Saint Charles (Mo.) Convention Center Debuts Wireless Technology Upgrade
March 24, 2013
The Global Spectrum- managed Saint Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Mo., recently upgrading the building’s wireless technology to offer as much coverage as possible to events in the facility
The state-of-the-art system is designed to accommodate large events that require numerous, simultaneous users on a variety of mobile and wireless platforms, according to center officials.
The Cooperating School Districts Midwest Education Technology Conference (METC) event in February put the new system to the test.
The system accommodated more than 2,500 devices during the three-day event, and at one point, successfully handled 1771 simultaneous wireless connections on the network without an interruption, which was a record for the venue.
“The most important factor for our technology conference is internet connectivity,” said Karen Vaughan, conference and special event planner for Cooperating School Districts.
She added, “Because of the needs of the show attendees, it’s generally the deciding factor on where we host our event each year. We were extremely pleased with the new system at the Saint Charles Convention Center and we look forward to our event returning in 2014.”
The Saint Charles Convention Center debuted in April of 2005 and has hosted more than 3,300 events since opening. Named “Best Place to Hold a Meeting” by local businesses, the facility has a 16,200 square foot Grand Ballroom and 27,600 sq. ft. of Exhibit Hall space expandable to 35,700 sq. ft. through the adjacent Junior Ballroom.
“The most important thing for us is to exceed our customer’s expectations,” said Shura Garnett, general manager for the Saint Charles CC.
She added, “We knew we had to keep pace with technology trends as clients are incorporating it more into their events. Our new Xirrus Wireless network and its successful rollout in February proved our technology capabilities and removed any doubts about our ability to handle the most demanding wireless needs of any client or event.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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