iRoom
Author: Hunter Holcombe
August 2008
Techno Files
Have you seen the new iPhone? Upgraded to Firefox 3.0 yet? These are the latest headlines in consumer technology, but by the time you read next month’s Techno Files column, all of this will be old news.
Thanks to leaps and bounds in technology advancement—and tight competition—it’s not a matter of computers becoming obsolete after a few years, it’s everything from trendy websites to cell phones to GPS devices shedding their skins every few months.
The technology arms race has seeped into the hotel guest room as well, because guests who delighted in one state-of-the-art hotel’s new gadgets have come to expect them everywhere else they go. So now, in addition to “where’s your spa and fitness center?” it’s “where’s my iPod docking station and flat-screen HDTV?”
Thankfully, all of this competition equates to nothing but good news for planners—your attendees can enjoy these new toys, while you can make the most of them for communication and in-room meetings. Also, if your group is primarily C-level, it’s important to keep up on the latest in-room amenities so you don’t pick a venue that will disappoint.
By now, any hotels that haven’t yet replaced their massive TV/armoire combinations with space-saving flat-screen TVs are scrambling to do so. It’s one of the most immediate indicators that a hotel has renovated, or is at least keeping itself modern. One of the best accoutrements to these new TVs is all-in-one adapter panels (such as Marriott’s smartly designed “jack pack”) that make personal business and small group meetings as easy as possible. Usually connected to either the work station or TV itself, these nifty panels offer multiple power outlets, wired Internet access and an A/V input—so you can instantly turn your 42-inch TV into a 42-inch extension of your computer screen. The possibilities here are endless, especially for larger suites that can accommodate small meetings. The TV/computer combo means you can run a PowerPoint presentation right in your suite instead of using a boardroom. Or, for receptions or parties, run a photo slideshow or video demo throughout the evening as a smart backdrop and conversation piece. If these technologies do inspire you to hold a meeting in a suite, remember to check that the hotel has wireless Internet access in guest rooms, as most only have one or two wired Internet access points.
Many other in-room technologies are designed to please individual travelers, but some can also cross over into small in-suite meetings. That iPod docking station—into which you simply drop your iPod or MP3 player for an instant personal stereo—allows you to create a customized playlist for cocktail receptions or an informal gathering.
But these are just a few of the things you can expect to find in hotel rooms today. The near future promises a whole gamut of technologies that will thrill your attendees as much as they will make meetings and communication easier. Last month at HITEC, the annual lodging and hospitality conference for financial and technology professionals, attendees got a peek at some of the ways hotel rooms will become even more futuristic. How about skipping the check-in desk and opening your room with a scan of your cell phone, which just downloaded your access code? Or an in-room universal cell-phone charger that gives your phone juice without even plugging it in. Or virtual reality goggles that provide you with a personal tour of how all your state-of-the-art room amenities function (and they don’t even expect a tip).
Make no mistake—even standard guest rooms are becoming a lot more fun, as new technology gives you a lot more to do than jump on the bed or channel surf. Keeping abreast of these new gadgets will ensure that you pick the right hotel for your group—or turn a beautiful presidential suite into a state-of-the-art meeting room.
