Blinded By The Light

It still amazes me, even to this day, that the topic of lighting does not come up more in AV projects.  I look at every project from a viewpoint as if I am walking from the parking lot into the front door and to the specific area where a solution might be needed. This viewpoint approach helps place me at the property, so I can better envision the needs, potential pain-points, and ultimately what the customer might experience.  This is exactly where lighting comes in and how I see the conversation going!

While the pandemic certainly caused havoc over the live sound/production audio space due to the Broadway shutdowns, etc., we are seeing a bigger turnaround ever since.  The typical project might require line arrays, powerful amplifiers, microphones, a mixing console, and more depending on the size of the production.  However, what I normally do not see on a typical BOM is lighting – stage lighting, back of house, front of house, exterior illumination, and more.  None of which can be overlooked!

Martin Lighting, which is a Harman Brand, remains one of the premier lighting manufacturers in the world, and I am proud to say that they are a part of the Exertis Almo line card of product offerings.  In a past case study featuring the live production of Music Man on Broadway, the Harman team spoke about the need to emphasize the natural quality of the existing lighting while also bringing in modern features such as automated effects and color changes. All of this is made achievable via Martin.  This project ran the gamut of Martin fixtures, including the MAC Ultra Performance for their brightness and vast features, and the MAC Encore for their traditional incandescent appearance according to the Harman team.

Martin LightingExterior Lighting

While I could take the time to start discussing the specific items, like Wash fixtures, MAC Encore, and others which were used in this application, I’d rather take the time to suggest how to even start the conversation and that leads right back to the qualifying questions.  Earlier, I mentioned how I look at a given property by observing the inside, outside, and trying to envision the customer needs.  Lighting normally becomes one of the first items I check off.  When standing outside any office building, hotel, or concert call, what is the first thing you might notice?  For me, I’d normally say the lighting.

  • Can I see the building and the sign out front?
  • Do they have bright colors illuminating the exterior to add a personalized touch?
  • Maybe there is a marquee, and they want to highlight the acts that are playing?

Interior Lighting

I then walk through the front door and possibly find illuminated signage in the lobby.  Anyone can place a pop-up banner next to a desk, but using one of Martin’s many fixtures to make that signage stand out will take things to another level.  For projects such as a Broadway play or any other live production, that is where Martin’s MAC Aura’s will come in, as well as the ELP’s, and others.  There are many to list and choose from, but they all serve a specific purpose depending on factors such as type of production, customer need, room type, and more.  The key is to not be intimidated by this possibly new realm of business, but rather tweak the traditional questions you are already asking to uncover further customer needs.  Asking your client about the lighting is even easier now thanks to the level of training and support from Martin, and the effort to make it an area of comfort for all of our partners to achieve greater long-term success!

On a recent visit to Tampa, I met with several integrators, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that a few did offer lighting solutions already. My hope is that more will begin to ask the question of “How do you plan to illuminate this area?”  This is no different than asking what a customer is using for the audio or what source are they using to display an image. Asking about the lighting goes hand-in-hand with the audio and video.

We’re Here to Help

With all that being said, fear not!  The team at Martin and Exertis Almo are here to guide our integrator partners through the learning process, whether that be finding what fixtures are best, what lubricant is recommended for a given light, or even what control system is most recommended for a project.  There are training tips and certifications regardless of your expertise level. I challenge each of you who might already be working in House of Worship, Enterprise, Live Production, Hospitality, Retail, or Higher Education to think of where lighting might fit for you, and then please reach out to explore a possible opportunity with Martin Lighting.

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees

About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems? Why Spending More on AV Can Be a Wise Investment

