Meetings & Conventions - Carlson

Meetings & Conventionshttp://www.meetings-conventions.com/print.aspx?id=408187 of 8 5/4/2011 1:50 PMwhat those travelers willexpect to find in their hotelrooms. That last point iswhere hospitality and sci-fireally meet.Tech that could be widelyused in 2015 includesin-room concierges, whichwill initially take the formof tablet computers(before more roboticoptions are available);in-room entertainment allbuilt into a multimediacanopy bed; andmind-control headsetsallowing guests to controlcomputers, video gamesor even appliancesthrough thoughts andfacial expressions.By 2020, we could well beusing heads-up displays --to read Trip Advisorreviews, for instance --projected onto our glassesor contact lenses.Personal robots may serveas in-room butlers, or asporters or housekeepers.Developments in hapticstechnology, through whichone can "feel" virtualobjects on a screen, mayoverlap with increasedusage of 3-D holographicdisplays that providetactile feedback. In otherwords, meetingface-to-face may continueto take on new meaning,as will the idea of thevirtual handshake.another 15 percent attrition by the end of next year.Unlike many hotel companies that insist brand consistencycan be achieved only through conformity of design andservice options, Carlson is giving its owners license to reflectthe uniqueness of their individual markets. "We are absolutelyturning away from a one-size-fits-all model, because we thinkthat for our hotels to really thrive and meet guestexpectations, they must reflect the characteristics of theirindividual, local culture," says Kirschke.Radisson hotels will be challenged to add exciting newrestaurants and F&B concepts that showcase local cuisine,as well as ensure that meeting spaces are loaded withcutting-edge technology and guest rooms are remodeled to ahigher standard.In addition, "We are taking service at Radisson to a wholenew dimension," according to Kirschke. "No one will get afree ride. Everyone from management right on down will haveto take part in the new training model."While Radisson's North American hotels and resorts --including the 301-room Radisson Plaza–Warwick HotelPhiladelphia and the 303-room Radisson Hotel at Opryland inNashville -- are enjoying multimillion-dollar transformations,Carlson will move ahead with plans to introduce U.S.planners to its upper-upscale Radisson Blu brand, whichalready encompasses a global portfolio of more than 200properties, primarily in Europe. First up will be the flagship334-room Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, which debutsthis fall with approximately 27,000 square feet of meetingspace. In Minneapolis, the 501-room Radisson Blu at Mall ofAmerica will feature 23,000 square feet of meeting space andwill be connected to the mall upon opening in 2012.With respect to meetingsupport, researchersenvisionvideoconferencing andvirtual and hybrid events