Smart City Networks | Q2 2023 | Pinnacle

PINNACLE

MARK HALEY President

Smart City Networks

From the Desk of the President

Continually Improve Processes!

Let’s start with hockey. In June, the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup, a remarkable accomplishment not only for the team, but for the greater Las Vegas community. In just six years, Vegas has put together a championship NHL team, thanks to a lot of hard work, unwavering dedication, and a commitment to continually improve their process.

I promise, this isn’t just an excuse to talk hockey with you. This amazing feat is a great inspiration not only for sports enthusiasts, but for our company as well. It allows us to reflect and ask how far have we ourselves come in the last six years? Serving so many diverse destinations across the country, I don’t know if we can ever win one big “Stanley Cup” like the Knights did. However, we support our cities in winning smaller “Stanley Cups” for each destination. Whether it’s the recent Super Bowl activities in Phoenix, Awesome Con in Washington DC, Music Merchants in Anaheim or InfoComm in Orlando, we support our partner cities in winning their own individual Stanley Cups in their community. We accomplish this by evolving in new and exciting ways, and I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved both in the last few years and specifically in this quarter. These last few months have been a mixture of accomplishing short-term goals while setting larger, long-term objectives for us in the future and it has put us in a great position moving forward.

We constantly strive to continually improve our processes. Whether that be in updating our Career Advancement Training program to better prepare our team members to deliver our unparalleled customer service to events across the nation, or by sending our team members through specialty leadership programs so they can hone their leadership skills, we never stop moving forward in our quest to reach the very top.

GO KNIGHTS!

As with every Pinnacle, this issue highlights a range of people and events, but specifically, we’re highlighting just how Smart City continues to improve their processes as we strive for even greater heights in the future.

There is no such thing as perfection in our industry, but rather there is dedication to always being better, always advancing from where we were just a few months ago, and never slowing down. That idea is the connective tissue for this quarter’s Pinnacle, and we are very excited to share it with you! As always, thank you to our incredible team!

To the Top!

It’s the people...

It’s the People. We have great people who want to do well, who are capable of doing great things, and who come to work fired up to achieve them. Great people flourish in an environment that liberates and amplifies their energy. It’s the People. We have great people who want to do well, who are capable of doing great things, and who come to work fired up to achieve them. Great people flourish in an environment that liberates and amplifies their energy. It’s the People. We have great people who want to do well, who are capable of doing great things, and who come to work fired up to achieve them. Great people flourish in an environment that liberates and amplifies their energy. It’s the People. We have great people who want to do well, who are capable of doing great things, and who come to work fired up to achieve them. Great people flourish in an environment that liberates and amplifies their energy.. It’s the People. We have great people

ORANGE COUNTY COLLABORATES FOR SUCCESS!

Smart City is proud to be partnered with the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida. It is one of the largest convention centers in the United States and serves as a prominent hub for major industry events throughout the year. That means our hardworking OCCC team consistently works to deliver an exceptional experience for every attendee and exhibitor in the convention center. With that in mind, it is important to keep the team strong and focused. Team building is an essential part of Smart City’s DNA and recently the team at Orlando participated in a fun art activity. Each team member was given art supplies and tasked with creating one letter of our company name and motto. It highlights how we are strong as individuals, but also work as a unified team to create something pretty incredible!

SMART CITY SALUTES OUR HEROES

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, May gave us an opportunity to highlight a few of our company’s extraordinary veterans through a mixture of social media and blog posts. While this collection represents only a small fraction of the veterans within our organization, it offers a great look into how Smart City employees’ military experiences have shaped them both as leaders and as individuals.

To learn about just a few of these captivating stories, follow this link! As an organization, we at Smart City would like to extend our appreciation to all veterans, both in our ranks and around the world, who have sacrificed and served. Thank you for your service!

SMART CITY’S COMMITMENT FROM THE SHADOWS

At Smart City, we live by the belief that the best work goes unnoticed. That reflects in one of our daily basics; Get things right the first time. This means we do things correctly and efficiently beforehand, to make sure events go off without a hitch. So, whenever we get feedback from an event highlighting our stellar service, it means a lot to our team. Recently, we received positive boosts from events like the Association for Materials Protection and Performance in Colorado telling us “It was an awesome experience working with you” and from the American Astronomical Society in Seattle who wrote “I appreciate EVERYTHING you and the Smart City team [contributed] toward the success of the meeting.” We sincerely appreciate the kind words and thanks to all our teams across the nation!

SMART CITY NETWORKS NAMED TOP WORKPLACES 2023 WINNER

We are thrilled to announce that Smart City Networks is a Top Workplaces 2023 award winner! We are honored to be named one of Nevada’s leading companies to work for by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Business Press. This recognition is thanks to the exceptional work environment and stellar team that we have built together after close to 40 years in this industry.