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was standing in the audio dept of a particular big box retailer where I worked.  A middle-aged man approached our wall of receivers, pointed to a particular name brand that was on the higher end of the pricing scale and asked me “how is this one?”  I had my reply all mapped out in my head to try and make the sale and I stated “for starters, it is one of the best you could buy….”.  Thinking back to that response, I now ask myself “why was it one of the best”?  Why was I taught to say that and how did I know that this was best for that particular customer?  It all came back to price.  In retail particularly, new employees tend to be trained that the more expensive something is, the better it actually is.  I was no different in that I was trained that way and for the first 25-50% of my career I truly felt that way.  Rather than learn about features and what differentiates one speaker or receiver from the other, I based a lot of my decisions off price and price alone.  I am here to tell you now, BIG MISTAKE!  However, this begs the question “when is it appropriate to spend more and when is it not”?  As a self-described “lover of headphones” I have bought and tried more headphones in 1 year than most people would in their lifetimes COMBINED!  I am always looking for new features like spacial audio, improved battery life, advanced IP ratings, and of course noise cancellation.  Through these purchases and tests, I have found “budget brands” that compete extremely well with the $300-$500 headphones but with one big caveat- How am I using the headphones and what features do I really need?  For example- why would I need to spend more on advanced noise cancellation when I planned to only use the earbuds running on the street where I absolutely need to hear traffic and my surroundings?  On the flip side, I absolutely will pay a hefty price for noise cancellation on my on-ear headphones because those are my saving grace during cross country flights.  The answer lies squarely in the details and when it involves any given AV project/design, the same principles can be discussed.  Let us dig deeper into those!

It is commonplace for me to receive an email that asks what I recommend for a specific product.  The first line of my reply will generally be to tell me more about the project, how the needed product will be used, the dimensions of the room it’s being used in, and more.  This is no different than what I described above in my headphone quest.  How I use the headphones is parallel to how will the product/system be used.  I will also always ask about the desired budget because I like to know what expectations the customer has and for the sake of this writing, I want to spend the bulk of our time discussing that topic deeper.  While working at that same big box retailer back in the 90’s I remember ringing up a sale that I had just closed and the customer in this instance was an older woman who needed a new TV along with some external speakers.  Nothing fancy, but good enough that she wouldn’t have a hard time hearing her shows.  After handing her the receipt she replied, “you would make a lousy car salesman”.  After laughing and feeling partly insulted, she explained “you were so honest and sold me what I needed rather than try to overcharge me for unnecessary bells and whistles”.  That same principle applies to how we should approach AV now.  As I sit here at my desk, I have 3 different microphones that I have acquired over time.  They are not all created equally, but they all could serve a purpose for the right “customer”.  Using microphones as our primary example,  there are many types – Dynamic, Condenser, USB, Tube, Headset, Boundary, Wireless, and more.  Let us also not forget that handy mic that is already built into our laptops.  How does someone decide what is suitable, how much to spend, etc.?  The proof is in the project/needs analysis I discussed earlier.

Let me take you through 5 Steps of “Rob, I need a microphone. Which would you suggest?”

Step 1: Finding out how the microphone will be used. The customer wants to start a podcast series from home and hopes to eventually expand to an offsite studio. Through questioning, I also found out the customer has 2 young kids at home.

Step 2: Through the customer’s answers, my mind shifts to condenser as well as USB microphones.  Condenser mics are great when it comes to picking up details in the voice and delivering the “professional” sound that you might find on other podcasts or recorded content.  I am also thinking USB for simplicity, but the correct choice for the customer lies in their intentions.  If podcasting is just a hobby or something they are tinkering with, it could be wiser to start off with a simple plug-n-play USB mic to learn on the fly, before spending more on a condenser mic with the added accessories that are needed such as a boom arm, usb interface, etc.

Step 3: After learning more about the customer’s intentions of making podcasting a career, we collectively decide that Condenser is the way to go.  They love the added feature of having switchable polar patterns because of those 2 young children running in the background and they are worried that the mic could pick up that noise.  Mic polar patterns will determine the space/area that a mic will focus on in regard to picking up sound.  Omnidirectional picks up everything around the mic (not proper if you have small children or pets nearby while recording) while Cardioid is ideal for podcasters because it picks up only the front of the microphone where the host is speaking into.  In terms of pricing, a decent condenser mic could retail for $200 as a starting point but increase up to $1000+ depending again on features, details in sensitivity and durability amongst others.  In comparison with a USB mic, which typically sells for $99-$200 and nothing else is needed to set up.

Step 4: We now know Condenser is the way to go, but don’t forget to complete the puzzle for the customer!  You need the essential items to make it all work!  For purposes of podcasting, you would look at a boom arm/stand to mount the mic, an XLR cable, a shock mount for the mic, a pop filter, some type of usb interface/usb mixer, and then expand into cameras, speakers etc. Those essentials could also vary in cost depending on the functionality and quality but could add an additional $300-$500 to the mix to start.  Budget applies to these essentials as well and that is proven by what I call the “Boom Arm Debacle”.  Microphones come in varying shapes, sizes, and weights.  When purchasing a boom arm or table stand the weight needs to be known.  The first boom arm I ever bought, which can be considered on the cheaper end of the spectrum, refused to stay in its proper positioning because it couldn’t support the weight of my mic.  Having gone and spent a little bit more ($200) on a better rated boom arm, I no longer have that issue.  Thus, it is not always better to cut costs!

