Westin Long Beach Hotel Hosts Local Businesses and Events in High-Tech Meeting Space Protected by Furman

Competition is stiff among hotels that want to host events and corporate meetings for local businesses. To attract the event planners and meeting managers, the Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California, recently transformed its large ballroom into a 4-room convertible space with divisible walls. To further enhance the space, the hotel turned to local integration firm Spinitar to incorporate the latest audio system and technology. According to Rudy Zavala, Associate Systems Designer at the firm, the goal of the installation came down to three things: simplicity, functionality and reliability.

“One big ballroom is great if you want to host large receptions or conferences, but the ability to split the space into four smaller rooms offers the hotel greater revenue opportunities and opens access to smaller parties and budgets,” Zavala explained. “But it’s not as simple as just putting in some convertible walls. Separate rooms mean you need separate audio systems and control interfaces that can also function as a single unit when the room is fully open for a larger event. To do this we used QSC’s Core 500i network audio solution backed by the protection of a BlueBOLT-enabled Furman F1500-UPS to ensure smooth, effortless operation 365 days a year.”

Routing all the power through the Furman UPS boasts multiple advantages. Utilizing the BlueBOLT cloud-based power, energy and network management platform, the device enables Spintar to access the equipment at its power source from anywhere in the world using any Web-enabled device. In case of a locked-up device or system power issue, the integrators can do remote hard resets of the touch panels, amplifiers and network switcher, even the entire QSC system if needed, greatly reducing service calls. This provides efficiency for both the hotel and the integrator, saving them time, money and frustration.

Featuring Furman’s advanced Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) surge/spike protection circuit, Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) and Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT), the F1500-UPS provides the hotel with professional-level protection, filtration and backup combined with features engineered specifically for the needs of A/V systems. Fully programmable, the unit features an intuitive LCD front panel interface, which displays valuable system and diagnostic information, such as battery time remaining based on current load and voltage input/output. Additionally, critical load management capabilities allow hotel employees to prioritize allocations of battery power to connected equipment while the unit’s programmable IR blasters provide safe shutdown of remotely based equipment.

“Easy-to-use is an all encompassing term,” Zavala concluded. “This means that guests must be able to walk in to the space and use the system right away, every time. Additionally, the hotel managers and staff should be able to operate the meeting rooms without worrying about complicated technology. The GUI we created for the audio system is a floorplan of the space, with each touch panel opening up to its section of the room, and all the other sections are available by simply flipping to the next page of the interface. This way presenters can quickly use the input panels to hook up a microphone, iPod, or video player to one section or the whole room, while setting volumes for each specific area.”

Best of all, the system is designed to be easy-to-use for the integrators themselves. Incorporating the Furman F1500-UPS into the system simplifies the configuration, ultimately saving Zavala and his team time and money through BlueBOLT remote power management.

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NanoLumens® Displays Take Center Stage at TD Garden in Boston

Underscoring the increasingly important role its visual display solutions are playing in arenas around the country, NanoLumens®, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of indoor LED display solutions, today announced that 40 of its NanoSlim™ LED displays have been installed at TD Garden, with more to come, as part of a two-year comprehensive arena-wide renovation project.  

What’s more, according to NanoLumens Vice President of Regional Sales Dana Michaelis, the NanoLumens solution at TD Garden includes the world’s first installation of the company’s next generation NanoLumens Transparent Visualization displays.  On display in Legends, TD Garden’s newly renovated and largest restaurant, the new NanoLumens Transparent Visualization display utilizes state-of-the-art nano-optical particle diffusion.  The NanoLumens Transparent Visualization displays allow objects to seamlessly float in space and are part of an increasing line of large-scale visualization solutions now being developed by the pioneering tech leader that introduced the world to flexible LED displays.

“NanoLumens isn’t simply a manufacturer,” Michaelis said today.  “NanoLumens is a forward-looking visual solutions visionary that has a very deep research and development capability.  We are demonstrating this capability in a significant way with the installation of our first Transparent Visualization displays in a major arena installation.  Earlier this year, we installed our first Transparent Visualization display at a major cosmetics company’s retail locations, but today marks the first major commercial installation of multiple Transparent Visual displays.”

The NanoLumens displays were installed at TD Garden by HB Communications, the North Haven, Connecticut based audio-visual systems integrator that prides itself on creating human connections in a virtual world.  “Our partnership with NanoLumens allowed us to think very strategically and very creatively to develop a complete visualization solution that would redefine the fan experience at TD Garden,” explained HB Communications CEO Dana Barron.  “NanoLumens’s has long offered customers the most selection of display options in any size, shape, or curvature, but the commercialization of its transparent visualization technology takes the company to a whole new level.”

