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, while wireless access will be free from January.
 
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.
 
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