Step 5: Time to wrap it up with a bow!  Because you asked the right questions in the beginning and identified the desired system use, external factors such as children, and variables such as the customer wanting to make this a full time career you were able to recommend the proper mic, proper essentials to add on, but didn’t overcharge the customer so they have a confident feeling that they weren’t just “taken for a ride”.  It also gives the customer room to grow.  Let’s assume a year from now they are now a successful/viral podcaster with millions of followers and multi-million-dollar endorsements, the need might be there to upgrade to that $1300 condenser mic that triples the amount of selectable polar patterns or has a built-in overload warning to detect problems before they happen.  However, you determined that would probably be overkill in the early going as they feel their way through things and gain a comfort level.

These same concepts and examples I shared can also be applied to speakers, amplifiers, video walls, cabling, and so much more.  Do you need the $5 HDMI cable or the $100?  The only way of answering that truthfully is by examining the project details and determining where to spend the project budget and where not to.  However, it is safe to say that Mo’ Money DOES NOT always mean Mo’ Problems.  Challenge yourselves to identify those system needs in your current and future projects, and not only might you find that budget issues become a thing of the past, but customers will respect the thought process you put into it and helping choose what really will work for them.

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

Life Is Beautiful… When You Attend JBL Fest!

Being that I am now 42 years old and have worked in Telecom and AV for the better part of 2 decades, I have 12+ trips to Las Vegas completed and feel like I know what to expect each time I fly into Harry Reid International Airport. First, it was the annual DIRECTV Revolution Conference, then it was Channel Partners, followed by InfoComm in alternating years. As I have explained to my wife (who has never been), I feel like the mystique of Las Vegas wears off after the first or second trip out there. However, when I was approached back in 2019 with the chance to attend my first ever JBL Fest, I felt the type of excitement as if I had never been there and was eager to experience a new list of firsts. Unfortunately, a family health scare cancelled my trip that year and 2 years-worth of a Pandemic further delayed my first JBL Fest until 2022. Having enjoyed last year as much as I did, I still felt a certain sense of the “exciting unknown” when I was invited to attend again this year. Along with our Exertis Almo Incentive Winners – Josh Taylor, Kyle Smith, Randy Robinovitch, and Ray Farler, I headed out to Las Vegas and made sure to document JBL Fest 2023 for all of you!

Landing Las Vegas, you are almost immediately greeted by hosts holding “JBL Fest” signage at the baggage claim area and are ushered to a waiting shuttle (aka a rather swanky party bus) which took us to the Park MGM where we would be staying for the next 2 days. Surprise #1 on this trip was while I was checking in and I lift my head to notice Kevin Humphrey, Harman Distribution Manager (and close friend), standing next to me. I have always said that I am only as successful as those around me, so to be able to share this experience with someone deserving like Kevin made the event that much more rewarding. We then walked to the Hospitality Suite where I received a welcome packet and the “infamous” JBL Fest Swag Bag. This year, the bag contained several JBL branded items such as water bottles and hand sanitizer, but the highlight was the customized pair of JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds. If you are not familiar with these, they are JBL’s newest noise cancelling earbuds which were featured in WIRED’s Best of CES 2023. Spatial Audio, wireless charging, and a first of its kind touch display on the charging case make these anything but your typical earbuds. I had to open and pair them with my phone the second I got to my room! Once we got to the complimentary lunch, I was able to meet with our team as well as with Frank Joseph and Whitney Bosch from the Harman marketing team as we game-planned the day and discussed all that was happening.

