Interactive Virtual Tradeshow Could Revolutionize the Industry

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and necdigest magazine have joined forces to launch a three-month pilot for electricConnections, a 3-D, virtual tradeshow for the electrical industry.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff December 9, 2002

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and necdigest magazine have joined forces to launch a three-month pilot for electricConnections, a 3-D, virtual tradeshow for the electrical industry.

Integrating CD-ROM, Internet and animation technologies, electricConnections attempts to give “attendees” the experience of attending a physical tradeshow—visiting booths, interacting with exhibitors, placing orders and even visiting with other attendees—all without leaving the office.

The content of the show can be delivered via the Internet. “The electricConnections pilot represents a different way for us to respond to the electrical industry’s need for information,” says Jeffrey S. Sargent, NFPA’s senior electronic specialist. “It allows us to extend outreach to members, customers and other constituents and facilitate ideas.”

“electricConnections is an example of the new and innovative ways UL is exploring ways to bring knowledge solutions to customers and industries that depend on us,” says Stuart Paul, UL’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Given the economic realities of our post-9/11 world, this groundbreaking virtual tradeshow, we believe, can be of great value to the electrical industry.”

In addition to necdigest and UL, electricConnections exhibitors include Eaton’s Cutler-Hammer, Woodhead, AVO Training Institute, Reliable Power Meters, American Technical Publishers, King Safety Products, Gamewell Worldwide, Klein Tools, E-Mon, Welcomm and Expo Simulations, developer of the Expo3D virtual tradeshow platform on which electricConnections runs.