Mundo Imperial

Facility Brings High Tech to the 'New' Acapulco

 If you think high-tech meeting facilities are found only in the United States, think again. The Expo, one of the world’s most advanced convention and exhibition centers, opens this winter at Mundo Imperial in Acapulco Diamante, Acapulco — Mexico’s most exclusive area. A centerpiece of the recently revitalized “new” Acapulco,  Mundo Imperial, in addition to The Expo, will offer everything groups need under one roof, including The Forum, designed to house a variety of events in state-of-the-art surroundings; The Resort at Mundo Imperial; the Sol Imperial Spa & Wellness Center; and The Promenade, a cultural and gastronomic boardwalk.

At The Expo, taking advantage of technology will be easy. Boasting more than 240,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space and 115,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the convention center will offer wireless Internet access, with coverage available throughout the entire building. Rooms will feature data-transmission bandwidths of 128 Kbps up to 2 Mbps. Videoconferencing systems and VPN connections will add another element of communications flexibility.

Groups convening at The Expo will also have access to water and compressed air throughout the building. Floor utility boxes will be situated every 30 feet, with voice, data, and electricity in each box. Establishing electrical connections and setting up booths will be simple, as the facility will be equipped with the same 110-volt outlets used in the United States.

Meanwhile, at The Forum, groups will be able to stage the most sophisticated of events. One wall of the 190,000-square-foot facility will feature LED lighting. A three-channel sound system will feature wired and wireless capabilities, while the rigging system will support 241,406 pounds. Other technology amenities will include built-in monitors in each dressing room and backstage, a digital sound platform, and Yamaha consoles.  Constructed at a cost of more than $45 million, The Forum will have a capacity to hold more than 4,000 spectators on three seating levels.

High-tech amenities will also extend to The Resort at Mundo Imperial. All 805 of the property’s rooms and suites will feature such amenities as LCD satellite television sets with Video On-Demand systems and iHome Clock Radio and Audio Systems for iPod.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Marcela Altamirano, director of sales, Expo, Groups, and Conventions; e-mail: marcela.altamirano@mundoimperial.com; Web site: www.mundoimperial.com

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Wireless Internet access and fiber-optic cabling throughout facility
• Videoconferencing systems
• Data-transmission speeds of 128 Kbps, up to 2 Mbps in each meeting room
• Service is 100 percent compatible for VPN connections
• Communication connections from 4 Mbps, up to 34 Mbps available in less than one hour
• Utility boxes every 30 feet on exhibit floor, with connections for voice, data, electricity
  (100+ amps), water lines, compressed air, and fiber optics

CONVENTION CENTER SPECIFICATIONS

• Spans more than 730,000 square feet of space
• More than 240,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space
• More than 50 meeting rooms in 115,000 square feet of space; all rooms divisible
  for maximum flexibility
• Two cafeterias; one restaurant
• Fully equipped business center

Bartha Audio Visual

Connecting With Clients by Combining High Tech With Depth of Service

Can technology alone guarantee a successful convention? The fact that more and more convention managers and event planners are turning to Bartha Audio Visual indicates that the answer is a resounding "no." Bartha, a nationally recognized event-staging and production-services firm, is building on the premise that while the ability to provide leading-edge technology is critical, just as important are the value-added services that make the firm a single-source partner.

"This business model is driven by our clients' needs," said Jerry Spencer, director of sales and production. "As clients grow, they create more complex shows in larger venues. They are looking for value-added services. They expect the latest and greatest technology, and we deliver that. But they also want a single-source solution with talented, creative people and the resources to cover every aspect of their convention or event."

From "smart" lobby kiosks to stunning projection, lighting, and audio for general sessions, Bartha delivers using the latest technology:

• Barco projection systems and Encore switchers create extreme wide-screen or multiple-screen shows with complete control of multiple video/data sources.
• Grass Valley Digital Disc Recorders provide reliable and seamless cueing of meeting content.
• Digital audio consoles and processors allow for "tuning" the sound, even in acoustically challenging venues.
• MeyerSound-powered sound systems deliver crystal-clear audio to every member of the audience.
• Axon Media Servers, VariLite intelligent-lighting instruments, and Whole Hog lighting consoles deliver impact to every stage.

The latest technology is of little value without talented people. Nearly 60 percent of the Bartha staff have four-year degrees, with specialties in theater, broadcast, art and technology, media production, and related areas. They average 15 years of experience in the industry … focused on corporate events. They know how to use and maximize the available technology.