Next stop was a VIP-access tour of Allegiant Stadium which is where the Las Vegas Raiders play their home games. Seeing as how I just recently took my daughter on a tour of Citizens Bank Park as well as Lincoln Financial Field, this was right up my alley! Aside from going down to the field level and experiencing this newer facility up close, we received some behind the scenes sneak peaks into the A/V which included their control/IT room which housed an impressive 50+ Crown DCI4x1250N amplifiers and multiple BSS Processors amongst other items. Simply standing next to the rack of amps was eye-opening as you realize how much it takes to truly power that type of operation. While we didn’t get up close to the speakers, we did learn it was the JBL VLA Series of Line Array Speakers which are typically found in stadium-type applications. Following the tour we had a little downtime before meeting up for the evening welcoming reception at the Hotel, which we were greeted by a team photo opportunity and another swag bag complete with a custom JBL Fest Masterclass Bluetooth speaker. This opening event was followed by an even bigger party at the onsite club. Mingling with a diverse group of worldwide influencers and Harman executives is always fun but I was fortunate enough to make my way to the Harman VIP lounge which then led to a once in a lifetime opportunity! Kyle Smith and I were invited into a back room where we met and had a photo opportunity with Lenny Kravitz! To finish things off was a rather surprise appearance from Grammy winning artist Bruno Mars who sang along with some of his biggest hits. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday night!

Waking up on Friday I knew we were in for a long but rewarding day. First off was breakfast which came complete with a Johnny Fly Sunglasses gifting station! You essentially walk up and try on several pairs of high-end sunglasses and then say “ok ill take these”. The wrap them up in a custom JBL case and you are on your way! We then made our way to the Installed Audio Masterclass presented by Saben Shawhan, Director of Partner Business Development for Harman. If you have never attended one of Saben’s classes, it is a MUST ATTEND. The passion he has for audio comes through loud and clear and he also plays a very eclectic mix of music to demonstrate all the features of JBL’s product categories. During the Masterclass we learned about the CBT Series column arrays, the portable PA category, the SRX900 Series, the VTX Series line arrays, the new outdoor landscape speakers, the performance software they have for the line arrays, and the new SLP slim surface mount series. This was a lot of products to be in one space they their team demo’ d all of it! While I had to fight my urge to belt out the chorus of “Hello” by Adele, I was really excited for Rage Against the Machine being played on the VTX arrays and subs. As I mention to our team multiple times, “you really felt it in your chest!”

After the Masterclass was complete, we all headed nearby to Flyover Las Vegas. Dubbed the “ultimate flying ride” this attraction straps you into your seat in front of a fully immersible screen that makes you feel as though you are flying through the sky of amazing landscapes. Now, for those of us who might have some issues with motion sickness, such as yours truly, you are urged to make an “X” symbol with your arms and the very nice ushers will take you off the ride. There is no shame in my game, and I was very happy to have my feet back on the ground asap! After some much-needed rest time back in our rooms, the shuttles took us to the Life is Beautiful festival which was being held on Freemont in downtown Vegas. I personally have never been to this area in the past, however I was amazed that they closed down and fenced in the entire area to set up 4 concert stages along with vendors and other private access locations. We immediately went to the JBL Stage with VIP access where we all met up for drinks, food, and music. I ventured off while Bebe Rexha was performing and found myself with perfect view of the main stage where an EDM DJ was getting the crowd fired up for the next act. After looking through the street vendors and other areas, I called it a night as I listened to Bebe Rexha perform with special guest Tyler Hubbard (from Florida Georgia Line). The Killers were the headliner of Friday night and through videos I saw from Josh Taylor, it seemed our entire team left the trip on a high note!

To close things out, it was really a phenomenal experience and somehow the Harman/JBL team took an already great event and then amplified it even more (pun intended!). I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to experience this time with a vendor like JBL but to also receive all access looks at their product lines and be up close and personal to the a lot of the very people who designed it. There is no better place to be and if you ever get a chance to attend JBL Fest in the future, I promise you will leave with a much better understanding of their vast product lines as well as the perfect applications for each. Job well done to all involved in the planning of this “must attend” event!

