Delivering reliable connectivity and managed network services across one of Shropshire’s busiest event venues
For organisations operating across large sites, multiple buildings or customer-facing environments, network infrastructure is about far more than internet access. Reliable connectivity underpins day-to-day operations, supports customer experience and enables future growth.
The challenge becomes even greater when hundreds or thousands of visitors, exhibitors, contractors and staff rely on the same infrastructure.
In this case study, we look at how the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society partnered with EPX IT to transform connectivity across the West Mid Showground. Through a combination of managed network services, infrastructure improvements, strategic planning, and ongoing support, the organisation has moved from a reactive, fragmented environment to a resilient, scalable network capable of supporting both daily operations and major events.
The Client
The Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society (SWMAS) runs the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury, handling dozens of events and bookings each year, including the Shropshire County Show, which marked its 150th anniversary in 2025, on-site camping facilities and several charity shops across Shropshire.
The showground itself presents a unique infrastructure challenge. The site needs to support office staff, event organisers, traders, exhibitors, ticketing systems, visitors and temporary event infrastructure, all while maintaining reliable connectivity across a large and varied estate.
The small office team is based on-site, although flexible working arrangements are also required due to periodic flooding affecting the site.
EPX IT has been the West Mid Showground's managed IT and network services partner for the past five years, providing strategic advice and support across network infrastructure, business continuity, security and connectivity.
The Brief
SWMAS was looking for a managed service provider capable of taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of its IT systems, telephony, internet connectivity and wider network infrastructure.
The existing environment had developed over many years as the organisation evolved. Systems were no longer meeting business needs and staff were spending significant amounts of time troubleshooting issues rather than focusing on their core responsibilities.
At the same time, the Society wanted to improve connectivity across the wider showground estate, providing a better experience for event organisers, traders, caterers, exhibitors and visitors.
Reliable Wi-Fi coverage, stronger infrastructure resilience and improved support for external users became key priorities.
The Actions
We began by carrying out a full audit of the existing infrastructure and meeting with the team to understand both their immediate challenges and longer-term ambitions.
Within the office environment, Microsoft 365 was standardised across users, file structures were reviewed and reorganised, and SharePoint was introduced to improve document management and collaboration.
Alongside this work, attention turned to the wider network infrastructure.
Initial discussions explored a fully cabled site-wide network with extensive access point coverage. While this sat outside the available budget at the time, a phased approach was developed to steadily improve network performance and resilience.
Over several years, EPX IT has:
- Resolved long-standing wireless issues affecting users and devices
- Improved network configuration and management
- Installed new internal and external wireless access points
- Upgraded the majority of wireless infrastructure across the site
- Added new equipment to improve network performance, reliability and coverage
- Extended connectivity across significantly larger areas of the showground
As part of the Society's continued investment in its infrastructure, EPX IT also installed a dedicated 200Mb leased line, replacing the previous broadband service and delivering a substantial improvement in reliability, speed and capacity.
This has helped ensure the network can support both everyday office operations and the demands placed upon it during major events.
Support was also extended to SWMAS's six charity shops, where EPX standardised devices using Microsoft Intune and charity licensing, creating consistency, security and easier management across multiple locations.
Throughout the partnership, quarterly strategic review meetings have been held to assess budgets, network performance, security posture and future infrastructure requirements.
The Impact
The most visible improvement has been the transformation in connectivity across the showground.
Coverage now extends significantly further across the site than before, providing reliable access for traders, caterers, event organisers, ticketing teams and operational staff.
The network infrastructure has evolved from a series of isolated improvements into a managed environment that supports the organisation's long-term goals and the growing demands placed upon the venue.
The dedicated leased line has improved performance and reliability, while ongoing investment in access points and network equipment has increased both coverage and resilience.
Within the office environment, staff can work more effectively using Microsoft 365, SharePoint and standardised systems that support collaboration, whether they are on-site or working remotely.
The charity shops also benefit from secure, consistent device management across all locations.
Most importantly, the Society now has a technology and network partner providing both day-to-day support and strategic guidance, allowing the team to focus on running the venue rather than managing infrastructure issues.
Quarterly reviews continue to ensure that network and technology decisions remain aligned with operational requirements, event delivery and future growth plans.
Deb Evans, Office Manager, Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society
"EPX IT have been a fantastic company to work with, coming up with solutions that work on a large, complex site. They have responded swiftly to every challenge and provided cost-effective service across our wide-ranging business operations. Moving to EPX IT was the best thing we ever did."
Ian Bebbington, CEO, Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society
"Bringing EPX IT in to manage our IT infrastructure has had a huge impact on the way we work in terms of effectiveness and productivity. We wanted to ensure smooth and efficient working practices while also providing an excellent service to our clients and event organisers.
Both of these business objectives have been achieved, and the continued support from a managed service provider ensures we continue to grow with confidence."
