
Smart City’s Customer Service Manager at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Alexis Mayfield, has been with the company for almost 10 years and in that time has showcased an incredible knack for understanding what a customer needs and when they need it. Alexis oversees the daily operations of the customer service department and enjoys familiarizing herself with all the events that come through her center. As she puts it “I like to know what’s going on in all aspects of an event, so I’m prepared to step in if needed.” Smart City Networks finds her work ethic and commitment inspiring, so we caught up with Alexis in this month’s Employee Spotlight!
What first drew you to Smart City?
A: I had recently moved back to Houston from college in San Antonio and finished my contract with the Houston Zoo. I was looking for something more challenging with more opportunities to have an impact. The job posting briefly mentioned working with trade shows and conventions and since project management was always an interest of mine, I knew this would be a great opportunity to expand on that.
What does your job entail?
A: My job entails overseeing the daily operations of the customer service department. Our center is unique because we also handle electrical and plumbing, so the amount of exhibitor and show management orders we get daily is pretty immense. A lot of my day is consumed with staying in the loop of what my team is working on and putting out any fires that arise. I like to know what’s going on in all aspects of an event, so I’m prepared to step in if needed. There are a lot of site visits and meetings that accompany this position. I also have side projects with different teams in the company.
What are some things you’ve enjoyed working on since your first started?
A: Throughout my ten years, I’ve been a part of a few projects. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the team that revamped our SOPs over COVID. I’ve also enjoyed being a part of the CAT team to better the training/promotion process for new and current employees.
What has been your favorite event that has come through your center and what was your role in them?
A: There have been so many cool events that I’ve been able to be a part of that it’s hard to choose just one, but I think I’ll have to say that Super Bowl was my favorite. The entire team worked so hard for so many months to make the event seamless and at the end, it was so rewarding to see how successful it went.
What do you like most about your convention center?
A: I’d have to say the type of the events we get here. Because Houston is the hub for so many industries, we get an array of different events. Our building has been renovated in the last 5 years and I find the artwork we have here very beautiful. The people who work in the building, including other partners and building staff, have become an important part of my day to day, so the relationships I’ve been able to build with them have been great.
What has been your biggest challenge so far in working with Smart City and how have you strived to overcome it?
A: When I first started, I knew nothing about technology, electricity, or plumbing. Learning those things were absolutely a challenge in my first few years, but not being afraid to ask questions really helped. I’ve made sure my team feels as comfortable as possible in being able to ask me for help or clarification if needed. I remember once being afraid to ask the same question more than once, so there were times I did things without really understanding the why behind it. I’ve strived the eradicate that for my team.

What advice would you give to New Hires who are starting with Smart City?
A: Take notes and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If they’re new in the industry and have no prior technology knowledge, I’d ask them to give themselves some grace while they’re learning. I remember being hard on myself because I thought I was never going to grasp it, but you will. Just breath and remember that you were hired for a reason.
To wrap things up, what is something fun that people don’t know about you?
A: I’m an actor! I have an agent so when I’m not working here, I’m auditioning. I’m currently filming a web series.
For more Employee Spotlights, check out January’s interview with Miami Beach’s Jullymey Garces!