Email the editor

Wi-Fi campaign gains early support from venues

12/08/2011

A campaign calling on venues across the UK to provide delegates with free Wi-Fi has gathered early momentum with six organisations already putting their name down for the scheme.

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) - the group  behind The Cloud Conference campaign - said the internet was a ‘fundamental part of working life’.

In the first 48 hours six venues signed up to the campaign.

First out of the blocks was Twickenham Experience, followed by Sheffield International Venues, UMIC, Ricoh Arena, Park Inn by Radisson Rotherham and Eastbourne Devonshire Park Centre.

Simon Mills, head of sales and marketing at Twickenham Experience, said: “This is a great initiative and we are delighted to be the first to sign up.  We already offer free Wi-Fi at the Stadium as we see this as essential in today’s competitive environment. PCOs and clients see Wi-Fi as an integral part of their event and do not want to be charged additional fees for a fundamental service.”

ABPCO chair Michael Foreman, added: “The Conference Cloud campaign has already been widely picked up, with lots of interest and support across social media channels in addition to the petition and venues signing up.  This is just the beginning and we are looking forward to sitting down with venues later this year to discuss how best to implement free Wi-Fi for delegates.”

For more information visit www.theconferencecloud.co.uk

Pictured: Simon Mills



RELATED ARTICLES
Internal relations a burning issue for in-house organisers
 
Motor Neurone Disease Association’s Pam Aston joins ABPCO board
 
'Hands-on' attitude to growth as Jennifer Jenkins takes ABPCO helm
 
'Hands-on' attitude to growth as Jennifer Jenkins takes ABPCO helm
 
Charles Dickens and free Wi-Fi stars of ACC Liverpool’s London visit
 
Co-owners Foreman and Joffe to leave Kenes UK
 
Manchester Central to provide Wi-Fi for all
 
PCOs warned against passive approach on LinkedIn
 
Hotels urged to sign up to industry's free Wi-Fi campaign
 
ABPCO event to keep in-house organisers LinkedIn
 
Mills departs Twickenham in search of more mainstream role
 
Network of meeting centres to open at UK motorway rest areas
 
Brighton Centre soars into Wi-Fi clouds to support ABPCO campaign
  • Mr Justin Livesey of The Teacher Building 16/08/2011

    IET venues had a Wi-Fi system installed 7 years ago and have not charged for this service. We felt that this technology was an important part of the conference experience and to charge would be wrong. Charging extras are something we don't like and feel it is better to add all the essential elements for the conference organiser at one price. Justin Livesey IET Glasgow: Teacher Building

  • Ian Conder of De Vere Venues 12/08/2011

    At De Vere Venues, we couldn’t agree more with this campaign. It’s ridiculous that some venues still charge for Wi-Fi and those that do so are doing a disservice to their customers and our industry. Wi-Fi is fundamental to the way we live our lives and do business and it should not only be completely free, but of a high and robust quality. In the end the market will decide on this one, customers will vote with their feet and go to venues like ours where the service is quick and free.

  • Mr Roger Oakley of Global Connect UK Ltd 12/08/2011

    Well done to the ABPCO for bringing this issue to the fore. Charging for Wi-Fi, or let’s say internet connections in general is seen as an easy revenue stream by hotels and venues and a replacement for their telephone revenue that dropped right off after the introduction of mobile phones. The fact is that in the current trading environment, this IS a factor of differentiation between venues and in many cases DOES contribute to the buy decision. The sooner hotels and venues realise this and drop their ludicrous charges, as our Barcelona property in addition to those mentioned above, has done; the better it will be for them and the industry. Of course it’s understood that some venues are tied into expensive ISP contracts, yet others sub-out their internet provision and this does make dropping charges more difficult. My advice to them is: give it some thought and shop around before you really lose out.



Facebook Share Twitter Share LinkeIn Share