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Many restaurants are choosing to go to hand-held POS systems for the many advantages they provide. Perhaps the number one reason to chose a hand-held POS system is time saved. A restaurant can save up to four minutes by placing the order via a hand-held POS system. This leads to more selling opportunities, and greater time with the guest. Information on 86'd items is immediately available, and the system can suggest possible "upsell" options. Order accuracy is increased, because the order is placed right at the table as it is given. Drawbacks include the durability of the unit, considerable start up costs, and complexity of the unit. Many of the durability issues have been addressed, but the units are still pricey. Costs have come down as the technology becomes more widespread. The complexity of the unit still remains an issue, as servers tend to focus more on the unit and placing the order, rather than engaging the guest.

I have seen these work very well at Chick-fil-a recently. They utilize these systems during high traffic times by having two associates out in the drive through line taking orders along with the intercom. By doing this, they are able to take three orders at a time and the line is very minimal. If used correctly, this is a great system to have.

This article looks at hotel maintenance management from an engineering perspective, with some attention to I.T. It lays out and explains in detail requirements for successful operation and upkeep of a physical plant. For example, it discusses building maintenance, citing "roofing repair leakages, reproofing the entire building, taking care of building surfaces, pitting, & erosion of exterior surfaces," etc.

The article talks about major trends in tourism events, ranging from green initiatives through F&B to the 2nd largest reason people go to events is networking opportunities and providing quiet areas where people can network in is a good idea. More events are being planned so it is necessary to book event venues early.

Like everything nowadays is evolving, also the meetings are evolving in order to stay trendy and appealing for consumers. Meetings are growing exponentially YOY at a rate of between 5-10% according to the prestigious CWT meetings and events company for 2020 (without counting coronavirus). The reality is that the meetings industry also needs to evolve in order to stay in business with the new trends, clientele and times. This list provides 19 trends that every event planner needs to consider to make their event a success, including but not limited to the new demographics in the world (millenials).

This article is about 19 event trends that event planners should be informed about. People are expecting different things from events that in the past years where not expected. Trends have changed, for example, it is a trend now to have minimalistic events instead of gaudy ones. Now people also expect creativity out of the event and to have a unique event. People also care about security of the event and fast WI-fi. All these trends are important to know and will continue changing with the years.

The author presents the argument that optimum performance of a hotel's wi-fi network is critical to a hote and that the demands of IoT, large conferences and the need to update infrastructure require constant oversight. It is argued that outsourcing the hotel wi-fi network to a managed WiFi provider has many advantages over placing the burden and responsibility on the hotel IT team. In my opinion, the article makes a strong case for engaging a managed WiFi provider. What would have been a useful addition to the article is how hotel's should go about managing and overseeing the provider that they engage.

Event Technology is constantly being innovated in order to keep up with current market trends. AI is now becoming a future trend in event management software but with so many new technologies for events out there it becomes critical to keep up with also considering ROI. User-friendliness for example reflects both the consumer and the event company. When deciding a new product it is important to consider all the strengths and weaknesses of the product.

FIFA has paid noticeable attention to the environmental impact of the World Cup since the 2006 World Cup and green management has increased with every World Cup since with the biggest plans already staged for years 2018 and 2022. The Green Goal environmental program has been in effect since 2005 when FIFA partnered with Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) in order to champion green initiatives. This program has been adapted for every World Cup since. The program combines the resources of host cities, governmental departments, local environmentalists and international partners. Now, FIFA is implementing green initiatives into the bidding process for 2018 and 2022 by requesting information pertaining to the reduction and control of negative environmental impacts from bidders prior to making a decision on where to host the World Cup. In my opinion, FIFA has adequately worked towards environmental sustainability over the past ten years and has powerful plans to continue and improve green initiatives going forward. Previously, the indoctrination of the Green Goal program in 2005 laid the foundation for green goals and growth. Each subsequent World Cup has relied on a Green Goal program to set and measure environmental initiatives. Also, FIFA has already begun working on the Green Goal for 2018 and 2022 by requiring potential host destinations to incorporate environmental sustainability into the management structure of the mega-event. Management is required to set measurable objectives in six key areas: water, waste, energy, transportation, procurement and climate change. In addition, potential host destinations are required to plan and explain how they will incorporate stakeholders and the community via an Environmental Advisory Board. All of these aspects must be outlined in the bid submitted for consideration by FIFA and will be weighed heavily during the host location decision process.

