Select the Right Event Technology Partner – Top Four Factors to Consider
Technology has been steadily reshaping industries, and the world of hospitality is no exception. The hotel industry, in particular, is in the midst of a profound transformation, courtesy of innovations aimed at driving operational efficiency and elevating guest experience. According to a study conducted by Hospitality Technology, technology, including conference WiFi and digital signage, are now considered essential offerings for event venues. A staggering 90% of venues offer WiFi, while 64% offer both WiFi and digital signage or are in the process of planning for or implementing both offerings.
Amidst this transformation, there remains a critical challenge that has long plagued convention hotels – the issue of lackluster vendor service and support. In a competitive and dynamic industry like hospitality, the significance of selecting the right technology partner cannot be overstated. According to Brian Comes, Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, “Had we not partnered with a [digital signage and convention internet] provider like Xpodigital, we would be doing ‘business as usual’ versus looking to innovate and partner with professionals who have an interest in our success.”
For Xpodigital's part, their high service standards and dependability are such that 98% of their clients have renewed their relationship and continued to partner with the company over the past four years. In an industry known for vendors that make promises but often fail to keep them, how is a success rate like this possible?
Below are the top four factors to consider when selecting the right event technology partner for your conference venue.
Reduce Operating Expenses
Managing and reducing operating expenses is a key aspect of ensuring the financial health and profitability of hotel and convention properties. An ideal partner will not only supply your venue with the right evening continuous outstanding maintenance and support. Outsourcing the management of your digital signage and convention internet to an experienced full-service provider will help to streamline operations and lighten the workload on your staff, enabling them to concentrate on their other essential duties. Selecting the right technology partner can help significantly reduce operational costs related to managing the technology infrastructure in-house while helping you leverage best practices to achieve a greater long-term ROI for your investments.
Boost Revenue
Events can be a significant source of hotel revenue, and it’s important that you are able to rely on your technology partner to help maximize your income potential.
According to Nielsen research, sponsorships drive a 10% increase in purchase intent among exposed audiences. The latest digital signage, including LED Walls, LED Archways and LED Posters, are a profit center for many venues and offer opportunities for increased exposure and sponsorships. The ideal event technology partner will provide a multimedia content management system, design and orchestrate media across screens and spaces, including sponsor content, advertisements, and event information. This will not only enhance the attendee experience but help to maximize revenue for the venue and the event.
The role of internet-enabled food and beverage services, hotel amenities, and retail transactions is pivotal in augmenting conference-related revenues. In fact, according to a study conducted by Eventbrite, connection problems can cause as much as 40% of attendees to forgo their purchases. Consistent and reliable internet and WiFi connectivity across indoor and outdoor spaces is critical for business operations, as any downtime can lead to substantial revenue losses for the event host, venue and participating vendors. The right technology partner will provide a team of experts to help plan, augment (when necessary), monitor and support internet operations so your venue can host with confidence.
Enhance the Attendee Experience
Ensuring attendees have a flawless event experience is paramount in the hospitality industry. In today's interconnected world, seamless internet access and performance are non-negotiable for conference attendees. A reliable network is key for enabling seamless communication, social media sharing, and interaction with all event-related content. The ideal technology partner will be your Subject Matter Expert to design, install, manage and support a robust Wi-Fi network and infrastructure that enables uninterrupted internet access for guests throughout each specific event.
Likewise, timely information is vital to help guests navigate the event effectively. Real-time communication and updates across digital displays keep attendees well-informed about schedule changes, exclusive offers, and essential event details. A partner that can optimize and integrate existing signage as well as design, install and manage temporary digital signage will improve attendee engagement and create lasting positive impressions on attendees.
High Service Levels You Can Count On
The success of your event depends on having a reliable and responsive partner who will provide superior service and support to your guests by addressing their needs and challenges promptly. The lack of hands-on support can lead to unwanted setbacks, internet access issues, downtime, disruptions, degraded and intermittent live streams, and complaints. Mishaps can impact and jeopardize long-term customer relationships and future revenue. An experienced and responsive technology partner who offers immediate support and troubleshooting can make all the difference in ensuring a positive attendee experience. Look for a partner with a track record of providing timely and effective support to resolve technical problems and minimize disruptions.
Consider Xpodigital
If you're seeking a reliable event technology partner to help reduce your operational costs, increase revenue, and improve the attendee experience, look no further than Xpodigital.
Boasting an impressive Client Satisfaction Rate of 98%, Xpodigital consistently delivers exceptional service and support to a clientele that includes renowned hotel brands, corporate events, and convention centers across the United States. Xpodigital excels in providing a comprehensive range of services to support your digital signage and convention internet needs, including:
Fully-Managed Digital Signage Services
Expert planning
The latest technology
Industry-leading support
An easy-to-use, cloud-based CMS
Complete content creation and management services (able to handle even those last-minute changes)
Dedicated onsite sales specialists to help maximize sponsorship revenue
Fully-Managed Internet & WiFi Services
Architecture and documentation
Rapid installation
Operations and management
Network security
Network redundancy
Connectivity for POS systems and security cameras
Comprehensive monitoring and reporting
Onsite staff and full-service 24/7 technical support
As Edmond DiAntonio, director of event management at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, said, Xpodigital takes the burden out of coordinating internet and digital signage. They are always available, and we have 24/7 access to IT for answers or to address problems.”
To learn more about Xpodigital’s industry-leading event technology support and service, please set a time to Meet with Us.
