YNOT – Vancouver-based Utherverse Digital Inc., creator of the Virtual World Web, will host what it believes is the world’s first completely virtual convention July 8-9. UtherConvention 2011 intends to showcase the best of virtual-world technology in real time inside a web-based 3D convention center.

According to Utherverse founder and Chief Executive Officer Brian Shuster, UtherConvention will offer all the features attendees expect to find in a state-of-the art, real-world convention, from a massive trade show floor filled with a variety of exhibitors to the informative seminars, panel discussions and networking events. Unlike more traditional trade shows, however, the virtual convention also will offer opportunities not possible in the real world, notably the ability to for participants to interact with an infinite number of others scattered around the globe. Utherverse’s virtual 3D technology will allow attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and speakers to come together around common interests in real time at an extraordinarily low cost, Shuster said.

“One of the most amazing things about this concept is the cost structure,” he noted. “By creating a virtual convention, we have significantly reduced the cost of hosting a global event. We are able to charge people less than $1 to attend, and it’s under $50 to have a booth. So now people from all over the world can afford to come and explore the next generation of virtual worlds and see how the 3D web will materialize over the next few years.”

The UtherConvention floor will host more than 100 exhibitors, he added, including some of the largest players on the 3D internet. The two-day event also will include a range of informative seminars and panel discussions presented by noted speakers, plus cocktail parties, meet-and-greets and other social events at which business owners may network. Live entertainment on the trade show floor will imbue a festive vibe. A comedy show by popular Utherverse performer Patrick Maliha is scheduled to close the first day. UtherConvention will conclude with a virtual Player’s Ball, which Shuster called “a high-end, invite-only reception.”

The Virtual World Web boasts more than 8 million registered members who use Utherverse’s PC- and Mac-compatible 3D Web browser to navigate a network of 60,000 virtual 3D communities — interacting, socializing and conducting business in sophisticated ways not possible on the “flat” internet. In the VWW, every person has a video game-like avatar they can use to perform at karaoke bars, try on clothes at virtual stores and even teach or attend live online classes at UtherAcademy.

Throughout UtherConvention, all of Utherverse’s normal tools apply, including 3D voice and audio, which will allow participants to overhear and participate in conservations as they walk through the convention hall. Exhibitors and speakers can display products, set up screens to show slideshows or videos and use PowerPoint and props, just like they would in a real world convention.

UtherConvention is expected to be the first in a series of upcoming trade shows offered on the Utherverse platform. Next, in early October, will be World of Warcraft FANCON, a virtual convention for players of the wildly popular online role-playing game and for all the cottage industries that surround it. Shuster said he expects as many as one-half million participants globally to attend the virtual event.

“These conventions showcase the power of the 3D web,” he said. “It enables you to do things that the flat web can’t — [things] that are impossible to do in the real world. This technology opens up a whole arena of conferences that couldn’t happen before. Millions of World of Warcraft players aren’t going to spend thousands of dollars each and fly halfway around the world to see what’s new with the game and meet others in their guild. But for $2, they absolutely will.”

For more information about UtherConvention, visit UtherConvention.com.