Trade Show Goes Digital, Saves Tons of Paper

HOUSTON - Its one of the largest trade shows in the world, and its right here in Houston. The 2010 Offshore Technology Conference is underway at Reliant Center from Monday through Thursday.

While the event is all about making money on the water, one company is looking to save paper back on land.

From 3D models of the Astrodome -- to flying sandwiches, its not the You Are Here map you're used to seeing. Interactive Wayfinder has ten interactive displays set up at Reliant Center during the OTC, showing over 60,000 visitors the walking path to 2,000 exhibits and dozens of vendors.

"So when I search for Kuwait Oil, it tells me to go to the arena, to take the shuttle to the arena, and then come through the main entrance," explains Stacy Bloomer of Prism Technologies.

While its the first time Wayfinder has been used in Houston, its made appearances at events around the country, replacing thousands of paper program guides.

Interactive Wayfinder executive G.V. Iyer says the displays save up to 500,000 pounds of paper per event, and since they're interactive, you can tell it to find whatever you want.

"Say you're standing here in Reliant Center, and you wanna say where are all my food options? You click on food, and all of the different food options pop up," explains Stacy Bloomer, as a sandwich flies across the screen.

And if you can't find the Wayfinder display, all the information is on your mobile phone and online - all with the goal of keeping the public informed and eco-friendly.

"The main focus for us is the customer experience through content, says Iyer. The biggest benefit for this is the productivity and how green this technology is.

More on the web: http://www.tradeshowwayfinder.com/