“Delaware North and the Jacobs family are committed to bringing fans a first class experience at the TD Garden,” said Lorraine Spadaro, VP of Technology at TD Garden.  "The Nanolumens technology provides exceptional functionality, delivering architecturally flexible display canvas for our hi-res digital content for our fans and corporate clients. These major investments in cutting edge technology and infrastructure have helped us maintain the arena’s industry-leading status as we approach our 20-year anniversary.”  

This privately financed, two-year transformation at TD Garden includes renovations of the level 4 and 7 concourse, development of a new ProShop on level 2 of the arena, comprehensive renovation of Legends, and upgraded technology infrastructure throughout.  Despite a busy construction schedule, the TD Garden will remain open throughout the renovations with limited construction impacts.

Design of the renovations to the concourse, the arena’s largest fan gathering areas, is being led by Rossetti Architects, a renowned sports and hospitality architecture firm.  Rossetti’s goal is to infuse the rich history of the City of Boston, the Bruins and the Celtics with modern technology that activates fan engagement physically and digitally and that brings sponsorship activation to life. 

Station Earth Wins Three Major CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards for a Massive Installation Featuring the ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System

At CEDIA Expo 2014, Station Earth, a leading ELAN dealer for 13 years, took home three major industry awards for a single installation that features ELAN g! as the brain of a home control and entertainment system valued at more than one million dollars. The integration firm won the CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® gold award in “Best Hidden Installation” and the silver award in “Best Integrated System $450,001 and over”, while also claiming the title of Electronic House magazine’s “Best Hidden Install of the Year.” 

“We’re thrilled to have won these three top honors at CEDIA Expo, and this multi-award-winning system serves to show that ELAN can truly stand up to any home automation system on the market today,” said John Stumpf, sales manager at Station Earth. “We’re loyal to ELAN because they make the best product at a price that allows us to reach a broad client base while also delivering top-of-the-line installations and service for even the largest jobs.”

The installation at this 18,000-square-foot home encompassed everything from multi-room audio and video to gate control and generator monitoring. The home features 231 lighting, fan and motor loads, 51 motorized window treatments, 24 HD security cameras, a security system with 50 zones, 23 zones of HVAC, humidity and temperature monitoring, control of eight garage doors and a driveway gate, 23 zones of video, 25 zones of audio and a full anamorphic home theater, all controlled with ELAN. 

“We used a combination of in-wall touch-panels, tabletop touch-panels, HR2 remotes and the ELAN g! mobile app to give our clients the easiest, most accessible home control no matter where they are in the house,” Stumpf said. “In fact, there are 23 HR2 remotes, one with almost every TV, because we believe it’s the only way to deliver a true TV viewing experience with dedicated hard buttons that mobile devices lack. Every aspect of this installation, from the interfaces used to the specialized design employed to hide as much of the electronics as possible, works together to create the ultimate smart-home experience.”

To win the two awards for “Best Hidden Installation,” Station Earth designed several key hidden components, starting with a TV that swivels down out of a wall, where it is stored sideways to conserve space. In the anamorphic theater room a hidden button within the front millwork opens a concealed door to reveal the true show stopper - three full size equipment racks levitating off the floor, held on a custom made cradle that motorizes back and forth in its room when servicing or upgrading is required.  The cradle glides on steel I-beams, held in place and riding on the same wheels that are used on roller coaster tracks. The overhead I-beams are welded to structural steel bolted into the home’s foundation and adjacent walls.  All the wiring for the home’s automation system and theater room is cascaded into the hanging rack assembly on industrial cable management cat tracks to prevent binding or pinching when the rack assembly is moved back and forth.

The home’s massive audio system comprises nearly 160 speakers and 30 subwoofers, including 90 outdoor speakers and 19 outdoor subwoofers. Paired with the home’s 27 TVs, the owners never have to go far to catch up on their favorite shows or listen to their favorite music. 

The CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles Designer Awards are considered the most prestigious awards program for the $10 billion residential electronic systems industry. Work submitted for the Electronic Lifestyles Designer Awards is completed in consumer homes around the world in categories including home theaters, integrated homes, media rooms, hidden installations and more. Submissions range from $40,000 single-room projects to whole-house integration systems that carry price tags topping $3 million.

The winning project submitted by Station Earth is published in the Electronic Lifestyles Designer Awards Book with color images and essay explanations of the project’s challenges and full list of products used. Station Earth will also be featured in an upcoming issue of CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles® magazine.

Agnico Eagle "Strikes Gold" With Stunning Prysm Collaboration Videowall Installation by Advanced!

