Q2: What’s new for ‘22?

Answer:

1. Deep Dives offer focused presentations and discussion around today’s hottest topics during a 3-hour morning session on Friday, 5/6/22. Four topics will anchor 2022: Customer Assistance, FBI: Cyber Security, Revenue Protection and Talent Management. For a nominal fee, utility and vendor attendees can gather, listen, share and gain new perspectives. 

2. Electric Vehicle Customer Experience (EVCx) Forum offers a one-day event as a Synergy Group. Additional webinars are scheduled before and after CS Week 46.

3. CS Week’s Dream Prize Giveaway will award eight (8) utility winners with gift card choices in sizeable $ amounts. See you at Booth #417 at 1:45 pm on Thursday in the Exhibit Hall for the random drawings. 

4. Innovation Alley returns! Sponsors present 7-minute stand-ups full of information and inspiration on innovation topics and how their companies are rising to the challenges.​

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Q3: How is CS Week addressing pandemic-related safety and security concerns?

Answer: Reopening Efforts In addition to earning the GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the Phoenix Convention Center has developed safety standards, in accordance with federal, state and local public health guidelines, to implement upon reopening. The plan consists of five key strategies: engaging in a process of constant cleaning and disinfecting, removing touch points wherever possible, encouraging personal preventative measures, following recommendations for physical distancing and focusing efforts on client communications and staff training. Additionally, Aventura Catering, the facility's exclusive food and beverage service provider has also implemented numerous safety measures to enhance attendee's safe dining experience. The Phoenix Convention Center is making every effort to prepare for reopening. The goal is to open its doors to a new meetings experience that provides a safe environment for learning, business and entertainment.

-Provided by PCC, 3/23/22

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Q4: When should I arrive for CS Week 2022?

Answer: Check out Plan Your Week and see how CS Week’s venues are scheduled to maximize attendance. Come for one venue, stay for another!
 

Whether traveling by air, train or car, visit 2022 Agenda for the venues/events you want to attend. Most launch early with breakfast, so it makes sense to arrive the day/evening before, get situated at your hotel, check-in at Conference Registration (Executive Summit and ENGAGE311 offer dedicated registrations in the West Building starting Sunday afternoon), look over Conference bag contents and get your CS Week bearings.

 

Q5: What’s there to do in Phoenix?

Answer: Phoenix, set in the Valley of the Sun, has incredible natural beauty and a variety of historical, sporting, cultural and kid-friendly entertainment options, not to mention the shopping, dining and watering hole choices. Check out these top ten things to see and do before or after Conference:

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• Grand Canyon

• Saguaro Lake

• Native American ruins

• The Musical Instrument Museum 

• Tombstone and its famous O.K. Corral

• Camelback Mountain

• The Desert Botanical Garden

• The Phoenix Zoo

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
• Arizona Diamondbacks vs. the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field

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Q6: When and how will CS Week 2022 registration be handled?

Answer: Given the times, CS Week 2022 will continue to provide registration flexibility. Its venues offer refund options and utility group discounts. Registration is open for all CS Week Venues. Click Conference Registration to view the 2022 schedule, prices and policies. Be sure to check Wednesday morning’s Women in Utilities Sunrise Event and Friday’s Deep Dives registration boxes for a full conference week experience.
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• For help registering for Executive Summit, please contact Lisa Collins, 903-821-8675.

• For help registering for Key Account Forum, please contact Danise Mullendore, 903-821-8680.

• For help registering ENGAGE311, please contact Noelle McDonald, 903-821-8721.

• LeadNext participants coordinate their registration with Lisa Collins, 903-821-8675.

• EVCx Forum participants may also coordinate their registration with David McKendry, 613-889-9836.

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Q7: How can my utility save money and send more attendees?

Answer: Utilities can save more to send more by taking advantage of Utility Group Discounts. Gather information on all your utility’s attendees and register them on the same day using the Group Registration Form:

• ​20% discount for 3-5 attendees; 

• 30% discount on 6-10 attendees; and 

• 40% discount on 11+ attendees.

 

Utility Group Discounts can be applied through 5/5/22.​

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CS Week offers utility team tables at Wednesday and Thursday’s continental breakfasts for attendees to meet, plan and debrief together. Julie Shankles, Registration Mgr, is available for questions at 903-821-8631, Monday – Friday,
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Central.

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Q8: What about hotel accommodations and local transportation?

Answer: CS Week reserves room blocks at hotels with amenities seasoned travelers expect and close proximity to the PCC. Reservations typically exceed our block numbers, so we try to meet demand by seeking more and other room blocks. Reserve early and stay close at negotiated rates. Beware of reduced hotel offers from third parties outside CS Week; they are SCAMS!

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Once registered, book your travel arrangements and take advantage of perks like complimentary shuttles. Review Transportation to get your bearings and review local options.

