Page 36 - ITAtube Journal 1-2021

Review
ITA
ITAnetForum December 2020
Homepage
TUBE 2020 was planned to take place in Düsseldorf in December 2020. However, due to the Corona pandemic, the fair had to be cancelled.
The International Tube Association has therefore decided at short notice to set up
a virtual trade show, the ITAnetForum, as a replacement event for Tube 2020 and to offer it to our industry.
A key purpose of the International Tube Asso- ciation is to encourage exchange and so here the ITA offered colleagues and businesses throughout our business sector a portal with services which enable and enhance contacts. This was a virtual support for all since per- sonal contacts were clearly out of the ques- tion at that time.
With over 1000 visitors per day, this virtual event was certainly a good success for our
36
ITAtube Journal 2021 – Special Edition
goal of maintaining communication within our industry.
The participating companies each had their own virtual booth where they could present their products and services. The presenta- tions, films and brochures presented live
or as recorded versions to the visitors were actively used. The companies could hold interactive web conferences, or the visitors could communicate directly with the exhib- itors’ specialists via chat rooms. Certainly, individual appointments could also be arranged for the parties.
The positive reactions to the ITAnetForum were quite encouraging and we are right now evaluating how such a virtual show may be used as a supplement to future tube trade fairs or as platform for other business support and contacts within our industry.