exVo Virtual Event Platform by Allseated [Review]

exVo Virtual Event Platform by Allseated: What Is It?

exVo is relatively unique in the virtual event platform space as it’s an avatar-based 3D platform. It was developed by gamers, and as such it has a distinct video game feel where users join immersive environments and can explore and interact with their surroundings.

exVo was built upon the existing infrastructure of the Allseated floor planning system, which has been around for close to a decade. This means that exVo has access to Allseated’s library of 3D scaled real venues that can be used as backdrops for virtual events, as well as Allseated’s larger catalog of furniture, decor, and objects that planners can use to customize their event.

The platform includes many of the same branding and sponsorship opportunities as a live venue, including floor stickers, ceiling hangings, etc. exVo also provides detailed analytics on where attendees went and what/who they engaged with during the event.

Main Feature Categories

Virtual Experience. exVo distinguishes itself from broadcast-focused event platforms by allowing attendees to become part of the experience and explore the virtual environment. They can engage with live presentations, on-demand content, exhibition booths with live representatives, sponsor activations, one-on-one or group networking, and other points of engagement as they wish. Various screens can also be added throughout the environment to allow organizers or sponsors to showcase content that attendees can interact with.

Live Presentations. The platform includes designated stages or session areas where live presentations take place and where attendees can interact with speakers. Speakers can pre-load slides or videos that they plan to use during their presentations, which they can share in real time. Sessions can include several different screens, so speakers can present from one screen and have their slides up on another. They can also enable Q&A, during which they can pull attendees up to a screen to ask their question live.

Networking. Because of the way it’s designed, exVo approaches networking differently than most other platforms. Attendees can explore the event with their avatars in much the same way as they would at a physical event, allowing for more spontaneous interactions and networking opportunities. For example, attendees can simply walk up to someone who’s nearby to start a conversation with them.

Analytics. exVo provides organizers with robust analytics on their events, including individual and group engagement metrics of both attendee interactions as well as sponsor, exhibitor, and presentation results.

Review

exVo deviates from the narrative that you shouldn’t try to replicate the live experience for virtual. Rather, it has chosen to create an immersive virtual environment that is designed to give attendees the sense of moving an avatar through a physical space full of objects and other users to interact with. It leverages Allseated’s existing infrastructure and features, including digital models of hundreds of real venues and event spaces.

Attendees log into the platform with their name or email address and are then prompted to configure their avatars by adding their name and company name, as well as uploading an image and a logo. The avatar takes the form of a robot with a screen for a head, which displays the attendee’s webcam video. Attendees then move around the space using the arrows on their keyboard or by clicking the arrows on the screen, like they would if they were playing a game.

The platform includes a brief tutorial, and planners also have the option to send expanded instructions on how to use the platform in pre-event email communications if needed. For larger events, attendees may be invited to connect to the platform in advance to ensure that their audio and video work and to set up their profiles.

Event organizers can utilize Allseated’s extensive digital furniture catalog to design their virtual event spaces. That said, the furniture is purely decorative in the virtual environment — attendee’s avatars can pass right through it — but it provides familiar markers and makes the space feel more like an in-person event. Certain spaces can also be used to make relevant activities feel more immersive. For example, a mixologist may live stream a cocktail class from behind the virtual bar.

Throughout the event environment, attendees can explore and interact with different types of content. When they approach a session area, for example, the platform will ask if they would like to join the session, which they can accept or decline. If they accept, they will switch to a viewing mode where the presentation is displayed front and center.

Even though from the outside, the avatars appear to be seated throughout the seating area, everyone who joins the session sees the same view. During the presentation, they can react using different emojis, and if a Q&A session is initiated, they can raise their hand to be brought up on stage to ask their question to the speaker(s).

Attendees can also interact with virtual booths and screens at the event. With the 3D immersive format, they can browse and discover booths like they would at a live event, and they can engage with reps and access booth content by approaching the booth. If event organizers or sponsors choose to display content on screens, they work in much the same way. They will activate as attendees approach and can play videos, provide materials for attendees to download, etc.

In addition, the platform enables natural networking opportunities since attendees are all walking around and passing each other as they explore the event. They can simply approach each other in order to start a conversation, assuming the other person accepts. Attendees can also view participant lists by session or for the whole event and can start individual chats with others.