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

BDM II – Technical Specialist

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

Hydrate Yourself with a Thirst for Knowledge

Seeking out the Proper Certifications and Learning Opportunities

CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante3. That is what you will find next to my name in my email signature and LinkedIn profile. To the non-Pro AV crowd, those letters probably don’t mean much, but to me they each signify a moment in my career where I set out to further my education and better position myself for the future. CTP (Certified Telecom Professional) was the first certification I attempted/passed during my first week of employment with Almo Corporation. DSCE (Digital Signage Certified Expert) was my first foray into Pro AV as I wanted to become more familiar with the lingo used and technologies we spoke about. CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) was the crown jewel in my eyes. It was a goal that I set for myself specifically so I could achieve longevity in my role and better support my company and customers. I needed to learn more to be the “expert” in other words. CTNS (Certified Telecommunications Networking Specialist) was something that I sought out to help differentiate Almo from the competition. Lastly, Dante 3. This certification came in 3 levels and challenged me more than I anticipated. Having worked with AVoIP and Dante-enabled audio products I saw this as a chance to “future proof” myself against newer emerging technologies and gave me a great base for which to learn. The reason I listed these out is to illustrate how each one meant something different to me at a certain time in my career. This does not include the countless others I have received whether it be Harman’s Core Curriculum, Comcast’s Hospitality Certification, or even Microsoft Teams Rooms Sales Certification which all are valuable in their own right. We have certainly all heard the saying “Always be Closing”, well I adopted “Always Be Learning”. Sure, it might sound cliched on its own, but allow me to share how’s, why’s and where’s of this cliche and the benefits it provides.

The How’s: How Do you Continue Your Learning?

There is no magic answer to this question. In my opinion, you either have a thirst for knowledge or you do not. Even if you do not, that is completely fine. Everyone is at a different level or stage of their career and that will dictate a lot. Do you have the time to spend on learning or researching? Do you have the financial stability to pay for some of the new certifications? Do you feel that a new course or learning track would even benefit you at this time? All of these are viable questions so by all means if you answer “no” to any of these, don’t feel bad. One particular reason why I have become a proponent for the “A.B.L.” mantra is because I work for a company who encourages and leads by example. Almo Corporation/Exertis Almo place a value on their employees’ development/training and to me that is infectious. Any time I decide to seek out a certain opportunity, the first thing I do is vocalize that to my management. I find that this helps hold me accountable and is also a tangible goal we can discuss in future interactions. Another way to continue my development is simply asking questions. There have been countless times where I find myself on calls and am not understanding what is being discussed so quite simply, I speak up and ask. Afterwards I will then use my trusty friend- Google and will continue my learning until my comfort level is achieved. It is a small step like this that has helped me more than others.

The Why’s: Why Should You Seek Out Learning Opportunities and Certifications?

I get this question more than you would believe. “Why Do you Have So Many Certifications?” or “Why Bother Taking all those Courses?” Again, it is quite simple. As I laid out in the very beginning, all the certifications that I have achieved thus far each hold a certain value to me in one way or the other. What I will never do is take an exam or spend the time on a learning track just for the sake of completing it. I am very methodical in what I take and when I take it. I have a specific interest in the subject matter and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t even start the course. When I set out a goal to achieve a new learning opportunity, I must set out the reasoning why. Why do I want my CTS? Why do I think this will help me or my employer? Once I’m able to candidly answer those questions with viable answers I proceed to registering etc. and getting started. When you work in an industry such as Pro AV, or any other industry that involves technology, the trends are always changing. Something bigger, faster, and better is always around the corner and if you were to stop and say “well I have my cts, so I’m now done learning” you will eventually find yourself left behind.

The Where’s: Where Should You Look for These Opportunities?

Literally EVERYWHERE! The places to look for educational opportunities will all depend on the topic or goals you set forth. For example, when looking for a certification involved in Telecom, I would head to Google and type “most popular certifications in telecom”. It is here that I uncovered the CTNS, found reviews from past students, and also uncovered similar courses that I could use to expand on the CTNS itself. Outside of search engines, I find that some of the most valuable courses are within our industry. For example, everyone might be most familiar with CTS, CTS-I, and CTS-D offered by AVIXA. However, looking beyond those you will find entire online trainings and “universities” that are offered by the different manufacturers. My absolute favorite is Harman Pro Training and I have previously credited this site for helping me achieve my CTS in the past. I find that these courses are most beneficial because while some do center in on specific Harman products and technologies, they also feature their Core Curriculum which is perfect for anyone trying to learn the basics and build momentum on future learning. Another method is one of my newer “go-to’s” which is Linkedin Learning. Linkedin offers a tremendous opportunity for furthering education, and they allow you to tell them and select what you want to learn. Would you believe I recently achieved a certification for “Writing an Effective Blog?” That exists! I would challenge everyone to check out Linkedin Learning and find your own tract to help!

