I’ve had an unbelieveable week trying to negotiate WIFI costs at some of our country’s larger conference centres. Is anyone else fed up of being ripped off for this service?

I know us event organisers are used to being charged £25 to hire a table for one day, or £90 for an extension lead, but this week I have been negotiating with 4 large venues and with the exception of one venue, have been quoted anywhere between £215 and £300 per WIFI connection. Bearing in mind this is for each of our exhibitors the total soon runs into tens of thousands of pounds!!!

Naturally I’m too professional to name and shame, but this is happening at the majority of conference centres and hotels in a time where this service really should be free.

Of course, as organisers we have to pass this cost onto exhibitors or our clients and is impossible to justify.

I believe its time conference centres and hotels wake up and smell the Java-script (sorry, thats awful). FREE WIFI FOR ALL. I might make up some badges and hang a banner outside my house.

Would love some replies to this. Thanks for putting up with my gripes.

On a lighter note, my wife took our 14 week old daughter Rowan to the heath visitor today and our little bruiser has weighed in at 14Lbs. Pictures to follow.

Matt