February Tech Bytes: Wi-Fi Love, Getting Lost, Humanless Check-In and More
February 21, 2019
This month, we’re recapping the latest tech news you need to know in an easily digestible format. Have news to share with us for March? Drop me a line at kogletree@tsnn.com.
Who can say no to faster, more reliable Wi-Fi?
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center Dallas got a wireless upgrade this year thanks to Smart City Networks, which installed a new distributed antenna system (DAS) to expand the cellular service coverage and capacity at the facility.
“This new system is going to make a noticeable difference for everyone who attends an event [at KBHCCD],” said Mark Haley, President of Smart City Networks. “This upgrade, combined with our wireless network investment, reiterates our commitment to deliver exceptional experiences through technology in Dallas.”
Covering 2.2 million square feet of space with strong Wi-Fi isn’t an easy task; the system required 11,000 feet of coaxial cable, 106,000 feet of fiber-optic cable, 172 remotes and 252 antennas. The payoff for meeting planners and their attendees, however, will be great.
“This technology upgrade is going to be a game changer for our facility,” said Rosa Fleming, KBHCCD’s interim director. We agree!
If you had $1 for every time you got asked where the restrooms were…
As much as you love your attendees, helping them navigate the ins and outs of your event’s facility doesn’t always, ahem, take priority.
Thankfully, Orange County Convention Center is doing the work for you (if you’re convening there, that is) with its new OCC Campus Wayfinding app, launched Feb. 1. It’s available for download in the App Store and Google Play.
The Robin to OCCC’s Batman — wayfinding kiosks that were installed on the campus early last year — the app offers turn-by-turn directions (Google Maps style) to help users get around. As a bonus, it doesn’t require connectivity to a cellular network or Wi-Fi to function once downloaded, so even if the internet backfires, no one will get lost.
“This mobile application is an extension of our employees,” said OCCC’s IT Project Leader Mike Distler. “It was designed to convey simple, easy-to-follow directions for anyone who might need a little assistance when visiting the Center of Hospitality.”
Hotel apps are nothing new, but this one’s cool.
MGM Resorts has finally launched a mobile app, enabling users to make reservations, check in and gain access their room all from their phone. You could say it’s about time (InterContinental launched an Android app way back in 2010), or you might just appreciate the fact that you can access a ton of Las Vegas properties — Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and more — plus other destinations like MGM National Harbor, in one convenient location.
For attendees who might be less familiar with Las Vegas than most show organizers are, the app contains great content on dining and entertainment options around town. Another nice feature is how easy the app makes check-in and check-out, eliminating the need to talk to an actual person if your last night in town involved a later evening than you’d planned.
While the technology isn’t there (yet) for you to use your phone as an actual key at MGM properties, you can use the app to print a room “key” from one of the mobile check-in kiosks in the lobby and quickly be on your way.
Now that’s one way to show off new tech installs.
In honor of their 15th anniversary of working together, WorldStage event technology services gave New York event venues Metropolitan Pavilion and Metropolitan West a heck of a present: a major tech makeover. Then, they celebrated it all with 500 event professionals at a major bash (complete with technology demos) held Jan. 22.
“The relationship between an event venue and entertainment technology provider has to be strongly collaborative and involve innovation, and that was exactly what the January event showcased,” says Scott Isebrand, COO for both venues.
Located in the Chelsea neighborhood, the venues were outfitted with shiny new LED lighting fixtures, laser projectors, roll-down projection screens, LED monitors, passive speakers and more. At Metropolitan Pavilion, WorldStage enhanced its in-house inventory with digital mixers, wireless systems and even more speakers.
It goes without saying that there’s nothing like a good party to showcase what a venue can do.
“The evening gave us a chance to show some different options to event planners,” said Shelly Sabel, WorldStage’s director of design.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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