This article originally appeared on TheAdvocate.com.au
Tasmanian agricultural and other businesses taking part in Agfest in the Cloud are hoping the inaugural digital event will attract new customers and bring financial reward during these difficult economic times.
Agfest 2020 Field Days was moved from the paddock to the cloud in response to Covid-19, with Agfest in the Cloud launching today and running until May 28.
TJM Tasmania marketing officer Emma Miller said Agfest was a massive part of their business and a huge loss for agriculture and rural communities in Tasmania but hoped that Agfest on the Cloud would be a success.
“Those three days in the paddock generated enough work from enquiries, quotes and sales to keep us going for six months,” she said.
“The best outcome from Agfest in the Cloud would be to get the same number of sales and enquiries that we would normally get out at Agfest. We are excited to see if it has that sort of attraction, and really hope that it does.”
Westbury business Delmade has taken full advantage of the digital possibilities of Agfest in the Cloud, with new drone footage uploaded onto their website.
Sales assistant Brittany Cunningham said the event was a good alternative to the paddock event, with hopes it could potentially widen their local and insterstate customer base.
“We set up all our equipment in our yard, just like we would have at Agfest, and recorded drone footage so our customers can have the same experience but on their computers at home,” she said.
“They will view the footage and feel like they are walking through the paddock, looking at our stock.
“We have put in a lot of effort to set it all up. We have built our own Agfest website, you can get a virtual showbag, look at some historical Agfest photos, click through the site and by our products online. We will encourage everyone to give us a call and our sales rep can help them get the best product for their needs.”
Agfest 2020 chairman Ethan Williams said many exhibitors had signed up and the level of interest from the wider public had been overwhelming.
He said the event was expected to set new online records and generate much-needed economic activity for exhibitors, sponsors, contractors, suppliers and Tasmania.
“We have fielded calls from caravan shows, agricultural field days, royal shows and other cancelled events, all wanting to know how we have designed, built and promoted this platform, as well as consumers wanting to know what deals are going to be available,” he said.
Agfest attracts 60,000 people, it is hoped numbers double on the online platform. Get on board at Agfest in the Cloud.