sept-2017

164 165 alsorecentlyupgradedall of our kiosks–nowthey’reall touchscreen interactive,soyoucanpickyour sessionand itwillmaphowtoget there.Thenewkiosktechnology alsohasmaps tothesurroundingdowntownareawitha complete listingof all the restaurantsandbarsandhotels. “The latest thingwe’reworkingon,which ispretty excitingforus,iswe’reutilizingbeacontechnologywithin theCenter.We’ve installedbeaconswhereourmeeting plannerscanconnector tie intheir conferenceapptonot onlyhelptheir attendeesnavigate theConventionCenter, but also for their attendees toexplore thedowntownarea nearbyforopportunities fornightlife,events,shopping.So, weworkwiththemeetingplannersas they’rebuilding their conferenceappandwecan integrate this technol- ogy,whichenhances theexperience for their attendees throughtheuseof thesebeaconsand locationserviceson their cell phones.” Sustainabilityandsavingenergyalsorankhighonthe Center’sagenda.“Weareworkingcloselywiththecity’s publicworksdepartment’scity-wide initiative to increase THE PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER Aventura’s impressive menu of services includes full- scale catering and event planning. From site selection to menu creation, Aventura will coordinate every aspect of your special event with passionate precision in our state-of-the-art design center. At Aventura we plan every event one way… your way. RAISING THE STANDARD OF EVENT CUISINE. Offering our thanks and support to the Phoenix Convention Center and the blend of our extraordinary brands of hospitality. WWW.AVENTURACATERING.COM OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE YOUR EVENT SHINE! Commonwealth Electric has extensive experience in the Tradeshow, Convention and Special Event Industry. Our services include exhibit floor electrical, compressed air, water, audio visual electrical requirements, and production electrical supply. Our extensive experience with events and productions of all sizes enables us to meet your every electrical need. Proud partner of the Phoenix Convention Center since 1995 COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE WWW.COMMONWEALTHEXPO.COM n Electrical n Plumbing n Water n Compressed Air n Utilities Labor n Utilities Event Planning and Consultation SmartCityNetworks.com This is Lisa. Lisa hasn’t given a damn about wi-fi since 2007. And that’s good. As an event manager for a major convention center, she’s got other things to worry about... like locating three missing pallets of cheese for her catering team. These days, it never crosses her mind that her exhibitors and attendees will have reliable connectivity. Lisa hired Smart City in 2007, so she knows they will. That’s the peace of mind that comes with a network that just works. Now...where’s the cheese? In a hectic world, we provide peace of mind. ® PREFERRED VENDORS n Aventura Catering www.aventuracatering.com n Commonwealth Electric www.commonwealthelectric.com n Smart City Networks Smart City Networks ourdiversionrate,”Chanreports.“Wehaveagoal of40 percentdiversionby2020.There’sabigopportunityto achieve thatgoal bythenatureofwhatwedoherewith composting.It’sdoneat thekitchen level andthenwe’ve recentlyexpandedthat toaneventbyeventbasis,so,for example,whenwehadtheNCAAFinal Four,inadditionto the traditional trashandrecyclingpartofouroperation,we addedacompostingcomponent.Thegoalistomakethata standardacrosstheboardinthefuture.Theotherthingthat we’verecentlydoneisacompleteretrofitofourlightingsys- tems,convertingallofourlightinginourpublicareas,parking garages,stairwellstoLEDlightingandusingexistingfixtures, insomecasesnewfixtures,focusingonenergyefficiency.” TheCenter’smostimportantfeature,though,isitscommit- menttocustomerservice-providingagreatexperiencefor visitorsandattendees.“Wedoalotoftrainingwithourstaff oncustomerservice,”saysChan.“Weincludeallofourservice partnersandoursuppliersasapartofthat;werequirethem togothroughthetrainingwithus,sothatwe’resendingthe samemessageandprovidingthesamelevelofserviceacross theboard.” ThepastfewyearshavebeeneventfulforboththeCity ofPhoenixandtheConventionCenter,andChanwouldlike toseethetrendcontinue:“Wehave just completedthree straightyearsofhostingmajor events inthecity.In2015, wehostedtheSuperBowl; in2016,wehostedtheCol- legeFootballNationalChampionship; andthen,thispast MarchwehostedtheNCAAFinalFour.Allofthosewerevery successfuleventsthatwewerepartofhostinginconjunction withthestadium.WeusedtheConventionCenterforallof thefan-relatedevents.So,weareexcitedtogetbackintothe rotationforthenextbiddingcycleforthenextSuperBowl andtheFinalFour.We’relookingforthoseopportunitiesto putusbackinthenationalspotlight.”