At Smart City, we believe that a positive workplace is vital to our success. We prioritize creating a culture that values and supports our talented team members, enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally.

Being named a Top Workplaces 2023 reflects the dedication and commitment of every individual at Smart City Networks. It is the result of our shared values, collaborative spirit, and unwavering passion for excellence. We are immensely proud of this achievement and extend our gratitude to our incredible team members who contribute their skills and talents every day.

DAVID BACHLER General Manager Hawaii Convention Center

SMART CITY SPOTLIGHT

Our General Manager in Hawaii reflects on his time in the military with insightfulness and honesty. David Bachler, this is your spotlight!

As a caveat, there is a known axiom within the military of being “the quiet professional.” By extension, sharing about the nature of our service is typically uncommon with those of whom are uninitiated to our culture. This both is and is not a factor of trust. The bonds forged within the military reside somewhere greater than friendship and slightly less than, or (if lucky) equal to family.

So, admittedly, I am reticent to share. Moreso on principle. It

is my belief that to serve and then expect recognition for the service, inherently negates the nature of service. My service was not conditional on acknowledgment. What I wish to accomplish here is to paint a picture. To, hopefully, share in the richness of a widely misunderstood and extremely personal experience that has taught me about acceptance, openness, and the power of selflessness.

I served only two years. Not long enough to gain any semblance of a seasoned perspective, but just long enough to be indoctrinated to the cultural richness of military dogma. I was a United States Navy Corpsman.

I remember a funny moment in basic training, an instructor was grilling me and asked a pointed question, “Why in God’s name did you join the Navy, recruit?!” I answered in the only way I knew how, honestly, “Because the Marine’s recruiting office was closed that day, Petty Officer.”

“You should have waited, son.” He replied with an air of understanding in his voice. I wish it was a joke, but it was the God’s-honest-truth. Like many people who enlist, I saw the military as a way to get out of a home situation that wasn’t working. Personally, looking back, it was probably just lack of perspective on life and youthful hastiness.

Originally, I enlisted under a Navy SEAL contract. Essentially all that means is I had the opportunity to “try out” for SEAL training. Like many 19-year-old males, I had romanticized the idea of being a Navy SEAL and was not in any way prepared for the rigors of what it actually entailed. I only lasted a couple of months before I realized that I was not ready mentally, nor was my aptitude in the water where it should have been.

After I dropped out of the SEAL program, I went to reclass (pick a different job). The personnel helping me with my paperwork asked what job I wanted instead. “Whatever doesn’t go on a boat.” I answered. The petty officer

looked at me from under their glasses and asked, “You do realize you joined the Navy, right?”

The Navy Corpsman has a very broad mission-set, we are, in essence, the medical corps for both the Navy and Marine Corps. If you’ve ever watched the WWII drama The Pacific, and someone is severely injured in combat and they call out “CORPSMAN!”, that was us. A central theme of how we are trained is to run towards danger, and that definitely stays with a person.

My tour of service was in a naval hospital in Naples, Italy that served as support to an adjacent Joint Forces installation. My exposure to the military and the philosophical substrate was profound. To take a group of strangers from all walks of life, who probably would never cross paths, and give them a common purpose, teach them that personal differences or ideologies are always secondary to the primary objective, is powerful. What was undeniably impactful was what happened when stripped of your “core” … where you come from, your beliefs, upbringing, etc., and instead shown who you are right now and what you are capable of when part of a dynamic team. People realize that we are not so very different from one another, and that people who are seemingly worlds apart can foster care and respect. The core of a person is truly found in their ability to think outside themselves and to focus on the good of the team.

My hope is that the transferable qualities of this experience are obvious. Anyone who has served and honestly taken the time to appreciate how transformational the experience is understands that the military gives us specialized tools and abilities that are forged through a unique microcosm of existence.

Some days I wish that the United States would enact a minimum requirement of service, if only to provide the opportunity to experience what we as humans are capable of. But I realize that the operative factor for this profundity was born from the journey being voluntarily. Perhaps one cannot force people, they must be willing participants, willing to believe in what is possible.

In closing, I’ll leave the passersby who might read this with this to ruminate on… the two greatest axiomatic beliefs we espoused in the military (in my opinion) ...

#1 Lead from the front – by example.

#2 There are no bad teams, only bad leaders.

It may sound severe in its rhetoric, but we hear it time and time again throughout history. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Being a General Manager is one thing, but to lead people … that is an entirely different undertaking, one that challenges me and entices me every day. It is wrought with constant introspection and rich with the glory of what people can truly do for one another when self becomes secondary.

Semper-Charlie-Mike (Always Continue the Mission.)

