SEC Launches SEConnect: A Groundbreaking £4 Million IT Investment

The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow has announced the official launch of SEConnect, the largest IT and business investment in the venue’s history.

This £4 million project represents a significant upgrade to the SEC's IT infrastructure, providing world-class connectivity and secure, reliable wireless coverage. As conference and event organisers increasingly seek advanced technological capabilities, this enhancement will ensure the venue remains at the cutting edge, ready to support the most sophisticated and high-tech exhibitions and shows.

The SEC hosts a diverse range of events every year. Recent highlights have included;  The Diabetes UK Conference, Disney on Ice and Hyrox.  SEConnect, means the campus is now better equipped than ever to enhance the event experience with the ability to cater to events requiring 10 times the technological demands of recent large-scale events like COP26. Featuring new state-of-the-art network switches, advanced firewalls, high-speed cables, and cutting-edge wireless access points, SEConnect ensures comprehensive wireless coverage and high-speed internet services.

Debbie McWilliams, Managing Director of Strategy and People for the SEC said: "We are thrilled to officially launch SEConnect, a milestone in our commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for our clients.  

"This notable investment highlights our focus on embracing future technology, positioning SEC Glasgow at the forefront of the event industry. We are confident that SEConnect will elevate the experience for exhibitors, live events, conferences and commercial partners, ensuring our venue remains a premier choice for high-profile events. Furthermore, it will provide our sales teams with compelling selling points to attract and secure more exhibitors and events, solidifying Glasgow’s reputation as a leading events destination in Scotland equipped with cutting-edge technology."

"Managing a project of this scale in an active venue like the SEC required meticulous pre-planning and an agile approach to scheduling," said SEC Head of Project,  Sammia Shakoor. "Our teams had to balance infrastructure upgrades with a full event calendar, working closely with event teams to ensure minimal disruption.

“Instead of deploying the network in one go, we adapted to a 'start-stop' schedule, moving resources around different venues between events. This allowed us to remain responsive to the needs of our clients while steadily making progress. The success of SEConnect reflects the dedication of every team member and our ability to stay flexible and focused throughout the rollout, for our visitors and clients.”

Simon Wilson, CPO at HPE Aruba added :”We’re proud to support the SEC in delivering SEConnect, a major step forward in event connectivity. Reliable, high-performance WiFi is essential for modern events, and with Aruba’s technology, SEConnect ensures seamless, secure, and fast digital experiences for organisers, exhibitors, and visitors alike.”

Stuart Melville, Head of IT at the SEC said:  “This transformative investment solidifies SEC’s position as a leader in the event industry by enhancing visitor experience, streamlining operations, strengthening cybersecurity, and offering a competitive edge to attract top-tier events, reinforcing Glasgow's global reputation as a premier destination for events.”