THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008
Upgrades Continue At Convention Center
The Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center has been the focus of attention by senior Rosemont officials, who are directing significant improvements in the facility.
"The Stephens Center drives business and revenues in Rosemont," said Mayor Bradley A. Stephens. "It's one of the most successful tradeshow and convention centers in the nation. We need to keep it competitive."
"The improvements begin even before the visitor gets to the door," commented Stephens Center General Manager Christopher Stephens.
"We are right in the middle of a $3.2 million project, improving the entryway into the center. It should be done by early summer."
A five-fountain centerpiece, elegant landscaping and LED lighting effects are all part of the $3.2 million improvement to the Stephens Convention Center main entryway.
"More than a million visitors a year pass through these doors," said Chris Stephens. "We want this area to be more than utilitarian. We want it to be the most convenient, easily accessed and elegant entryway we can create - one that is appropriate for a world-class convention center."
Once inside the center, the next improvement is easy to find. A new TouchQuest FlyteBoard, developed by Flyte Systems, in partnership with digital signage software provider, Digital Minds Inc., has been installed in the lobby.
The TouchQuest FlyteBoard is a wall-mounted, high-definition, flat panel screen that provides attendees with glance-and-go airline flight information for convenient and confident travel planning. What sets FlyteSystems applications apart from other PC-based systems is its ability to post accurate real-time airline flight arrival and departure information, not FAA-regulated scheduled departure times that do not list delays caused by air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, crew availability and weather.
Additionally, two AD-VantagePoint kiosk systems have been installed running TouchQuest®, a user-friendly self-service application designed to assist the traveling public with valuable information and local services.
The TouchQuest Dual Display systems at the Stephens Center are being seen by thousands of visitors each month and are assisting in promoting local businesses within the Rosemont area. The information displayed on TouchQuest is expansive and rich. Restaurant menus, photos, maps, directions, shopping, nightlife and activities comprise just some of the data available via TouchQuest.
The TouchQuest systems provide touch screen interactivity together with a large secondary digital signage display. The interactive kiosk portion of the product is a stainless steel, free-standing, fully integrated 19" LCD and touch screen system from SeePoint Technology. The overhead digital signage utilizes a commercial grade; flat panel 40" LCD by NEC, offering full HD 1080p resolution for superior quality and graphics performance.
In addition to the TouchQuest® Systems, the Rosemont Convention and Tourism Bureau will be installing a state-of-the-art visitor information kiosk in the coming months. The bureau's new kiosk will incorporate two 32" touch screens for facility way-finding, 3D maps, event schedules, and additional self-service amenities. This kiosk will add additional LCD displays as well, expanding the digital signage network and mediums available to surrounding businesses, exhibitors and trade show management.
A new security system including camera installation is up and operating. "Last year, the Stephens Center was ranked the safest center in the Midwest," added Chris Stephens. "Rosemont is renowned for its progressive public safety model. Our facilities must reflect that high standard. We should be ranked the safest center in the nation."
Although not physically in the Stephens Center, Rosemont's Web site, www.rosemont.com, is a conduit of information for the center and the village. Although it is an award-wiinning site and attracts several million visitors annually, www.rosemont.com was just completely redesigned and retooled in order to accommodate increased communication using more advanced technology.
The result is a brand new site that is easier to use, easier to modify and update, and easier to promote, through more search engine optimization tools.
A few examples of improvements include:
A crisp, clean Homepage splash page featuring alternating imagery and a strong left navigation clarity;
the use of HTML for all text, including headlines and image tags, making the site more visible to Google, Yahoo, AOL and other search engines;
the addition of an HTML sitemap that will increase usage;
an upgraded dining area that is easier to peruse;
links to downloadable PDFs of floor plans and parking for the tradeshow manager and meeting planner;
a new interface featuring administrative improvements to streamline calendar additions and much more.
"We are very excited about all the new improvements, amenities and information available to Stephens Center visitors," concluded Chris Stephens. "Convenience is a commodity in today's business world. The more we can increase convenience, the more value we are adding for our clientele."
The Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center remains one of the few municipally-owned centers in the nation that returns revenues - without any subsidies-to its host community and the State of Illinois.