Trade show internet options

[Syringer]

So we're hosting a booth at the San Diego Convention Center and they want to charge us $1500 for internet access for 3 days (wat).

Our plans then are to get a t-mobile air card or eat the costs of this. The only worry is that the convention center is a huge bunker like territory where we might not get a good signal, and with the hundreds/thousands others that won't help either.

Are there any other options besides not getting gouged for the costs?

 

[ScottMac]

No, not really.

I worked Networld+Interop and other industry shows for a dozen years or so, both for the company booth and the N+I volunteer staff. The halls are layers of steel & concrete, so no guarantees for external access. Even though cell access is usually enhanced with repeaters, there are so many people on cell phones and using smartphone data features that the channels all tend to be jammed most of the time.

Trying to arrange your own data lines tends to not work out well either, as they are low priority for the hall staff to set up (so you can order a T1, but it might not get installed until after the show).

You *-might-* be able to work out something with a booth neighbor to split costs, but it's iffy at best ... and works out about the same as sharing data with the family next door that are all heavy data consumers.

It boils down to the cost of doing business at the show. If you don't like the data costs, you're gonna really squeal when you see the cost for moving and storing your crates, electricity ("Oh, you want an outlet at that table??"), "security," cleaning, and frequent obscure charges (air, water, trash disposal, and these days, probably a list of "green" fees to support the tree-hugger's causes ...).

Good Luck, have fun, be prepared when you go in for set-up to swap SWAG with other booths, take some (a lot) adult beverage to offer the union folks (it is the grease for the union wheels ... helps to gain some priority), be prepared for what amounts to bribes to get your {whatever} delivered/installed/removed/cleaned/connected ...

Trade shows are one of the biggest rackets in the industry.

 

[cmetz]

Syringer, let me emphasize and expand on a point:

ScottMac said:
>Trade shows are one of the biggest rackets in the industry.

Many hotels and convention centers have dedicated staff (old-school union, often) whose jobs are to set up and tear down all these provisioned services for trade shows. They get a bit displeased with you if they see you doing things to avoid buying their services. Do you want a bunch of guys running a racket who control everything around you to be... displeased with you? That's an awfully pretty booth you've got there. It'd be a real shame if anything happened to it.

Many shows and venues have explicit rules you agree to of the form that you must buy services from them, and you must buy it per booth. You can't share with your neighbor, you can't work around them. They'll find out, and they will warn you and then they will tear you down and kick you out.

In some fairness, SOME of the expense is actually real. You might think that $1500 for three days of T1-speed Internet is crazy, but you have to remember that there's a whole lot of infrastructure that has to be set up, kept running, and torn down, all in a very short amount of time. Do you know what telcos charge for SONET-class circuits (OC3/12/48) that you need for one week? Do you know what it costs to install and test all that gear and cable in 3-4 days, and tear it back down in 1-2 days?

You are paying a loaded cost plus short-term premium. It's no different than how a salaried employee you pay $60/hour costs you $100/hour in loaded cost, and the same guy as a consultant for a one-day gig would cost you $300/hour.

So the short answer is: Just pay, and focus on maximizing the benefit of your being there. In the math of trade shows, if you're sweating $1500, you shouldn't even be there. You need your presence to be worth at least hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenues (or a similar capital play) or you shouldn't be there.

 

[drebo]

We used these guys at a tradeshow once: http://tradeshowinternet.com/

It worked OK...well enough to send a couple of VoIP phone calls (that's what we were demoing) over.

 

[yougert2k]

Hi Syringer,

I have exhibited myself and have been subjected to these absurdly high prices. I did some research in the field and here's what I found.

There are a couple low cost options. Exhibitor Connect and Trade Show Internet. They both use wireless data signals from cellular carriers to provide service. Both systems work well. Trade Show Internet's solution includes a booster antenna which we really appreciated.

When it comes to connecting to their solutions, you are limited with Exhibitor Connect. You can only connect with 1 ethernet cable. Trade Show Internet's solution allows for 4 wired connections and also allows connection through wifi.

We had an issue connecting to our computer with wifi and the Trade Show Internet tech line was right there for help. They were kind, professional, and most importantly they got us setup fast.

I would recommend talking to both companies and getting a feel for each. We continue to use Trade Show Internet because their knowledge of venues and their customer support is top notch.

Hope this helps!
http://forums.anandtech.com/www.exhibitorconnect.com