FIFA's decision to use involved green standards as part of the bidding process for World Cups 2018 and 2022 is ingenious. The rigorous standards and expectations eliminate cities that are unwilling or unable to do the research and prep work required for the environmental concerns associated with such a large and prestigious event. However, these same circumstances caused increased competition between the remaining cities and come with some sort of financial cost. The increased competition between potential host cities and the associated higher costs pertaining to the implementation of green strategies may be seen as negatives to involved commercial/government entities and community conservatives. The following comparison explains how this may be so. Companies often design buildings with minimal closets despite having a large need for storage space. The philosophy behind this is "closets don't make money." On the contrary, entertainments space (i.e. Casinos), larger sales floors (i.e. Car Dealerships) and management offices are all spaces in which money is generate and therefore income is maximized by maximizing the "money-generating space" and minimizing spaces (i.e. closets) that do not do so. Similarly, green initiatives guarantee extra expenses and do not generate a significantly increased income. Some entities may view green initiatives as "closets." In conclusion, FIFA is a powerful force in the green initiative campaign. The organization has worked tirelessly the last 15 years to implement and improve environmental initiatives related to the World Cup. Despite the outside chance that a significant portion of the population will view green initiatives as costly non-necessities, I believe that FIFA's Green Goal program will be a success. It provides an expanding platform for each subsequent Word Cup by requiring environmental initiatives to be implemented at the management level and begin at the earliest point possible: bidding.

Hotels are now changing the way they provide meeting spaces to guests. Considering the change in the global market for meetings and events many facilities are looking to meet the demands for better technology, meeting guests expectations, and creating a memorable experience for the guests. With the many changes being made, hotels must also ensure that the changes will lead to a long-term return on investment.

Having the last and newest technology for your meeting spaces will set you apart from the competition. Marriott continues to add to it's growing portfolio of hotels with the Gaylord Rockies. This hotel caters to the group dynamic and has all the greatest and newest innovation for groups and to provide all there meeting space needs.

I've never heard of the Gaylord Rockies, I'll have to research that. In addition to the meeting sizes and technology, hotels are also changing menu's catering to the more green and healthier options and also customizable packages to cater to their needs and expectations.

Meeting and event planners spend extensive amounts of time researching for the services and locations that meet the needs of the customer they are serving. Venues must provide planners with realistic expectations. Event planners also pay special attention to user-generated reviews, so companies must also pay close attention to their online presence. Direct communication is also essential between event planners and hotels as having a reliable point of contact is important. Event planners also look for unconventional spaces that allow for a change of scenery. Reliable wireless Internet is also a must for event planners as this is essential for their planning needs but also for the guests that will be utilizing the space. Lastly, the staff at the venue must be flexible and trained for various types of events. The wow factor is what event planners really look for when evaluating spaces. They want venues that are different than the rest of the competition and will make their event really stand out.

Event Planning serves as the most critical part in making the event a memorable and special one. While taking care of the perfect venue and place settings its also important for them for keep contact with their venue and updated options. Event planners feed from user reviews to gain more awareness and generate more business so in order for them to accomplish this they go over and beyond to satisfy the needs of the customers.

This article discussed different ways to make your hotel an ideal match for an event planner. Based on the seven ways described by the author, one would be more likely to be able to have event planners pick their hotel to host their events. The seven ways described were: making sure your website gives an event planner real authentic details about your space; allowing all user reviews to be available including any negative ones (you can always show how you plan to improve for any negative experiences); having someone available to speak directly with the planner whenever needed; having an outdoor space for events; making sure your wireless internet is reliable and of an adequate speed; having staff who are trained to work any kind of event (i.e birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, corporate events); and having a venue that stands out in a unique way.

Events and event planning are evolving into new, dynamic formats. Old models are falling away and technology is giving both planners and event participants an opportunity to grow and revisit the underlying ideas about how event spaces work. "It's been fascinating watching just how fast things have changed," said Brian Solis, principal at Altimeter Group, at a New York conference this year.

