Palmer Digital Group, a full-service supplier and installer of indoor and outdoor digital kiosks, drive-thru digital menu boards and canopy systems, returns to the National Restaurant Association Show this week with its latest outdoor display solutions for QSRs and Fast Casual restaurants. The full-service supplier, which also provides planning and installation services, will demonstrate its all-in-one outdoor digital menu board solutions and EV charging stations, showcasing PDG’s enclosures, integrated displays, and dynamic digital out-of-home (DOOH) media support for EV kiosks.

The Restaurant Show has proven a lucrative venue for PDG over the years, and the company anticipates that this year’s event will once again deliver. “We have onboarded at least four distribution partners each year, and our calculations prove that each one represents at least $500,000 in new annual sales,” said Chuck Lewis, Vice President, Palmer Digital Group. “That speaks to the value of demonstrating at this show, as do the contracts we have won from end customers like Buona that discovered us here.”

Lewis notes that QSR and Fast Casual restaurants are eager to transition to digital inside and outside their stores, and PDG”s installation services remove the time and costs of site planning, site preparation and crane lifts for end businesses. Many PDG menu board structures can be installed by two technicians, which along with the company’s installation services is a key differentiator from competitors. 

Palmer Digital Group will exhibit at Booth 5550 and contribute to demonstrations at three CMS partner booths. Across all four booths, visitors can see how businesses can creatively arrange, manage, update and monetize menu board content across one or more display panels. However, visitors will need to come to PDG’s booth to see its all-in-one EV charging solution, a Level 2 80-amp EV kiosk that supports dynamic DOOH content, energy-efficient electrification, cloud-based performance monitoring, and mobile payment solutions among other attributes.

“We see increasing interest in our EV charging solutions because they draw in new clientele that QSR and Fast Casual businesses can upsell to as they charge their vehicles,” said Lewis. “Restaurants can post their menu and promotional content on these displays in their parking lots as an appetizer to the dine-in customer experience.” 

For digital menu boards, PDG will provide single, double and triple outdoor enclosures with integrated displays across their three CMS partner booths. All three companies resell PDG enclosures that provide robust structural support for digital menu boards.

•  At Booth 6674, EyeCatch Networks will show PDG’s QSRMB255 double digital menu board solution with Samsung displays and content powered through its digital signage software.
• At Booth 8216, Stream LLC will show PDG’s QSRMB255 double and QSRMB155 single digital menu board solutions with LG displays and content powered through its digital signage software. PDG’s single-board solutions are often deployed as pre-sell boards at the beginning of the customer’s drive-thru journey.
• At Booth 6178, Zero-In will show PDG’s QSRMB355 triple menu board solution with Samsung displays and content powered through its digital signage software.

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips digital signage, interactive displays, direct view LED and professional TV products and solutions, is delighted to announce the expansion of its ‘Global Partner Alliance’ network, delivering unrivalled regional support and international expertise for hospitality customers across six continents. 

Officially launched at ISE 2022, PPDS’ exclusive, by invite, Global Partner Alliance (GPA) programme, was created to connect multinational businesses with PPDS’ top tier of regional integration specialists, for seamless execution of hospitality projects, of any scale, anywhere in the world.

Announced to members during the third global meeting for the PPDS GPA, hosted in Barcelona, Spain, the Alliance has grown by more than 50 additional partners – almost doubling numbers from 60 to 118 and now covering China and India – delivering enhanced specialist knowledge and support.

Each Alliance partner is selected based upon their capabilities, certifications, and ongoing relationship with PPDS. All GPA partners are trained and certified to deliver the best knowledge and performance across PPDS’ portfolio of products, services, and solutions.

Heading up the PPDS GPA, Simone Gagliardi commented: “We have been thrilled by the continued success and unrivalled relationships being formed within our Global Partner Alliance since it was officially launched. We are delighted to welcome new members to the community, bringing even greater strengths and wider reach to deliver seamless and consistent services to customers almost everywhere on the planet. With the GPA, we aim to remove the pain points traditionally experienced with multinational integrations, reaching through regional barriers to ensure projects are completed consistently, quickly and efficiently. There is nothing quite like the PPDS GPA.”

