bead bazaar & wifi

[jujeebeads]

Hello there almighty organizers of the great gathering!

Last year you offered us a very reasonable one day rate for wifi access during the bead bazaar. this was a really sweet deal and helped all of us using the square (or what ever) to check customers out quickly.

Will we have that deal, or something similar, again this year? It would be great not to have to lug the "old fashioned" cc machine in my luggage!

thanks~
Judy

[Kendra Bruno]

Hi Judy,

Last year was really an exception based on the fact that the KICC specifically brought to our attention the lack of clear signals for things like the Bead Bazaar and Wi-Fi sales. This was based on feedback from previous groups they have had at the center who used similar services. Very few people bought this service from us in Lousiville and most felt they didn't need it.

This year the Bead Bazaar is not in the convention center, but is located in the hotel, like the Technical Vendors. Bandwidth has become an issue for many hotels now as nearly all guests are wanting Wi-Fi services. We have Wi-Fi free in the guest rooms of our conference attendees again this year, but that's not true of every guest staying at the hotel, just our group. The question becomes, will that work in the area of the hotel where we will conduct the Bead Bazaar and if not, what are the alternatives available.(?) We are currently exploring that.

We will not be able to offer a package like we did last year as it just isn't available to us, but we will be providing details on what our Bead Bazaar and Technical Vendor participants can expect to pay or can use as an alternative in the next couple of weeks if indeed, signals again are going to be a concern.

Thank you for your question and please let me know if you have any others. We will post more information here and in final Gathering details to be sent via Constant Contact to everyone in the next couple of weeks.

Best,
Kendra

[jujeebeads]

Hi Kendra,

Thanks for the reply. Since I do regular shows, I know last years's deal was a very good deal. And it came in handy for me. Usually the event rooms in the hotels are beyond the wi-fi service, but we'll see. I will check back here for updates. Just trying to cut down on what I need to bring....and leave more room to bring back goodies!

thanks again! see you a few weeks!
Judy

[Kendra Bruno]

You are very welcome, Judy. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

-Kendra

[Lara]

Kendra, do you know the price yet? I need to know if I should sign up for my Verizon this month or not. Depends on the price. Thanks - lara

[Kendra Bruno]

It is cost prohibitive for us. WiFi is available, but only if purchased by ISGB, the organization. Individuals cannot purchase it from the hotel - too many people purchase it, then give out the password, the bandwidth isn't enough, then people complain to the hotel. The hotel, like many, is just not as flexible on this anymore.

It is available in your guest room free, as an ISGB coonference attendee, but not in the meeting areas. Yes, there can be carry over from area to area in a hotel no doubt so this too, may be the case in some spots.

If we were to order it, then individual people would have to pay us, so we can in turn pay the hotel. That did not work well in Louisville, at all.

It's over $1000 per day for basic bandwidth and starting at 50 people, it goes up from there....otherwise, the lines are just way too slow to even bother and the hotel says more people would be angry because of the slow lines.

Between Tech Vendors and the Bead Bazaar, that's over $6000 and we would never be able to collect from everyone. We just can't do it as an organization.

I tried my Square there over the weekend and it worked, but of course we can't guarantee that - same as other shows. My iPhone, iPad and my husband's Blackberry all had reception without interuption, too.

-Kendra

[MarcyLamberson]

Hi Kendra, thanks so much for letting us know and also checking it on your phones and pad. Sounds like we all need a back up plan and good luck that it works when needed.

[Kendra Bruno]

You are welcome, Marcy and we will see you soon! Travel safe!!!

-Kendra

[Lara]

Thanks Kendra, I misunderstood your first post. I can't read apparently.

[Kendra Bruno]

Lara, no worries at all! Looking forward to seeing you soon!

-Kendra