If you’re a venue host, here’s why event wifi still matters…

Every client expects wifi, but not just any old wifi. It really needs to be up to scratch. Without event-appropriate wifi, your venue may as well not be a venue.

1 – Ensure that your wifi is as fast as it needs to be. This will depend on the type of content and the number of guests (and allow for more than one connected device per guest) in your venue. It’s best to try not to second guess the wifi requirements based on the event type. We’ve seen it all… wedding parties that want to connect live on a big screen with a relative in Australia who couldn’t travel, conference delegates all asked to view an online video clip at the same time and DJs who want to beam a live stream of a gig across the other side of the world. If you’re in need of expert advice, speak to these folks.

2 – Does the wifi reach all areas of the venue? There’s nothing more frustrating than sitting in an audience and not getting a connection. Usually the hardest places to reach with 3G are also the hardest to reach with wifi, so make sure you’re well set up. Test it, test it and test it again (just like you would your new catering partner). Be sure to check the signal throughout, with access points carefully located, in particular for venues with high ceilings, concrete walls or metal sheet clad walls. Your guests are also going to need wifi when they break out to use other areas, so be sure to cover off the garden, the restaurant, the lobby area etc. If you’re in need of an audit to understand your current and potential coverage, contact the experts at Cisco Meraki.

3 – Make the sign up process easy, make it too easy. Are you still handing out vouchers with username and login printed on them? Seriously. Don’t. Do you have some long and c0mpl!CaT3d password? Seriously. Don’t. It’s a much better idea to go back to basics. Have a simple password to match an easily identifiable network name. Let’s say your venue name is Windsor Castle, try ‘Windsor Castle Guest’ as the network name and ‘windsorcastle’ as the password. Simples.

4 – Are you asking your guests to create an account with their own email and password? OK, so you’ve figured out that you can get value from all of those email addresses you’re collecting? You could… BUT users are increasingly leaving that all important marketing tick box unticked. If marketing is your thing (and don’t just do this for the sake of it, think about how it will actually help your guests and help you), then why not plug into Facebook Wifi? It’s super simple. Your guests log in to your wifi with a simple check-in, which in itself will create much greater marketing reach and engagement than your marketing emails. Every time a guest logs onto your wifi, they are telling their friends and colleagues where they are. With Workplace by Facebook soon to take over the world, this is a trend not to miss out on.

5 – Make it too easy for your guests to find your wifi. No flimsy coffee-stained scraps of paper, it just delays the start of a training session, team away day or seminar. Don’t wait to be asked, everyone expects wifi. On every device…