ASCENT Takes Networking to Next Level on Expo Floor

By Tara Seals

The Association of Communications Enterprises has unveiled a strategy to foster industry networking and deal-making in the expo hall (a.k.a. the Networking Center), with new show floor features and special events.

An extended show floor schedule makes exhibitor booths more available to customers. Meanwhile, the Networking Pavilions are shared spaces to discuss business in private or to conduct on-the-fly meetings. The rooms serve clusters of exhibitor booths and will be open throughout the day, even when the show floor is closed. Conference organizers say the pavilions especially benefit attendees, who now don’t need to leave the show floor to meet with customers or grab a quick bite with colleagues.

The floor also features a new ASCENT bookstore with a variety of how-to titles and best-selling business books. Publication bins serve the news junkies in the group.

ASCENTgoers can enjoy a latte in the lounge at the floor’s Starbucks Coffee Shop, sponsored by Qwest Communications International Inc. and branded with Qwest’s "spirit of service" tagline.

There also are cyber stations around the floor to check e-mail, surf exhibitor Web sites or keep up with what’s going on in the outside world.

"All this is an important part of what ASCENT does day in and day out to give telecom professionals the tools necessary to start, stay and succeed in today’s intensely competitive industry," says Walt Blackwell, president of ASCENT since May.

There are plenty of special events, too. The Sprint Corp. (www.sprint.com) wholesale division sponsored a golf tournament on Sunday morning at the Orange County National Golf Club in Winter Garden, Fla. Back on the show floor, more golf encourages mingling. A $50,000 "putt-off" will highlight the Networking Center’s final day tomorrow.

"We planned ASCENT’s Fall Conference with you in mind…the place to connect, learn, make deals and have a good time doing it all," says Blackwell.