Franck Racape, VP Global Commercial at PPDS, concluded: “At PPDS, we strive for excellence in everything we do, from the products we are making in our factories through to the support we offer for installation and beyond. A significant and crucial part of that process is unquestionably our relationships with our partners. The GPA, together with our International Key Account Management approach, have allowed us to develop even closer relationships with the channel, aligning to bring ever greater value to our mutual customers.

“Since launch, the GPA has advanced from being a list of valued partners to a true global community. Far from being competitors, many of our GPA partners are now in regular communication, supporting each other where needed and, as clearly demonstrated at our GPA dinner in Barcelona and at other exclusive GPA events, they have become close business allies in the process. On behalf of PPDS, I welcome all our new GPA members and thank everyone for their continued devotion. Here’s to expanding into another successful year.”

Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel, has announced that its two purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, will be equipped with next generation Wi-Fi connectivity with SpaceX's Starlink, the leader in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology. The upgraded technology will provide Seabourn's expedition guests with faster service, greater connectivity and more reliable Wi-Fi wherever Starlink's services are available.

Seabourn Venture is the first ship in the Seabourn fleet to offer Starlink's Wi-Fi technology beginning with its May 12, 2023 voyage, just in time for the ship's second Arctic season. The line's second expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, will be equipped with the enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity after it launches in the summer of 2023. Seabourn's expedition ships will offer the best available Wi-Fi experience, allowing guests to stay connected with loved ones as they explore some of the most interesting and remote destinations in the world.

"We are committed to providing the best ultra-luxury expedition experiences at sea, and the Starlink partnership will offer a significantly enhanced connectivity experience during our expedition journeys," said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. "From the polar regions to Australia and the South Pacific, our guests will experience a more reliable connection, allowing them to share those special moments and experiences with their loved ones as they sail on Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit."

"Starlink offers Internet capabilities and functionality to meet growing service demands globally, and I am so pleased that guests and crew members on both of our expedition ships will benefit from this innovative technology," added Kathleen Erickson, Seabourn's vice president of technology.

Beginning May 12, 2023, guests sailing on Seabourn Venture will have access to the enhanced Wi-Fi service on board from the Arctic to Antarctica. The ship will sail on two voyages to British Isles and Ireland in May before kicking off its second season in the Arctic. Between June and August 2023, the ship will sail on a series of 14- and 15-day voyages to Greenland and Iceland, as well as a 23-day adventure through the Northwest Passage. The ship will then head down the West Coast of the Americas before reaching Antarctica, where it will sail between November 2023 and February 2024. In late February 2024, Seabourn Venture will cross the Atlantic, sail up the West Coast of Africa and Europe to be in position for the 2024 Arctic season. 

Tabit Technologies, a mobile first POS, and OpenTable announced an integration which streamlines front-of-house restaurant operations and enables restaurants to deliver more personalized hospitality for guests.

The integration was completed in late 2022 and became live in February of 2023 following a period of beta testing. It is now available to all OpenTable and Tabit restaurant customers.

• 71% say the ability to integrate with other systems is driving their POS purchase decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

With the integration of Tabit and OpenTable technologies, restaurants have a wealth of information at their fingertips, creating operational efficiencies and enabling them to deliver a more welcoming guest experience.

• OpenTable's booking data paired with Tabit's spend data gives restaurants a more holistic view of business performance
• Restaurant staff can quickly identify which guests are new, regulars, or top spenders
• Real-time information input from servers will now be available to front-of-house staff at Tabit restaurants, so hosts can automatically see when guests are seated and which course they're on, helping to minimize wait times and optimize table turn times and revenue.

Full Visibility

"One of the big wins we have had with Tabit is the OpenTable integration. Tabit's system can automatically update the OpenTable App with course statuses and check details, allowing the host or hostess to stay by their station, but still have full visibility into what's going on in the restaurant," said Managing Partner and Director of Operations at SALT7, Rob Berger. "Being able to keep a host from spending time walking the floor saves thousands of dollars annually because it means having one less host on shift per day."

Travel technology provider Amadeus has partnered with Canary Technologies to help hospitality customers improve e-signature and payment processes. Hoteliers are now able to benefit from expanded electronic signature and payment offerings integrated to their sales and catering solutions. 

With the addition of Canary Technologies’ e-signature and payment platform, Amadeus’ Delphi solution offers even more choice and flexibility to customers who are looking to integrate electronic signature and payment capabilities. Hoteliers are able to send proposals and contracts directly to clients, who sign and make payments electronically in an entirely contactless, digital experience. Amadeus customers who use Canary’s platform will enjoy reduced costs as well as more efficient and secure document signing processes.  

