the Q 1 2 016
PL ANNING FOR SUCCESS:
THINKING AHEAD IS KEY TO PROVIDING A HIGH-DENSIT Y EXPERIENCE B I L LY B I S C H O F — S A L E S & M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R , S M A R T C I T Y O R L A N D O
Each year, the convention industry sees an uptick in the demand for WiFi. Here at the Orange County Convention Center, things are no different. Mobile devices, tablets, conference apps and the “always connected” mindset is nothing new to us. What makes a company like Smart City stand out as an industry leader and innovator is the way in which we customize for “high-density” solutions. Convention centers aren’t always built for capacity, so it takes a mix of planning and technical resources to reach the highest level of customer satisfaction. What is high-density wireless? Some say that connecting 30% of an attendee base is high-density, while others say it means connecting all attendees in a general session for polling purposes. However, a high-density wireless network is more than numbers and percentages; it’s the ability to provide a highly-concentrated number of devices with consistent, reliable coverage in any situation or environment. There are many different types of high-density environments, each with their own unique requirements to be understood. Preparing for a conference with thousands of guests takes commitment. We have to take into account many factors, including: • • • • • •
Performance requirements (light web browsing, conference apps, online polling, training courses, etc.) Expected capacity (users) Coverage areas Percentage of active users Room sets Traffic patterns of guests
Sometimes our clients aren’t sure what information should be provided to us or what they have already shared with us. Smart City has a vast network of centers across the country and a wealth of knowledge and show history at our fingertips. Take advantage of it! Aesop is a great resource for client information, which not only helps us plan events to the best of our ability, but also provides value with our clients. To take the planning process one step further, we occasionally have the opportunity to advance a show. The Smart City Orlando team recently had the pleasure of hosting Donna Kacmarcik, Smart City San Diego’s Customer Sales and Service manager. Donna was able to see how we managed a show that her building will be hosting in the near future. Advancing a future show is a great way to sort out any challenges and learn what works. It’s also a great way to show our clients how committed we are to the show’s success. Hospitality is about going the extra mile and exceeding expectations. For Smart City, it’s also about getting things right the first time. To provide a consistent, reliable high-density wireless network for the masses, go above and beyond in the planning process. By starting early, utilizing our client history database, and sharing knowledge across our network of teams, we can provide the top-notch customer service that our clients are looking for.
01