Some of our live experiences may be on hold for now. But every day brings fresh examples of how we are embracing digital innovation to keep our customers informed and connected.

RX Global has invested significantly in recent years to add value for our customers by combining the best of face-to-face connections with digital solutions and rich data analytics.

Little did we imagine how quickly our world would be turned up-side down by COVID-19. But our digital platforms, tools and experience have enabled us to move key elements of our events online at rapid speed to help our customers through the crisis. And when this is all over, the new insights we are gaining will enable us to be even more adventurous and impactful in our use of digital solutions to enrich and empower our physical events.  

With their country first to go into lockdown, our Chinese customers were desperate for information to help sustain them through the crisis. Within two weeks, our colleagues were delivering free virtual webinars across six of our events, including Packcon, Nepcon China and CDATF. The programme has since been extended, with 71 webinars delivered to date to over 210,000 customers. One webinar for China Gifts Fair (Shenzhen), drew 14, 321 registered attendees!

Our Chinese teams have also been providing exhibitors and attendees with a virtual meetings service, identifying buyer needs, connecting them with suitable suppliers, and hosting virtual meetings on WeChat, AliBaba TEAMtalk or Tencent. Over 450 meetings have been organised so far, and new buyers are being recruited daily via a QR code promotion on WeChat.

Outside China, Aquatherm Moscow was one of the first Reed events to be impacted with over 80 Chinese exhibitors unable to attend the Russian event. To maintain sales and supply chains, the team placed QR codes in the empty Chinese booths which attendees could scan with their mobile phone to link straight through to each company’s exhibitor directory entry on the Aquatherm mobile app. The team then compiled a dedicated online directory of Chinese suppliers which was emailed to every attendee (22,770) after the event, and promoted on the event website and social media channels.

Business must and can go on. Having been forced to postpone in-cosmetics Global, the team worked tirelessly to transform their April event into a free, three-day virtual conference covering the latest marketing trends, scientific advances and new product launches for those unable to wait for, or attend, the rescheduled event in October. 27 webinars were delivered attracting nearly 3,000 unique customers who watched more than 13,000 sessions between them.

Meanwhile, MIPTV, our global TV market,  was able to pivot a large proportion of its screenings and conferences online in March, in the space of just four weeks. The first 7 days of MIPTV ONLINE+ brought together 5,000 unique visitors who watched over 3,000 hours of content, and was deemed so successful that it was extended for a second week.

All businesses crave a single, reliable and timely way to stay informed and in touch during a crisis. So IBTM, our global series of meetings events, has launched IBTM Connect, an online resource hub for event professionals to access knowledge, and maintain a sense of community.  Within 10 days it had reached over 3000 unique users, and 850 webinar sign ups.

As we go to press, Vision Expo has announced its Virtual Eye2Eye Series of weekly panels and interactive conversations and one2one meetings, including a Friday Happy Hour incorporating online Retail Speed Dating. And FIBO, the world’s largest trade show for fitness, wellness and health, has announced the FIBO Digital Experience, offering online learning, matchmaking and community support.

Watch this space for more great RX Global digital initiatives to help keep you in touch, and in business, during these difficult times.