Running a trade fair or corporate evening with flight simulators: the practical guide
At a trade fair, a stand with a cockpit never fails to draw visitors. At an evening event, it becomes the guests’ meeting point. Here is how to bring flight simulators into your event so that they truly serve your goals.
In brief
- At a trade fair, the simulator draws and holds visitors, creating opportunities to talk.
- At an evening event, free access and a live leaderboard keep things lively.
- The set-up depends on the floor space, the duration and the number of guests.
- Branding in your colours extends the impact.
At a trade fair: attract and engage
A trade fair stand has a few seconds to catch a visitor’s attention. An airliner cockpit does that almost every time: people stop, look and want to try. During the flight, your teams have several minutes to talk with the person, or with those waiting their turn.
Tip
Plan a short challenge (three to five minutes) and a leaderboard for the day. Visitors come back to check their ranking, multiplying contacts.
At an evening event: create a meeting point
At a corporate evening, free-access simulators provide entertainment that requires no organisation from guests. They come when they like, alone or in pairs, and challenge their colleagues. A prize-giving at the end of the evening creates a shared highlight.
Choosing the right simulators
- The airliner cockpit for the most immersive experience, ideal for two.
- Light aircraft to fly many people in quick rotation.
- Fighter-jet cockpits and virtual reality for a very visual highlight.
- Motion platforms for thrills, offered as an option.
Sizing the set-up
Three parameters determine the number of stations: the length of the event, the number of guests who will want to try and the length of each flight. Add the available floor space, access to electricity and the venue’s delivery constraints. An experienced provider helps you strike the right balance between waiting time and flow.
Branding in your colours
Logo on the screens, aircraft livery, challenges named after your products or teams: branding turns the activity into a communication tool. It also gives participants photos and videos they are happy to share.
What to plan
- An indoor space suited to the number of stations.
- Electricity close to each station.
- Unloading access and set-up and pack-down times.
- Approval from the venue or trade fair organiser for the installation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does a flight last?
At a trade fair or evening event, three to five minutes per person lets many people fly. In a team challenge, the tasks are longer.
Does set-up take long?
It depends on the number and type of simulators. The provider plans the set-up with the venue so that everything is ready before guests arrive.
