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InteSolv, a provider for high-impact technology consulting strategies and customized business solutions, announced their new custom Web Event Management service for existing PGi Adobe Connect customers. Customers are able to choose from a variety of services to best fit their needs: event planning, seminar room set-up, audio provisioning, presenter training and coaching, campaign reporting, etc. In order to maximize conversion, the InteSolv solution allows customers to customize their message while InteSolv manages the administrative/technical traits. 

As hotels make every attempt to come up with new and innovative techniques to conduct business, technology companies are looking for ways to being the first on scene with new technological tools. Many hotels now have instead of swiping ones card through the lock and waiting for the green light to enter, the guest can simply approach the door with a card in their hands and walk right into their rooms. This is possible through radio frequency identification (RFID). RFID are also being used to track customer loyalty to ones brand. RFID Technology also allows the hotel to maintain better security by knowing more clearly who's coming in and going throughout the hotel, since each RFID card be detected by multiple sensors in the lobby, elevators and rooms. There is even the possibility to access ones room by simply utilizing their cell phones and having the phone unlock the door. This is done by simply dialing a phone number and when prompted placing the cell phone next to the door lock. An audio key will play and the door will be unlocked. The audio is unique to each and every reservation.

This articles goes about descriping about how great and productive PSAV audio visual company is; and how it benefits for both hoteliers and guests "site inspectors". Nevertheless, Hotels such as The Westin has carry on a responsibility for its guests and future guests in providing the best quality as far as visuals and audio sounds is concern. Furthermore, PSAV has been producing large amount of revenue as well as new customers especially in the hospitality industry; as it is one of the most greatest and rapid growing industry in the United States Nations.

The event today is not only between planner and organization; it's more like the communication and interaction among attendees. The technology assists the needs and expectation of attendees, which allows them to engage more during meetings and events. Besides, App or other online software facilitates attendees to get full knowledge of location, content and activity in one event. In addition, Audio-Video equipment mentioned in article also emphasized that lighting plays an important role to make one event stand out. In another words, creating great experience is definitely what technology is for.

This article talks about how technology has changed the world completely, especially Event Management. For example, the FiFa world cup puts out cool application so people could know the highlight, real time schedule of the games and result. Some other example are the stage show, this drastic change improved in the Audio - video equipment, stage and lighting. Technology has change in Live Meeting. Live Meeting webinar and live meeting are use halfway around the world. Also, the Social Explosion like facebook and Twitter is the big thing around the world. Even the Mobile Application are used now in iPhones, Androids, and Blackberrys has become the next -gem platform for Event Management

Now the event attendees can ask questions to the speaker via tweets or Facebook comments real time during an event. With the world tweeting away night and day, there is no doubt that technology has changed our life completely.

With technology evolving and changing at a fast pace it is changing both what consumers expect and how the Hospitality industry responds to these expectations as well as how they do business themselves. The article highlights the many trends in the Hospitality industry. These trends include the improving and overhauling of a Wi-Fi network, conference rooms that offer Audio visual equipment, Smart room keys and many other different trends.

In today's world we are surrounded by technology; however, sometimes we do not realize the extreme of which we are surrounded by until we stop and look around. The Hospitality industry is quickly adapting to the technologically world we live it. I read an article written by Jeff Robinson, Technical Director for Aurecon titled "Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends". This article was beyond interesting because it touched on some on the way technology has already changed the hospitality industry and ways it will be changing it for the future. Robinson tells us in his article that "some of the trends in industry are leading to great improvements and savings for hospitality industry companies; while some are changing how hotel developers plan their buildings, infrastructure, management structure and staffing requirements". This means its not only about the bottom dollar, but the experience of each guest when they stay at the hotel. Robinson also states the obvious fact that travelers these days do not see Wi-Fi as a perk, but more of a must have. Full access to audio-visual is also on the must have list especially for business meetings and conferences. What I found most interesting from Robinson's article was the introduction of the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This technology give you the ability to share information from a short-range frequency wireless communication. This technology is also ideal for self check-ins by guests at hotels as well as smart room keys.(Robinson) Hotel room keys have come a long way. From an actual key, key card in which you insert, to a key card you simply pass close to the reader and now the birth of the smart key. "Smart room access system allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door.". (Robinson) Now how awesome is that. Robinson also talks about other new technology just as the future of hotel in room entertainment, hotels offering

It has been well described and defined that technology impacted the hospitality industry in which it has advantage and disadvantages. The update and development of software creates a change in the business. This justifies that better software leads to better customer service. For this development has given most business opportunity to grow as they give them better tools.