The Benefits

The benefits of A.B.L. come in different ways. First, the most obvious, is you are developing new skill-sets and broadening your own education. Second, there are financial benefits. For example, by completing a certification such as Dante from Audinate, you are now able to speak more knowledgeably on the technology, the equipment needed, and how to best help the customers. This in term could lead to growth in sales and growth in revenue. Thirdly, to position yourself as the expert. The reason why so many in Pro AV add “CTS” to their email signature is to highlight that you are up to speed on the latest technologies and trends and are the “expert” that can answer their questions and concerns. I take pride in that and while I certainly don’t know everything, I am taking the steps to always get closer! audio experts teamLastly, I think with any line of work, you run the risk of it getting stale. Doing the same thing every day and never trying to change things up. I like to always be learning because quite frankly, it excites me to have an extra tool in the tool belt. Finding new ways to differentiate myself and my employer while also increasing the product knowledge for which I can confidently speak in future calls and meetings. Confidence is king after all!

In closing, I hope that shed some light on what those letters/certifications mean to me and why I hope it will prompt you to achieve your own. Set out some new goals and challenge yourself to achieve 1 new certification this year. They don’t need to be the most time consuming or the most costly to provide value. As long as you can identify something tangible or intangible that you got from it, then I feel as though it served its purpose! I am always eager to lend a hand, so if anyone would ever like further tips or ideas on how to prepare for education, etc., you can always find me on LinkedIn or contact me here.

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

How AV and Services Have Transformed the Typical Hotel Stay

Blog Harman outdoors hospitality feature Image 2023

Admittedly, I don’t remember much when it comes to traveling as a child. As a family of 6, we absolutely enjoyed family vacations, but I get the feeling we would cut costs on the hotels/motels in exchange for a better experience OUTSIDE of the room. I do remember the cruise to the Bahamas we took when I was a little older, but even that was a tiny room, with tiny TV and we couldn’t wait to leave the room and explore everything else. Why am I taking you on this trip down memory lane? Because when I travel now, it is vastly different. Nowadays I will judge a hotel partially by the technology they provide almost as much as I judge them on their customer service and cleanliness. It is a damper on the trip when I finally get to my room and the TV is anything less than 40” and the signal is out on most channels. So why is it that as a child technology was a non-factor whereas today it’s a necessity? Simple. The hospitality industry has pushed to a new way of thinking and that is to recreate the home experience in many ways. As I have admitted in past writings, I have a love/hate relationship with traveling. I love attending events and spending time with coworkers and partners whereas I hate being away from my family and the comforts of home. What if I arrived in my hotel room and it felt as close to home as possible? What if there were a big TV in a spacious room, a soundbar providing improved audio, a wireless charging station for the latest wireless devices, and substantial Wi-Fi where I could conduct a Teams call as needed and so much more? This isn’t the late 1980’s anymore and the hospitality market is rapidly adapting to the needs of its guests. What are some of those needs? Let us explore further!

To dive into the topic of Hospitality Technology even further, I like to approach as if I was outside and walking into the hotel. What is greeting us the second we step out of our Uber through the moment we reach our rooms, and everything we experience during our stay?

Let’s break this down into the following sections:

Exterior – The outside of a hotel can be a very wide spectrum between the small hotel near the airport and the large casino resort on the Vegas Strip. There are small alterations that can be made to any property to induce that welcoming “at home” feeling that most of us would gladly accept while on the road. Do you step foot into the parking lot and have the urge to sprint to the door because its dark and kind of “sketchy” or are you greeted JBL landscape speakerby outdoor signage educating you on local events, exterior Wash lighting that illuminates the hotels brand and pleasant background music from the camouflaged landscape speakers in the garden. Those 3 factors could set the tone for the rest of the stay, because in my eyes if someone is meticulous regarding the exterior details they will normally be just as meticulous with the interior. The same lighting, video, and audio should follow you all around the property to the pool area as well and with the many types of outdoor speakers that exist with varying IP ratings, there truly is something for every need.

Lobby/Bar & Restaurant – Once you make it into the lobby, you may immediately spot more signage in the form of a way finder or information board. Back around 2013, I remember staying at a Courtyard in Richmond, VA. hotel lobby digital signageWhile waiting in the lobby for the rest of the team I noticed a display that was showing local flight schedules for the nearby airport, news updates, and local sports scores. If memory serves me correct, this was my first experience with hotel digital signage, and it clearly left enough of an impression on me that I still remember it a decade later. That display caused me to stay in the lobby longer and kept me informed in the moment. It provided the “home” experience similar to waking up and watching the news or checking my internet and that is what the guests want. Outside of the signage, you surely will find audio or video near the bar/restaurant area. Perhaps you see the typical pendant speaker or low-profile ceiling speaker for announcements and background music as well. All very common regardless of the property you chose. Out of guest view could be the service closest where you find the A/V rack with multiple amplifiers and DSP’s along with networked A/V hardware such as encoders, decoders and switches. Normally kept out of view, but oh so important to the functionality of that given property.