In contrast to the typical "staging company," Bartha also provides a key element critical to a superior event - the coordination of creative elements to assure continuity of style and message. Event producers work with video production crews, editors, graphic designers, writers, set designers, and managers to coordinate every aspect of each event:

• In-house designers and scenery crew interpret themes, styles, and corporate personalities, then design and construct stage sets, props, and décor items that truly fit the event.
• Event producers bring a wealth of experience with corporate events and communication. From initial concept, through content development and presenter rehearsals, to the show-ending confetti drop, Bartha producers work with clients to develop and deliver a carefully crafted show.
• Our network of writers, each with a unique style, works with executives and presenters to craft and coordinate key messages.
• Presentation-graphics specialists work with clients to develop show logos, collateral artwork, screen graphics, backgrounds, and templates to fully integrate event branding and style.
• Bartha can deliver complete production services for wide-screen and multi-screen video modules for general sessions, kick-offs, and awards.

Bartha is proud to provide its unique blend of technology and service to clients such as Arbonne International, the National FFA Convention, Presbyterian Church USA, Episcopal Church USA, Ignite, Inc., and many others.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact John Killacky at (800) 363-2698, or visit www.Barthavisual.com.

Branson CC & Hilton Branson CC Hotel

Unique Light and Sound Display Wows Groups

The Midwest's most exciting new meeting facility, the Branson Convention Center celebrated its grand opening in September 2007. While the center is less than one year old, it has already developed a reputation for being among the more technologically unique facilities of its kind in the United States.

One of the building's breathtaking design elements also ranks as its most state-of-the-art accoutrement and is found in the 23,000-square-foot ballroom. This feature is a one-of-a-kind light and sound display that emanates from 72 high-tech fixtures depicting birds in flight. Each fixture contains hidden lights that can change the color of the fixture as well as the color of the ceiling.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. LCD screens may be brought in to all meeting rooms, enhancing presentations and making for more productive sessions. Building-wide wired and wireless Internet access, coupled with videoconferencing capabilities, provides communications flexibility while also taking the caliber of meetings to new heights. Endless audiovisual options are made possible by OSA International, which has a full-time, on-site team based at the center.

Meanwhile, in the 47,000-square-foot exhibit hall, show organizers will find it easy to set up booths to suit exhibitors' specifications. All utilities, including electricity, water, data lines, and compressed air, are embedded in the floor on 30-foot centers. In addition to facilitating booth configuration, this eliminates the need to hang wires from ceilings or stretch them across walkways.

The Branson Convention Center is managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation, and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is the perfect extension of the facility. There, guests enjoy such state-of-the-art amenities as high-speed Internet access, LCD television screens, and computer-friendly workspaces.

The Branson Convention Center offers a total of 220,000 gross square feet of exhibit space. In addition to the exhibit hall, which is divisible into two sections, the first level of the facility houses the ballroom. The second level features five meeting rooms, ranging in size from 1,200 to 5,500 square feet. A curving, exposed-timber pedestrian concourse provides guests with a spectacular view of the shores of picturesque Lake Taneycomo as they travel between the center's meeting and exhibit facilities and the adjacent 293-room hotel. In addition to its 293 rooms, the Branson Convention Center Hotel encompasses the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, a 242-room boutique property just a block away in Branson Landing's town square development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Branson Convention Center: William Tirone, CMP, director of sales and marketing; phone: (417) 336-5401; fax: (417) 336-5413; e-mail: William.Tirone@hilton.com ;
Web site: www.bransonconvention.com  

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Light and sound display emanating from 72 fixtures in ballroom
• LCD screens available in all rooms u Wired and wireless Internet throughout facility
• Videoconferencing capabilities
• Soundproof rooms
• Unlimited audiovisual options, available through on-site AV company

CONVENTION CENTER SPECIFICATIONS

• 220,000 gross square feet of space
• 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, divisible into two halls
• 30,000 square feet of meeting space
• Show office
• Two lobby entrances
• Two freight doors
• Eight loading docks
• 450 parking spaces

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Facility Rises to All Technology Challenges

Technology is at the heart of today's most successful conventions and trade shows. Only a handful of meeting venues in the United States have the resources in place to support the most technologically demanding, information-driven events - and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is at the top of that list. With a world-class data and voice infrastructure designed to handle the most challenging wired and wireless uses, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is able to meet the technology needs of virtually any group.