This article talks about the ways that technology is changing event planning and events themselves. Event attendees are now looking for more engaged experiences, rather than the old way of merely attending an event passively. Social media plays a huge role in how attendees interact with and even plan an event. Participants can interact with and engage with event speakers now more than ever, with participants sending questions to the speaker via social media or other technology that allows for the speaker to answer audience questions in real time. Data personalization allows for event attendees to receive information about the event, allowing them to be involved in the planning process and during the event itself, whether it's through Bluetooth or geofencing technology. Event attendees can take advantage of augmented reality technology to engage in activities. Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular, as it allows attendees to get information quickly and easily without any real input on the attendee's part. Mobile apps are now becoming more commonplace for events, as it's easy, efficient, and convenient. Drone technology is now being used at events, whether to take pictures or to stream the event to people who could not attend.

As the world has moved forward with technology, so to has the world of events and event planning. Planners are able to connect with the guests on a whole different level and events have the technology to be able to keep the attendees engaged and interacted. From flying drones to social media, technology has helped selling events a much easier process.

I remember when we used to stay in hotels when they started being greener by suggesting their hotel guests to reuse towels and only put them on the floor if they wished for them to be replaced. In today's world with so much technology hotels can be more successful at being eco friendly. This is a must because consumers are wanting to see hotels implement more impactful eco-friendly efforts. The article talks about how hotels are making the switch by renewable energy production, smart energy management and food waste management technology. These are just some ways that hotels have started using to improve sustainable practices with use of technology.

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. 

The hotel event planning business is a very lucrative business for hoteliers. Renting out space for special events such as weddings, birthdays, graduations parties and conferences are all ways hotels can earn extra revenue. In this article, "Hospitality & Event Planning: The Ingleside Hotel, provides a brief overview of the 40,000 square feet renovated meeting and banquet space. The Ingleside Hotel in Wisconsin created a new program called 'Experience Ingleside that will create unique opportunities for guests to explore both the property and the local community. For the frequent business traveler, this space is great as it offers guests rooms and suites that include a work station with complimentary wireless internet.

Disney's Swan and Dolphin convention centers breaking ground for "The Cove" which is set to open in 2021 which adds 349 guest rooms and 21,330 square feet of new meeting space. Both resorts are also opening new restaurant space with the ability for group event buyouts in private dining rooms.

(1 of 3) This Hotel Technology News article discusses the various technology advancements in Hotel Event Planning and what their effects were predicted to be for 2020. As the article states, "With each passing year, events seem to get bigger and better, boasting exciting new technology, catering to attendees' needs in finer detail, and bringing guests together in unique venue spaces for a variety of occasions." The event industry continues to grow as people continue to desire more unique, memorable experiences. Event planners struggle with advancing their experiences, but with the help of technology they are able to continue to grow each year. This process starts with the booking experience and Venue Management Technology has gained popularity in creating seamless booking experiences. "Whether marketing to a transient guest, event attendees, or a corporate group, hoteliers and event planners are in the business of meeting and exceeding expectations." With venue management technology, event planners are able to make memorable experiences starting with the booking of the venue all the way until days after the event. Venue management platforms provide everything to the event planners at their fingertips.

(2 of 3) The article continues on to discuss that while large events are extremely lucrative, venues must make sure to consider smaller events as well. "Ensure your venue space is equipped for events and meetings of various scale, and work closely with planners to ensure an attentive, personalized experience while bringing their event or meeting to life." Meetings are going to continue to grow so venues must continue to adjust and be equipped for anything a consumer might desire. This may include non-traditional events or venue spaces as well. While classic hotel convention spaces may not be as popular anymore, hotels are challenged to utilize and market their space differently to attract new consumers. With the event industry, as with any segment in hospitality, the ultimate purpose is to leave lasting impressions on guests. In recent years, the use of technology has been great in assisting this idea. Venues who have mastered creating a memorable experience have often done so by "using new-age features and platforms to create a frictionless event, engage attendees on a deeper level, and create meaningful, memorable experiences." Venue management tools are also used in making these experiences for guests. The article left readers with three takeaways. The first being that venues need to utilize technology to make them more effective in areas such as RFP response and the way that they offer their services. The second takeaway is that businesses need to evaluate their current technology partners and make sure to choose a partner that will allow them to best create memorable events. The final key takeaway is that venues must increase conversions and improve venue listings with things such as real-time availability and strategic pricing.

