COVINGTON, Ky., August 19--STEP, Where Innovation Meets Execution, today officially announced with their partners Ericsson/Cradlepoint, the global leader in mobile connectivity, Extreme Networks, Inc., a leader in cloud networking, T-Mobile, America’s super-charged un-carrier, Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, and Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions – that it will be providing 5G/Private Cellular & Wi-Fi connectivity at the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF) in Bardstown, September 13-15th.
STEP’s “CoW” (Cell-on-Wheels) mobile connectivity vehicle powers everything Bourbon Festival attendees, vendors, and media will need for wireless internet connectivity. In addition to improving the guest experience, the CoW will also be providing all of the connectivity for point-of-sale systems for each distiller, enabling secure and reliable transactions.
“Our CoW is a unique offering from STEP that leads the herd as the perfect solution for supporting large campus environments and big events like the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and distillers with hybrid network connectivity,” said Ed Walton, CEO of STEP. “It’s another best-in-breed asset that drives real business outcomes for our customers and Festival goers alike, but no tipping is allowed.”
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival returns for its 33rd year in Bardstown (the Bourbon Capital of the World), to celebrate America’s Native Spirit.
“One of our main challenges producing a festival with 60+ of Kentucky’s top distilleries, 45 marketplace vendors, and over a dozen food trucks – all in a small town, with some limitations on its technology – is assuring strong, secure, reliable, and consistent connectivity”, said Randy Prasse, COO, and president of the festival. “From the onset of our partnership in 2021, this is one logistical area that I do not have to worry about. The entire STEP team continually invests the time to understand our needs and the challenges involved with producing a world-class bourbon experience – and provides the ideal solution with their hybrid network approach. We simply could not do it without them.”
This year’s Festival features expanded opportunities for bourbon enthusiasts to interact with the most sought-after brands alongside engaging and immersive educational experiences. All VIP Packages have been sold out, but General Admission Weekend & Sunday Admission Passes are still available for purchase through https://kybourbonfestival.com.
Dates for next year’s 2025 Festival will be announced soon. “It’s an honor for STEP to once again be trusted with all forms of connectivity for 60+ distilleries, media, video loggers, vendors, and public Wi-Fi for a huge crowd of 50,000 folks, along with security. The 2024 Festival promises to be the best one yet,” added Walton
About Ericsson
Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com
About Cradlepoint
Cradlepoint enables the freedom to connect people, places, and things that drive more experiences, more ways to work, and better business results — anywhere. The company is a pioneer in Wireless WAN, offering advanced 4G and 5G routers and adapters — controlled through Cradlepoint NetCloudTM. Enterprise businesses and public sector agencies rely on Cradlepoint and its Cellular Intelligence to build a reliable, secure network wherever they need it, connecting fixed and temporary sites, vehicles, IoT devices, and remote employees. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Cradlepoint is a subsidiary of Ericsson’s Business Area Enterprise Wireless Solutions division. It has international offices in Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, India, and Latin America. www.cradlepoint.com
About Extreme Networks
Extreme Networks, Inc. (EXTR) is a leader in cloud networking focused on delivering services that connect devices, applications, and people in new ways. We push the boundaries of technology leveraging the powers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation. Over 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress like never before. For more information, visit Extreme's website at https://www.extremenetworks.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com
About Fortinet
Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet's solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with high-profile, well-respected organizations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.
About Vertiv
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers’ vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit Vertiv.com.
About the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Bardstown, Ky.)
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sept. 13-15, 2024) is a celebration of Kentucky Bourbon and the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky. What began as a Bourbon tasting dinner has grown into a truly authentic experience that brings together bourbon enthusiasts from all over the world. Started in 1992, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is one of the Commonwealth’s leading cultural festivals. For more information, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com
About STEP
STEP is a highly innovative, award-winning, nationwide IT services engineering firm specializing in 5G and traditional networking hybrid connectivity solutions powered by strategic experts and best-of-breed technologies that guide their clients through complex IT challenges. STEP was founded in 2014 and has become one of the fastest-growing technology firms in the Midwest. Their portfolio enables enterprises with solutions for wireline, wireless, cellular, cloud, security, collaboration, and managed services. STEP is a privately held company headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. STEP is where innovation meets execution. For more information, visit STEPs website or follow on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
STEP Media Inquiries:
Katie Johnson
513-795-6000 ext.3117
kjohnson@stepcg.com
Cradlepoint Media Inquiries:
Holly Langbein
Highwire PR
cradlepoint@highwirepr.com
+1 (916) 769-2199
T-Mobile U.S. Media Relations:
MediaRelations@T-Mobile.com
Extreme Networks Media Inquiries:
Amy Aylward
1-603-952-5138
PR@extremenetworks.com
Fortinet U.S. Media Inquiries:
pr@fortinet.com
Vertiv Media Inquiries:
Micheline Kassis
T: +971 50 2747241
E: micheline@beyondgcc.com
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Media Inquiries:
Tracy Green
(502) 614-5994
tracy@estespr.com
