PHOENIX, Arizona, September 18, 2013 — PSAV, today announced that it made this year's InformationWeek 500 — a list of the top technology innovators in the U.S. This is the second year that PSAV is being recognized.

"The theme of this year's InformationWeek 500 is digital business. It's a movement, rooted in data analytics, mobile computing, social networking and other customer‐focused technologies that are turning companies and industries on their ear," said InformationWeek Editor In Chief Rob Preston. "Every enterprise is now a digital business — or needs to become one fast. The organizations in our ranking are leading the way."

PSAV provides legendary service and innovative technology to create memorable experiences for planners, producers and customers across the corporate, association and special event markets. Combining local expertise and the broadest array of event technology, PSAV offers more resources in more places than any other audiovisual partner.

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his year over 20% of all revenues in hospitality will be generated from the Internet (15% in 2003). Another 20% of hotel bookings will be influenced by the Internet, but done offline (call center, walk-ins). In 2004, for the first time Internet hotel bookings will surpass GDS hotel bookings. Two years from now the Internet will contribute over 27% of all hotel bookings (PhoCusWright). 53% of all Internet bookings in hospitality will be direct to consumer (i.e. via hotel-owned websites).

Direct online distribution cuts costs, attracts affluent customers and lessens the dependency on intermediaries and more traditional and expensive channels. Over 205 million Americans are active Internet users (Nielsen) and close to 50 million of them will purchase travel online this year. Many hotel clients already generate 30%-40% of their bookings from the Direct Internet Channel.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Just because a hotel may not have a $50,000+ marketing budget, it doesn't mean that its marketing department can't compete effectively and build a strategic plan that includes website updates, guest reviews, mobile marketing, social media monitoring and management, and reputation management. For a small investment, Lodging Interactive, a full-service digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively servicing the hospitality industry, can cost-effectively provide hoteliers with these "Top 5" digital marketing elements that are key to building online awareness and maintaining a competitive edge in 2014.

1. Website Updates: So you have a website. Good. When was the last time you refreshed its content? Continually adding new photos makes the website more visually appealing. Is the site interactive?

2. Guest Reviews: A June 2013 Local Consumer Review Study reveals that 79 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations

With so many different options for POS systems, it can often be hard for business owners to figure out which systems are the best. BusinessNewsDaily's sister site, TopTenReviews, has done extensive research on POS systems. The site ranks AccuPOS as the best POS System and POS services provider. They earn high marks for providing increased accounting capabilities, as it is the only software that is line-item compatible with QuickBooks and Sage accounting software. Additionally, AccuPOS is easy to use and requires minimal training.

The world POS hardware industry is expected to reach almost $31.5 billion in 2014, reports TechNavio. The market is driven by businesses adopting hardware interface standards. More recent market developmental trends include the incorporation of witnessing wireless POS hardware to accommodate a world where mobility is of increasing importance. High standards concerning data accuracy and the need for optimal compatibility present obstacles to market growth.

The world self-checkout (SCO) terminal market is expected to exceed 579 thousand units by 2017, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is driven by retailer efforts to improve customer service and cut costs. Other advantages of SCO terminals include greater checkout process speed and control, and improved privacy. Rolling out the technology beyond developed Western nations to regions such as Latin America and Asia-Pacific can present market challenges.

Uncertain times call for different strategies. One of the top strategies for hotel e-business is evolving from selling to engaging the customer, points out Henry Harteveldt, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. Hoteliers need to think more like retailers. "To succeed, hoteliers need to fulfill the experience expected by customers, not just think of them as heads in a bed," says Harteveldt.

How can those in hotel e-business succeed? Harteveldt says success is through evolution. "To truly engage digital travelers, hotel e-business must evolve from channel to gateway, from single purpose to all encompassing, and from functional to fulfilling," he says.

MGM Resorts is among an expanding number of hotel operators looking to capitalize on growing environmental awareness among travelers by getting their hotel owner-developers to invest in systems that cut energy usage, save water and reduce waste.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, for example, has gone as far as launching an entire sub-brand, Element, with environmental sustainability as one of its hallmarks, while Marriott International has worked with developers of about a half-dozen of its hotels at getting those properties on the Green Building Council's list of LEED-certified buildings.

ou have arrived and now the fun starts. It is in the destination where the traveler has the most impact on the environment and local community. Therefore, keeping a few things in mind while enjoying your vacation will go a long way to make your visit green. Consider what you can do while: Staying at your hotel Sightseeing and taking excursions Eating Shopping Taking photographs The overall tourism impact can also be measured by: How your environmental impact in the area you are visiting can be minimized. How you can support and encourage the destination to preserve its socio-cultural authenticity. How your expenditure can benefit the local economy.

Designed for any operation size, TSR enables even the smallest operator to access the same advanced capabilities that large chain restaurants have. TSR’s technology is structured around a boundless customer-centric approach with an integrated design to every aspect of guest service – wherever they are. The open and flexible architecture makes it easy to extend revenue generating opportunities beyond the restaurant to reach out to new customers or increase the loyalty of your existing customers. In addition to providing an end-to-end solution within the four walls of your restaurant, TSR offers sophisticated enterprise management for your operations which simplifies centralized support of remote sites. The enterprise tool set that lets you know what’s happening in your operations today, so you can manage it before tomorrow.