ⓘ This article is for Event Organizers
Expo Pass can function offline at your event if the Attendee List is uploaded to the mobile app on each device. However, this isn't ideal if you need to register walk-ins, collect payments onsite, or receive back-end reporting updates. Instead, 99.9% of our Event Organizers choose to have an active internet connection to handle these tasks and sync their data regularly.
The remainder of this article provides valuable information for you to share with your venue AV team (the sooner the better) to ensure that you have an active, stable internet source throughout your event.
Expo Pass requires a router to connect the onsite hardware, iPads and Printers, to each other as well as to receive the internet source provided by the venue. This local communication is achieved using a Wifi access point. This access point must not be interfered with in order to run the Expo Pass product cleanly.
Note: When renting equipment from Expo Pass, we will provide the router, iPads, and printers necessary for a complete onsite printing experience. Expo Pass' router includes cellular capability, offering an additional potential internet source.
❗ Important: Below are some details that are important to share with your venue IT team well in advance of your event, preferably at least 30 days before the event start date. Or even better yet - send them a link to this article!
💡 Tip: We suggest that you inquire with your venue about any networking forms, documents, guidelines, or other relevant information concerning routers in their space. If such documents are available, kindly share them with Expo Pass Event Success for further review.
In addition, we highly recommend obtaining the name and cellphone number of the venue's IT/AV support and understanding their hours of coverage. This precautionary measure is aimed at preventing onsite issues during equipment setup due to a lack of active internet availability.
Expo Pass' Router Specifications
AP Manufacturer: Compex Systems Pte Ltd
AP Model: Turris Omnia router
SSID: ExpoPass
Intended 5.0 GHz Channel: Auto selected on startup based on scanned local networks
Reach out to Event Success for more details
2.4 GHz Channel Not used
Router MAC Address: can be provided separately if needed
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Internet Requirement
At an absolute minimum, the internet provided by the venue must be:
an open network
DHCP enabled (allow DHCP server to automatically assign IP address, so we don't need to manually type the IP address and DNS)
no walled garden
no splash page
the internet connection is exclusively designated for Expo Pass equipment. It should not be on a shared network.
Additional Considerations
Here are additional questions to raise with the venue's IT team, especially if your event is in a very large conference facility or convention center. Please click on each collapsable section here (the triangles) if the answer to the question is "YES."
Does your onsite network use Captive Portal
Does your onsite network use Captive Portal
Please pass this information along to Expo Pass Event Success.
Does your onsite network run Rogue AP Containment, Air Marshal, or other similar access point suppression systems?
Does your onsite network run Rogue AP Containment, Air Marshal, or other similar access point suppression systems?
If so, do you offer Access Point whitelisting or any other mechanism that will allow our equipment to bypass these systems?
How long in advance of the event do you need the Access Point details to ensure we can bypass these systems?
What is the procedure when we provide the requested details but our Access Point still gets suppressed during the event?
Who do the Event Organizer contact and what is the expected turn around time to have the problem fixed?
Does the venue network require device whitelisting in order to access the internet provided?
Does the venue network require device whitelisting in order to access the internet provided?
What details do you need in order to correctly whitelist our products?
Just the router mac address or do we also need to provide the mac addresses for all devices that will be connected to our router?
How long in advance of the event do you need the above details to ensure whitelisting?
What is the procedure when we provide the requested details but our equipment is still unable to access the internet?
Who does the Event Organizer contact and what is the expected turn around time to have the problem fixed?
❗ Important: It's important to emphasize that the internet connection is exclusively designated for Expo Pass equipment. It should not be shared with staff, exhibitors, or attendees, as doing so may lead to issues with the proper functioning of the equipment.
Ethernet
Expo Pass highly recommends using a hardline (ethernet) connection when providing internet, as it is generally the most stable option.
Please work with your Venue to ensure that the following is available:
Ethernet wall jack (port) within proximity of your intended event check-in/registration area.
Expo does not provide an ethernet cable, so please make sure your venue has one that is long enough to get from the wall jack to the check-in/registration area.
Internet must be an active, dedicated connection (for Expo Pass Use Only)
In terms of speed, the minimum download and upload speed is that of 5 Mbps. Anything >5 Mbps is great! 🤗
WiFi
If relying on WiFi over WAN (instead of ethernet), it too needs to be dedicated, DHCP enabled, and a secure network (password protected) - no walled garden and no splash page. The venue will need to provide you the SSID and Password for this WiFi connection.
The SSID cannot be "Expo_Pass", "ExpoPass", "expopass".
We recommend the venue use the following credentials so that our router will connect instantly to their network:
SSID = exponet
PW = badge123
Cellular
If the onsite internet isn't sufficient, consider bringing a mobile broadband device to create a portable WiFi connection (see WiFi Connection above).
Alternatively, the primary router from Expo Pass comes with built-in cellular functionality provided by Verizon Wireless. While this internet source is generally reliable, it may experience issues due to cellular signal strength at the venue's check-in point and the intermittent nature of cellular coverage. Therefore, we strongly recommend having alternate internet options available, such as Ethernet or WiFi, as discussed above.
💡 Tip: *Keep in mind that the venue might impose additional charges for a separate internet connection and Expo Pass is not responsible for these fees.