Wi-Fi issues for a big event in specific venue: meeting planners’ cares.

This article is from Ian Framson who is a serial entrepreneur and technology innovator and it helps meeting planners to make sure of Internet needs for their coming event inside a particular venue.

Ian is the CEO of TSI (trade show internet) and he is aware of the higher expectations of attendees during an event as far as Wi-Fi. Indeed, nowadays, exhibitors’ demos, emails sending, documents sharing, apps, and critical use of smartphones and tablets are requiring Internet. The network are completely saturated and crowded. The lack of it can damaged the quality of the event on different levels:

-the practicality: use it for practical information (location, schedules, speakers information…)

- the show (to slow the presentation of online promotional video for example)

- the business (to buy online)

 The lack of technologic efficiency (Wi-Fi) can make leave some attendees from the conference center to use Wi-Fi connection in another place. Now, it is all about to know IT lingo and be prepared to understand the vital necessity of Wi-Fi for trade shows, exhibitions, and conferences…

This article highlights on the different steps in terms of Wi-Fi connection that a PCO have to consider and to apply, in order to be sure to respond to the attendees needs:

First, the event’s requirements have to be regarded:

-       the floor plan (where do we need Wi-Fi cover?, how to provide it?)

-       the needs of all attendees (attendees? Exhibitors? Which contents?)

-       the usage needs according to program schedules (peak usage?)

-       the on-site support requirements (technician support?)

Secondly, the technical aspect has to be plan: the coverage and the capacity. Indeed, if the venue pretends to have Wi-Fi connection, it is not a sufficient answer for the efficiency of the event.

            As far as our opinion, it is on one hand, the responsibility of the venue to propose different “package” of connection and advices according to the event needs. On the other hand, the meeting planner has to be well trained in terms of technology. Indeed, he has to be well accompanied (by an expert or a independent internet service provider) to be aware of what is possible and what is required for a specific event in terms of technology, Internet and Wi-Fi. All considering, both parties have to make an effort, and be up to date as far as the Internet and Wi-Fi expectations of nowadays.  It must be considered as significantly as catering needs for instance.

 More information: http://corbinball.com/articles_technology/index.cfm?fuseaction=cor_av&artID=8932