Expo center to get connected

Construction of WiFi infrastrucure at SNIEC, is due to start next month. The project is expected to be completed at the end of October, with full WiFi coverage for exhibitors and visitors at the centre.

According to the SNIEC, the WiFi infrastructure is just part of its WiFi Plus plan. The centre hopes to introduce a SNIEC app to promote the concept of smart exhibitions. The app will provide service information covering catering, hotels and venue navigation. SNIEC representatives said more smart functions will be added in coming years.

The move is in response to Premier Li Keqiang’s Internet Plus action plan raised in his government working report on March 5. “We will develop the ‘Internet Plus’ action plan to integrate mobile Internet, cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things with modern manufacuring, to encourage the healthy development of e-commerce, industrial networks and Internet banking, and to guide Internet-based companies to increase their presence in the international market,” Premier Li said.

The SNIEC has partnered with the Shanghai Pudong Commission of Commerce, China Mobile Corporation Shanghai Co and Shanghai Wisdomuni Info Technology Co to develop its WiFi Plus platform. “Based on this WiFi and app platform, we will continue to innovate and upgrade our facilities to provide convenient and effective services,” said Michael Kruppe, general manger of the SNIEC.

The WiFi and app platform is also a part of the SNIEC’s service improvement campaign called SNIEC 2.0. Early this year, the SNIEC announced a series of strategic measures to lift the service quality to provide the highest-quality venue services in China.

Experts said traditional exhibition businesses are keen to transform and blend Internet elements into their daily operations to meet clients’ demands. “Venue operators, event organizers, exhibitors and other expo-related businesses are willing to be connected to clients quickly so as to serve them in the most effective and efficient manner,” Kruppe said.

“In the future, SNIEC will introduce smart exhibitions to enhance service quality and get traders better connected. That will be a complete new visiting experience,” said Zhang Liwei, general manager of Shanghai Wisdomuni Info Technology.

SNIEC representatives said the implementation of its WiFi Plus strategy would enhance its competitiveness and consolidate its position in the market. The WiFi connection will allow other on-site service providers to provide more convenient services to visitors and exhibitors.

Shanghai Huizhan Dining Service Co, the largest caterer in the SNIEC, plans to launch online ordering and meal delivery services in the venue in the near future. “We are considering offering those services when the WiFi infrastructure services in the venue are available,” said Jiang Xiaoyu, general manager of Huizhan

 

（Source: SNIEC Tradeshow Express， July 4， 2015）