Who’s it for?

exVo’s 3D environment is designed for various types of events, including conferences, trade shows, corporate events, etc. Given its immersive 3D nature, it is oriented to events that would benefit from more spontaneous meetings and exploration capabilities, such as expos.

The platform is also useful for hybrid events, since it includes digital replicas of many real venues. As such, it can allow both in-person and virtual attendees to have a sense of a shared experience in terms of the space. exVo could also be an interesting option for organizers who may not normally have the budget to host events in certain real-life venues since the platform enables them to design events within the virtual models of these venues.

Who’s it not for?

exVo may not be the best fit for event organizers who are looking for a simpler turnkey tool for shorter conferences or for which the programming primarily revolves around broadcasting content to attendees. exVo is likely better-suited to exploration and discovery of a larger event with multiple elements than to simpler video conferencing, broadcast-heavy programs, and would be underutilized in such cases.

Features

Avatars: Attendees use avatars to explore 3D virtual environments powered by exVo. The avatars are not classic look-alike characters that you can customize — rather, they’re hovering robots that display attendees’ cameras as their faces, so that everyone can actually see each other as they’re walking around.

Live chat support: Like Allsteaded, exVo offers 24/7 support, including a live chat option from within the platform that can be used by attendees who are experiencing technical difficulties or have questions during the event. They will then be connected to a support team member who will be able to assist them.

Interactive content: Event organizers can showcase various types of interactive content through virtual screens at the event. For example, they can include videos that will start to play as attendees approach them, which can also be used for sponsored content.

Spontaneous networking: One of the main features of exVo is the free exploration that it affords attendees, which means that they can meet up and run into each other the way they would at a physical event. While attendees also have the option of simply searching for someone from the attendee list and initiating a chat, they can also join conversations with others by approaching them with their avatar. They can request to begin a conversation with another avatar, or they can join an ongoing conversation by approaching a group of avatars that are already speaking. The platform will prompt them to join, and they will be able to access a group video call with other participants.

Branding opportunities: exVo provides various branding and customization options, which are particularly useful for sponsorship opportunities. Just like at a physical event, organizers can include branded wall hangings, ceiling hangings, screens, etc. The avatars’ logo may also be branded. Exhibitors can also design branded booths much like they would at an in-person expo, since they will appear as 3D models within the environment that attendees will be able to explore.

VR enabled: exVo is compatible with VR devices to enable attendees to experience events in an even more immersive way if they would like to, assuming they have appropriate VR headsets.

Digital venue models: Since exVo was built from Allseated’s existing infrastructure, it includes digital 3D models of real venues that had previously been part of Allseated’s floor planning system. These virtual environments add another layer of immersion to the platform given that they are real-life venues, and they are particularly useful for hybrid events, since the in-person and online components can essentially take place in the same venue. Planners can then design both environments in a similar way and provide a more seamless experience for both attendee groups.

Navigation map: The platform includes an event map, like in a video game, that attendees can view to see where they are in the event space and more easily navigate to where they’d like to go.

Live Q&A: During live sessions, speakers or moderators can enable Q&A sessions, which allows them to bring up attendees who raise their hand on one of the session screens to ask their question.

Gated rooms: Attendees can be placed into different groups upon registration, and organizers have the option of gating rooms within the event according to attendee types. For example, attendees may only be prompted to join certain areas if they are designated as VIPs.

Pricing and Plans

For more information on exVo’s pricing and plans, reach out to schedule a demo.

Pros and Cons

IN CONCLUSION

exVo is a 3D virtual platform that was inspired by video games, as opposed to other platforms that use a television model where presenters broadcast their content to viewers. exVo brings attendees into the virtual space in the form of avatars that can interact with their surroundings and with each other.

Events with multiple stakeholders such as trade shows and expos will get the most value from the platform since it allows for easier exploration and more serendipitous encounters between different parties, but it can be used for many different types of virtual and hybrid events.

Disclaimer: Reviews are paid for placements. While EventMB receives a fee to extensively look at the tool and review it in detail, the content of the review is independent and by no means influenced by the company. If you have any questions please use the contact us section.