wachovia center: a great view of the action

TM
ISSUE ELEVEN
WACHOVIA CENTER: A GREAT VIEW OF THE ACTION
In 1996 the Wachovia Center was built in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania as a leading, state of the art entertainment facility
and home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers. Growing
expectations from fans have put pressure on arenas to greatly
enhance the visitor experience both before the game and during
breaks. In October of 2005, the 21,000-seat multipurpose
venue rose to the challenge when it opened its doors to a brand
new 8,000 sq ft. concourse known as the Cingular Pavilion, the
largest bar inside any sporting arena in the United States.
Comcast-Spectacor, owners of the Wachovia Center, wanted to
provide their fans a venue in which they could enjoy food and
drink, live entertainment, and also be able to view any
number of sporting events while being only a few steps
away from the live action in the venue. In order to get the
space up and running, Vistacom Inc was brought in to
provide and install the technology that fills the Cingular
Pavilion.
The newly constructed addition features 28 large, 45” High
Definition LCD screens, which provide for a strong visual
impact. The screens are mounted on special “swing arm”
mounting systems so that the screen can be positioned for
viewing at any angle. These mounted screens are spread
throughout the concourse, allowing fans to get a front row
seat, no matter where they are located. An additional six
35” monitors were also integrated for fans to view live game action, and televised sporting events.
“You can't walk by the Pavilion without being lured in,” stated Ike Richman, Comcast-Spectacor Vice
President of Public Relations. “The quality of the images and the fact that there is a different game on each
screen, it really gives people variety.”
The Pavilion is also equipped with a state-or-the-art audio
system. There are two audio reinforcement systems, one for
use with a raised platform stage at the front of the concourse,
and one for use with the bar stage. This allows the venue to
provide live music and broadcasts from area radio stations to
specific areas of the concourse. With all the added technology,
Richman has found that the return- on- investment, has been
great. The popularity of the bar has grown to such an extent
that even if there is not an event at the Wachovia Center itself,
the Cingular Pavilion opens it's doors to crowds from the
neighboring Wachovia Spectrum and Citizens Bank Park.
“The Cingular Pavilion really draws people to the area,” said
Richman. “We are always trying to ad interactive elements, we
want everyone to have a good time and keep coming back.”
What Is Digital Signage and Why Would I Need It?
What?
The millennial generation was raised on the moving image. HDTV, MTV,
flat-screen P.Cs, PDAs and other electronics have created a generation
with high expectations of media and its message. No wonder digital
signage--a new presentation technology--is making its way into our world.
Digital Signage is an industry whereby plasmas, LCDs, computer
monitors and normal televisions are used to replace and enhance
traditional signs. The advantages of digital signage include the rapid
ability to update content, and the ability to deliver specific messages to
specific audiences in specific locations. Digital signage is helping to
merge the industries of advertising networks and point of purchase display
merchandising.
The content displayed on digital signage screens can range from simple text and still images to full-motion
video, with or without audio. Some operators of digital signage networks, particularly in the retail industry,
regard their networks as comparable to television channels, displaying
entertaining and informational content interspersed with advertisements .
Digital signage is used for many different purposes:
-Information – examples include campus maps and directions within
college lobbies, emergency alerts, corporate events and messages
-Advertising Related to the Location to Uplift Sales – examples include
in-store promotions in a retail establishment
-Advertising by Third Parties – examples include restaurant-based
digital signage networks that sell advertising to local
merchants/service providers and national advertisers
Enhanced Customer Experience – examples include digital signage in
restaurant waiting areas to reduce perceived wait-time and recipe demonstrations in food stores
Why?
-Because you eliminate the need to print and distribute static signs
every time you change your message or campaign, you save on
expensive printing costs and processing time. What you will have is
instant digital programming with informative and entertaining content.
Despite the common belief that digital signage is too expensive, case
studies have shown that when compared to printing costs, your return
on investment can be as little as 1 1/2 years.
-You can turn your Digital Signage Network into a profit center by
selling advertising time to your suppliers
-Due to its networking, a Digital Signage System allows you to change
content at multiple locations from one remote authoring station. Change
your message quickly on displays in one venue, or on any screen anywhere in the world via the internet.
