Once relegated to the realm of futuristic science fiction, virtual reality has changed the future of the Puget Sound area.

That’s why when presenters at SEA VR, the Seattle-area virtual reality exposition, say their technologies will change industries across the world, people listen.

Gail Rice, one of the organizers of the event, said the event held in Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center on Oct. 28 was a glimpse of things to come in the virtual reality industry.

“We know there is a vibrant community for VR in Seattle, and a lot of that comes from the video game community,” she said. “But there are applications stretching far beyond that.”

One of the ways virtual reality is being used currently is in surgery training and emergency simulations, Rice said.

Cody Nowak, a virtual design and construction manager for Martin Bros. based out of Gardena, California, is using virtual and augmented reality for other purposes.

“We are using it in (architecture, engineering and construction) to use pre-construction models for design validation,” he said. “Like if we are designing a hospital, the users — in this case doctors or nurses — can actually go into that space and see how they interact.”

Things which aren’t workable in tight quarters can be moved or removed. Nowak said companies will actually recoup money on reconstruction costs by getting final end-user approval.

Hundreds of presenters, industry insiders and interested virtual reality users filled the Meydenbauer Center. Startups got a chance to enter a “Shark Tank” atmosphere to pitch ideas to investors. Break-off sessions with dozens of topics got a chance to discuss issues with a panel.

These sessions included “Social implications in the future of VR,” “How VR will change how we do business” and “Using VR to revolutionize how medical professionals train, diagnose and treat.”

Investors are taking notice.

Angela Gamba, marketing and communications vice president for Envelop VR, said her company was poised to make its next big step.

Envelop, a Bellevue-based virtual reality startup, had secured $4 million in Series A funding, led by the Madrona Venture Group.

That investment will allow Envelop to release its product (a data and office management virtual reality program which augments information real time to a series of screens in a virtual environment) to select virtual reality developers this winter before hardware goes to the open market.

As money shifts through the virtual reality market, tech companies are taking notice.

Virtual reality isn’t just for shooting zombies anymore. Although that’s still a fun part of it.

Ryan Murray: 425-453-4602; rmurray@bellevuereporter.com