A message from our Cristo Rey Student Intern

Thanks to my school, I was placed at an amazing company. I am an intern for Smart City. Working at Smart City has been an amazing and unforgettable experience. While I was there, I learned what working at an office environment is like. I like the system they have at Smart City where they us to rotate every 3 months to a different department to get to know everyone in the company and also get a feel of all their departments.

I started the year working for the Customer Service department. While working there, I learned how to file papers digitally which had me be focused and work on my attention to detail. I saw how their team treat their customers. The next department I rotated to was Accounting. While working at Accounting, I created invoices and sent them to companies to notify them of how much our services cost. I would also help prepare to give people the refund they needed. Working at Accounting taught me a lot!

The third department was with the Networks Operation Center, aka the NOC, which for me was the best because I enjoy working with computers. Every day, I learned new things about technology and the parts a computer contains. While I worked there, I worked on imaging computers, which helped the team set up the computers and saved them a lot of time. I also learned more about how computers work. Now I have more in depth knowledge of how the IT department operates and their duties.

My last rotation was at the Marketing department, where I saw what they do to advertise the company. I helped file and organize pictures for them and wrote this letter for their department. Overall, I had a lot of fun working at Smart City.

Working at Smart City isn’t just work. They have a lot of team-building exercises that were fun. They celebrate holidays and events together. I won Employee of the Month at my school, and Smart City took the time out of their day to congratulate me during one of our lineups. When they did this, it made me feel like I did matter in the company. You feel included when you work at Smart City as the events allow you to get to know others through a lot of different games.

Smart City as a company makes you feel welcome. People are always willing to help you out. At Smart City, it feels like you are a part of another family where you are appreciated for the work you do.

~ Mario Navarro - Junior

SMART CITY SHOWS SUPPORT THROUGH EVENT SPONSORSHIP

Sponsoring events is one of the ways Smart City Networks contributes to the larger hospitality and event community. As the nation’s leading voice in technology solutions, we believe in supporting events that exemplify the greatness of our industry and provide connections among its leaders. We are passionate about the event industry and its potential to connect the world in positive ways and sponsoring events allows us that opportunity.

One notable event that we sponsored this quarter was the IAVM 2023 Super Regional held in Kansas City. Not only did Smart City sponsor select services for the event, but we also sponsored a great session titled “How Convention Centers Can Manage Expectations of Today’s Planners, Safety & Security, and Staffing.”

Additionally, Smart City proudly sponsored the Exhibition & Convention Executives Forum 2023 (ECEF). ECEF 2023 focuses on providing networking opportunities, in-depth roundtable discussions, and valuable new business prospects within the meeting and events industry. By supporting ECEF, Smart City demonstrates its commitment to investing in our community and its people.

ECEF 2023

IAVM 2023

CONTINUALLY IMPROVE PROCESSES

Continually Improve Processes. How do we know if a process needs improving? The answer: It always does. We can always get better. We strive continually to improve our processes, help people do their jobs better, and produce higher quality at lower cost. Continually Improve Processes. How do we know if a process needs improving? The answer: It always does. We can always get better. We strive continually to improve our processes, help people do their jobs better, and produce higher quality at lower cost. Continually Improve Processes. How do we know if a process needs improving? The answer: It always does. We can always get better. We strive continually to improve our processes, help people do their jobs better, and produce higher quality at lower cost. Continually Improve Processes. How do we know if a process needs improving? The answer: It always does. We can always get better. We strive continually to improve our processes, help people do their jobs better, and produce higher quality at lower cost.

Continually Improve Processes

Before & After

At Smart City, we are driven by our commitment to a bigger, brighter future. We constantly seek out new opportunities to help us grow and expand, while continuously delivering our game-changing technology solutions to a wide range of events across the United States. A significant part of our success lies in the remarkable partnerships we share with convention centers. These connections, spanning ten, twenty, thirty, or even forty years, have been an extraordinary journey that has revealed the significant growth and evolution of these venues over time.

Seeing the transformation of centers such as Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, all of which we have partnered with for over two decades, has been truly inspiring. As we dive even deeper into their pasts, we are reminded of how much has changed. It is a nostalgic journey that provides a glimpse into our industry’s relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries and achieving exciting new heights in the meetings and events landscape.

It is even more eye-opening the further back we look. Centers like the Anaheim Convention Center, where our collaboration began in the mid-80s, highlight the change and growth that we have witnessed in the last forty years.

We take immense pride in our own history and the histories of our partnered convention centers. Together, we have undergone significant improvements over the years, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds as we continually improve our process!

