After months of hard work, we’re now getting ready to showcase the Cubes at Web Summit, one of the biggest tech startup events in the world. The Cubes can’t wait to use all their sensors to quantify the part of the conference that usually goes unseen, even though it can significantly influence attendee satisfaction: indoor air quality.

That’s why we decided to share some tips for conference organizers on how to keep your indoor environment in top shape, and your audience happy despite the longs hours in crowded, enclosed spaces.

1) Get fresh air in before the event: During our first public appearance at the Launch Festival earlier this year, we discovered that you can’t ventilate a huge space with thousands of attendees well enough once the event starts. If possible, let fresh air flow throughout the venue the day before the crowds rush in.

2) Provide quiet zones: Hallways and exhibition spaces are naturally crowded and noisy. Part of the big conference experience and thrill. However, all the noise can eventually cause stress and distract people for serious conversations. Provide quiet spots where people can sit down, rest their legs, and have serendipitous meetings with other attendees.

3) Products need good lighting to shine: Exhibiting startups will appreciate a good light that will show the product’s best angle without screen glare in photos and videos, even when they’re taken with mobile devices. If you want your audience to live tweet the lectures, provide enough light in the rooms for comfortable computer work (between 300 and 500 lux). A generous supply of charging stations and power plugs throughout the conference venue should provide enough power for all-day reporting.

4) Keep the temperature steady: Aim for the productivity zone between 70°F and 75°F (21°C and 24°C), so it’s not too cold to sit still during lectures or too hot when you’re hustling around during the breaks. Keep an eye on the temperature during crowded keynotes. Even rooms with the best ventilation and air conditioning might sometimes benefit from an open door or two to keep it cool or improve air quality. Huge crowds are a guarantee for an afternoon headache without proper ventilation.

5) Watch out for dry air: With air conditioning or heating working overtime, the air might get dry and encourage the spread of flu and viruses, especially during colder months. Aim to have the relative humidity above 43%. Large humidifiers can help with that, as long as they are not too loud to cause a distraction.

6) Don’t let bad weather get everyone down: Have plenty of coffee and black or green tea available at all times to keep your attendees awake, especially if the weather is acting up. Don’t forget to also have water at hand to avoid dehydration after a networking night out at the pub.

7) Solid Wi-Fi for stress free pitches: And finally, having good Wi-Fi signal in the air is a must. Startups rely on a variety of cloud connected devices for product demos. Good connectivity will make everyone sweat less and help maintain a good mood during pitches.

Curious to find out what the indoor environment at the Web Summit in Dublin will be like? If you’re attending, make sure to stop by our stand and shake our Cubes for an answer!