Two DS3 high-capacity connections to the Internet and a one-gigabit fiber backbone provide attendees, exhibitors, and show managers with Internet connectivity throughout the entire 2.3 million square feet of the facility. This network, which can be configured for any number of virtual LANs, provides for the internal distribution of video, audio, and data, allowing customers to use cutting-edge technology ranging from digital signage to IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). Wireless data access using the latest Wi-Fi standards is available throughout the entire facility.

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center also provides fiber-optic cable throughout the building, including every meeting room, public space, and exhibit hall. For bandwidth-intensive applications, including digital-video production requiring connections to off-site broadcasts, the technology staff and vendors can install additional fiber utilizing the building's air-blown fiber distribution network.

On the telecommunications front, the center's voice network is configured for as many as 4,000 digital and analog extensions, supports Voice-over IP, and includes an integrated conferencing bridge. Instead of pay telephones, there are nearly 200 public phones throughout the building for free local calls and access to long-distance carriers. The center also includes a building-wide cellular antenna system to enhance coverage throughout the facility, including the loading docks and other underground areas.

Additionally, an in-house technology team works one-on-one with each client to ensure the best possible match between the customer's needs and the services available. There is no guesswork, even for the most complex requirements, and building staff monitors all data systems around the clock to ensure the integrity of the network.

In short, the flexible design of the convention center's robust voice and data network means that the entire infrastructure is scalable to meet the needs of any customer, large or small.

For More Information
Contact Destination DC, 901 7th St. NW, 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001; phone: (800) 635-6338; Web site: www.destinationdc.com  

High-tech Specifications

• 90 Mbps Internet pipe via two DS3 circuits from diverse providers
• Single- and multimode air-blown fiber available throughout building, including meeting rooms and registration/lobby spaces
• Building-wide wireless using 802.11b/g (802.11a available in 2008)
• Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop and Power-over-Ethernet available fall 2008
• Distributed Antenna System for mobile phones
• Around-the-clock network monitoring
• Free public phones throughout building, providing free local calling and access to long-distance carriers

Convention Center Specifications

• 100,000+ square feet of meeting space
• 100,000+ square feet of exhibit space
• 52,000-square-foot ballroom
• 42 breakout rooms
• Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., steps from historic museums, great restaurants, and wonderful attractions

Los Angeles Convention Center

A World Leader in Technology

It's not only advanced technology that defines the success of today's meetings and conventions. Meeting professionals want eco-friendly facilities - the greener the better - to ensure that their events and conventions are as good for the earth as they are productive for attendees. The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) delivers the best of both of these requirements as one of the world's most technologically advanced and greenest convention and exhibition facilities.

Set in the entertainment capital of the world, the LACC offers 867,000 square feet of high-tech space and is renowned internationally as a prime site for conventions, trade shows, and exhibitions. Advanced fiber optics, power, and data/network systems give clients breathtaking capabilities. Throughout the building, gigabit-speed multimode fiber-optic cabling and wireless Internet allow seamless connectivity and streaming video broadcast. This means clients can display their Web sites and streaming video and liaise with their company networks via laptops and PDAs throughout the center.

The LACC is continually praised by meeting professionals for its ability to transmit data at high speeds and for its high-bandwidth capacity. The LACC's towering emerald architectural design has become a symbol of its commitment to the environment. The center is the largest solar-generating building in North America, with an electrical capacity of 450,000 kilowatt hours per year of renewable, environmentally safe electrical power. The center recycles 99 percent of used trade-show materials, recycles all food waste into animal feed, and recycles garden waste into compost. The center's cafes and restaurants are 100 percent eco-friendly, with service ware made from materials derived from natural ingredients that are biodegradable or can be composted. The LACC is registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and is in the process of obtaining LEED certification.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, 333 S. Hope St., Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071; phone: (213) 624-7300; Web site: www.discoverLosAngeles.com  

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Facility-wide gigabit-speed multimode fiber-optic cabling and wireless Internet
• Advanced data backbone enables bandwidth control on a port basis and allows for single-point energizing of Voice-over IP phones, Wi-Fi access points (AP), etc.
• 48 strands of single-mode fiber connect West Hall to 2.0 Intermediate Distribution Frame in South Hall; 12 strands of single-mode fiber and 12 strands of multimode in every Intermediate Distribution Frame in West Hall
• Core Router: Cisco 7206 VXR 512RAM; Core Switch: Cisco 6513 with redundant power supplies and redundant supervisor 720 VXR gigabit fiber blade; one 24-port gigabit fiber blade, one copper 10/100/1000 blade; 37 Cisco 3560 POE 24-port gigabit switches; four Cisco 3560 POE 48-port gigabit switches

