Report: Online video most wanted at virtual events

Press Release: Onstream Media and Trade Show News Network Release Findings of Groundbreaking Virtual Event Survey

POMPANO BEACH, FL – Onstream Media Corporation, a leading online service provider of live and on-demand Internet broadcasting, corporate web communications and virtual marketplace technology, and Trade Show News Network (TSNN), the world’s leading online resource for the exhibition and event industry, today announced the release of what is believed to be the trade show industry’s most extensive survey about virtual events. The survey report entitled “2010 Virtual Event Report: Insights & Trends from Industry Insiders” is now available for no cost at www.tsnn.com.

Designed to assess true market adoption, future spending and overall acceptance of the virtual-event medium, the top-line findings show there is substantial market acceptance for virtual trade shows and belief in their revenue-generating potential as a complement to physical events. Over 800 trade show industry professionals responded to the survey and many of the industry’s featured writers, bloggers and subject matter experts contributed commentaries to the report.

“Virtual trade shows are rapidly becoming centers for both commerce and networking for people with like-minded interests,” said Randy Selman, President & CEO of Onstream Media. “We co-developed this foundational survey with Trade Show News Network to verify this belief and confirm that virtual event platforms can in fact help organizations and businesses in a number of ways. Specifically, they can create new revenue streams, reduce marketing expenses, minimize their carbon footprint and more effectively communicate with customers, prospects and partners alike.”

Key findings from the survey include:

  • Virtual events are a success — Of those who have participated in a virtual event, 75% deemed it a success.
  • Virtual events extend the value of physical shows — 75% see virtual events as a complement or a logical extension to an existing show or physical event.
  • Virtual events offer a tremendous opportunity for trade show organizers to generate revenue and reduce expenses, as not all industries yet offer such events.
  • Online video is the most desired feature among virtual event attendees.

“We are experiencing a dramatic rise in interest from our readers and sponsors regarding the recent adoption of virtual technology by trade show organizers to extend their physical presence. Along with Onstream Media, we conducted this important survey to take the pulse of the virtual-event industry and understand what is in store for its future,” said R.D. Whitney, President of Tarsus Ventures. “What we learned is just how important it is for show organizers to have virtual events. On a going forward basis, these events represent a critical component of their portfolio as they not only truly engage attendees in a 24/7 year-round environment but also drive more revenue and reduce costs.”

About TSNN

The Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is the world’s leading online resource for the event, exhibition and event industry since 1996. TSNN.com owns and operates the most widely-consulted event database on the Internet, containing data of more than 21,000 events, exhibitions, public events and conferences. TSNN features an expanding Industry News and Thought Leader blog with contributions from industry leaders and analysts. We help facilitate the exchange between buyers and sellers with over 137,000 registered website users, over 120,000 newsletter subscribers and over 3,500 LinkedIn group members and thousands of followers on Twitter. To learn more about TSNN, visit www.TSNN.com

About Onstream Media:

Onstream Media Corporation (NASDAQ: ONSM) is a leading, online, service provider of live and on-demand Internet broadcasting, corporate web communications and virtual marketplace technology. Onstream Media’s innovative Digital Media Services Platform (DMSP) provides customers with cost-effective tools for encoding, managing, indexing, and publishing content via the Internet. The company’s MarketPlace365â„¢ solution enables publishers, associations, tradeshow promoters and entrepreneurs to rapidly and cost-effectively self-deploy their own online virtual marketplaces. In addition, Onstream Media provides live and on-demand webcasting, webinars, web and audio conferencing services. To date, almost half of the Fortune 1000 companies and 78% of the Fortune 100 CEOs and CFOs have used Onstream Media’s services. Select Onstream Media customers include: AAA, Dell, Disney, Georgetown University, National Press Club, PR Newswire, Shareholder.com (NASDAQ), Sony Pictures and the U.S. Government. Onstream Media’s strategic relationships include Akamai, Adobe, BT Conferencing, Qwest and Tradeshow News Network (TSNN). For more information, visit Onstream Media at www.onstreammedia.com or call 954-917-6655.