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Next Generation Of Facilities: Something For Everyone


will include 3,000 residential units, a 300-room hotel, and 400,000 square feet of retail space. “You want to create a destination that extends the stay,” says Russ Simons, Managing Partner of Venue Solutions Group. This concept is not new to convention center developers, says archi- tect Don Grinberg. “Meeting planners follow their attendees’ levels of satisfaction


very closely, and an event’s success is critically related to what hap- pens outside the convention center,” he says. “Surrounding ameni- ties cannot be just ancillary, nor are they experienced only before and after events – they are a critical part of the event experience itself.”


In additional to physical ancillary features, an on-going commit- ment to Wi-Fi and cellular service inside and around facilities is now an expectation as opposed to the bonus it was perceived to be only a few years ago. Society’s dependency on devices to connect to one another and to gather information is now a way of life. Facilities must be equipped to provide excellent service and to take advantage of the new resource. “With guests’ demands to remain connected and share their ex- periences on social media, access to Wi-Fi and cellular data in new facilities is critical,” says Paul Villotti, Director of Life Safety at Hen- - ated with a lack of on-line access.” Studies have shown that fans don’t make decisions to attend an


event based on connectabilty, Simons says; they assume it’s there. “It’s equivalent to air,” he says.


The rising popularity of eSports, the ability to be “part of the ac- tion,” and order food and merchandise also increases the need for technological upgrades. “Paying guests expect to be impressed,” says Justin Luke, Senior As- sociate of BNA Consulting.


Urban Environment Suburban settings were long the hot market in attracting new facil-


-  downtown urban areas. One of the driving forces behind this move- ment is how people use transportation – from public transportation to the popularity of UBER and LYFT. 


post-game atmosphere and deter fans from attending events in per- son,” Miller says. “Urban venues are more accessible and integrated with city transit systems and ride sharing, which gives people more  Additionally, authenticity is a major attraction for today’s event go-


ers. Though they may be tied to virtual reality with their electronic devices, when it comes to spending their money on an experience, they want it to be real. The activities and conveniences surrounding an ur- ban event environment often provides that realism. “Visitors want an authentic experience,” Svedberg says, “and for most destinations that is an urban/downtown location. This is a hospi- tality business, and guests want convenience and experience.”


The Star in Frisco, Texas. Henderson Engineers.


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