CONVENTION CENTER SPECIFICATIONS

• 720,000 square feet of total exhibit hall space
• 347,000-square-foot South Exhibit Hall
• 210,000-square-foot West Exhibit Hall
• 162,000-square-foot Kentia Hall
• 64 meeting rooms totaling 147,000 square feet
• 299-seat presentation theater
• Sun-filled spacious prefunction areas with artwork by nationally recognized artists
• Three food courts
• Full-service business center
• On-site parking for 5,600 vehicles, including electrical charge stations

Monona Terrace Convention Center

Center Is Smart Facility in the City for Smart, Green Meetings

Madison, Wis., has established a reputation for being the place for smart meetings - as well as green ones. Part of what makes it so is that the Monona Terrace Convention Center was conceived by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 and opened in 1997 when architects brought Wright's plans for the building to fruition on the shore of Lake Monona in the heart of downtown Madison.

But Frank Lloyd Wright could hardly have imagined the technology features that have helped put Monona Terrace on the "smart meetings" map. For example, the facility features redundant DS3s with a combined total bandwidth of 145 Mbps, allowing delegates to access the Internet. Monona Terrace is also one of only a handful of convention centers offering Internet2 access. Internet2 allows data transmission to occur at a rate of 10 gigabits or more per second, 100 to 1,000 times faster than the "traditional" Internet.

Meanwhile, Monona Terrace's extensive inventory of the most current audiovisual equipment and services makes it easy for presenters to share their knowledge with delegates. Speaker Presentation Server Service loads all presentations onto one computer server and distributes them to meeting rooms where needed, thus eliminating compatibility issues, the need to carry laptops from room to room, or load presentations onto individual computers in advance. Wireless Internet access is available everywhere in the building, including in rooftop gardens.

Complementing these capabilities are Internet and satellite uplink and downlink services that permit the delivery of messages around the globe, as well as an on-site phone system that allows for the design of customized telecommunications solutions to suit individual groups' needs. A varied menu of telecommunications services encompasses early assignment of phone numbers, selective restrictions of phone-line access, instant individual-line long-distance billing, a variety of speaker/conference phones, and much more. Videoconferencing over ISDN lines can be provided anywhere in the building.

In September 2007, Monona Terrace became the first U.S. convention center to receive "green building" certification at the Silver Level by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) program. This award recognizes the facility's efforts to promote a "whole-building" approach to sustainability in the areas of human and environmental health, site development, water savings, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental air quality.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Monona Terrace Convention Center, One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703; phone: (608) 261-4000; Web site: www.mononaterrace.com  

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Internet2 access
• Redundant DS3s with combined total bandwidth of 145 Mbps
• Wireless Internet access indoors and in rooftop gardens
• Extensive array of top-quality audiovisual equipment, including data projectors, screens, microphones, portable sound and lighting, and digital-media players
• Videoconferencing over ISDN lines
• Customizable on-site phone system
• Dedicated professional audiovisual technicians and stagehands

CONVENTION CENTER SPECIFICATIONS

• 85,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, accommodating 30 to 3,300 delegates
• 37,200-square-foot Exhibition Hall with capacity for 212 10' x 10' exhibit booths, 2,000 people for banquets, 1,656 people classroom-style, or 3,300 people theater-style
• 13,524-square-foot ballroom
• 7,000-square-foot Grand Terrace
• 68,000 square feet of rooftop gardens
• 600 parking spaces

Puerto Rico Convention Center

Technology Melds With Hospitality, Tropical Appeal

A combination of tropical appeal and a long-established hospitality and meeting facilities infrastructure has put Puerto Rico at the top of planners' list of desirable destinatations. The high-tech Puerto Rico Convention Center offers another compelling reason to bring groups to the Commonwealth.

Offering 580,000 square feet of space, the Puerto Rico Convention Center ranks as the largest facility of its kind in the Caribbean. The state-of-the-art facility accommodates groups of 2,500 to 10,000 attendees, enabling Puerto Rico to host 83 percent of all conventions currently held in the United States. The 152,700-square-foot Exhibition Hall accommodates up to 16,965 people theater-style; 12,710 people banquet-style; 8,727 people classroom-style; and 16,075 people for receptions. The center's 36,200 square feet of high-tech meeting space in 15 rooms (28 breakout rooms) on two levels can seat 36 to 484 people theater-style; 20 to 400 people banquet-style; 24 to 288 people classroom-style; and 84 to 421 people reception-style. At 39,500 square feet, the ballroom (the largest of its kind in the Caribbean) can hold 3,934 attendees theater-style; 1,900 banquet-style; 4,158 reception-style; and 2,616 classroom-style.

