The software company uses its massive conference to generate content that is available and relevant year-round, extending the event's reach far beyond its three days in Orlando. The hybrid event design is transitioning to an "always on" strategy that keeps content from an event available and relevant long after the physical gathering. The online platform is meant to be of value every single day. The company recognize with the content they have available, a connected event can happen at any time. With that approach, it marked growth in the company's online visibility. There were 500,000 visits to sapphirenow.com during 2011 and 131,000 views of videos on its YouTube channel.

This article introduces 8 technologies that an event planner should incorporate into the event planning & organizing strategies. Most event planners typically utilize things like a big screen for main stage events or PowerPoint projectors for every breakout session at their events. Those things are important, but they are just the tip of the iceberg for event planner technology. The author stated 3 technologies to use before the event and 5 technologies. Most of them are social media based applications that we are already having in our palm. It is quite simple, yet not many of us give a great thought about it when it comes to event planning.

Mobile accounts for one out of every three internet usage minutes. This offers a massive opportunity for marketers who learn how to optimize customer mobile experiences to drive conversions. Mobile devices are scary because everyone knows they'll make a huge difference, but no one knows exactly how. It is likely the single technology category that will most affect every aspect of distribution, and yet it is still largely in development. Marketers need to adopt new methods of measuring activities across all channels - including search, social and mobile - brands can deliver a seamless experience.

Changing technologies provide a new way for hotels to interact with guests. Increased interaction engages the customer in a hotels promotion. Exclusivity generates interest and repeat business, and instant measurement gives hoteliers capabilities traditional advertising never could alone - instant customization and measurable reaction at no cost. With technology that allows digital signs to 'talk and interact' with nearby mobile devices, providing mobile users with information and incentives at exactly the time they need them, hotels and advertisers can transform their in-room TV and digital signage into interactive consumer touchpoints. The result is a true consumer interaction, which evolves in real-time. Hotels can deliver branded content to guests within a certain location. Proximity marketing has tremendous revenue-producing potential, allowing hotels to deepen their connection with guests, encourage more loyalty and greatly improve the customer experience: all of these factors combine to make proximity marketing a very effective tool to generate higher ROI for both hotels and their advertisers.

Although IT portfolio management has been a best practice for some time now, many companies are still getting returns from IT investments that are below their potential. New studies show that a measurable premium can be gained by implementing a set of interlocking business practices and processes, collectively called IT savvy. The research uses 7- eleven Japan as an example and illustrated some of its practices to make their company IT savvy.

"A standard POS and credit card system would have set me back about $5,000-$10,000," says Adam Schneider, owner of Little Muenster. "But, like a lot of people, I already had an iPad." Schneider downloaded Square Register, bought a receipt printer, and was in business for a few hundred dollars. He says a major selling point was Square's portability-Little Muenster is a popular vendor at NYC foodie festivals throughout the year-and the swipe fee. The existing credit card system is obscure, because the fees are not upfront or fixed. The amount that flows into a merchant's account after a transaction depends on the brand of card, the issuing bank, and the rates set by an outside merchant processor, and the money may take five to 10 days to process. Square threw the circuitous accounting equation out the window. The flat 2.75 percent fee and the rest goes into a merchant's account the next day. Convenience with quick service solution at ease.

The Internet has changed the tourism industry and along came with a number of challenges and opportunities for all players. The role of the travel agent has been to act as an agent and retailer, selling travel services on behalf of principals for a commission. They also had a significant role as advisers for consumers and providers of different types of services, such as traveller's cheques, currencies conversion and travel insurance, as well as obtaining passports and visas. They also provide access both for the principal (access to the market) and the consumer (a convenient location to purchase travel services), as well as acting as a key source of advice in a customer-focused environment and on a person-to-person basis. WorldWideWeb has changed the industry structure and consumer behavior and technology has forms part of the strategy to enable travel agents to maintain a presence in the chain of distribution. If agents are to survive, technology will have to become an essential tool incorporated in the future business strategy determining their competitiveness. In this sense, technology is both a threat and an opportunity, as travel agencies need to readjust to the new realities. Re-intermediation via the Internet and IDTV (Interactive Digital Television) present potential opportunities for innovative players who utilise the emerging tools. This article analyses the key Internet trends in relation to the travel industry. It also considers strategies travel agents can employ to ensure their future survival.

Business facing a short supply of workers should increase output through innovation - just like the restaurant which uses robot woks, here in Singapore. Labor shortage is a constant problem that F&B sectors are facing. Through the government arm of SpringSingapore where you can get funding for being innovative in your business. Ruyi Restaurant which showcase their robot wok at their outlet at Resort World Sentosa, The machine cost around S$18,000 or US$14,000. It does make a really good fried rice though.... Here is the Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOj_6b-GfQU

The new Facebook app is the result of a partnership with restaurant reservation service OpenTable. Mobile users can now check out a restaurant's Facebook page and then make an instant reservation at any of the 20,000 restaurants that are part of the OpenTable lineup.Making a restaurant reservation can't get much easier than this. The app should help bring in business for restaurants that are part of the OpenTable network. A potential downside: It's now equally easy to for mobile users to cancel their confirmed reservations with a quick tap on their smartphone screen. The second app, a social gifting app dubbed Gratafy, promises to create an as-yet-untapped revenue stream by letting users purchase specific food and drink items for their Facebook friends without ever stepping foot in the restaurant themselves.

The explosion in mobile devices has created a new distribution channel for hotels. Approximately 55% of United States households have a smartphone and 44% a tablet, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. The difference is how you make your apps work to your advantage. In this article, Michelle Grant identifies couple of hotel operators using different strategies in their app developments focusing on brand strategy, loyalty / reward programs and different market segments. It is an interesting article.

It's the eternal question every restaurant faces: Which dining room seating policy delivers the most revenue while causing the fewest problems? Reservations are the default choice for many, but some operators are experimenting with alternative methods, including prepaid tickets and an iPad app that takes much of the pain out of a no-reservation policy.

OpenTable is a great alternative to book a restaurant reservation. You just need to have all your favorite restaurants to be in their system (Only 4 restaurants are listed in Singapore), or otherwise.. pick up the phone.