Here's a cool little news item that takes a look at the application of the "3D internet" for business conferencing, product demos and marketing. Virtual 3D Marketing, or V3M, is a Fishers, Indiana-based startup developing custom virtual business environments in which its clients can hold conferences, hold trade shows, and demo products online.

The startup is the brainchild of California-based software developer Expo3D Corp's marketing arm, and offers interactive exhibit areas with products on display, online automation, tech sessions and workshops using live, pre-recorded or archived learning tools. During virtual seminars, a "proximity chat" function even allows the presenting avatar to hear other participants' conversations if he's close enough in the virtual conference room.

The technology will be used for the webcast of next month's Leonardo Energy technology show webcast next month. "They never found a practical way to hold this show before in the physical world," said Tony Evans, vice president of marketing for Expo3D. "But the virtual world will allow them to do this." Pretty neat!

[Via Indystar.com]