Cox Hospitality Network Launches New Partnership with Baltimore Convention Center
When the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) needed to improve its network infrastructure, leaders turned to the Cox Hospitality Network (HN). Hospitality Network’s new partnership with (BCC) represents a pivotal moment and emphasizes the growth of HN and its diverse offering. HN is dedicated to delivering innovative connectivity solutions that empower a range of venues to compete—and thrive—in a digital-first business environment. HN’s support of BCC through the organization’s upgrade is a quintessential example of how HN keeps companies competitive.
Baltimore Convention Center’s Challenge
BCC was in a difficult position. Like many convention centers, the facility is funded by taxes and dependent on tourism to support its revenue stream. At the same time, BCC needed to modernize its infrastructure. Many of BCC’s clients and, as importantly, the attendees they serve need an infrastructure that can handle high levels of network traffic and a wide range of user needs.
For example, imagine you’re an attendee at a large industry expo. You need to download and use a proprietary app that helps you navigate the event. The app also enables you to participate in live polls and connect with other attendees in real-time. The app is also data-heavy, featuring high-definition images and videos, which may take a long time to download. And when it’s time for users to connect, the app needs to be able to quickly send large videos or host video calls, both of which can put pressure on the facility’s network.
BCC needed the kind of network infrastructure that could handle this and similarly data-intensive workloads. Further, the facility’s connectivity is needed to manage communications in a way that doesn’t negatively impact the experiences of attendees, BCC management, or their business clientele.
Why BCC Chose Cox Business Hospitality Network
Even though multiple competitors were throwing their hats in the ring, HN earned the contract. Among the reason why HN was chosen include:
- HN’s ability to provide not just a fast network but the kind of redundancy needed to maximize uptime, regardless of weather events, natural disasters, and other incidents that could cause interruptions.
- Flexibility and partnership regarding product and service pricing to create options for the multiple types of events that host events at BCC.
- Onsite staff including sales and technical team members who are focused on customer service.
- Cox proposed, and delivered, an innovative approach: using fiber redundancy to ensure that if communications fail, another one is there to keep people and systems connected. With this kind of setup, the network implements a failover, transferring communications to the backup fiber system.
How Hospitality Network Delivered BCC’s Solution
Hospitality Network is more than a network solutions provider. We partner with each client to fine-tune their solution until it addresses and eliminates each unique pain point they’re wrestling with. In this vein, Cox Hospitality Network is investing $1.13 million in capital, delivering a retail value of $3.9 million—simply because we believe in our partnership with BCC and its positive impact on the Center’s future.
The Tech Behind Hospitality Network’s Solution
Delivering a flexible, adaptable network hinged on a range of cutting-edge technologies and techniques, including:
- A Wi-Fi 6 upgrade. We installed cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6 access points, which deliver tri-band (2.4/5/6 GHz) coverage where users need it most—exhibit halls, meeting spaces, and lobby areas.
- An enterprise-level network. BCC’s new solution seamlessly integrates guest and internal networks with enterprise-grade infrastructure. In this way, it keeps people and systems in the back office just as connected as event attendees.
- Centralized network control. Using smart management via Cisco Wireless Controllers, attendees can enjoy seamless roaming, efficient VLAN segmentation, and secure routing across multiple use cases.
- High-density Wi-Fi. Our access points are designed for high-traffic environments, giving them the ability to deliver reliable, multi-gigabit performance even in the most crowded spaces.
- A redundant fiber backbone. The system is capable of supporting 5Gb internet and can be upgraded to 10Gb, giving BCC top-tier internet speed and rock-solid redundancy for an always-on connection.
- Advanced VoIP solutions. HN gives BCC customized VoIP services powered by a partner, such as PhoneSuite. This ensures seamless communication and reliable support across the entire Baltimore Convention Center.
- Optimal capacity and coverage. HN used predictive design tools and heat maps to assess the unique needs of BCC’s environment. This enabled HN to ensure the entire venue gets consistent, reliable Wi-Fi signals—where they’re needed most.
- On-site support. Our dedicated on-site team of experts is there when it counts. We deliver leadership, sales, and technical support with the backing of Cox Business’s nationwide resources.
- 24/7/365 tech support. Around-the-clock monitoring and support from our geo-redundant NOCs maximize uptime, enabling fast responses and carrier-class reliability.
The Benefits of HN’s Services for Convention Centers
Convention centers across the country depend on revenue from a range of sources, such as leasing and renting their spaces, selling food and beverages, electrical services, audio/visual, advertising, internet services, and more. Many, if not all, of these services depend on or benefit from enhanced connectivity.
Attendees can connect with each other and the internet as they’ve come to expect in a mobile-first world. Businesses can run cloud-based apps and depend on cloud-hosted continuity and resiliency solutions without having to worry about dropouts or network failures.
Leading convention centers and similar venues need to create an environment that supports increased engagement and innovation for attendees and businesses.
Cox Business Hospitality Network custom-builds solutions with these priorities top of mind. HN also adjusts individual solutions in line with each facility’s specific objectives.
