For our latest Smart City Spotlight, we sat down with Tim Overall, our Regional Director of Florida Operations, to reflect on his remarkable 20-year journey with Smart City Networks. From starting as a one-person operation at the Miami Beach Convention Center to leading operations across the entire state of Florida, Tim’s story is one of growth, adaptability, and passion for the evolving world of event technology. In our conversation, he shared insights into how both he and the company have transformed over the years, the moments that have shaped his career, and what makes Florida’s venues uniquely rewarding to serve. Whether he’s helping a speaker in need moments before their presentation or floating down a spring-fed river to unwind, Tim brings dedication, perspective, and a deep appreciation for the people and places that define Smart City’s success. Check out his full, insightful interview below. Tim, this is your Spotlight!
REFLECTING ON 20 YEARS
Hi Tim! To start, can you walk us through your history with the company? From where you started to where you are now?
T: My journey with Smart City began in 2006 with the acquisition of Priority Networks. I was the Facility Manager at the Miami Beach Convention Center and had been there for just over a year when this happened. I was a one-person army at the time, but recognized this as an opportunity for both personal and professional growth due to Smart City being a larger company, with a larger footprint and more collective experience. As we were riding the internet boom, the technology we used was growing quickly, as were the demands of our customers, so I began supporting the Fort Lauderdale and San Juan Convention Centers as well, having several mentors along the way.
In 2014, after supporting a handful of events at the Orange County Convention Center, I decided that the next step of my career would be a few hours north, and this materialized in 2015 when I became the General Manager there. After serving OCCC for almost a decade and learning from some of the best in the industry, I was rewarded with a regional role as Director of Florida Operations, where I get to continue my work in supporting facilities and promoting destinations.
How has the company evolved since you first joined, and how have you grown alongside it?
T: I like to think that over the years, the company has evolved as much as the industry has, and Smart City has shed the image of a utility provider and become a solutions provider, working with our clients to take events and facilities to the next level.
When I first started in this industry, the goal was event success, but those goal posts eventually moved to include destination and industry success as well.
What does reaching 20 years with Smart City mean to you personally and professionally?
T: Looking back, it does not feel like it has been that long. Someone once said that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life, and I’ve been rather fortunate in that regard. I think it is a testament to the company and those I work alongside.
What’s one moment you helped make possible that you’ll never forget?
T: In the early days of Wi-Fi, I was supporting an event in Miami Beach that had not been in the US for several years, and the demographic was largely international. As I was making my rounds one morning, I encountered a young lady who was trying to download her presentation at the podium, just a few minutes before the day was to start. She was having trouble connecting to the network and VPN due to a security parameter on her device, and her support team was several time zones behind. There was a bit of a spoken language barrier, but the harder part was helping with a device that was in another language. Luckily, my visual memory of Windows network settings was enough for me to fumble through and help her present on time. I’d like to think she went on to do something really important for the world, but the smile and thanks were good enough for me.
I also helped the famed theoretical physicist Michio Kaku find his hotel in San Francisco once, but that wasn’t nearly as challenging.
What part of your job feels like “magic,” even if others don’t notice it?
T: In today’s world, staying connected is an expectation, because everyone has Wi-Fi at home, or the ability to use their cellular service pretty much anywhere. What doesn’t often get taken into account is the device density, or number of users in a given space? Try comparing the number of people per square foot in your local McDonalds to a tradeshow floor or general session.
This is where event technology stands apart from the everyday world, yet the expectation remains. As humans, we often take for granted the complex tasks and functions that have become simplified by technology yet expect results at the snap of a finger. Having those tools at our fingertips is like holding the magic wand.
FLORIDA FOCUS
What makes working with our Florida centers unique or rewarding?
T: I was born and raised in Miami. And while I spent a few years traveling with events to many of the major cities across the US, I spent my earlier years in the industry supporting events in and around Florida. It is rewarding to witness the growth of the events and facilities where I’ve left behind blood and sweat and now have an opportunity to continue those efforts in a different role.
Can you share a moment or project at one of the Florida venues that stands out to you as a highlight?
T: In 2008, Miami Beach hosted the Inter-American Development Bank Annual Conference, which at the time was the largest event I had been tasked with, requiring extensive planning, coordinating, and installation support from multiple facilities across the country. On top of delivering technology for the meeting activities, we were tasked with recreating offices for several hundred bank employees for the week, which meant specialized voice and data circuits, and nearly 2,000 wired connections. Hearing from a client that you just set the bar for future events was the icing on the cake.
How would you describe your current working relationship with the teams at our Florida locations?
T: I would describe our relationships as strong, hybrid, and flexible. One of my primary responsibilities is making sure teams have the resources necessary to deliver exceptional services to our customers. Sometimes that means getting my hands dirty, helping with a project, or delivering a presentation. Sometimes it means getting out of the way so they can do their own magic. The teams do a great job of supporting each other, which is one of our strengths and a result of effective communication. We make sure no one is on an island, pun intended.
What’s the most rewarding part of working behind the scenes?
T: As a technology supplier to the events industry, much of the work we do happens behind the scenes, and before the event opens. We spend countless hours planning and preparing for the opening bell, anticipating any potential hurdles Murphy might throw at us. Then, when all the opening dust settles, we have a chance to experience the event like an attendee.
I’ve seen some of the coolest product launches, prominent keynote speakers, and even met a few celebrities and dignitaries. The greatest reward though is when you get to share with your client how great that experience was. Knowing that you were a part of that success is as good as it gets.
ON RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Why are strong relationships with our venue partners so vital to our success?
T: Strong relationships are the foundation of successful and lasting partnerships. As a supplier, we look to support the visions of our venue clients, and to ensure we are aligned as events, technologies, and objectives change. With 40 years of industry experience and knowledge, we recognize that not every venue or destination has the same needs or challenges, and this is where relationships pave the way for collaboration and outside of the box ideas.
What’s your approach to building long-term trust with venue teams and clients?
T: I believe the most effective ways to build trust include listening intently, discovering shared interests, being transparent, taking responsibility for mistakes, and celebrating success together.
How do you think Smart City’s presence positively impacts the convention centers in Florida?
T: We’ve worked tirelessly for 40 years to prove that we are the very best at what we do. From the sales process through event execution, our reputation of success provides a level of comfort and peace of mind to venue and event clients.
JUST FOR FUN
What’s something about you that your coworkers might be surprised to learn?
T: I don’t know how much of a secret it is, but I always get a reaction when someone learns this is only my second job. I started in this industry while in high school knowing nothing about technology, and within a few months my career plans changed drastically due to how much I enjoyed the pace and adventure of conventions and tradeshows.
After 20 years of hard work, what’s your ideal way to celebrate or unwind?
T: Most people associate Florida with beaches, but we actually have some of the best natural springs and spring fed rivers here as well. Being away from the hustle of the city and kayaking or floating down any one of these rivers on a weekday is as relaxing as it gets, and an excellent way to decompress.
We want to thank Tim Overall for taking the time to reflect on his 20-year journey with our company! To read more Smart City Spotlights, check out our blog!