(3 of 3) This article was very interesting in its description of the technology used in the event industry and predictions for the future of events. It is quite apparent that this article was written at the beginning of 2020, though. I do believe the event industry was headed in this direction, but, as with the rest of the hospitality industry, I believe events will see a massive decrease over the next few years and then pick back up in the future. Due to the risks associated with Covid-19, consumers are not finding in-person meetings or events necessary. Many organizations have resorted to digital meetings and cancelled any events, causing a huge loss for the industry. I believe that as the rest of the industry recovers, events will slowly follow and eventually make their way back to their pre-pandemic predictions.

This article addresses how hotel design must change to be successful in a COVID/Post-COVID world. The emphasis the last few years has been on meeting spaces and smaller square footage in guest rooms, but with social distancing those wonderful new high-tech meeting spaces are empty. More guests are having to use their hotel rooms as a place to sleep, socialize, be entertained, and even work out. First impressions are crucial in all aspects of life including hotels meaning adding things like UV-C- lights can help to make guests feel safe and rejuvenated. Also we must redefine the guest "room" experience, such using Smart technology and intelligent room design.

Staicoff (director of Oculus Inc.) stated that the covid-19 epidemic emerged as altering the settings of multiple organizations from healthcare facilities to the corporate ambiance. The designers created various changes in hotel infrastructure to meet the criteria of social distancing in the pandemic. Recently, the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) business elevated to provide technical and innovative solutions to control the spreading of infections with physical distancing. Also, the emerging AEC technologies encourage check-ins and elevators of the hotels to be compatible with smart solutions. The intervention of "Zone of Calm" and UV-C light impresses the guest to ensure that the hotel is reliable, safe, and caring. UV-C light is an antimicrobial technology with a unique fixation of light, music, and art to influence the people. The describe that multi-use facilities (housekeeping, room service, laundry, remote control, menus) have been eliminated for safety features. Visual indication facilitates cleanliness in diverse settings. The coordination of hotels with hygienic corporations enhances responding protocols to prevent infection. The structure of guestrooms are preferred from the perspectives of reducing OA (outside air) and EA (exhaust air), but the approaches are costlier practices to meet the demands of the pandemic. The intervention of "separately-zoned HVAC supply and return HVAC systems" acts as a filtration tool to remove EA from infected rooms and control the spreading. Usually, guestrooms are created for multi-functional management, but the guidelines of the pandemic representing constructive and financial challenges. According to a report presented by Markets and Markets, the implementation of smart devices in the markets would double by 2025 worldwide. At a minimum, the materialistic quality is designed considering long-term goals with comfortable and mood elevated facilities.

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.

This article addresses the future of AI in hospitality. It starts by addressing COVID 19 and how this affected AI in the hotel industry. They then go on to talk about all the benefits that AI can bring. One thing I learned form this article that i didn't know was that housekeeping has the highest rate of injury in the hospitality industry. I was shocked to learn this.

companies and people are wanting more evolved events design and decor and technology being apart of it. A dimly lit ballroom just isnt cutting it anymore. Event Managers are in high demand to work with hotels to create a space that can host all kinds of events in one venue.

As the need for event planning rising more and more over the years Hotel developers are assuring the need to hire event planners to help boost their sales and awareness for their property by redesigning and maintain their current areas. This allows many hotel owners to help create memories while leaving a great taste on the guest who requested the venue. he job of event planners are very critical because they go through every detail and trends to gather ideas for the clients. They have to keep in contact with property for any changes or layout to ensure it meets to clients needs.

The Atlanta Airport Marriott just completed event space renovations that will enable event planners to host any size party/ meeting with the most updated technology. The Georgia hotel features 28,300 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms and 27 breakout rooms. The hotels lobby features a complex monitoring system for flight tracking information and departures by Delta Airlines. Touch screen kiosks have also been installed at concierge stands that will allow planners and people attending events to search for nearby restaurants and attractions. Additionally, the most recent renovation included in the installation of multi-use TV screens in the rooms. The screens allow guests to hook up iPods and other music devices. Guests may also use the new TV's as computer monitors. This connectivity is becoming more common in event spaces and visitor centers. I personally know that similar technology was recently installed in New York City's Central Park. Touch monitors enable park visitors to navigate their way around more efficiently. Additionally, tour guides have been equipped with handheld devices to track visitor usage and access information quickly.

This is great, This hotel is certainly utilizing technology that will be most convenient for meetings and events. Multi -use TV screen are very nice. More and more hotels now are investing in Ipod docking stations. Love the idea of the touch screen kiosk at the concierge stand.