New social networking service allows trade show exhibitors to communicate with customers

Virtual Press Office (VPO) is an online trade show news distributor that is now taking advantage of social networking.

VPO recently announced EventBuzz, its new service that lets exhibitors follow social media conversations that could have an impact on their businesses. The monitoring system will cover communication taking place on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

'Social media measurement is all about listening, and based upon what you learn, responding in an appropriate manner,' said VPO's CEO Peter Brand. 'EventBuzz will allow companies to get real-time market feedback on products, technologies, competitors, and people with the added advantage of being able to respond in real-time.'

EventBuzz becomes available on October 1 for any trade show or corporate event in the world. The service costs $399 and allows individuals to monitor up to 10 keyword searches.

VPO was established in 1996 and says it has changed the way exhibitors and the media communicate by offering its online press office. The company claims it provides 400 events with support.