Amadeus’ award-winning portfolio of solutions – the most extensive in the industry – helps customers drive profitable demand, increase operational efficiency, and elevate the guest experience. Continued expansion within the hospitality technology ecosystem allows Amadeus to provide even more innovative strategies and solutions to support every stage of the traveler’s journey. 

“We are thrilled to join Amadeus in providing a modern, efficient and secure contract signature and payment solution to their customers,” says Bryan Michalis, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Canary Technologies. “Our award-winning platform is ideally suited to help Amadeus’ Delphi customers operate more efficiently and effectively, and we look forward to supporting these hoteliers as we move forward.”

Javier Campo, Vice President, Partners, Hospitality, Amadeus, adds, “We are committed to the success of our customers. Our new strategic partnership with Canary Technologies will be integral to providing hoteliers with the technology options they need to stay competitive and improve operations.”

Grata is a reputation platform dedicated to capturing and showcasing the value frontline service workers provide to customers and brands. Following a successful round of seed funding in December 2022, Grata announces their innovational reputation platform is now available in five different brands and eleven restaurant locations in Dallas and Miami. All seven of the Mesero Restaurant Group locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth region and four dining outlets in Miami launched the Grata platform. The restaurants in Miami include Bar Centro, Hyde Beach, Bazaar and Katsuya located in SLS South Beach. Gates Hotel in Miami’s South Beach has also adopted Grata throughout their hotel. 

Grata helps brands build a culture of exceptional customer service through recognition, retention and reputation. Through Grata’s reputation management platform, customers are given the opportunity to recognize frontline workers for unforgettable experiences in real-time. Employees can publicly capture and showcase their proven reputation of exceptional customer experiences. Brands can reward and retain their top performers, while building a culture of service through customer insights.

The community is free and accessed through QR codes, not requiring customers to download an app. The customer can scan a QR left in the check presenter, on a nametag, table tent, wearable or handheld POS device to leave an employee a “Grata '' to recognize and endorse them for their great service. Employee reputations are no longer centralized within employer’s reviews, they are publicly credited to the individuals that create and cultivate exceptional guest experiences.  The frontline worker is building a reputation and resume for service quality for themselves as well as their employer’s brand. In turn managers can leverage real-time customer service insights to identify, reward and retain their top team members and create a standard and reputation of service quality. Service brands are able to provide a truly personal guest experience by capturing the feedback and interests of their most valuable customers to drive brand loyalty.

A property known nationally for its exceptional service and skilled staff, SLS South Beach was an early adaptor to Grata, participating in its beta forms in 2022. Simon Sopresi, Vice President of Operations Miami, Mexico & South America with Ennismore Lifestyle Hospitality Company, has long seen the intrinsic value of team members who make guest’s stays exceptional at the hotel.  

“Our staff and customers love the easy-to-use Grata platform,” said Sopresi. “Our guests enjoy having access to a tool that allows them to express gratitude for excellent customer service on an easy-to-use platform. And our staff members are able to scroll through the recognition they have received at any time, offering them an opportunity to capture the praise they have received in a cumulative and permanent digital format. It fuels employee and customer satisfaction, while also providing us insight into the experiences our customers value most.” 

“As so much of our brand’s culture revolves around exemplary service and memorable experiences for our guests, implementing Grata was an easy decision for us,” Mesero Restaurant Group President and CEO Trey Dyer said. “We have seen an immediate positive response from our staff and from our guests with the easy to use QR codes. It is always exciting to see our employees being appreciated by our customers and we are looking forward to further increased engagement between them on the Grata platform.”

Grata is reshaping the culture of service through recognition, retention and reputation in brands that differentiate themselves through the guest experience.  Grata founder Mark Bunting believes the importance of frontline service workers is indisputable. The army of service employees are directly linked to the guest’s experience with any service brand. Any customer service-focused enterprise will benefit from technology that shines a light on the quality service that keeps customers coming back. 

“It’s really gratifying to see our growth continue to accelerate over the past quarter. Great service is the core of all brands. We look forward to seeing the continued impact Grata has on the culture, quality of service and employee satisfaction at additional restaurant concepts in the coming months,” says Mark Bunting, Founder.