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD

We would like to congratulate two of our team members for graduating from specialty Leadership classes this quarter. Lester Michaels, a Customer Service Supervisor at our corporate office, graduated from Leadership Advance, a 5-month program where participants gain extensive experience and insights into their own leadership styles and techniques. Lester has always delivered exceptional customer service and we are excited to see him utilize what he has learned to continue being an ambassador for our company.

Our Director of Marketing and Quality Assurance, Sarah Finnegan, recently graduated from Leadership Las Vegas. The year long program is facilitated by the Las Vegas Chamber and invites 60 applicants to participate each year. The months are spent learning about the various sectors of our local community with participants developing a new perspective and insight into the city. The knowledge she learned in Leadership Las Vegas will carry over to Smart City, where Sarah will continue to inspire, lead, and shape our company moving forward. Congratulations!

MANAGERS’ TRAINING STRENGTHENS THE TEAM

As part of Smart City’s desire to Continually Improve Processes, we hold specialty Managers’ Training at our corporate office throughout the year. This quarter’s event brought together team members from different centers across the country to learn about important updates and any changes in our major departments. We find it crucial for our team to collaborate and stay informed on all our company activities and new processes. We were excited to welcome managers from various locations, including Washington State, Miami, Houston, Anaheim and more!

ESTABLISHING GOOD RAPPORT

Smart City would like to congratulate our Q1 and Q2 Rapport Graduates! Matt Chavez at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Matt Toledo at the Orange County Convention Center, our Director of Regional Operations, Southwest Ken Schmidt, and Project Manager Stephen Whitley all graduated from Rapport Leadership Breakthrough 1 (LB1). Our Customer Support Manager Christy Hogan graduated from Leadership Breakthrough 2 (LB2), while our NRG Park General Manager Kyoko Hicks and our Senior Vice President of Operations and Products & Services Dennis O’Gara graduated from Power Communication (PC). Way to go team!

CHARLOTTE GM CELEBRATES FIRST 100 DAYS

This year, the Charlotte Convention Center welcomed a new General Manager, Bryan Miller, and his first 100 days have been incredible. Since Bryan’s arrival, he has made it a goal to meet individually with as many team members as possible. His efforts have been successful, with nearly 300 potential events looking to book events in Charlotte. Bryan’s previous role saw him at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, another valued partnered convention center of Smart City and we are fortunate to continue the great relationship we have with him.

Jacoby’s Jabber

Among our business principles, “Continually Improve Processes” has always struck me as the most serious. Other Smart City principles, including “Teams Work,” “It’s the People,” and “Seek the Best” highlight a more light-hearted tone, but “Continually Improve Processes” just sounds a little machinelike. But this quarter has proven that the pursuit of improvement can also be really enjoyable.

Throughout the quarter, I have been grateful to participate in a series of fun events that have helped continually improve the process, both at a company level, within my own marketing department, and as an individual. One event that stands out is our annual Las Vegas corporate outing, where the entire corporate office came together for an enjoyable activity. This year, we decided to attend a Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball game. I was part of the planning committee for this, and I’ll be honest, it was a little stressful. We had to pick an event that most people would enjoy, pick a date that people could attend, and calculate how many family members each employee could bring, among other considerations.

And even with all our planning, we faced an unexpected surprise. The evening we chose ended up coinciding with the final NHL game of the season where the Vegas Golden Knights took on the Florida Panthers. And while that conflict may have been discouraging at first, our private suite at the Aviators game turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It allowed our office to come together and watch the Knights game on television as a group and it turned out to be a fantastic night of camaraderie and team bonding!

This quarter also saw the marketing department embark on their own team-building activity. After considering a wide range of different options, we settled on archery. Participating in archery as a department turned out to not only be a fun activity where I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of being Legolas, but it also provided me an opportunity to get to know my team a bit better and see them in an environment that I don’t typically see them in. It was a lot of fun!

And finally, on an individual level, I feel like I’ve continually improved my own process when it comes to interacting with professionals within my own city and industry. Last quarter, I attended a networking event with my manager, and talked to a grand total of zero new people. The few times I worked up the courage to make eye contact and speak with someone, they either turned out to be an event staff member or a photographer hired for the occasion. Naturally, I left feeling disheartened. However, rather than shying away from future networking events, I insisted on attending another one this quarter.

This quarter’s networking event felt like a step in the right direction. Determined to do better, I made more of a conscious effort to introduce myself and engage in conversations with those around me. I even got to participate in the sacred art of exchanging business cards. And on top of that, the event took place at Fantasy Lab in Las Vegas, which is an immersive art experience that provided a good backdrop for my own quest to network more. I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience this if I wasn’t committed to continually improving my own process. Now, I can’t wait for the next event!

Teams Work!

