This article discusses the use of AI technology in the event planning sector, concluding that AI can be used as chatbots interfaces, data collection tools, and recommendation engines for event planners, to make the event planning process much faster and easier.

On that note it makes it easier to match planners with appropriate vendors as well. Both of these are considered the AI matchmaking function. The chatbot can also unite fellow guests with similar interests or experiences and give them a place to virtually meet each other, and Facebook has launched chatbot extensions. A company called PubNub allows a business to build its own chatbots from scratch.

Instead of having to download yet another app, chatbots allow users to connect through apps they've already downloaded (like facebook messenger), or other popular apps. And of course all of this data and interaction is collected and can be analyzed by event planners to streamline and enhance business, increase revenue, and increase guest satisfaction based on recommendations from the AI technology.

This article discusses the wave of facial recognition technology coming to the Las Vegas casinos for not only safety but also for data analytics purposes.

A thief was caught in Las Vegas due to the facial recognition technology utilized in the building. Also, casinos and hotels are adding internet connected devices like temperature monitors, call buttons and door sensors, and surge in demand is lowering the cost and can be implemented for as little as $1per month

3-D mapping is allowing casinos and hotels to better understand their guests. So much data can be gathered that the difficulty is employing a team of "PhD's," to analyze the data. The article finishes by stating that there is a huge amount of competition for capital inside a casino. Casinos are in a constant cycle of upgrading and that it is difficult to convince everyone of the value of the investment.

This article is by hotel tech report which is a company that provides reviews of various hospitality technology products and allows users to compare an contrast a variety of software to determine which is best for their particular business.

The most important features of upselling software are as follows: --PMS integration (automated connection with database) --Exclusion lists (ability to exclude some guests from certain offers) --Cross-device platform (guests can redeem offers from various devices) --Customizable CMS (staff can customize and test offers) --Multi-language --Email automation for offers --Data security protections compliant

Hotels that wish to invest in this software can expect 25% increase in incremental revenue. Implementation takes from 7-30 days depending on the PMS being used by the hotel, which causes a variance.

The company Bartech is offering hotels and casinos in Las Vegas solutions regarding the coronavirus pandemic for guests.

The bartech e-bar is convenient as hotels can seamlessly control these functions, and now it makes more sense than ever due to reduced capacity at hotels bars, that implementing a bartech mini bar will enhance customer satisfaction. There is a downloadable application to control the functions of the e-bar. Since guests are spending more time in the room and less in the hotel bar, the e-bar is a convenient way for hotels to increase their profits during this difficult time. It can also monitor when and what the guest is taking, and store this data for reference. In another way, it can monitor its touching by guests usage which eliminates the need for hotel staff to enter the room and check the bar--which reduces the touching and entering of people into rooms.

Besides ensuring guests of new safety protocols, the electronic mini bar reduces touch and saves costs to hotels because hotels can remotely change settings on the bar, for example, by locking, unlocking, remotely shutting off or reducing temperatures during non-occupancy. The article then suggests that a "well-run mini-bar" is a profit center to any hotel and to implement an e-bar makes sense for guest satisfaction and also to save costs, especially during this time.

This article discusses the use of robots in the travel industry, from light use of chatbots to the fully automated AI robot. There are some pros and cons of using robots in the travel and hotel industries, and some current examples of robots being used and some examples of future uses of robots.

Hilton currently is testing out Connie, a robot concierge, who learns from human interaction and therefore becomes "smarter" with time. Amadeus' is testing out a robot assistant for booking travel. Speaking of travel, chatbots for booking travel, robot assistants in airports, robot airport security, and even a robotic suitcase that follow the owner are being tested out. Butlers, porters, concierges, reception staff in hotels are being "manned" by robots. Get it--"manned?"

Pros and Cons of robots: PROS are obvious. Robots do not require salary, breaks, vacations, holidays, childcare exceptions and do not get tired or bored. They are oftentimes faster than humans, especially when it comes to calculations. CONS : People fear an "automation crisis," that could replace too many human jobs too swiftly for those humans to find other means of employment.

This article discusses a solution to the toxic chemicals that are used in technological products and its effect on the environment due to lack of recycling and toxicity hazards. The current solution to the hazardous chemicals leaking into the environment and its human rights issues has been a management solution only. Products are made with these chemicals without, possibly for decades, knowing the true harm that coming into contact with them can cause to humans and the environment, so scientists simply try to decipher this and contain the problem. This has led to huge amounts of money trying to clean the damage already done by this tech trash. We are now learning (especially with the rejection of trash from poorer nations), that there needs to be a better solution to this problem. The article points out a plan with a few strategies, but which center more around prevention, than cleaning up after a mess. This is where "green chemistry," comes in. Technological products of all kinds can be redesigned with prevention of toxicity in mind. This has to do with not only using less toxic chemicals, but using chemicals that break down in certain ways, testing new methods to see how they break down before using them, designing safer chemicals, using renewable raw material, design for better energy efficiency, and more. The article states that it is important for the electronics industry to take responsibility and to design with green chemistry. Green chemistry is a very new science, brought about by the realization of the overwhelming issue of toxic tech trash. A smattering of universities are now developing these green chemistry programs, or in the least, requiring chemistry students to take courses on toxicity which were not requirements previously.

The hospitality industry can contribute to this movement by recycling hardware, reducing hardware usage, and purchasing technology that becomes developed that is considered to be "green." This way, the industry can produce less waste that is driving this huge international problem.

This article is about how technology or different practices can lead to cost benefits for hotels or resorts implementing new standards or eco-centric practices Not only are these great ideas from a public relations standpoint, as the public is more and more concerned with their "carbon footprint," and activities, these are great suggestions for how resorts and hotels can utilize technology to save money at the same time. It's a win-win, whereas, in former times we have been told to be "green," meant spending extra money and losing money in the end. Some of these ideas are about waste practices, some are about LED lightbulbs, some ideas are pretty basic ideas about waste practices. Some of these ideas are about energy-efficient technologies that can be implemented at resorts, and then also training staff to be more energy efficient as well. This is not just a technology idea, but a culture idea as well.

Another simple reason I liked this article has to do with hotels either renovating or hotels being built. Or any venue for that matter. Hire architects that understand you want to "go green," be "self-sustainable" as much as possible. Having the architecture allow in more natural light, or work in such a way that reduces heating and cooling costs, as well as implementing free energy standards such as solar panels, may seem expensive, but reduce long term energy costs, can look amazing, and also draw guests. There have been great examples of this kind of architecture in recent years, and this is something the hospitality industry should definitely adopt. We work with guests and want to not only make them feel comfortable, but also impress them time and again. Implementing these types of changes in terms of starting small like this article suggests, and then aiming big...is something that definitely should be rolling around our minds nowadays. Not only that, but now with COVID19, we must find ways to ensure guests of cleanliness. So we have to issues to think about--green technology, and cleaning technology. Maybe blue light activation is something to consider.