-A digital sign has the stopping power to get your customers attention. Once you have commanded their
attention, you have an opportunity to influence their buying decisions. Large corporations have also found that
digital signage is a way to touch all employees at once with important company information.
-Once you have a digital signage system installed, you will be surprised by how many additional uses will
present themselves.
For more information on Digital Signage, visit our website at www.vistacominc.com
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UPLOAD & UPDATE
Thunder™ Virtual Flipchart™ System
Thunder, a new product being offered by Polyvision, replaces traditional paper flipcharts
with digital images providing collaborative teams all of the tools they need to work and
learn together or remotely. Thunder creates a stream of projected images that flows freely
between remote collaborative groups, allowing for complete creative flexibility, enabling
immediate integration of all forms of media and content into your meetings, and offering
the value of information preservation and persistence.
With Thunder:
-Local and remote teams work with the same information and participate in real-time
-Users are able to engage all key players, regardless of location
- Project participants' laptop content on the walls of the meeting room
-Leave a meeting without taking a single note or needing to copy flipchart content
-Content can be immediately distributed to all participants via email
For more information on Thunder, please visit the product section at www.vistacominc.com
IN THE COMMUNITY
Vistacom and Lehigh Valley Hospital have worked together to create the latest exhibit for the
Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology in Allentown PA. In conjunction with
“Da Vinci’s In The Community”, the center’s program which highlights corporations in the
region who have demonstrated innovation and creativity in the fields of science and
technology, LVH and Vistacom have developed an exhibit which highlights the hospital’s
latest technology within its Intensive Care Unit.
The exhibit is based on the Advanced-ICU unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital which has eight
computer screens that let the doctor monitor patients in their rooms to make sure their
conditions are improving. The ICU doctor can also use the computers to check how well the
patient is doing by looking at things such as their heart rate and blood pressure. By using
cameras in the patient's room, the doctor can look at everything from the patients eyes, to how
hard the patient is breathing and make sure everything is stable. Microphones in the patient
room let the doctor talk to the patient to ask them
questions and see how they feel. If the patient’s
condition worsens, an alarm sounds, letting the doctor know that he needs to
help them right away. By using all these things, an Advanced-ICU doctor can
check on many patients, save lives, and never have to leave his desk.
The exhibit at the Center is modeled directly after the Lehigh Valley Hospital
ICU unit. Children meet Dr. Matchett, the hospital’s head intensivist, who
walks visitors through how the technology works, and why it was developed.
Dr. Matchett then invites children to look in on several patients with him, so
that they can see the technology in use.
The exhibit is running for the remainder of the summer. Details can be found
at the Da Vinci Discovery Center website, www.discovery-center.org.
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Vistacom Inc. Ranks 17th in United States
COMPANY MAKES TOP 50 AND IS FEATURED IN “SYSTEM CONTRACTOR NEWS”
Vistacom Inc. Has announced that the company was listed
among the Top 50 Systems Integrators of 2005 by Systems
Contractor News, an industry news and business magazine
written for contractors, integrators and consultants who
specialize in the design and installation of audiovisual
communication solutions.
The listing is in it’s second year for the publication and
provides another measure of success for the electronic
systems industry. The criteria used to rank the included
companies were based upon revenue for 2005 and then by
number of employees.
"We are gratified to be recognized for our achievements,"
stated Jim Ferlino, Vice President Vistacom. "Being credited
as one of the top integrators in the country was an ideal way
to wind up such a successful year.
Along with the ranking, Systems Contractor News featured
Vistacom in the “Contractor Profile”, highlighting the many
areas in which the company has grown since it’s inception in
1954. The article also touches on the family atmosphere
that is still prevalent after all these years.
“One of the things we are most proud of at Vistacom is the fact
that we are a family owned company, that believes that all of the
employees of Vistacom are an extension of our family,” stated Angela Herring, marketing director for
Vistacom. “All of the departments within Vistacom go the extra mile to work with each other and with the
clients to provide the best possible solution for everyone.”
This story can be found in the March 2006 issue of SCN
1902 Vultee St.
Allentown, Pa. 18103
800-747-0459
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