Teams Work. Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the teams success if you success. It also means that you succeed by helping other members of the team to succeed. Teams Work. Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the teams success if you success. It also means that you succeed by helping other members of the team to succeed. Teams Work. Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the teams success if you success. It also means that you succeed by helping other members of the team to succeed. Teams Work. Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the teams success if you success. It also means that you succeed by helping other members of the team to succeed. Teams Work. Teamwork means focusing on the team’s success, realizing ultimately that the teams success if you success. It also means that you succeed by helping other members of the team to succeed.

TEST YOUR METTLE

The action never stops at Smart City Networks! Events can come in all shapes and sizes, but this quarter really had our pulse pounding! Action-packed events transformed our convention centers into adrenaline-soaked playgrounds where massive spectacles of strength and force were on full display. Prepare to be blown away!

The 37th Annual Police Security Expo blended cutting-edge technology with classic law enforcement grit, attracting over 6000 attendees with over 750 exhibits. It is events like these that work to shape the future of urban safety and the event lit up the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Over at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Warrior East took center stage as the Defense Industry’s premier expo. Warriors from all walks of life showcased combat prowess and unveiled the latest and greatest advancements in tactical gear and fighting strategies.

Not to be outdone, you could feel the heat all the way from Indiana as the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) scorched its way through the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium. It was the ultimate firefighting extravaganza, and firefighters from everywhere had a chance to learn new lifesaving techniques and battle simulated infernos.

And then finally, Special Operations Forces had a specialty SOF Week in Tampa which attracted top-tier operatives who were able to demonstrate their unparalleled skills in defense and security. Smart City is proud to service all of these events as they push beyond boundaries and redefine what we think is possible. Action at its finest!

16 © 2023 Smart City Networks. All Rights Reserved.

37TH ANNUAL POLICE SECURITY EXPO Atlantic City Convention Center

FIRE DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTORS CONFERENCE Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium

WARRIOR EAST Atlantic City Convention Center

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES Tampa Convention Center

FUELING INNOVATION

Buckle up for an exhilarating ride as Smart City Networks revs those engines and races through a series of car-themed events that would make Vin Diesel and his Fast family drool with jealousy. From the streets of Los Angeles to the vibrant city of Cleveland, to the scenic Long Beach shores, gearheads and automotive enthusiasts were in for a major treat this quarter.

The iconic Original Lowrider Super Show made a huge splash at the Los Angeles Convention Center, showcasing a beautiful display of artistry, passion, and car wax. The shine could probably be seen from space! We are always ecstatic when this specialty car subculture gets to be in the spotlight. Also close by? The Acura Grand Prix at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event is a true celebration of speed and precision. Adrenaline-fueled racers and exhibitions delivered the heartpounding action any motorsport enthusiast could enjoy.

Taking a quick road trip across the county takes us to the I-X Center and the 2023 Piston Power Show

Close to 60,000 people flocked to Ohio which transformed into a car lover’s paradise. Horsepower reigned supreme at the event as exciting vehicles, cutting-edge new technologies, and industry-leading car innovations were on full display.

2023 PISTON POWER SHOW I-X Center

ACURA GRAND PRIX Long Beach Convention Center

ORIGINAL LOWRIDER SUPER SHOW Los Angeles Convention Center

SPORTS FRENZY

Get your game face on because it is time for sports! From basketball frenzy to football excitement, sports fans made their voices heard this quarter.

At NRG Park, the Final Four games took center stage, and the nation held its breath with a thrilling showdown between titan teams. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and that was without any of Smart City’s electrical services! We did provide our game-changing technology solutions to the event, and our role was to make sure these events succeeded without any issue. We thank our Houston team for such a stellar success!

The Final Four games would be nothing without fan support, and that is what made the Final Four Fan Fest over at the George R. Brown Convention Center so special. This interactive experience gave the hungry basketball fandom a chance to connect with the true spirit of the game and celebrate the love for their favorite teams.

But it was not all basketball. The Kansas City Convention Center (KCCC) became the epicenter of the football world with the hosting of the 2023 NFL Draft. Teams’ futures were at stake! And while that is a huge deal, we also wanted to shout out the Music Hall at the KCCC for presenting the first-ever live podcast for New Heights, hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce.

FINAL FOUR FANFEST

George R. Brown Convention Center

FINAL FOUR NRG Stadium

2023 NFL DRAFT Kansas City Convention Center

UNLEASH YOUR SIDE

Smart City got to showcase their nerdy side, helping put on a variety of geek-themed events. These celebrations connected fans, celebrities, and creators in unforgettable ways. This included Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center, which (unsurprisingly given the name) is a fusion of fandoms that include movies, TV shows, comics, and so much more.

