Honored for Providing First Responders Internet Connectivity in Field Hospitals, Testing Centers & Homeless Shelters
Smart City Networks, the nation’s premier internet and telecommunications provider to the events industry, earned the prestigious USTelecom 2020 Broadband Hero Award for its unwavering efforts in providing internet connectivity to 17 field hospitals, testing centers and homeless shelters throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Smart City Networks received this distinguished honor on December 3 at the virtual Broadband Investment Forum.
As the exclusive provider of telecommunications to 45 public venues across the country, Smart City was responsible for creating connected spaces allowing front-line workers to care for communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with services such as network design support, internet access, network installations and unified voice services.
“We are proud to accept this prestigious award as it has truly been an honor and rewarding experience to provide our services to so many front-line workers who are selflessly caring for others throughout this pandemic,” says Mark Haley (pictured right), president of Smart City Networks. “Although the pandemic halted our traditional work, our dedicated and motivated team has continued to work long hours to provide critical connectivity during this unprecedented time.”
Working 12-hour shifts throughout the crisis, the Smart City Networks team closely collaborated alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local hospitals, FEMA and other government agencies in providing emergency services to the countless community members who relied on the facilities and front-line worker’s services. Smart City’s partner venues provided critical support services including but not limited to testing sites, COVID hospitals, contract tracing centers and homeless support.
The following is a complete list of partner venues:
- San Diego Convention Center
- NRG Park (Houston, Texas)
- Santa Clara Convention Center
- Atlantic City Convention Center
- Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Miami Beach Convention Center
- Duke Energy Center (Cincinnati Ohio)
- Los Angeles Convention Center
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- Colorado Convention Center
- Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center
Broadband Heroes ensure that communities can continue learning, working and living during unprecedented times and Smart City has now joined this distinguished group of heroes with those intentions. This annual award is presented by USTelecom, an industry association that represents telecommunications businesses within the U.S. Members of USTelecom are innovators as they seek to create new opportunities and connections.
This year’s award was presented to Smart City by former Broadband Hero Award recipient Darby McCarty, CEO Smithville Communications, and chairman of USTelecom’s Board of Directors.
Smart City began more than 30 years ago in Houston, Texas, and has evolved into the nation’s leading telecommunication provider for convention centers and meeting facilities. They manage the technology services for more than 3,000 events annually, including virtually every Fortune 500 Company event and major tradeshow. From auto shows to national political party conventions to world economic summits, Smart City has been on the floor, behind the scenes, and maintaining the connections that enable people to make important things happen. Smart City currently serves more than 45 convention and meeting facilities across the U.S., totaling more than 17 million square feet of exhibit space. For more info, visit smartcitynetworks.com.