The Puerto Rico Convention Center also boasts wireless communications, videoconferencing, and broadband data-transmission capabilities that render it the most technologically advanced convention center in the Caribbean, as well as in Latin America. Top-tier telecommunications capability in the exhibit hall includes four multimode fiber-optic cables per floor box. A combination of metal-halide and incandescent lighting is available, with programmable controls allowing two lighting levels during setup and show activities. A distributed television (DTV) system incorporates coaxial cable and facilitates broadcast, cable television, and satellite uplinks and downlinks.

A DTV system in each of the facility's meeting rooms links video signals to the ballroom and other breakout rooms, yielding complete flexibility for presentations. Recording of programs is made simple via remote audio-recording capability. Telecommunications, too, are hassle-free, with voice and data outlets found at 30-foot intervals and four multimode fiber-optic connections featured in every meeting room. Power outlets (120-volt, 20-amp) are situated along perimeter walls, with floor outlets at head-table locations. Each divided room has access to a 120-volt, 100-amp power supply.

Remote central audio recording of programs is also possible in the ballroom, which also has a link to DTV for signal distribution and access to a satellite uplink. A production control balcony provides all necessary connections for sound and lighting controls. Voice and data outlets are liberally distributed at 30-foot centers, and there are eight multimode fiber-optic connections (four in each of the two divided spaces). Quadruple convenience outlets with two 120-volt, 30-amp circuits apiece lie at 30-foot centers along the ballroom's perimeter walls. Duplex convenience outlets are found at 30-foot centers in each direction, and there is one 208-volt, 30-amp, three-phase outlet in the floor.

For More Information
Puerto Rico Convention Bureau; phone: (800) 875-4765; e-mail: info@prconvention.com;
Web site: www.prconvention.com  

High-Tech Specifications

• One pair Cat 5 cable in exhibit hall
• Multimode fiber-optic cables (four per box) in floor boxes of exhibit hall
• Eight multimode fiber-optic connections in ballroom (four for each of two smaller spaces)
• Four multimode fiber-optic connections in each meeting room Convention Center Specifications
•  580,000 square feet of total event space
• 152,700-square-foot exhibit hall
• 36,200 square feet of meeting space, divisible into up to 28 breakout rooms
• 39,500-square-foot ballroom

Salt Palace Convention Center

Flexible Technology Services Package Accommodates All Groups

Spurred on by its hosting role in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake has reinvented itself over the past decade through infrastructure improvements, including the rebuilding of freeways, airport expansions, and the addition of a major light-rail system. The Salt Palace Convention Center has been part of that reinvention, undergoing a major expansion and launching high-tech features.

When it comes to telephone and Internet services, "flexibility" is the name of the game at the Salt Palace Convention Center, due in large part to its role as the Main Media Center for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The facility serves as groups' exclusive telephone company and Internet services provider, and its Facility Services department addresses groups' every telecommunications need. Single, multiple, or high-speed data lines, satellite uplinks/downlinks, Internet capabilities, and LAN connections are just some of the services the department provides.

The center also offers a full DS3 Internet connection, ensuring high-quality Internet services for all events. Service is provided over a fiber-optic infrastructure and routed throughout the building, enabling groups to enjoy Internet access anywhere in the facility. In-house technicians are available during all meeting and show hours, allowing for prompt handling of all requests for assistance. For added flexibility, the facility also features two types of Internet services: shared and priority. With shared Internet services, exhibitors may select just the amount of data-transmission bandwidth they need. Options include 256 Kb or 768 Kb, with one IP address and 1.54 Mb (T-1) or 100 Mb Ethernet, with two IP addresses, giving network access to 6,000 computer users at a single time. Additional IPs for multi-computer sets are available, as are equipment rental and networking labor. Priority Internet services encompass a set amount of bandwidth, at 5 Mb (a flat rate for up to five Cat5 cable drops and 30 IP addresses) or 100 Mb (a flat rate for service and 200 IP addresses). All Internet services come with a choice of wired or wireless drops/locations; there are 33 wireless access points capable of servicing 3,000 wireless users at one time.

