Easy RFP | MICE Knowledge Base

How to Do a Hotel Site Inspection for a Conference

A professional hotel site inspection should cover: main conference room (dimensions, layout, sightlines, ceiling height, natural light control), breakout rooms, AV setup, internet bandwidth test (run a speed test on-site), catering facilities, accommodation standard, arrival and registration flow, and a meet with the dedicated events coordinator who will own your event.
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Who to Bring and Who to Meet

Bring your AV supplier if possible — they will spot technical problems that a planner might miss. Meet: the dedicated conference/events coordinator (not just sales), the head chef (if F&B is important), and the AV technician if in-house. Avoid site visits where you are only shown around by the sales team — insist on meeting the operational team.

The 10 Things to Check In the Conference Room

1. Measure the room — confirm dimensions match the proposal. 2. Test natural light: can it be fully blacked out? 3. Confirm ceiling height for projection. 4. Run a Wi-Fi speed test (test.your.speed). 5. Check pillar positions and sightlines from the back row. 6. Test microphone and speaker system. 7. Check air conditioning noise level. 8. Confirm emergency exit locations. 9. Check proximity of toilets. 10. Confirm whether the room can be exclusively yours or shared.

Red Flags During a Site Inspection

Sales team reluctant to let you run a speed test — usually means internet is unreliable. Conference room doubles as a restaurant or ballroom with no sound insulation. No dedicated events coordinator — your event will be managed by rotational staff. In-house AV is the only option with no external supplier allowed. Catering stored or served far from the room (delays breaks). Hotel under renovation — noise and disruption are guaranteed.

Virtual Site Inspections: What Works and What Doesn't

Virtual site inspections (video walkthrough with the hotel team) work for: initial shortlisting, checking sightlines and layout, meeting the coordinator. They do NOT replace physical visits for: testing internet speed, assessing acoustics, checking air conditioning noise, verifying the catering flow. For events over 100 pax, always do a physical site visit before signing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hotel site inspection?
A hotel site inspection is a physical visit to a venue before booking, where the event planner checks all aspects of the conference facilities — room dimensions, AV, internet, F&B, accommodation — to verify the hotel can deliver as promised.
What should I check during a conference hotel site inspection?
Check: room dimensions vs. stated capacity, internet speed (run a test), AV system, natural light control (blackout capability), sightlines from back rows, proximity of toilets and catering, air conditioning noise, and meet the dedicated events coordinator who will own your event.
Is a virtual site inspection sufficient for booking a conference venue?
Virtual site inspections are useful for initial shortlisting but do not replace physical visits for events over 100 pax. You cannot test internet speed, assess acoustic quality, or evaluate catering flow remotely.
What are red flags during a hotel site inspection?
Red flags include: reluctance to allow internet speed tests, no dedicated events coordinator, mandatory use of in-house AV only, hotel under renovation, conference room that doubles as a restaurant without sound insulation, and inability to guarantee exclusive use of the room.

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