Tech News

May 17, 2015
You know that your event’s mobile app forms an integral part of your digital offerings for event participants. But are you wondering how best to measure its success? Here are some key parameters that are recommended for tracking and reviewing your app's performance: 1.       Downloads – This should be the starting point for your analysis. As a next step, and to get a good idea of the reach of your promotional campaign, compare the number of downloads to your event’s total attendance (including exhibitors and speakers), social media followers… more
May 17, 2015
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio has extended its contract with Smart City Networks for an additional 10 years, effective July 1, 2018. The contract extension, which was approved during a city council meeting, will allow Smart City to provide additional services and upgrades for the venue. Smart City has served as the facility’s technology provider since Jan. 14, 1999. “Smart City has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and we look forward to providing the facility with high-quality technology as the convention center… more
May 10, 2015
New York Convention Center Operating Corporation President and CEO Alan Steel unveiled the launch of free wireless service – up to 256K of bandwidth – for all customers and visitors at the Javits Center, the busiest convention center in the United States. With free wireless service throughout the facility, visitors can experience online access on their mobile devices while in and around the iconic structure on Manhattan’s West Side. Customers who prefer greater connectivity for larger data downloads will be charged at specific rates per day. The wireless service is part of a… more
May 10, 2015
New York Convention Center Operating Corporation President and CEO Alan Steel unveiled the launch of free wireless service – up to 256K of bandwidth – for all customers and visitors at the Javits Center, the busiest convention center in the United States. With free wireless service throughout the facility, visitors can experience online access on their mobile devices while in and around the iconic structure on Manhattan’s West Side. Customers who prefer greater connectivity for larger data downloads will be charged at specific rates per day. The wireless service is part of a… more
May 03, 2015
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center recently launched its new digital navigation system called ActivLocator. It’s a geolocation tool developed by Sherpa Solutions that allows attendees to use turn-by-turn navigation to find their way to a meeting room, exhibit hall and even specific exhibit booths from anywhere in the facility.   Attendees use a mobile app to access the tool, and once downloaded, the app doesn’t need a cellular or internet connection.    “It will be a tremendous value-add for our customers, because we will be able to map… more
May 03, 2015
At SMX West this year, Google’s Matt Cutts stated that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if mobile search exceeded desktop queries this year. Though Google hasn't officially backed this prediction, it is obvious that the company agrees with this assessment. By now, we have all heard about Google's recent release of “Mobilegeddon,” the major update to Google’s mobile search algorithm. Currently, there are roughly 2.5 times more mobile devices than PCs in use globally. And the gap is growing fast. Thus it is just a matter of time before both mobile… more
May 03, 2015
The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center recently launched its new digital navigation system called ActivLocator. It’s a geolocation tool developed by Sherpa Solutions that allows attendees to use turn-by-turn navigation to find their way to a meeting room, exhibit hall and even specific exhibit booths from anywhere in the facility.   Attendees use a mobile app to access the tool, and once downloaded, the app doesn’t need a cellular or internet connection.    “It will be a tremendous value-add for our customers, because we will be able to map… more
May 03, 2015
At SMX West this year, Google’s Matt Cutts stated that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if mobile search exceeded desktop queries this year. Though Google hasn't officially backed this prediction, it is obvious that the company agrees with this assessment. By now, we have all heard about Google's recent release of “Mobilegeddon,” the major update to Google’s mobile search algorithm. Currently, there are roughly 2.5 times more mobile devices than PCs in use globally. And the gap is growing fast. Thus it is just a matter of time before both mobile… more
Apr 26, 2015
Last week, Google made a significant update to its mobile search engine algorithm. To enable users to find sites that they can browse quickly on their mobile devices, the mobile-friendliness of a web page is now a crucial factor in Google’s ranking for mobile searches.  To quote Google, “users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.” Google recommends webmasters adopt one of the following three ways to go mobile: responsive web design, dynamic serving and separate URLs. But most importantly, irrespective of… more
Apr 26, 2015
I sat in on a most interesting session at the SISO CEO Summit in USA last week. The “Big Guns” were on stage - Mike Rusbridge Chairman Reed Exhibitions, Joe Loggia CEO UBM / Advanstar, David Kieselstein CEO Penton - all discussing their strategies to increase attendance at their events.   Not surprisingly, they are investing heavily developing in-house technology to assist in this strategy. What shocked me was the amount of money they admitted to investing – on average 5% of revenue – annually!   That’s the problem with technology. You can… more
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.