Leeds-based Virtual iVent, which specialises in virtual online conferencing, has opened a German office as part of its 12-month plan to grow sales and expand markets.
The company has also embarked on a new webcasting venture, buying a stake in Bristol-based webstreaming company iVIDiQ as part of its philosophy of providing ’a complete package’ for clients.
Managing Director Gavin Newman has set his eight-strong team a sales target of £1.2m for 2012/13 and the German operation based in Augsberg, near Munich, is to spearhead the drive into new European markets.
Virtual iVent has spent two years in research and development and is the exclusive development partner for US software house VenueGen, in the UK and most of Europe.
Last year it organised 30 events for companies, claiming to have cut their costs by some 90 per cent.
Newman, 45, has over 20 years of events experience and says companies are beginning to see the potential of virtual and online conferencing.
“No-one knew about online shopping 10 years ago and look at that sector now. I’m envisaging another two years of hard work to get us to that level.”
“Basically, we can offer everything a traditional conference or meeting has and much more.
“Our virtual venues include rooms for speakers to make their presentations and where seminars can take place, as well as conference hall lobbies where delegates can chat. The technology we have developed and brought together allows event hosts to gain more information with complete measurability within an event as well as being totally interactive.
“We can be totally flexible and adapt to clients objectives as opposed to the ’one-size-fits-all software solutions currently on the market.”
Newman said: “We believe British business and organisations, like the NHS, could together save up to half a billion pounds a year by adopting the virtual approach.”
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