As the Convention District in Wilmington, N.C., continues to evolve, the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau (WBCVB) is rolling out a SkyNav Convention District Tour for meeting planners.
The 3D interactive tour takes meeting planners inside the Wilmington Convention Center via a 3D environment on desktop, mobile device or tablet. Planners can essentially take a virtual reality site inspection from the comfort of their home or the trade-show floor by visiting the 360-degree “worlds” created from high-quality panoramic images and interactive text and image boxes.
“Consumer interest in virtual reality ranks very high in the categories of travel, tourism and adventures. Projected virtual reality active-user growth is expected to rise exponentially over the next three years—it is where the industry is headed,” says Shawn Braden, CDME, CMP, executive vice president of marketing for WBCVB. “We are excited to be the first to allow planners to experience our destination through the power of this exciting, innovative technology by simply clicking for immediate access to high-quality panoramic views.”
While the SkyNav technology breaks from traditional interactive maps with 3D and VR environments, future plans for the app include 360-degree live videos that help planners hear and see “live” movement. Perhaps, they will even get to experience the Hilton Wilmington Riverside’s newly renovated spaces, set to open next spring. The hotel’s upgrade will be the most recent update to the city’s Convention District, after two hotels already opened earlier this year. As the district continues it’s transformation, planners will certainly be in for a surprise next time they visit—whether physically or virtually.
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