In Houston, the George R. Brown Convention Center welcomed Comicpalooza, the city’s largest multi-genre extravaganza that showcased panels, gaming tournaments and a plethora of other exciting events highlighting nerd culture. And let’s not forget Magic-Con at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Everyone’s inner wizard was unleashed in a spell-binding display of different workshops and specialty spell duels. It is events like these that allow us to believe in magic again!

COMICPALOOZA

George R. Brown Convention Center

MAGIC-CON Minneapolis Convention Center

FAN FUSION Phoenix Convention Center

Smart City proudly supports some of the most remarkable tech events in the nation. Every quarter, we get the incredible opportunity to fuel innovation, push boundaries, and connect communities through a wide variety of tech-related events. Using our expertise and capabilities, Smart City is well-equipped to create the necessary custom networks and infrastructure needed to make these high-tech events a success.

DreamHack is one of the most popular gaming conventions specializing in esports tournaments, and we were able to service the event at not just one, but two of our centers over the last few months. Thanks to Smart City’s top-notch services, attendees enjoyed seamless connectivity that enhanced the gaming experience.

Meanwhile, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, two prominent tech events made a big splash. There was Augmented World Expo (AWE) and TechEx. Whether it was showcasing the latest advancements in augmented and virtual reality, or serving as a hub for groundbreaking technological breakthroughs, these events represent our nation’s stride toward a brighter, smarter future.

Santa Clara Convention Center

DREAMHACK Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

DREAMHACK San Diego Convention Center

TECHEX

Santa Clara Convention Center

SHINING BRIGHT IN MIAMI!

Now for a bit of sparkle! The Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) Spring Edition returned to Miami in March and lit up the Miami Beach Convention Center with plenty of glitz and glamour. It is a gathering where jewelry industry professionals can meet and connect with their suppliers and showcase the latest trends and fashions. Smart City is always amazed by the wide-reaching impact of this show. It remains the #1 jewelry show for the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Being in the hospitality and event industry for so long, we see a lot of stunning shows, but JIS will always be gem in our book. Nothing beats that shine!

DAIRY, DELI, BAKERY? DELIGHTFUL!

Returning to the Anaheim Convention Center during the first week of June, the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) show brought more than 10,000 attendees to experience the latest products and trends with more than 800 exhibiting companies at the largest industry only show for dairy, deli, bakery, and food service. General Session speakers included Tom Hanks, Alton Brown, Padma Lakshmi, as well as industry and association representatives. The Anaheim team partnered with show management and exhibitors to deliver their wired internet connections, wireless internet networks, and telephone services which contributed to the successful event. The 2024 IDDBA event will be held in another Smart City Networks facility, the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, and we are excited to see them again next year!

SERIOUS BUSINESS FOR BITCOIN 2023

Miami Beach Convention Center played host to Bitcoin 2023; a 3-day conference that took a more serious, business-oriented approach compared to its previous party-like atmosphere. The event dominated all 4 Exhibit Halls and Smart City ended up installing drops in 5 stages total. Conferences and seminars were equipped with stateof-the-art live streaming accessibility in Halls A and B, while Halls C and D were transformed into Bitcoin Disneyland, featuring a Bitcoin Bazaar where attendees could purchase Bitcoin-themed merchandise. And yes, Bitcoin was accepted as payment!

GRADUATING WITH HONORS AT GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER!

It was graduation season at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The end of May and the beginning of June is a busy time of year for commencement ceremonies at the convention center, with a total of 14 different schools handing out diplomas. Battelle Ballroom was set for a total of 476 graduates, Union Station was set for 182 graduates, and the Short North Ballroom was set for 168 graduates. The two largest graduations were held on separate days in the Battelle Ballroom, but all the Columbus City School graduations were split over 4 consecutive days, with some events happening almost right on top of each other! Smart City Networks proved once again why we are industry leaders, delivering exceptional service amidst a bustling schedule.

IPW RETURNS TO TEXAS

This year saw the highly anticipated return of IPW to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (HBGCC) in the great state of Texas. After a two-decade absence from the state, the event stands as a premier travel trade show, showcasing the very best of what the United States has to offer.

Smart City proudly joined forces with venue management at the HBGCC, alongside Visit San Antonio, to ensure flawless wireless connectivity to over 2,600 concurrent users and 4,800 unique clients. With an impressive turnout of more than 5,000 participants and services provided to over 900 exhibitors, the event proved to be a resounding success! The HBGCC now passes the baton off to Los Angeles, the next host city for IPW 2024!

TEAMWORK MAKES TEAMS WORK!

At the recent GEOINT Symposium at America’s Center Convention Complex (ACCC) in St. Louis, Smart City Networks had the opportunity to follow through on one of our most important business principles. Here, we believe that “Teams Work,” meaning, we succeed by helping one another reach our full potential. For GEOINT, the event is the biggest annual tradeshow for Smart City at the ACCC, so in the spirit of teamwork, we flew out a dedicated team of technicians and customer service experts to assist with the event. We know their presence and support were greatly appreciated, and it highlights how far Smart City is willing to go to guarantee event success.

