OREANDA-NEWS. A first Hampton by Hilton business-class hotel has opened in Volgograd and boasts a technological infrastructure which brings the city's business events and celebrations to a brand new level. CROC created the conference room multimedia infrastructure for the hotel in a project worth a total of RUB 20 million.

“Today, the hotel business is not just about comfortable accommodations. It is also about providing space for meetings, business events, and corporate holidays. This is why we created a universal, easy-to-use and inexpensive-to-manage conference room which can be transformed depending on the event type. We are very happy with the project results and expect to welcome more guests and therefore increase the hotel's profits. The expected payback period for our expenses on infrastructure creation is 6.5 years and I believe that the holding of 2018 FIFA World Cup in Volgograd will attract many tourists and fans. In addition, the conference room of the Hampton by Hilton hotel has become the Regional Administration's preferred location for meetings to prepare for the World Cup. There is simply no other site as advanced as this to arrange high-profile negotiations in Volgograd," said Alexander Zverev, Director of Hotel Business of Stoliya Group, the project investor.

The conference space of the Hampton by Hilton Volgograd Profsoyuznaya hotel is designed to hold a total of 350 guests and can be modified depending on the number and type of simultaneous events. Mobile soundproof walls allow for the dividing of the conference space into smaller conference rooms. In addition, a high-speed internet connection is available for fully-fledged and comfortable operations while intuitive control systems for wall-mounted multimedia solutions were also installed. Furthermore, many features were automated: for example, there is no need to manually switch multimedia panel modes since, when the room configuration changes, audio and video systems adjust automatically to the new conditions. Also, the fact that equipment settings can be managed on an iPad using a mobile touch panel is convenient for operators because they do not have to sit at a stationary workplace.

The room is equipped with advanced solutions, including a high-brightness HD display system, two sound systems (stationary for conferences and mobile for banquets and concerts), three lighting systems (general lighting with smooth dimming, surround lighting for comfortable atmosphere, and banquet lighting with special effects). In addition, for high-profile events, three microphone systems were installed (wired microphones, wireless handheld and clip-on microphones, and a conference system for 25 participants). Two digital signage systems allow the hotel to better inform guests about the location of primary zones, services, and conference room activities. All these systems were connected via high-tech audio and video switching and a professional mixing system with external connection units.

“The project was challenging. First, deadlines were very tough: we had just six months to design and install the multimedia systems. Next, we strived to reduce project costs. Finally, the project scope included eight types of systems based on equipment from nine manufacturers (AMX, Vaddio, NEC, Harman, Showtec, Lutron, etc.). A unified interface for the transmission of all signal types, matrix switching and a distributed hatch system in the room became cost-saving drivers. As a result, functionality remained the same while the cost of switching equipment was cut by half," said Pavel Pochtennov, Head of Smart Media Systems, CROC.