Smart City Awarded 10-year Contract with San Diego Convention Center Corporation
September 13, 2015
Smart City Networks, an event telecommunications and technology services company for the convention industry, has been awarded a new contract with the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, which manages, markets and operates the San Diego Convention Center, following a competitive bid process.
The 10-year deal will allow Smart City to provide additional services and upgrades for the venue. Smart City has served as the SDCCC’s technology provider since May of 2000.
The agreement, which went into effect July 1, includes a design established for 800 new Cisco 3702 access points – an upgrade that will allow for a greater number of guests and their wireless devices to access the Internet at ever-increasing speeds.
Other key features of the agreement include an upgrade to the building’s existing telephone switch, a digital signage system, and the installation of Neutral Host Distributed Antenna System (DAS).
The DAS will accommodate the exponential increase in cellular network traffic that is seen during some of the building’s largest networking shows, such as ESRI User Conference and Comic-Con.
“Smart City has been a trusted partner of the San Diego Convention Center for the past fifteen years, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership into the next decade,” said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
She added, “These planned technology upgrades will ensure that San Diego is one of the premiere meeting and convention destinations in the country.”
Under the contract, Smart City will continue to offer comprehensive telecommunications and Internet services for the venue, including high-speed Internet access, network cabling, telephone services, WiFi and turnkey data networking services.
“We appreciate the opportunity to continue our long-term partnership with the San Diego Convention Center,” said Mark Haley, president of Smart City Networks.
He added, “Our commitment to providing the technology solutions necessary to take the SDCC guest experience to the next level remains our top priority. We are excited to have the opportunity to add an additional DAS to our network of installations including Washington DC, Charlotte and most recently the Phoenix Convention Center.”
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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