We Care and Give Back. We believe with our success comes the responsibility to give back to your communities. We seek to contribute to our communities in ways that reflect broadly held values, have meaningful impact, draw on our unique strengths as a company, and wherever possible reinforce our business objectives. We Care and Give Back. We believe with our success comes the responsibility to give back to your communities. We seek to contribute to our communities in ways that reflect broadly held values, have meaningful impact, draw on our unique strengths as a company, and wherever possible reinforce our business objectives. We Care and Give Back. We believe with our success comes the responsibility to give back to your communities. We seek to contribute to our communities in ways that reflect broadly held values, have meaningful impact, draw on our unique strengths as a company, and wherever possible reinforce our business objectives.

TEE-RIFIC SUPPORT AT GOLF FORE DUMMY’S CHARITY TOURNAMENT

Smart City proudly sponsored the annual Golf FORE Dummy’s charity golf tournament, which was organized by Valley High School’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT). The golf tournament is a wonderful fundraising event where proceeds support the AOHT program and its students, particularly through post-secondary education scholarships. Our company is committed to promoting career development and empowering our future leaders, plus it allowed some of our executive team to spend a day on the golf course! That is a win-win in our book.

CREATIVITY MEETS SUSTAINABILITY!

Our dedicated Smart City team in Dallas recently took part in the Cinco de Mayo Upcycle challenge held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCCD). Their creative spirit shone brightly as they crafted the KBHCCD logo using recycled poster board. The challenge not only showcased a commitment to sustainability, but also promoted team building within the center. We love to highlight any time our team gets to show off their artistic side in a unique way. Way to go Team Dallas!

WASHINGTON DC GIVES BACK

Smart City’s team at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WEWCC) recently demonstrated their commitment to making a positive impact in their community by presenting checks to two of DC’s most prominent charitable organizations, DC Central Kitchen and Mamatoto Village. Our General Manager at the WEWCC, Jim Erickson, was on hand to visit DC Central Kitchen and deliver the $1,500 check. We thank our entire team, both in Washington D.C. and nationwide, for striving to make a difference in our local communities.

Seek the Best!

Seek the Best. We seek the best in two ways: We cast wide nets to find the best people to hire and the best ideas to adopt, and we base decisions regarding them on facts. We acknowledge, appreciate, and capitalize on our diverse work force. Seek the Best. We seek the best in two ways: We cast wide nets to find the best people to hire and the best ideas to adopt, and we base decisions regarding them on facts. We acknowledge, appreciate, and capitalize on our diverse work force. Seek the Best. We seek the best in two ways: We cast wide nets to find the best people to hire and the best ideas to adopt, and we base decisions regarding them on facts. We acknowledge, appreciate, and capitalize on our diverse work force. Seek the Best. We seek the best in two ways: We cast wide nets to find the best people to hire and the best ideas to adopt, and we base decisions regarding them on facts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!

APRIL

Nathaniel Backus

Dane Hardy

Matt Chavez

Robert Bowman

David Daumit

Summer Powell

Daniel Sakimura

Jennifer Engelhart

Dylan Phu

Steven Sepulveda

Marco Fierro

Nicholas Trapanese

Deyvid Diego

Doug Sowell

Angela Arreaga

Michael Gartrell

Debbie Olivas

MAY

Nicholas Green

Christopher Kissoon

Joshua Guajardo

Sergio Ramirez

Frank Lopez

Joshua Poston

April Juneau

David Langford

Mark Thompson

Rob Cartagine

Mark Kotal

Emily Castellanos

Alexis Flores

Michele Popp

Daria Godina

JUNE

Mike Prosser

Austin Schriver

Rensol Cheng

Karintia Mariscal

Ryan McCart

Christopher Enck

Ethan Lopes

Matthew Chitwood

Christian Frank

Bobby Hawkins

Jameson Burroughs

Jeffrey Faulkner

Guillermo Huerta

Keely McGaffin

Julia Slocombe

Adam Dang

As another remarkable quarter in 2023 closes out, we wanted to take a moment and reflect. Since the start of this year, we have filled close to 50 new positions across our partnered convention centers, and with each new hire, we strengthen our workforce and continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients. We welcome technicians, event coordinators, operations managers, financial analysts, and customer service representatives to our team and look forward to seeing all they accomplish.

But our work is never done. We currently have a handful of open positions we are looking to fill in the next quarter and encourage potential new hires to visit our career page for recently added job postings. We are constantly exploring new avenues to market open positions and remain dedicated to continuing our upward trajectory for the rest of the year. With our strong foundation in place, we are confident in our ability to continually attract exceptional talent who believe in our vision and values. We extend a sincere welcome to our newest employees!

