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One of the CTIA broadcasting stages.

On May 8, Compucast headed downtown to the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center to attend the 2012 International CTIA Wireless trade show, an annual convention where mobile industry professionals are treated to exhibits, floor shows, panel discussions, and the latest breakthroughs in mobile technology. The largest conference of its kind in the world, CTIA was held in New Orleans for the first time since 2005, drawing over 40,000 attendees and more than 2,000 exhibitors, press members and analysts to the center of the Crescent City.

CEO Judy Weitz and Social Media Specialist Michael Roberts were Compucast’s delegation to CTIA, and were interviewed by Internet broadcasting company bnetTV as experts on the New Orleans restaurant and event social media scene. Compucast CEO Judy reveals,

“One of the reasons Compucast’s network of sites on New Orleans is so successful is because it is perceived as social media: we recommend only businesses that we, as lifetime New Orleanians, have visited and enjoyed. In a sense, Compucast did that before anyone else in New Orleans.”

Mobile technology has greatly influenced and continues to change the way that visitors to New Orleans, as well as locals, pick restaurants and other venues. More and more, consumers are turning to social media outlets for honest reviews, location information, and alternative suggestions. Compucast, which created New Orleans Restaurants to this end, is a leader in this arena. Explains Michael,

Supergirl and Batgirl hand out promotional materials at CTIA

“Restaurants were a big focus because there is so much tourism in New Orleans. People want to know–what’s the accurate information? Bringing local opinions and knowledge to plain data helps give people a personalized approach. Visiting a new city, you can see if your friends liked or hated that place.”

In addition, the interview focused on how to manage social media. Brand managers who oversee a venue’s different channels are able to convey positive and negative feedback to other staff members: for example, to the chefs and owners of restaurants, who need to know what guests are saying about their establishment.

A uniquely New Orleans application of mobile technology is Mardi Gras. Mobile resources lend themselves perfectly to mitigating the unpredictability of Carnival events, which can be affected by weather, traffic, street closures, and a host of other factors. These days, mobile customers can get up-to-the-minute reports on where the best parade parking is, which route a krewe will be taking, and, of course, where their friends are standing!

Having founded leading Mardi Gras website Mardi Gras New Orleans over a decade ago, Compucast is an authority on making Mardi Gras information available to the wireless consumer.

Android was a CTIA sponsor.

Compucast was excited to participate in the bnetTV discussion, tour the vast array of CTIA exhibits, and share insights gleaned over almost twenty years of serving at the forefront of New Orleans’ web design and marketing community. We’re looking forward to next year’s conference!