A Critical Point of Failure: Why Event Pros are Doubling Down on Network Connectivity
Imagine this: the highly anticipated keynote is moments away, the room is buzzing with energy, and then - silence. Your WiFi has crashed, leaving presenters stranded, attendees frustrated, and your meticulously planned event in disarray.
Network failures can bring even the best-planned event to its knees. That is why 44% of event planners refuse to book venues without guaranteed Internet, and 56% list high-speed WiFi as their top technology priority. Every attendee check-in, file share, live feed and point of sale transaction depends upon rock-solid internet, making connectivity non-negotiable for corporate gatherings.
Never Again
These were the stakes recently, when a leading enterprise data storage company gathered nearly 2,000 employees at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin for their annual Sales Kickoff. The company had endured connectivity problems at a previous venue and so this time, the team came to the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin demanding flawless network performance.
Preparations Prior to the Event
Achieving flawless connectivity for large-scale events like this company’s Sales Kickoff requires more than managing existing networks - it requires exceptional execution and meticulous orchestration across an array of event technologies and vendors. As the host venue, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin took their responsibility seriously, aligning teams around a network infrastructure design specifically tailored to the data storage company’s unique requirements.
The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin’s Senior Event Manager, Michelle Balaj reflected on the experience and what it represented for the venue: “Guests expect to stay connected throughout their programs. Whether they’re accessing cloud tools essential for operations or collaborating in real time, stable internet is a must. Poor internet leads to frustration and impacts productivity.”
To better accommodate the event and ensure optimal network performance, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin team partnered closely with Xpodigital’s dedicated on-site technical team in advance. A Senior Network Engineer was assigned to the Sales Kickoff event and networks were safeguarded with built-in security and backup systems. Internet and WiFi network latency (responsiveness), bandwidth (capacity) and throughput (speeds) were analyzed and optimized for all interior and exterior meeting spaces, and teams were equipped with a live network dashboard for real-time monitoring and proactive troubleshooting during the conference. This instilled the data storage company with complete confidence that any potential issue would be proactively addressed.
Performance When it Counts
The behind-the-scenes preparation and collaboration paid off. Upon kickoff, there was a sense of unwavering confidence permeating among both presenters and participants. From the opening keynote to the closing announcements, everything worked seamlessly, without hiccups or urgent last-minute interventions. Attendees were delighted. Not a single presentation, demonstration, or training session was disrupted, culminating in the SalesKickoff event achieving an exceptional 99.99% uptime.
As Balaj affirmed, “Feedback from the data storage company and their attendees was all positive! The clients were thrilled with the partnership created with Xpodigital and the continued support from onsite technicians.”
Paving the Way for Future Events
Ultimately, the Sales Kickoff event established a new benchmark for high-performance, hybrid-ready events at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, effectively paving the way for future conferences of similar scale and complexity.
“Hosting a program like this sales kickoff demonstrates our ability to meet complex technical and logistical requirements. It builds trust and strengthens relationships with major tech companies and their partners,” said Balaj.
“The partnership between this data storage company, Xpodigital, and our hotel showcased how shared commitment and collaboration lead to success, with challenges addressed quickly and seamlessly,” she concluded.
Partner With Experts You Can Trust
By partnering with Xpodigital, the event staff from both the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin and the leading enterprise data storage company were empowered to concentrate on delivering a world-class experience, free from the concerns of Internet and WiFi connectivity.
Don’t leave your event’s success to chance. Xpodigital can provide you with essential expertise, reliability and proactive support, including:
Advanced high-density WiFi tailored to your venue and event needs
99.99% uptime with built-in security and backup systems
Transparent, real-time monitoring and reporting for total control
Onsite technical expertise for instant support and worry-free operations
Flexible solutions for permanent, temporary, indoor, and outdoor connectivity
Join event professionals across North America who trust Xpodigital to power flawless event experiences. Schedule a free consultation with an expert and eliminate Internet and WiFi concerns.
