Automated, sophisticated bandwidth management is a potent arrow in the Loews quiver, thanks to the chain's collaboration with LodgeNet Entertainment. Several years ago, the two decided to join forces in an effort to facilitate meetings arrangements.

Until Loews Hotels and LodgeNet developed what has come to be known as LodgeNet Conference Services, bandwidth arrangement was done manually, says Tony Del Mastro, Loews' chief technology officer. Among the services offered: pre-conference planning, customized network solutions and network monitoring.

“There was a certain amount of bandwidth available in your meeting space and you would have to calculate what your sales people were selling to potential guests,” Del Mastro says. “What this tool enables us to do is not only reserve ports in a conference room but control the bandwidth for those ports as well.”

A hotel with a three-megabyte “pipe” might have to distribute bandwidth among 15 conference rooms, which is difficult to manage manually. “One group may require a full meg, another an eighth of a meg,” Del Mastro says. “This tool helps slice and dice and control the bandwidth.”

Even someone not versed in IT can log onto a “user-friendly” screen to choose a date and conference room, then select the bandwidth the group needs. “A calculation will happen behind the scenes, and if you've oversold that day, it'll tell you how much space you have left. The day of the meeting, the tool will turn the port on and allocate the appropriate purchased bandwidth to that port.” At the end, LodgeNet Conference Manager, the management tool itself, will shut off the bandwidth, freeing up the room for new business. Circle 175

ATMs

ATM units from ATM Systems feature custom-designed cabinets that can blend with any hotel décor. In addition, custom screened graphics can promote in-house events and inform guests about special offerings and services. Circle 176

Coffee

Portland Roasting offers a hotel pack for single- and four-cup brewers featuring the company's distinctive Farm Friendly Direct coffees. The selection offers Morning Blend and Vienna Roast blends in .8- and 1.5-ounce filter packs, regular and decaffeinated. Other offerings include a condiment pack, Portland Roast's eco-friendly econtainer, a coffee cup, a black lid and an assortment of Bulk Mighty Leaf teas. Circle 178

Icemaker/Dispenser

Hoshizaki America's DT-400BAH-OS Cubelet Icemaker/Dispenser is a hands-free water- and ice-dispensing unit. The self-contained space-saving design and front-in and rear-out flow allow the unit to be put in narrow spaces. The Opti-Serve hands-free dispensing feature reduces the likelihood of cross-contamination. Circle 177

Tri-Fold Tables

The SICO Tri-Fold Room Service Table is the only roomservice table available with leaves that are locked in an upright position, the company says. SICO also offers a bi-fold table, a rigid bi-fold table and a uni-fold table. Circle 179

Pest Management

Orkin offers comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs designed to guide hotels toward more environmentally friendly pest-control practices and a triple guarantee for total protection. Circle 180

Music System

The new Bose Wave music system incorporates waveguide speaker technology to reproduce one-half octave lower musical notes without increasing the system's size. It also uses proprietary signal processing to improve instrument clarity and definition at all listening levels. The system has no buttons and is controlled by a credit-card-style remote. It's designed to interface with other Bose products through proprietary Bose link technology. Circle 181

Poolside Menus

Fun Premiums offers a unique waterproof menu in the shape of a kickboard. It can be imprinted with the name of the hotel or resort or co-branded with the name of a supplier of liquor, soft drinks or other products. It's made of non-breakable styrofoam, comes in yellow, blue or red and can be used in the pool. Circle 182

Roofing Tiles

With seven standard colors, 11 premium colors and seven color blends, InSpire roofing makes it easy to match any style. Using technologically advanced methods and eco-friendly materials, InSpire roofing has the appearance of natural slate but is more durable with its 100-percent recyclable blend of virgin resins and natural limestone. Circle 183