The venue's preferred audiovisual provider offers a complete range of services, including slide and video projection, sound reinforcement, video production, rigging, and lighting services, and operates the in-house sound system.

Complementing all of this state-of-the-art technology is Salt Lake's premier convention and hotel package. Following the 2006 completion of a $58 million expansion, the Salt Palace now spans 679,000 square feet of space: 515,000 square feet of exhibit space and 164,000 square feet of meeting space in 67 high-tech meeting rooms, including a 45,000-square-foot ballroom. The convention district features 7,323 hotel rooms and 90-plus restaurants; the greater Salt Lake area offers a total of 17,135 hotel rooms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 541-4955, or log on to www.VisitSaltLake.com.

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Single, multiple, and high-speed data lines
• Satellite uplinks/downlinks
• DS3 Internet connection; fiber-optic cabling throughout
• Shared and priority Internet services
• LAN connections
• Complete audiovisual services

CONVENTION CENTER SPECIFICATIONS

• 515,000 square feet of exhibit space
• 164,000 square feet of meeting space
• 67 high-tech meeting rooms, accommodating 30 to 1,800 people, and with separately controlled light and audiovisual equipment
• 45,000-square-foot ballroom
• Emphasis on natural light, with 40-foot glass wall on one side of exhibit hall for second-floor aerial view of trade-show activity
• 13,000-square-foot kitchen
• Visitor information center and gift shop

San Jose McEnery Convention Center

Move In, Plug In, and Connect to the World

It's only fitting that the über-tech San Jose McEnery Convention Center is located in Silicon Valley. As one of the most technologically advanced meeting facilities in the United States, it's an attractive convention hot spot made only more appealing by Team San Jose's one-stop shopping for meeting and event planners. Combined with San Jose's great destination entertainment, it's no wonder more than 98 percent of clients say they'd return.

Team San Jose, which manages San Jose's convention and cultural facilities, delivers the state-of-the-art network systems and infrastructure you'd expect in the heart of Silicon Valley - in the convention center and a collage of cultural venues - such as the California Theater and Civic Auditorium. Its commitment to fulfilling planners' needs starts with the StreamLine Communications Corporation-designed, -built, and -operated SJCCnet network that moves data via dedicated LAN switch ports, over a dense fiber-optic backbone infrastructure to a Cisco router with a WAN Interface that is no less than a 45 Mbps DS3 (28 x T-1) for light-speed Internet access services across a Cisco Powered Tier-1 national IP backbone.

For "One Connection" service across each event, the SJCCnet network seamlessly interconnects all venues and attached hotels to form Silicon Valley's largest physical and virtual meeting space. Whether it's wired or wireless service, San Jose has every meeting covered. With 2,000 dedicated jacks in its exhibit halls alone, the density and distribution of its copper and fiber cable infrastructure is unmatched. And, to fully satisfy each attendee's need for free and easy access on the move, turnkey wireless Internet packages are available, ranging from a targeted hot spot in a single meeting room to event-wide zones servicing thousands of users. For optimum performance and reliability, all network systems and services are fully managed and serviced by on-site personnel.

If a meeting needs fully customized data, private/secure video conferencing, or broadcast quality live audio/video within and/or beyond the center's facilities, rest assured that there are systems, cabling, top-tier service provider relationships and experience in place for mission-critical transmission services.

Team San Jose can also show how MATV and fiber-optic-based digital-sound and plasma-display systems ensure that attendees will receive every message and promotion loud and clear.

Team San Jose looks forward to working with you in the city where you can confidently and quickly move in, plug in, and connect the world to your next event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau at (408) 295-9600, or submit an RFP online at www.SanJose.org.

High-Tech Specifications

• Very high-density structured wiring with fiber-optic and copper cabling to all locations
• DS3 local loop for high-speed Internet access
• 2.5 Gbps SONET OC-48
• Cisco Powered Tier 1, fault-tolerant, self-healing national backbone
• High-performance Ethernet local area network (LAN) based on Cisco routing and switching technology
• Web casting
• Cyber cafes
• Satellite uplink/downlink transmissions
• Voice- and Video-over IP
• Video streaming

Convention Center Specifications

• 143,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space
• Three exhibit halls, two measuring 50,000 square feet and a third at 43,000 square feet
• Can hold up to 1,000 10' x 10' trade show booths
• Accommodates meetings in up to 31 meeting rooms

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center

Savannah Seamlessly Combines Advanced Technology With Well-Preserved History

Savannah expertly blends the history and ambiance of the old and the advanced technological capabilities of the new. Seamlessly combining Savannah's past and the present, the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center offers a state-of-the-art, 330,000-square-foot venue for conventions, meetings, and special events.

