Manchester Central to offer free Wi-Fi to all visitors from 2013

Manchester Central
exhibition and convention centre has taken a competitive move and is
offering “free hi-spec Wi-Fi” to all of its organisers, exhibitors,
delegates and visitors.
 
Starting in January 2013 Manchester
Central will offer all visitors free access to five mbps (mega bytes per
second) Wi-Fi. Hardwire connections will be the only element paid for
by exhibitors.
 
Manchester
Central says it has embraced Association of British Professional
Conference Organisers’ (ABPCO) ‘Conference Cloud’ initiative, which
urges conference venues across the UK to offer free Wi-Fi to delegates.
Manchester Central has also taken it one step further in providing free
Wi-Fi to exhibitors as well.
 
“We strive to be the best at what
we do,” says Chief Executive of Manchester Central, Angie Robinson. “A
few venues already offer delegates free Wi-Fi but we are breaking new
ground and raising the bar in events and conferencing by also offering
it to everyone who comes through our doors.
 
“But we must never
stop improving our offer. We are determined to be trailblazers in the
industry and at the forefront of new developments and initiatives, in
our bid to maximise our offering. We believe that offering free Wi-Fi
for our exhibitors, delegates and visitors will help us to go that one
step further in ensuring the success of our clients’ events,” she adds.
 
Manchester
Central says it is already 100 per cent Wi-Fi compatible and currently
provides two mbps of chargeable Wi-Fi. However, an investment in new and
improved Wi-Fi access points across the venue has improved Manchester
Central’s wireless capacity.
 
“We are delighted that Manchester
Central has taken this step and that the Conference Cloud continues to
gain support across the industry,” says ABPCO Chair Michael Foreman.
“The fact the campaign has influenced major venues to take such brave
strategic decisions is testimony to the importance of this issue. The
offer of ‘free Wi-Fi to all’ is a major development for the UK meetings
industry and will I am sure be warmly welcomed by exhibitors in
particular.”
 
The new Wi-Fi improvements follow other recent
advancements at Manchester Central, including a new concierge service
that was launched before the recent Labour Party Political Conference in
October held at the venue.
 
Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net