WiFi: the perfect ally for your seminars and professional events

The WiFi experience has become an essential component of the success of your seminars. To ensure participant satisfaction, your WiFi network needs to perform at its best throughout the business events held on your premises. Managing network issues can be complex for venues without an on-site IT team. Almost all hotels are now equipped with a dedicated IT network and offer internet access to their guests. This is also the case for corporate event venues. However, this is no longer enough. The real challenge lies in the quality and security of the connection experience.

What are the main considerations for a seminar in regard to the network?

High density

Generally speaking, during such events, the first challenge is the number of simultaneous connections in a more or less restricted space. The network must therefore be designed for a high-density environment.

Extensive use

At seminars and business events, participants may require a high connection speed, both in terms of download and upload. In addition, during business meetings, professionals are increasingly relying on interactivity to engage the audience and increase productivity. Internet access must be correctly sized to meet these high bandwidth requirements.

Security

Many companies are very sensitive to network security so as not to jeopardise the data shared during the seminar. The infrastructure must therefore ensure the protection of the data passing through the network.

What are the best ways to ensure optimal network performance during a business event?

Upstream network sizing

In order to provide a pleasant connection experience for all users, the network will have to be correctly designed by anticipating:

• density requirements, which will require suitable WiFi terminals capable of supporting a large number of simultaneous connections
• the need for guaranteed symmetrical internet access (from 100 Mbps and more if necessary)

Having a dedicated contact

Whether internal (IT department/network administrator) or external (service provider), it is essential to have a contact person to respond to network adjustments according to the event. Furthermore, it is sometimes essential to provide a technician on-site for the duration of the event.

Adapting the network to customers' needs

Even if your network is designed for "seminar" use, adjustments will probably be necessary to meet the demands of your customers.

Some examples of technical adaptations:

• setting up a private network (dedicated VLAN)
• configuration of a specific network name (SSID) with secure access
• bypassing the captive portal in certain cases
• reservation of a share of the throughput
• fixed IP addressing and automatic connection for certain equipment
• temporary modification of the infrastructure (addition of switches/terminals and cabling)