Overlooking the picturesque Savannah River, the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center provides the capacity and flexibility that today's meeting planners need. The modern facility features 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including 13 meeting rooms, four executive-class board rooms, and a 25,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, as well as an up-to-date, 367-seat auditorium. The center is managed by SMG, the largest public facility management company in the world.

The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center presents cutting-edge technology in the hands of a highly skilled, professional management team, creating an abundance of options to make any meeting or event exceed your expectations.

Savannah is undeniably connected to the future. The center features the following in advanced technological amenities and professional services:

• High-capacity electrical service, ranging from 100 to 400 amps in the exhibit halls and Chatham Ballroom
• Full analog, digital, and ISDN service available
• Internet service including shared T-1, full T-1, with up to 100 Mbps service available
• Simultaneous interpretive technolog
• Exceptional in-house audiovisual support available
• Distributed television (DTV) throughout facility
• 1,500 parking spaces on site

To meet today's technology needs, the center provides shared and full T-1 connections up to 100 Mbps. Simultaneous interpretive technology makes communicating in a multitude of languages quick and easy, while distributed television (DTV) throughout the center facilitates the broadcast of meeting content and important messages. Full-service, in-house audiovisual support helps ensure that everything runs smoothly. With the utmost in professional service and advanced technology to create successful events, meetings, and conventions, the No. 1 priority at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center is excellent customer service.

The center is not your typical "box" facility. Offering spectacular panoramic views of Savannah and the dynamic riverscape, the facility is one of those magical settings that make attendees look forward to the day's events. Great things happen when enthusiasm runs high, and no venue generates enthusiasm quite like the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.

Although the center is large enough to handle even the most ambitious conventions, you never have to worry about being "lost in the crowd" here. Throughout your stay, your group will receive the full attention of the center's staff and Savannah's trademark hospitality.

The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center has all of the elements to ensure that your next meeting or convention will be the best ever. Hundreds of convention planners and tens of thousands of their guests are already sold on the center and lovely Savannah. One visit and you'll be, too.

Many more options are available in the Historic Meeting District, all within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and nightspots. The Savannah Civic Center features 25,000 square feet of exhibit space as well as a spacious 2,500-seat auditorium. Several other Historic Meeting District facilities combine to offer at least 10,000 square feet of additional meeting space. Savannah's historic museums and forts are an example of the city's unique meeting venues.

With a dynamic meeting complex in a fantastic leisure destination, Savannah has everything you need for an unforgettable convention, meeting, or event. To learn more about this enchanting city, call 1 (877) SAVANNAH or visit www.SavannahMeetings.comtoday.

Tampa Convention Center

Easy Communication, No Matter Where Attendees Roam

The Tampa Convention Center has built its reputation as a top meeting venue on its experienced staff, high-quality service, premier waterfront location, perfect size - and now, its top-tier technology offerings.

Communication is never a problem at the Tampa Convention Center, no matter where in the building attendees may be. Every room boasts analog telephone lines for voice and data transmission. Internet connectivity through DSL at up to 7.1 Mb may be arranged anywhere, and a four-port switch/router for each installation is provided within the cost of presentation support. ISDN lines are readily available, and multiple computers can be networked throughout the entire meeting room area.

Additionally, building-wide closed-circuit television permits communications, advertising, and meeting broadcasts to be seen throughout the facility. A full-service cybercenter on the third level offers computer, printing, fax sending and/or receiving, and high-speed digital-copying services, while the JavaZone serves up wireless Internet access along with coffee and snacks.

On the lighting and production fronts, computerized lighting allows zoning into different light levels of illumination in the exhibit hall. Extensive rigging configurations are available in the hall, and rigging points in meeting rooms and the ballroom are available on the air-wall tracks.

Audiovisual services that suit every need and budget are also available. The Tampa Convention Center's audiovisual department satisfies all requests. The department's hospitality professionals are well-versed in all areas of audiovisual technology, ensuring that every request is handled properly and efficiently.

Providing flexibility, functionality, and convenience, the 600,000-square-foot center boasts a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall with 125,000 square feet of unobstructed space, 84,000 square feet of useful prefunction areas, a 36,000-square-foot ballroom, and 36 breakout rooms. Cafes, restaurants, and gorgeous outdoor areas with waterfront views complete the facility's long list of amenities.