Robert Ahlgreen - Technician - Orlando

Shari Barger - Event Coordinator - Houston

Miguel Barksdale - Technician - Charlotte

Kevin Buitrago - Technician - Los Angeles

JQuandrei Ellis - Event Coordinator - Sacramento

Devin Fonseca - Technician - San Antonio

Mark Fullen - Technician - Columbus

Daria Godina - Event Coordinator - Hawaii

Ken Han - Technician - Los Angeles

Patrick Kincaid - Ops Manager - Phoenix

David King - Technician - Hawaii

Christopher Kissoon - Technician - Orlando

Ethan Lopes - Technician - Orlando

Adam Maloney - Technician - Los Angeles

Summer Powell - CSSR - Anaheim

Kiana Salomao - CSSR I - Orlando

Gatalina Sasaki - CSSR II - Las Vegas

Aaron Squires - Financial Analyst - Las Vegas

Isaac Vazquez - Event Coordinator - Orlando

Alexandra Zayas - CSSR I - Orlando

At Smart City Networks, we are all about empowering our teams and creating an environment where solutions are architected through collaboration. We have learned that everyone thrives when we celebrate team success, recognize innovation, and embrace individuality. To learn more about a career at Smart City Networks click here!

Lester has been our Customer Support Representative for over a year. His hard work has saved our team in Charlotte from countless headaches. While we are a relativity small center, we handle the utility orders for the exhibitors. This means we have a large number of individual orders. Lester has become adept at handling these relatively low-cost but intricate orders. He is excellent at asking about a specific situation before guiding a client with their purchase. He always displays patience and professionalism. His tenacity in getting an answer for the customer makes for an accurate and efficient order, every time.

Michelle provides ongoing support of multiple centers in the West region. Combining her favorite Business Principle “It’s the People,” with “Teams Work,” she has consistently and cheerfully advised, trained, and supported customer service team members from several regional centers, including San Diego Convention Center and Santa Clara Convention Center. She is always willing to consult with anyone who requests her assistance and works diligently to ensure that other teams are properly trained to deliver the same high level of service that she and her team strive for in Anaheim.

Jacoby has been with Smart City for a year and in that time, he has become such a positive voice both internally and externally for Smart City. Jacoby comes to work “fired up” every day! His energy and enthusiasm are infectious. He is not only always willing to jump into a project or task, but he does it with excitement and a fresh outlook. He is open and willing to learn and participate in industry events so that he can expand his understanding and knowledge base. And most importantly he works hard to contribute to the overall success of Smart City.

LESTER MICHAEL CSSR III Corporate

JACOBY BANCROFT Marketing Associate Corporate

MICHELLE DOLPH-GUALTIERI Customer Sales & Service Manager Anaheim Convention Center

Anniversaries

MICHAEL NEWTON - 20 YEARS

ELEAZAR MARTINEZ - 19 YEARS

KELLI BONDS - 12 YEARS

ANDREW WEST - 9 YEARS

JUAN LOPEZ - 9 YEARS

DOUG SOWELL - 7 YEARS

APRIL

ALEXIA DILLON - 6 YEARS

NIVIA LOPEZ - 5 YEARS

JACQUELINE RIPPLINGER - 4 YEARS

JAN BROOKS - 1 YEAR

DANIELLE CASTILLO - 1 YEAR

TAMI PEREZ - 1 YEAR

MAY

KEITH MCNEELY - 44 YEARS

TIM OVERALL - 18 YEARS

CARLOS REYES - 15 YEARS

KASANDRA WILLIAMS - 11 YEARS

NATHAN REEVES - 4 YEARS

JACOBY BANCROFT - 1 YEAR

BRYAN FLORES - 1 YEAR

JULLYMEY GARCES - 1 YEAR

ISAAC TOBAR - 1 YEAR

JUNE

ANDREW BROWN - 17 YEARS

MARK HALEY - 15 YEARS

JIM ERICKSON - 7 YEARS

CHRISTOPHER CLARK - 6 YEARS

DONALD BREWER - 5 YEARS

KEELY MCGAFFIN - 4 YEARS

JUSTIN DOMINGUEZ - 4 YEARS

NAVANEETHA AYYAPPAN - 2 YEARS

CHRISTIAN FRANK - 2 YEARS

JEFFREY FAULKNER - 1 YEAR

Improve

PROCESSES

Continually Improve Processes. How do we know if a process needs improving? The answer: it always does. We can always get better. We strive continually to improve our processes, to help people do their jobs better, and to produce higher quality at a lower cost.