com with dozens of exhibitors and booths set up in a virtual exhibit hall to display their products and services (you can watch this brief video to see exactly how everything is supposed to work. DomainGang has also published a very comprehensive review of the platform). 

Marcovici said, '"We thought how much easier it would

be if we could bring the event to the attendee rather than the other way around. Given the nature of the business we are in, we should be looking for innovative, technological solutions to such problems; so we came up with the idea of the virtual show."

Attendees can construct a personal avatar that reflects their own personality and dress. The avatar will then carry your personal information and a virtual bag for storing information, contacts, and other material gathered in the course of your virtual journey. 

Marcovici said, "They can interact with anyone they meet, exhibitor, or delegate, simply by clicking on their name, providing the contact is accepted, of course. Then they can chat online or Skype call for a more extended, personal discussion. You can engage as few or as many people as you like as you pass through the virtual hall - just like a real-world event only in cyberspace."

A map locates the user in the virtual venue and visitors have the option of navigating around the hall or jumping directly to places that interest them. Attendees can watch exhibitor videos and presentations and also provide feedback to let exhibitors and presenters know what they thought.

You can select an avatar and dress him 
or her in your own personal style.

While I don't think there is any substitute for face to face interaction if you want to build deep long term  relationships, I can definitely see a place for virtual events like this that enable you to connect with a lot of colleagues and industry service providers at once without leaving home.  After you've made some of those initial contacts you can then look forward to meeting your new friends in the real world at one of the traditional events that have fueled untold millions of dollars worth of new business and long lasting friendships over the years. Then you can truly enjoy the best of both worlds.