 

Q9: How do I get the most from the Exhibit Hall?
Answer: Conference 46 Exhibit Hall opens Tuesday, 5/3/22 at 1:00 pm and remains open until Thursday, 5/5/22 at 3:30 pm. CS Week 2022’s schedule provides Exhibit Hall time during receptions, luncheons, private consultations/demos or just wandering around.

 

Exhibitors and sponsors, check out the 2022 Prospectus to see how your marketing dollars go to work, virtually and in person, 365 days/year at CS Week.

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Request appointments for private consultations/demos on Wednesday, 5/4/22 and Thursday, 5/5/22. For two hours each morning, vendors offer show-and-tells at their booths. Private consultations/demos often include attendees from multiple utilities, giving you an opportunity to learn from others and ask questions in a small setting. These industry partners, many with a wide portfolio of clients, are ready to share examples, case studies and success stories as they demo their best and latest products and services

 

Q10: How do I efficiently navigate the Exhibit Hall?

Answer: 

1. Download the CS Week 2022 Attendee Hub App from a CVent notification sent about two weeks before Conference 46 OR

2. Review the 2022 Program OR

3. View the digital 2022 On-Site Guide cover to see the Conference 46 Exhibit Hall floorplan and vendors OR

4. Review the digital 2022 Exhibitor Catalog to cross-reference your must-see list with exhibitors offering similar products and services.

5. Reach out EARLY! Schedule a Pre-Conference Consult/Demo to get an introduction to Exhibitors and maximize your in-person demo time during Conference 46.

 

Use any or all of these four tools to identify:

• Vendors who have reached out to you or your utility’s execs personally;

• Platinum, Gold and Silver in-person sponsors;

• Business products/services that align with your utility’s planned initiatives, current programs and long-range projects; and

• CS Week Dream Prize Giveaway sponsors. Be sure to secure their stamps on your Giveaway card and be eligible to win!

 

Share your game plan with your executive before Conference and be open to redirection. Then, circle back after CS Week 2022 to report your findings. Do your homework by visiting vendor websites before you arrive. Be prepared to discuss your utility’s customer service/technology roadmap, including timing, key decision personnel, scope, anticipated CX enhancements and challenges to overcome. Bring business cards and set a personal goal to give/share at least 5 per day.

 

Q11: What meals are provided at the in-person CS Week?

Answer: 

• Executive Summit and Key Account Forum both provide breakfasts, lunches and breaks on Monday and Tuesday and private receptions/dinners on Monday evening.

• ENGAGE311 provides breakfasts and lunches on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and an evening networking reception on Tuesday.

• On Tuesday, EVCx Forum, Oracle Energy and Water, SAP and SEW Synergy Groups provide breakfast, lunch and breaks.

• CS Week Research Benchmark meeting (members only) provides Wednesday lunch.

• Conference 46 provides:

  • Welcome Reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres/drinks on Tuesday evening;

  • Continental breakfasts on Wednesday and Thursday;

  • Plated lunches in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday and Thursday;

  • Breaks with hot/cold drinks and snacks on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings;

  • Networking Reception (LeadNext and Canadian Receptions are co-located) with heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks on Wednesday evening; and

  • Special Event (Cinco De Mayo Street Fair) with street food and drink favorites on Thursday evening.

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Q12: How do I get the most out of what CS Week has to offer?

Answer: 

• Visit our website for up-to-date information about all venues and their learning/networking opportunities.

• Review the 2022 Program to plan which venues, Conference Workshops, receptions and activities to attend.

• Download the Conference Attendee Hub App and set your password before Conference 46 begins. Lots of attendees enjoy the App’s social media features, especially sharing photos. The Conference Attendee Hub App is open Tuesday through Friday. 

• Synergy Groups, Key Account Forum, Executive Summit and ENGAGE311 provide targeted information to registered attendees.

• Open the digital 2022 On-Site Guide (which will be provided before Conference):

  • Attend Attendee Orientation on Tuesday afternoon whether this is your first or umpteenth CS Week. 

  • Attend all receptions and special events for great mingling and networking. Ample time is scheduled into every venue and throughout CS Week for meeting others, enjoying food/drinks together and extending discussions beyond presentation rooms.

  • Be sure to attend Thursday Night’s Special Event, this year with a Cinco de Mayo theme. Thanks to its long-time sponsor, CS Week always plans a great party featuring a smidgeon of speech-ing and a heap of socializing over food and drink favorites in a relaxed setting.

  • Utilize the Attendee Directory and Exhibitor Catalog. Use these digital resources to make and maintain contacts once you’re back at work.

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Q13: What should I pack?

Answer: 

• Plenty of business cards. Share them with exhibitors and fellow attendees and use them as your ticket to win vendor prize giveaways.

• Business casual attire. Indoor spaces at convention centers and hotels are generally cool, so many attendees appreciate having a sweater or jacket, even though outdoor temps may be quite warm. 

• Comfortable walking shoes. With its 200,000+ square foot Exhibit Hall, CS Week is a place to get in your steps. You’ll also appreciate sidewalk-friendly shoes as you venture out to enjoy Phoenix’s local cuisine, sights and sounds.

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