Tampa Bay is a very affordable destination with a wide variety of budget-friendly accommodations. Getting around the area is very convenient, with easy on-foot access to facilities, accommodations, and entertainment venues. Attendees will also love the area's near-constant sunshine, 35 miles of award-winning nearby beaches, thrilling attractions, remarkable shopping, prestigious golf courses, and multiple water-recreation options.

As for accessibility, Tampa Bay's user-friendly international airport lies minutes from the convention center and accommodations. A streetcar system connects hotels, sporting events, restaurants, festive marketplaces, and nightlife. Hotel accommodations are plentiful, with 10,000 rooms within 10 minutes of the convention center and the 717-room Marriott Waterside convention center headquarters hotel a few steps across the street from the facility.

For More Information
Tampa Convention Center; phone: (813) 274-7772; fax: (813) 274-7776;
e-mail: mary.rocereto@tampaconventioncenter.com;
Web site: www.tampaconventioncenter.com  

High-Tech Specifications

• ISDN lines
• Internet connectivity through DSL anywhere in the building
• Full-color LED screen on outdoor marquis
• Closed-circuit television
• Cybercenter business center
• Full audiovisual capabilities

Convention Center Specifications

• 600,000-square-foot building
• 200,000 square feet of exhibit space (125,000 square feet unobstructed)
• 36 meeting rooms
• 36,000-square-foot ballroom
• 80,000-plus square feet of flexible prefunction space
• Beautiful exterior event space

Walt Disney World Resort

Destination Melds Creativity, High-Tech Support

Time is running out to take advantage of the tremendously popular "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, which continues to deliver more new attractions, event venues, entertainment, and record-breaking attendance for groups through 2008.

Hosting an event at Disney opens the door to world-famous creativity, unmatched service, and state-of-the-art technology. The Veracruz exhibit hall at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort features an information technology backbone that supports virtually any high-tech communications need, including customized LAN, VLAN, WAN, and VPN networking. At 86,000 square feet, the hall also boosts the total function space at Disney's largest convention resort to more than 220,000 square feet, on one level.

Attendees and exhibitors will also appreciate having Wi-Fi availability throughout the hall and all public areas. Disney makes similar technology available at all six of its convention resorts. And, where many hotels offer on-site tech assistance, only Disney resorts provide the full-service support of an on-site telecommunications company.

Complementing the latest technology is an array of exceptional services for planners and attendees - part of the Disney Difference. Disney's Magical Express provides Disney resort guests with complimentary airport transfers, luggage delivery, and advance airline check-in, eliminating the need to book private shuttles or taxis. The enormous savings potential is easy to see.

Disney's Exhibitor Concierge, a complimentary service, is offered at select resorts as an exhibitor's single source for everything from in-booth support and technology needs to planning assistance for private client events.

Other Disney Difference benefits include private events in the Disney theme parks, powerful program content by the Disney Institute, and exclusive theme park meeting/convention tickets - all delivered with Disney's legendary commitment to creativity and service.

Boasting six convention resorts and more than 600,000 square feet of function space, the Walt Disney World Resort is unparalleled for conventions, trade shows, and meetings. The resort is also home to four theme parks, championship golf courses, world-class spas, two nighttime entertainment districts, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, and a complimentary Disney transportation system.

No other destination on Earth compares to the Walt Disney World Resort. Whether yours is an intimate board meeting or an annual event of 10,000, an unforgettable experience is in store.

For More Information
Walt Disney World Resort, P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000; phone: (321) 939-7107; fax: (321) 939-7173, e-mail: meetings@disneyworld.com Web site: www.disneymeetings.com

HIGH-TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Exclusive on-site technical support
• Fiber-optic cable throughout
• Customized networking including LAN, VLAN, WAN, and VPN
• Dedicated T1, DS3, and OC3 lines
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Web casting and videoconferencing from the show floor via ISDN or IP
• Satellite uplink/downlink
• Wi-Fi Internet access in public areas
• High-speed Internet access in all guest rooms

Walt Disney World Resort At A Glance

• Six spectacular convention resorts offer more than 5,000 guest rooms and suites (additional accommodations available at other Disney resorts)
• More than 600,000 square feet of function space
• Unforgettable private events in the world-famous Disney Theme Parks
• Disney's Exhibitor Concierge - full-service support exclusively for exhibitors
• Disney's Magical Express - complimentary airport transfers, luggage delivery, and advance airline check-in for all guests