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Smart stadiums are growing in popularity around the world. In 2016 was estimated to be 4.62 million dollars and is expected to grow by just over 30% by 2021. There are different models available when designing a smart stadium. The on-demand deployment model will make up the largest share of the market. The leader in the growth of smart stadiums are Europe, Middle East, and Africa. There are six factors contributing to the growth of smart stadiums. However, there are two factors that are hindering the growth of smart stadiums. One of these factors is the investment. There are at least ten major corporations that are offering smart stadium solutions. Five of the ten corporations are based in the United States. However, there are some smaller companies that are forming partnerships to help stadiums implement the new technology.

The Minnesota Twins are leading the way in green initiatives in becoming the first MLB stadium to achieve LEED Platinum Certification. As the landscape has changed with the desires of fans and guests to public assembly venues, venues across the country are doing their part to go green and obtain LEED certification. It is a great initiative the venue management industry has engaged on, not only at the major league level, but stadiums, convention centers and performing arts venues are all doing the same.

The company Revel has outfitted the Alabama State University stadium with and iPad-based point-of-sales system. This system is very functional because it does not require and internet connection and it has a faster processor to complete transactions versus the traditional systems. In the stadium setting it can help to move the line faster leading to happier customers who do not have to wait long in line.

The University of Minnesota offers a graduate-level class called "Event Management in Sport" in which the 30 students create and implement a volunteer management plan for the sporting event the Final Four where an estimated 1,000+ volunteers participate.

This article discusses the different environments in which a Smart Bar may be functional and efficient.  It intelligently discusses both sides, positive and negative of the Smart Bar and defends itself against trying to take away bar tender positions.

As with any new technology, I believe this product must find its niche. I don't believe that it will replace a face to face bartender in every situation. In areas where the customer needs to "grab a drink and go" (i.e. Theaters, Stadiums, Hotel Lobbies, etc) I think this is an excellent option. This system cannot completely replace a bartender, but it can make a drink quickly and accurately in situations where that is all that is required. This system cannot upsell, suggest particular menu items, create complex or frozen drinks, communicate with a lonely customer, etc. I believe that there is a tremendous market for a product like this, and, as a former bartender, I am jealous that I didn't come up with this idea myself.

Fieldman's intentions for the target audience for this technology may be overstretching the capabilities. I do see the movie theaters as a great option for this product. Certain areas of casinos and stadiums as a possibility for locations, such as the poker room areas in casinos or boxes in stadiums would be good locations too. I would see volume of business being the biggest enemy of this technology.

This article discusses the way sport stadiums are enhancing the experience of fans to draw them from their couches to the stadium through the use of networks that allow them to enjoy the experience from before they arrive at the stadium until after the event is over. The networked technology allows guests to get upgraded seats, help with parking, order food or merchandise from their seats, and even watch replays of a play from multiple angles. They can even connect to one of the many apps that are now available for sport events. The proper system and strong networking is needed to provide and enjoyable experience to the guest from the time of leaving for the event until after the event is over.

In the fast pace environment of ingress of guests into an event, life safety is unable to take a back seat. Venues are having to adapt processes to ensure guests do not wait in long lines and go through the antiquated magnetometers and wanding process while keeping a safe environment for the guests.

Amazon has introduced a new biometric payment device that works by having shoppers scan their palms. This is similar to the Amazon Go app where shoppers can set up a credit card and scan the app on the way into an Amazon store. Palm scanning works well in a the current climate where people do not want to touch things others have also touched. This technology could be implemented and work well in places with high foot traffic such as stadiums. Palm scanning also has some security advantages. Palms are not as easy to observe and read as faces and not as commonly used as fingerprints. The data will be stored in the cloud and consumers have the option of removing it later, which helps some feel safer with regards to security concerns.

This article discusses how Miso Robotics, an innovative technological company, invented and developed robotic arms that flip burgers and make fries. This robot, Flippy, is one that is the first of its kind in the restaurant industry, and was invented to work alongside humans. However, with its reduced costs and its efficiency, it may replace humans in the kitchen in the near future, especially with the turnover rate so high in the restaurant industry. With the invention of Flippy and testing it out at LA Dodger Stadium as well as CaliBurger, a fast food company owned by Miso Robotics, Miso Robotics are utilizing the ahead of the curve approach since Flippy is the first of its kind.

this is a good article that goes over some trend changes in events, such as the Super Bowl, with regards to green initiatives. the Super Bowl committee developed a list of programs to make the event more sustainable; donating carbon credits, recycling, free bike programs, and more. I specially found it interesting that they recycled all the promotional material by collecting it and making it into other consumer products such as bags and wallets. I've always wondered why events as big as this one dont have recycling programs for the incredible amounts of wasted promotional items. When you think about it, not only does this help reduce waste but also helps generate some revenue from the products that are eventually sold. The article also shows that this trend seems to be happening at all levels from the committees, to the teams, and even the consumers! 

When you think of where point of sales systems are typically used you think of a restaurant, hotel, stadium, retail store, etc. A medicinal marijuana store is the last place that would come to mind, at least for me personally. I think this article really shows how common and wide spread POS systems have become. MJ Freeway software tracks the sales and inventory of medical cannabis dispensaries. Their tagline is encouraging better business practices because their software is "guaranteed to always be state compliant." I love the literal naming of their software. GrowTracker and GramTracker are the inventory tracking tools that address discrepancies due to issues such as spillage or even evaporation. The incorporation of WeedTracker, WeedMaps, and Quickbooks also makes life a little easier for their clients and patients. Having a product specific point of sales which tracks patients names, status and transactions is very important in the medicinal cannabis industry and MJ Freeway delivers. The one thing I don't quite understand is how the POS allows for flexibility at POS for "buds that weigh heavy." However if that is an issue it is good that this advance system already has a solution. I found it refreshing to read about a POS in a completely different environment then a hotel yet with very similar capabilities.

