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ABSTRACT
This case study is designed to provide readers with an overview of the format of a virtual event and the variety of options available to exhibitors. It focuses specifically on the Virtual GITEX 2001 event, which adopted a 3-dimensional virtual reality approach. On October 7, 2001, the virtual component of the Dubai World Trade Centre's largest and most successful exhibition, GITEX,1 an information technology exhibition, was launched. The virtual exhibition featured 23 exhibitors, representing a mix of local and international companies, and includes Microsoft; Sanyo; Al Futtaim; Bayt.com; Bond Communications; and the UAE's telecommunications provider, Etisalat. The virtual exhibition, which can be accessed from the GITEX Web site at http://www.gitex.com requires a 3-dimensional viewer plug-in2 that can be downloaded within 5 minutes. However, visitors have the option of viewing the exhibition in 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional format. The virtual GITEX exhibition can also be accessed directly through Virtex's Web site at http://www.virtexinternational.com/gitex. While the GITEX exhibition was developed using a virtual reality environment, Virtex can also create exhibitions using photo-realistic images incorporating panoramic photography, a virtual solution which Virtex says is typically preferred by exhibition organizers in industries that are not as technologically advanced or where there are bandwidth issues. The photo-realistic approach was the solution used for the International Jewellery Dubai virtual exhibition and the Middle East International Motor Show virtual exhibition. Two advantages of this approach are that it requires no plug-ins and accessibility is not constrained by limited bandwidth.
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