CASH FOR CONNECTIONS: HOW EVENT ORGANIZERS CAN MAKE MONEY BY OFFERING INTERNET FOR GUESTS?
CASH FOR CONNECTIONS: HOW EVENT ORGANIZERS CAN MAKE MONEY BY OFFERING INTERNET FOR GUESTS?
In today’s interconnected world, internet access has become a necessity rather than a luxury. At events, guests expect seamless connectivity to share experiences, access information, and stay connected. Event organizers can not only meet this demand but also turn it into a profitable venture by offering internet services to guests. If you are an event organizers, doubtful about monetizing internet services of your event, then this blog will surely help you!
Understanding the Demand for Internet at Events
Modern events, from product launches to conferences, rely heavily on internet connectivity for various functions. Whether it’s enabling cashless transactions, providing live streaming, or offering digital engagement platforms, a stable internet connection is crucial. Guests also expect to have reliable internet access to share their experiences on social media, access event apps, and stay in touch with friends and colleagues.
With these demands in mind, event organizers have the opportunity to transform internet access from a cost Centre into a revenue-generating asset. By understanding guest expectations and leveraging the available infrastructure, organizers can create multiple streams of income from internet services.
Monetization Strategies for Internet Services
Tiered Access Plans: Offering different levels of internet access can cater to various guest needs while maximizing revenue. For example, event organizers can provide basic free Wi-Fi for essential browsing and communication while offering premium high-speed access for streaming or downloading large files at a cost. VIP packages could include exclusive access to high-bandwidth networks with additional perks.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Partnering with tech companies or local businesses to sponsor internet services can offset costs while providing advertising opportunities. Sponsors can brand the Wi-Fi landing page, display ads during login, or even offer special discounts or promotions to users connected to the network.
Data Package Sales: Selling data packages to exhibitors or vendors who need dedicated bandwidth for their activities is another viable option. For example, a vendor showcasing a live demo might require uninterrupted high-speed access, which can be offered as a premium service.
Paid Wi-Fi Access: Implementing a pay-per-use model allows guests to access premium internet speeds and services. Payment gateways can be integrated into the login process, offering seamless transactions for users seeking enhanced connectivity.
Value-Added Services: Additional services such as virtual reality experiences, live streaming capabilities, and interactive digital displays can be offered at a premium, supported by high-speed internet access. This not only enhances guest experience but also creates additional revenue streams.
Example of Corporate Event Bandwidth Calculation:
Consider the case of the Global Business Summit, a large-scale corporate event held annually. This summit attracts industry leaders, exhibitors, and media from around the world, all expecting seamless internet connectivity to support their activities. The event organizers have partnered with a reliable internet provider to set up a comprehensive network infrastructure with multiple access points to cover various zones, including conference halls, exhibition areas, and networking lounges.
With the entire venue equipped with Wi-Fi, the organizers initially focused on ensuring connectivity for essential functions such as presentations, live streaming of keynote sessions, and seamless operations for exhibitors and media personnel. Despite this, a significant portion of the network capacity remained unused. Realizing the potential, the organizers decided to monetize the spare connections by offering premium internet packages to attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors.
By analyzing the usage patterns and network demand, the Global Business Summit identified over 1,000 spare connections that could be monetized. These connections were offered to guests and exhibitors who required high-speed internet for data-heavy activities, such as live product demonstrations and video conferencing. By doing so, the summit not only recovered a significant portion of their internet setup costs but also generated additional revenue by charging a premium for enhanced connectivity.
Addressing Security Concerns
Some organizers worry that allowing guests onto their production network will compromise the performance of their critical devices or present a security risk. Fortunately, a good network engineer working with recent technology will be able to configure your network so that guests don’t pose a threat to your security or smooth functioning. They will set up a separate SSID (network name) and password for guests and manage the bandwidth available to the lower-priority (guest) network. Your priority production network should have an obscure network name and secure password to avoid any access problems.
Calculating Your Revenue Potential
Once you know where you need your access points, what you need the internet for, and how many connections you’re likely to need for each, you can start to map out your unused capacity. For instance, at a conference, you might count the registration area (scanners), the speaker lounge (presenter laptops), the live streaming production area (video production equipment), and the trade show hall (exhibitor devices). By mapping out these needs, you can determine how many connections will be available for guest use.
Subtract the total number of production devices from the total number of connections available in your general admission areas to determine the number of connections available to sell to a sponsor or directly to users via a payment gateway.
Partnering with Reliable Internet Providers
Choosing the right partner for your event’s internet needs is crucial. The Yash Infosystems team is one of the most trusted and experienced Wi-Fi Service providers in India. We can offer seamless and reliable internet solutions tailored to your event’s specific requirements. By Partnering with a provider that understands the unique challenges of event internet connectivity, you can ensure your guests have a positive experience while maximizing revenue potential.
Marketing and Promotion
Promote the availability of high-speed internet as a key feature of the event in all marketing materials. Highlight the benefits of reliable connectivity for guests, such as enhanced social media sharing, access to event apps, and the ability to stay connected with colleagues and friends. Early bird offers, discounts, or incentives for early bookings of internet packages can also drive demand and increase sales.
Conclusion
In conclusion, providing internet services at events can enhance guest satisfaction and generate additional revenue. By understanding the demand, implementing effective monetization strategies, and partnering with reliable providers as Yash Infosystems, event organizers can turn internet access into a profitable venture. We encourage event organizers to explore internet solutions with Yash Infosystems to maximize their event’s potential.