Global mining corporation Agnico Eagle selects Advanced to design and install a complete video conferencing system and Prysm Collaboration Videowall to update their executive boardroom in downtown Toronto.

Agnico Eagle, an industry-leading global mining company, recently set out to replace their 10-year-old AV system in their Toronto executive boardroom. In doing so, they wanted to be sure to incorporate the latest, most innovative display and video conferencing technology on the market — and to do just that they turned to Advanced, Canada’s leading AV integrator, to envision, design and install integrated AV and IT solutions and a 9’ x 6’ high Prysm Collaboration Videowall.

“We are honored to have been chosen by Agnico Eagle to transform their boardroom into a stunning collaboration environment,” David Weatherhead, Co-President at Advanced, said today. “Agnico Eagle succeeds by using the most up-to-date technology on a daily basis. It only makes sense that their executive boardroom would adhere to the same standard.”

The solution envisioned by Advanced features an all-new video conferencing and control system, including a SMART 84" Interactive Flat Panel Display and SMART Meeting Pro software for video conferencing and presentations, a Crestron Wireless Touch Panel and Processor for control, as well as Sony Hi-Res camera and Apple TV system for high-definition video streaming. The main attraction, a 9’ x 6’ high Prysm Collaboration Videowall, sits inthe wall at the head of the executive table.

“Agnico Eagle had toured Advanced’s display showroom, and decided on the Prysm Collaboration Videowall display to enhance office suite work, conduct presentations and host videoconferencing sessions,” Advanced General Manager of Systems Integration Omar Prashad said today. “Although Prysm is a more expensive option than LED or Plasma technology, Agnico Eagle understood the value of the investment. Prysm patented laser tiles require less maintenance in the long run. The eco-credentials and energy saving attributes really helped convince them that Prysm was the right technology.”

The Prysm Collaboration Videowall includes in a 5x4 tile configuration made up of 20 TD2 tiles, a videowall controller, interconnect cabling and a decorative skin. With a lifecycle of 5-6 years, Prysm technology is extremely energy-efficient, using less power than the common household hair drier.

What’s more, Advanced designed the Prysm Videowall so that it recesses into the wall behind it, appearing as if the digital signage is built into the building’s infrastructure! “Agnico Eagle trusted that we would do a great job designing and installing such an advanced piece of technology,” Prashad said. “The videowall truly transforms the office space.”

Agnico Eagle took flight back in 1957, when mining legend Paul Penna brought together his silver-producing interests in Cobalt, Ontario with his gold exploration activities in the Abitibi region of northwestern Quebec. The eventual merger of Agnico Mines Limited with Eagle Gold Mines formed Agnico Eagle, today one of the largest gold mining companies in the world.

I-X Center Selects NanoLumens® For Complete Range of Indoor LED Display Solutions

Cleveland’s International Exposition Center, also known as the I-X Center, has awarded a major contract to NanoLumens®, the world leader in LED indoor displays, to provide the exposition center with a complete range of NanoWrap and fixed NanoSlim indoor LED signage solutions, according to Karen Robinson, NanoLumens Executive Vice President of Business Development. The installation of the displays will be completed by April 1, 2014.
 
“We are proud to have been selected to provide the I-X Center with a broad range of 22 indoor LED displays, ranging from a 30’ X 17’ flat screen to 8’ X 8’ wrap screens, virtually including every type of fixed and curved display we offer,” Robinson said. “When completed, the I-X Center will become a compelling showcase for our design and manufacturing capabilities.”
 
“We look forward to lighting up the I-X Center with NanoLumens’ state-of-the-art LED screens at our diverse schedule of consumer and trade shows held throughout the year,” said Brad Gentille, President of the I-X Center. “This investment furthers our mission to consistently improve the I-X Center experience for all show attendees and producers.  With over 1.5 million visitors per year, we also plan to display information on the growing amount of world class attractions surrounding the I-X Center, which have contributed to making  the City of Cleveland a top destination.”
 
About I-X Center
The International Exposition Center (I-X Center) in Cleveland, Ohio is one of the nation’s premier exhibition facilities. It is the 9th largest convention center in the world, comprised of 2.2 million sq. ft., including more than one million sq. ft. of contiguous flexible presentation space.  I-X Center is conveniently located adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, just 15 minutes southwest of downtown, with nearby hotels and secure on-site parking for more than 10,000 vehicles. With a unique ‘one-stop sourcing’ model for all production services, the I-X Center has hosted more than 1,500 events attracting 50 million visitors during the past 30 years. www.ixcenter.com.