Yum Brands, which runs restaurants KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger, is integrating technology-centric solutions across its four brands around the world, which could result in an acceleration of disruptive technologies on a large scale. This Digital Innovation Lab then adds information from thousands of Yum Brand restaurants into a cloud facility. The information includes closed-circuit tv from a restaurant's drive-thru and point-of-sale or drive-thru audio. Hundreds of startups then get access to the data to compare their technologies in the lab. They're able to use that information to create more automated services like artificial intelligence, computer vision and the Internet of Things. Yum's idea is by improving automation back of house, employees can focus more time on customer-facing tasks, resulting in more speed and accuracy.

The Hutton Hotel that is a comparatively new and boutique style implemented new e-mail marketing in order to increase the clientele's awareness about their properties. The hotel developed this new e-mail marketing with the help of Spectrio that is an all-inclusive audio/video/digital marketing company. By using an existed short promotional film video of the hotel, Spectrio and the hotel created new video about hotel properties such as an event space to show the hotel and attract clientele without visiting in advance. This new e-mail campaign not only includes new video content but also still contain photos combined with music and narration and links to the Hutton Hotel's website like previous version of E-mail campaign. This new campaign increased the effectiveness of hotel's e-mail effort as well as enabled the hotel to raise the clientele's awareness .

By creating a video to showcase the hotel's major feature by the use of simple video they were able to create engagement with potential meeting planners that previously weren't aware that such a space existed. The video was not a significant cost since it was footage that already had been used for other purposes. But by using this footage for a new purpose has created a wider audience they previously had not been able to reach. This targeted strategy to meeting planners is much more effective than simply sending out traditional marketing materials. It reached the people the hotel was seeking to target to increase the awareness of the space, to create more potential business. The hotel also plans to send out a targeted email to corporate guests in the hopes of the same success rate.

The following article is from the ALFA Update, its a case study from Senior Living Executive, and audio files from ALFA's conference sessions. Building and Technology articles focus on  ideas, best practices and solutions to problems related to green living, physical plant, space planning, and security. For instance in this particular article 

The following articles are from the ALFA Update, case studies from Senior Living Executive, and audio files from ALFA's conference sessions. Building and Technology articles focus on  ideas, best practices and solutions to problems related to green living, physical plant, space planning, and security.

In this article, the author pays attention to the balance between security technology and customers' privacy. Even though we all know that security becomes a big issue nowadays and technology is updating so fast, does it mean too much of them will also be  a good thing for hotels. In today's hotel, you can find monitors everywhere, which makes me feel bad because I feel like being in a jail. Obviously, with the growing treats and terrorism, it is necessary to put those monitors in hotels or even any other public places in order to make people safe. However, compared to being 100% safe, guests in hotels today much prefer privacy. They don't want to be monitored and feel inconvenient. 

Now, many security devices and technologies are widely used in the hospitality industry. Perimeter security is a set of physical security and programmatic security policies that provide levels of protection against remote malicious activity. It can be both noticeable and seemingly invisible and is utilized to keep employees and guests safe. Larger properties like casino, have security system and command center that monitor guests' actions in every corner. However, in the situation of economic depression, hotels have to consider the cost of security measures.

In today's world, larger properties have command centers where all video and audio is often under constant watch and review. In an instant, video can be pulled, reviewed and sent to the appropriate authorities. All of this might bring back memories of your most recent visit to a casino, where the "eye in the sky" is watching your every move. While initially you may be conscious of your every move being monitored, eventually you forget there is a camera right above you. With terrorism seemingly a real and growing threat, hotels must find a balance between allowing guests their privacy and having the ability to monitor who is on the property and what actions they may be taking. Today,

Event planners has to negotiate with hotel sales to lower some of the expenses.  This article speaks of ways to save money which is by hosting most of your  events at the same property throughout the years; this will get clients to  return. Hotel sales manager should discount guest rooms offer because they offer  great profit margin than any other event service. Sales planners should compare  prices and try to secure the best price.  It's best to try and negotiate food  and beverage requirements because hotel managers and event planners will always  try to keep their guests happy. Negotiate the audio and visual expense by asking  for discounts and expenses to be waived if possible. Also be flexible on time,  space and dates. 

Apple has made an announcement regarding the release of the iPhone 5 this Friday September 15.  How does this affect hospitality?  With all of the enhancements that apple has pressed forward with this new iPhone, hospitality will feel pressure to adapt and change with the times and you nailed it, they will have to continue to buy new tech.  If apple is able to make their iPhone 18% thinner and 20% lighter while making it larger and more durable, the hospitality industry will have to respond in their own tech.  Also, this new technology enables hospitality firms to direct their efforts more effectively with better tech.

This is a new technology for hospitality employees to be able to communicate between each other. THis new handset is durable and substitutes multiple other devices including alarms. It also cents text messages and alarm notifications, so everyone is up to date.  This device color codes different departments so people do not get confused and deliver services promptly. 

