# Varidx at Smart Connect Conference, Raleigh NC

> Smart Connect Conference – May 8-10, 2024 — news and updates from the Varidx smart city platform.

- URL: https://varidx.io/events/varidx-at-smart-connect-conference-raleigh-nc/
- Dates: 2024-05-08 to 2024-05-10
- Type: conference
- Location: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC, US, 27601

**Smart Connect Conference – May 8-10, 2024**
**Raleigh, North Carolina**

**Visit us at booth #123**

We have live demonstration of the See Insights soil sensors, Verkada cameras and the Varidx dashboard. Talk to us about integrating sensor data into a single dashboard to gain insights and improve operational efficiencies.

**Our Partner: See Insights**

**Join our panel discussion**

**Day: Friday, May 10, 2024**
**Time: 11:30 AM – 12:25 PM**
**Room No: 302C**
**Location: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC, US, 27601**

**Engaged Communities in Smart Cities: Challenges and Opportunities**

Smart cities are not only about technology, but also about people. Engaging citizens in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of smart city initiatives is crucial for ensuring their success and sustainability. However, fostering community engagement in smart cities is not an easy task. It requires collaborative leadership, effective communication, and inclusive participation from diverse stakeholders.

In this panel, we will explore the challenges and opportunities of building engaged communities in smart cities. We will discuss the following questions:

• What are the benefits of community engagement for smart cities?
• What are the barriers and gaps that prevent citizens from actively taking part in smart city projects?
• What are the best practices and strategies for enhancing community engagement in smart cities?
• How can smart city technologies facilitate and support community engagement?
• What are the ethical and social implications of community engagement in smart cities?

The panel features city leadership, urban planning experts, and technologists, who will share their insights and experiences from different smart city contexts. The panel will also invite questions and comments from the audience, aiming to stimulate a lively and interactive discussion.

**Panelists:**

Simmi Prasad, Advisor, Varidx (moderator)

Rick Ralph, Chief Information officer, Town of Morrisville, NC

Adam Oates, Chief Information Officer, Town of Wake, NC

Terry Mahaffey, Council Member, Apex

Sarika Bansal, Council Member, Town of Cary. NC