Guest Room – OK, you’ve made it to the promise land! Behold your home away from home – THE GUESTROOM! One aspect that we have yet to touch on is in my opinion the most important. THE WI-FI! Whether you are traveling with young children or attending a week-long trade show, if the property has insufficient bandwidth, you will find yourself in a troubling position. I cannot tell you how many times I have needed hotel Wi-Fi to finish a project, edit a presentation, or even Skype with my kids in their younger days. There absolutely is nothing more painful than to not be connected. Maybe I am not alone in that sentiment though. In a recent poll by TripAdvisor, 89% of travelers ranked free Wi-Fi as the top amenity they search for. In another survey by SmartBrief, 40% of guests travel with 3 or more devices and 25% more network traffic is expected from each of those devices. So, if you are a hotel reading this, how do you even know if your property has the speed it needs? You need to first identify what a guest needs. Streaming movies, accessing cloud, download music, teleconferencing, etc. are all essential to those staying there. This is where “recreating the home experience” really takes a hold. Much like my house, I need to know that I will turn on my device and be able to function as I intended it to. A general rule of thumb is that you need between 1-2 Mbps of bandwidth for each guest. That means that for 100 guest rooms, I am going to recommend between 100-200 Mbps download speeds and that is only for guests. That’s not taking into consideration a possible VOIP phone system, networked A/V elevator alarms, security, etc. As it pertains to the guest room, a close 2nd is the free to guest TV content. Cable, Satellite, and streaming are all options but those too can affect the bandwidth so the conversation needs to be all encompassing and include both when discussing in-room technology. My personal favorite is DIRECTV because of their DRE platform which stands for DIRECTV Residential Experience. Just as the name implies, they are recreating the home/residential platform for hotels. As a past user, it is comforting to get into your room and immediately know the channel lineup and where to find things. It is all part of the experience! Last but not least in the guest room is the A/V. TV sizes have gone up over the years and I find myself judging a hotel over the size of the guest room TV. Any display 42-46” or larger is the sweet spot for me, but that could obviously depend on room size/layout and that particular hotel’s brand standard. Another item that is becoming very common is the soundbar. Once thought of as purely consumer, the soundbar is now finding its way in the hospitality world to improve on the audio experience for guests. Some manufacturers are even making specialty soundbars for hotels and cruise ships where the audio is improved, but not loud enough to disturb other guest rooms with booming bass.

hospitality tv

Conference Hall/Conventions/Meeting Rooms – I feel as though I could’ve written an entire piece just on conference halls, meeting rooms, and convention spaces. The technology in these spaces is quite impressive and much like the guest room, could really make or break a guest’s stay at that specific property. The audio portion alone could include ceiling/surface/pendant speakers, column arrays, performance line arrays, amplifiers, DSP’s, mixing console, entertainment lighting, microphones, truss, and more. In the conference rooms you could look at collaboration soundbars and interactive displays not to mention more networked a/v and control systems. Most of the hotels that I have stayed at lately will all have touch panels on the outside of the door to show you which company is occupying that room during what times. It is another item that used to be viewed as a “luxury” but now is becoming a “necessity” in the hospitality space.

In closing, my hope was to encourage you to take a look around the next time you are traveling and perhaps you notice a new piece of A/V that you never knew existed or that the hotel is utilizing technology in a new way to help recreate the home experience for their guests. Whether it is the hotel Wi-Fi, the guest room TV, or the audio/video you experience during the late-night customer dinners, the hospitality market is rapidly turning to AV and Connectivity to increase bookings and keep guests coming back. That is the name of the game after all!

Enjoy this blog?
Let Rob know over on LinkedIn …and/or connect with #ExertisAlmo on our LinkedIn company page.

Robert Voorhees
About the Author

Rob Voorhees | CTS, CTP, DSCE, CTNS, Dante

Business Development Manager

Supported Manufacturers: Business Communications Services, and Harman: AKG, AMX, BSS, Crown, DBX, JBL, Soundcraft, Martin Lighting

Pin It on Pinterest