Been reading an interesting conversation that is moving through the TwitterVerse today, it seems that people are talking about the need for hotels and conference centers to provide free WiFi to meeting and event attendees. I could not agree more and this is something that I have always advocated.
To the Hotels and Conference Centers I will say, that currently, you are screwed and between a rock and a hard place. Free WiFi is everywhere now and meeting planners are starting to expect it and when they arrive on your doorstep and find out that you want to charge 500, 1000 or more per day for something that Starbucks is giving away, they blow a hose and really, really, start to not like you (especially when your internet service sucks).
I cannot tell you how many conversations that I have had where a fellow planner will say to me “What did you think about the InsertName Hotel” and I will reply…. “Nice place, can you believe that they charge $1500.00 per day for WiFi”…..
Bam, that is how I remember you, for the cost of your WiFi, not for the 100 million dollar renovation, not for the beautiful fountain or the hi tech meeting space, I remember you for the cost of your freaking WiFi.
In a day and age when every Starbucks and McDonalds on the planet can offer WiFi for free as a cost of doing business (not to mention every mid tier hotel), we know that you, Mr Fancy Schmancy Property or you Ms Sparkly Conference Center are jerking our chain like Michael Vick in a PetSmart.
Add it to the cost of running the joint like shoveling snow, cable TV and excercise equipment…..
