depending on their budget, to stream their keynote in as opposed to having them there in person. But we’re seeing less and less of the hybrid model --rather it’s there and used when needed.” A NEW PARADIGM “There’s a new temperature for events,” Licygiewicz continues. “We’re seeing the ‘experience’ starting to come back. When people set foot in your facility, they want to see and remember something different -- whether it’s a photo op area, a networking space, a quiet space, or a sensory space. People want to be wowed, and coming out of the virtual world, you had better have something cool planned. Creating those key moments and making the time for that balance during the meeting has become very important. “How do we continue to stay up to date; how do we continue to not be sterile; and how do we continue to wow people as they come through our doors?” the GM posits. “Well, luckily, we are a new building and we have some really robust technology in place. We’re always looking to improve on those things and researching what the future will be. I have a feeling that in the next few years, we’ll be on track to get some more robust upgrades, but as far as technology goes, I would say signage communication is probably the biggest one that we’ve done -- telling people where they have to go and making sure they are getting from Point A to Point B very cohesively. We installed a new LED wall and four or five more signs in the building to help get people where they need to be. We have great partners in ACES. They keep investing in their equipment and having the newest technology for producers in making sure that everyone’s meeting is going to plan.” ASSESSING THE MARKET “Thanks to the Albany Convention Center Authority and their continued support, we’ve taken a look at the state of New York as a whole, as well as where our competitors are regionally and nationally, to see where we measure up in providing experiences and treating the guest or exhibitor with something they’ll remember.” Renovations were a focal point for the facility heading into this fall. “We just went through a soft 134 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12
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