I really like this new technology. Especially the color-coded function. It's like sending an order by colors to the staff. It avoids the misunderstanding from vague oral communications.The new handset's high quality audio system means that conversations can be heard more easily, even against a noisy background, while the built-in vibration feature means users can always tell when they are wanted, even if they can't hear the ring. This is really cool too. Communication is so important in hospitality industry. The daily function mostly depends on how well that each department communicate. This new device save people a lot of time and energy to worry about whether they receive the right order or not.

Netiquette is network etiquette on the internet through emails, websites, etc. Some core rules would be to always use spell check, never use all caps, tell the truth, be yourself, do not flame or spam, be conservative, do not send email at night, shop on secure sites and use discretion. The common conventions of online communication between users are the rules of netiquette. Netiqutte takes into account the context of how information is shared. Internet etiquette is centered around data and its use. The type of data are; text, audio, graphic and video. Netiquette is social code for network communicatin. The internet is the most popular digital network in the world, therefore it is centered around internet use because its the culture of digital networks and the internet if the most popular in the world.

Netiquette is very important in today's industry as it can only improve and enhance our way of communicating and networking. Also, everything is pretty much done by conference calls, audio visuals and over the internet by exchanging emails and web links. I personally believe that Netiquette should only be improve on because that is where the world of today is looking forward to and addressing too.

In keeping up to its standard of maintaining high customer service, the Ritz Carlton has a new idea to do just that. As we know with a hotel, there are many hands on the assembly belt to make the hotel run smoothly. Since the guest experience is their main priority, they don't want to leave anyone excluded. So the company has released an app, ((CHIME)), to assist event planners during their event. Sent to the planner three days prior to the event, the Event planner is able to make any changes necessary. On the day of, if something was to malfunction or hotel assistance was needed, instead of the planner panicking, they are able to use ((CHIME)) to get what they need done. Whether it has to do with food & beverage, audio / visuals, seating arrangements, or room relocation, within minutes the event planner can have a request put in and a hotel employee will be there to fix the issue. Just another way of keep guests returning and to ensure a successful event. 

The article tells us 7 ways to make hotel smarter. 1. Enhanced Connectivity to Guest Services and Staff Members. Hotel should pay attention to online visitor reviews on websites. Many smart hotel systems have adopted bespoke technology to provide faster and more targeted guest selection capabilities without sacrificing quality. 2. Intelligent Environmental and Entertainment Controls. Guests will often rate their experiences in direct relation to the amenities that they are provided with. It therefore makes a great deal of sense that many hotels have adopted the same smart systems that can be found within homes. 3. The Inclusion of Voice-Ready Technology. Voice-controlled technology provides guests with a convenient means to control basic aspects within their rooms. Voice commands can control options. Voice-ready technology has made great progress in recent years. 4. Smart and Interactive Maps. The real-time interactive mapping not only can these items be used to orientate the guests themselves, but such maps are just as capable of displaying important information, like nearby attractions and places of interest to visit. 5. Personalised Forms of Entertainment. Many hotels are now beginning to provide guests with even more intuitive ways to access personal entertainment accounts, like voice control, access to audio books and customized music playlists. 6. The Concept of Sustainability. Guests are now appreciating their relationship with the natural environment. And a smart hotel room is known for its energy-saving qualities. Therefore, smart hotel systems also can improve sustainability. 7. Adopting Smart and Targeted Forms of Data Collection. In smart hotel, data can be collected without violating the privacy of patrons to make important policy changes as well as to cater to the needs of a certain demographic.

This article describes the importance of managing sound during an event. It is much easier for a speaker to connect with their audience when they are able to comfortably and clearly speak their message. One of the mains draws for the event industry is it provides the opportunity for business leaders to network and commutate. The acoustic property of a venue space should be taken into account when planning an event but is unfortunately something that a number of managers overlook.  A space that is too loud or too echoed could significantly decrease guest's perception of an event.  Optimally performing sound systems and technicians are essential to creating a pleasurable experience for both guests and managers alike. 

This article talks about a successful online training program belongs to STARWOOD HOTELS&RESORTS which is called ProLearing module. This specific online training program is quite beneficial to travel professionals to have a full version of starwood's brands and get familiar with the room rates for agents. Online training systems are commonly used by most internal employees but fewer for externals in hospitality industry. Most of the hotels have their own online training systems for employees to familiar with company concepts, hotel operations, service manuals and even a sales system like StarHot. As a part of training program for externals, ProLearing module does a good job for its company band expansion for agents and finds new market segments which is not just includes regular guests and potential employees. I believe that more and more travel professionals will join this program and make it to succeed.