The article about "smart glass" discusses a new glass product that has Internet protocol and electrical power connections that allow the tinting to be adjusted or follow a program. Mentioned briefly in the article is another electrochromatic glass, SageGlass, produced by the French materials giant, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA. The pitch of the American company reviewed in the article, View, is that it will lower temperature control costs by 20% and that installation is also significantly less expensive than traditional glass. When installed as a test for DFW airport the restaurant in that area benefited from the more confortable atmosphere and lingering customers with an increase in alcohol sales of 80%. The intended benefit of saving on cooling cost and customer satisfaction is actually resulting in improved profits, this is the type of green technology that companies will gladly implement, because it helps their bottom line. I think this product is an all around win and improvement for airports, hotels, stadiums and any desitnation that has lots of large windows, the product is cost effective, improves customer satisfaction and increases revenue while using less energy for cooling.

Point of sale systems are utilized in many industries, however, it is prevalent in the hospitality industry. Point of Sale Systems is also referred to as Point of Service. A POS system encompasses various hardware and software such as touch screen display, barcode scanners, cash registers, scales, and receipt printers. Improvements in technology such as POS have made cash registers, paper tapes and journal tapes almost obsolete. During the late 80's and 90's credit card processing was implemented making it easier for customers to easily transact business with operations. Today hospitality POS systems are among the most sophisticated, powerful and user friendly networks. Many POS systems are fully integrated so managers can track inventory, sales, rental services, accounting and customer relation management. Depending on the size of the hospitality facility, management may be primarily concerned with implementing POS systems. Some o f the questions pertaining to POS that managers may have include: a) How many POS terminals do I need? b) Should I run credit cards through my POS system? c) Which style of computer is best for my facility? d) Do I need pole displays or customer displays? e) Should I have a back office computer?

Eventcore is seeking to implement new technologies for event registration. The company is interested in doing fingerprint and face recognition as an entry to an event, instead of a normally accepted ticket. The company spoke about growing security concerns in the event industry and how there needs to be more effort to safeguard attendees information. Biometric entry seeks to keep customer information safe while ensuring speedy entry into events.

Push-to-talk over celluar (PoC) has impacted wireless communications and hardware development globally in the hospitality industry. There is a growing rend toward the use of mobile messaging apps among hotels, casinos, stadiums, and other venues. The Internet of Things (IoT) has ultimately been the forefront of wireless innovations and mobile apps are being developed on a daily basis to satisfy sector-specific needs. Being easily accessible over Wi-Fi or broadband networks allow great reach and consistent connectivity. Manufacturers are staying relevant through developing joint solutions with other companies to meet end user demands. For example LMR radio and smart phone makers have been working with PTT app firms as well as network providers to satisfy the amount of PoC demand. The trend on replacing two-way radios with smartphones has been seen; however, some are reluctant to change. Some manufacturers have created devices that look like traditional radios but ultimately are just 4G phones on the inside. As soon as safety, productivity, and response time are improved and stable, this transition will become commonplace. In the very near future, through the use of Bluetooth technologies, hotels will send keys directly to smartphones for guests who wish to skip the check-in process.

This article reflects on how communication is now being done through our mobile devices. With so many innovations occurring with technology there are new ways to communicate. The introduction of wireless bluetooth has impacted the push to talk. It's important to keep up with the new innovations in order to stay relevant and not fall behind. The idea of merging devices, in regard to radio is the next big thing. I believe it's important to continue the trend of technology because it helps improve communication and customer experiences. Mobile-applications will at one point be assigned to a certain job and that's how communication will take place. For some it may be a bluetooth piece for others it may be a small microphone attached to the clothing.

This article presents suggestions on POS selection for companies sized from small to large. I found this article really interesting and reiterates that the selection of the POS is going to be based on company needs/culture. Their research was extensive and conducted market research repeatedly, before suggestions were made. It also touched on the different pricing options, in addition to any special features the POS may offer.

This article talks about the best POS systems for 2020. What I found interesting is that the majority of these systems are cloud-based and offer integrated information services for a variety of industries, not just hospitality. A lot of the systems also are ipad based and work well with third-party POS hardware. They also have automated payment options integrated, for people who like to process payments electronically (i.e. Apple Pay). I think its important to know about these POS systems and what they can accomplish for hospitality companies.

In this article, they talk about the best pos systems to use for 2020. They list each pos system name and then summarize the benefits and give a full review. The first system they talk about is lightspeed, which Ipad pos system has solutions for retail stores, restaurants, and online businesses. It's fully mobile, so you can check inventory from anywhere in the store, show customers product images and descriptions, and ring up orders and accept payments on the sales floor or, for restaurants, tableside. The next system is Vend that has real-time reports, inventory management features, and access to various integrations that can help you run your business, save time, and boost sales. This POS software is suitable for nearly every type of retailer. Whether you run a clothing store, a sporting goods store, or a specialty service-based business such as a car wash or computer shop, Vend has the features you need. Touch Bistro is a simple and affordable POS system that focuses on the unique needs of restaurant owners, with tables, reservations, and delivery management features. It's suitable for all types of food establishments - fine dining, casual eateries, cafes, pubs, food trucks, and more. Lastly, there is eposnow has both retail and hospitality versions of the software are available, each with a robust selection of features to help you run your business. It also has more than 80 integrations, so you can add extra capabilities and connect to the business programs you already use.