Mobile Technology Has Checked In

No matter where you look these days the hot topic is mobile technology. Seemingly led by the iPhone and more recently the iPad (1 Million sold to date) mobile has checked in. Mobile apps are a $2billion+ business at iTunes. What was once seen as a geek toy is now mainstream and driving business.

But wait there’s more. Travel, e-commerce, and planners alike are changing and adapting to mobile. Some examples:

* An Amadeus report highlights how mobile technology is changing corporate travel

* Hospitality trends recent research summary showed Mobile E-Commerce Predicted to Increase 65% Annually Through 2015

* And Corbin Ball takes a look at where we are today and asks, 2010: The Meetings Technology Revolution – Are We There Yet???

I think it’s safe to say we’ve made the transition to the latest tech change. It wasn’t so long ago that laptops were dominant. And while sitting at your desk computing isn’t disappearing just yet -- it may simply be a matter of time. Technological change sometimes sneaks up on the unsuspecting – see newspapers – and network TV. Now it appears that year-old cell phones are obsolete.

As we move into a changing communication model in the meetings/convention/hotel world everyone needs to adapt. Change is being driven by meeting planners and guests demanding mobile access to relevant and usable information. So it’s not a question of will we deliver, but when.

Hotels and convention centers are adapting – some faster than others. A recent survey highlighted in SmartReport: Hotel Innovations & Technologies shows that venues’ mobile plans for 2010 include:

* 26% adding mobile site

* 22% adding mobile booking engine

* 24% adding iPhone app

* 33% not planning any mobile initiatives

Of those numbers I suppose the most interesting is the 33% who plan on doing nothing in the mobile area. There may be economic factors at play or it could just be limited vision. Whatever the reason, I believe that those who embrace new technologies – especially in response to user demand – are those that prosper.

Don Basler
Sr. Marketing Manager