to facilitate communications - from attendee messaging to agendas and meeting changes to real time feedback about everything from morning break offerings to session surveys."
With regard to expectations concerning the Gettysburg Foundation for 2017, Cromeans says, "We want to let small, mid-size and large company planners know that there are alternatives to the hotel chains that offer unique opportuni- ties - both in flexibility and personal attention for the planners, as well as dis- tinctive amenities and experiences for attendees."
"We think planners for small and mid- size companies will turn to more inti- mate settings for meetings and corporate retreats in 2017,” Cromeans continues, “and we expect to negotiate all the details. We feel our clients are looking for new and interactive experiences and we are happy to provide options to meet those challenges."
AV and Technology
For trends in the year ahead relating to technology and the use of audio-visual equipment and services, Jason Cataldi, CTS, the VP of sales and marketing for IMS Technology Services, Inc. offers up a few predictions.
"For 2017, I think we will continue to see the use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality entering into our meetings and events,” he says. “Audience engagement, while nothing new, is a hot topic that many clients are starting to measure much more closely. Companies are ask- ing IMS how they can maximize their return on investment. Our answer is to provide a different return on experience. Think outside the box. Instead of pre- senting to an audience, create an atmos- phere that actively includes them in the dialogue or encourages genuine partici- pation.”
He continues, “If you had three co-work- ers to stand before the same group of peers and ask each of them the same question, would you expect that they would all offer the same response? Of course not. Effective communication is 55 percent visual, 38 percent tonality, and seven percent words. Working closely with a technology partner who under- stands these principals could be the dif- ference in achieving desired results."
Cataldi also looks ahead to 2017 with genuine excitement about where the hospitality industry is headed as a whole. "For the hospitality, meetings and events industry in Philadelphia,
I am excited
to build upon the successes of 2016. The spotlight was on our community, and we delivered a performance worthy of a standing ovation (with the papal visit and the Democratic National Convention coming to town). With that, Philadelphia is on the rise as a destination city. I see more companies, non-profits, and associ- ations looking to hold their conferences and special programs in our backyard. Some for the first time staying closer to home, while others will be traveling across country."
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In terms of goals and expectations for IMS, Cataldi says that, in looking forward, it also is important to look back. "As I started to gather my thoughts about expectations and aspirations for 2017, I paused for a moment to do a quick men- tal rewind of 2016. Hard to believe that my incredible team supported over 1,400 meetings and events covering 32 states and five countries. We provided produc- tion and technical support for traditional business meetings and social gatherings, for Pope Francis’ visit, the Democratic National Convention, and for President- elect Donald Trump.”
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“We celebrated another banner year with 136 percent growth, new jobs, and a sec- ond brick and mortar location in Orlando, Florida,” he adds.
Linens and Décor
Danielle Bevenour, client services manag- er, Choice Party Linens, Inc. offers some expert analysis of what trends we might expect to see in the year ahead when it
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