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Green and Lean for 21st Century Business

March 17th, 2011

Green & Lean for 21st Century Business

It’s a lot of work to stay abreast of all the advances that are driving the “greening” of modern business. The new watchwords of “green” and “sustainable” echo throughout the world, motivating businesses in every imaginable industry to combine efficiency, good stewardship and sales success. To learn how to do this, as firms that use CRE’s convention rentals know, there are some conferences and trade shows you simply must attend, some you should exhibit at – and others where you should do both.

On its 2010-2011 calendar, GreenITConferences.org has about 50 conferences scheduled this year, and the range of subjects is impressive. The Workshop on Sustainable Networking and the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Green Computing and Communications, both taking place in China, will address matters of concern to every company, in every country, in every industry – this is no exaggeration. There are likely other “musts” on the list for your firm, too, depending on what business you are in.

Small Green Conventions are beautiful, too

One green event – the International Conference on Data Compression, Communication and Processing – will be of particular interest to the kind of companies that use AJA Io HD rentals and RAID storage solutions for digital media production and post-production. Even with storage costs decreasing, better compression means smaller files, fewer hard drives or other storage devices, faster processing and thus, lower overall costs.

The Renewable Energy Conferences Worldwide page lists over 100 conferences around the globe in 2011, from the 6th Annual Columbia University Energy Symposium to the Second International Conference on Green & Sustainable Technology. These conferences cover the many aspects of energy creation and use, pointing the way to the future for both governments and private enterprises. If you exhibit, CRE’s touchscreen LCD monitor rentals will let attendees point their own way through your presentation to learn about your product or service.

Shared resources – a key to sustainability

Resource planning, including various approaches to resource sharing, is a key component of sustainable business practices. If you do a monthly training session for 20 customer service representatives, buying 20 computers to use them so infrequently fairly defines “unsustainable.” Save money and be “lean and green” by availing yourself of CRE’s iMac rentals instead – fewer boxes, less Styrofoam and less waste all around.

CRE is serious about its environmental policy and responsible corporate citizenship. We are similarly committed to our customers, as our experienced Account Executives will prove when you call or e-mail them. If you know what you need, use the Quick Rental Quote form and you’re done. If you’re committed to going (and staying) green like we are, helping you is good for everybody – Mother Earth included!

Into the Future with NAB Show 2011

March 15th, 2011

It’s time once again for one of the premier annual conferences for content producers, broadcasters, TV/film professionals and assorted tech-lovers – the NAB Show 2011. It is set for April 9-14 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. So well known that the acronym isn’t even spelled out much anymore (it’s the National Association of Broadcasters, of course), the NAB Show is considered by many experts to be the #1 get-together for “video, audio and digital media professionals.”

Experts (and buyers) of all kinds

Hardware, software and service companies of all kinds will be touting their wares to 90,000+ media and entertainment professionals from some 150 countries – executives, producers, writers, content distribution/delivery experts, IT managers and many others. CRE convention rentals are key to an effective exhibit – you are going, right? – and, with a shot at over $35 billion in purchasing power in attendance, missing the NAB Show could cost you. CRE can deliver and set up everything you need to make a powerful impression, starting with attention-getting, big-screen plasma rentals.

Show promoters are not kidding when they say that the NAB Show is “where possibilities become realities,” and to maximize your presence you need to be in multiple places – at once. How? You can use both humans and machines for this nifty trick. Send some of your conference team through the Convention Center with iPad rentals stocked with presentations, marketing materials and video clips. If you’re short on humans, you can place a few of CRE’s interactive kiosk rentals in strategic locations to offer product/service info and capture attendee contact data.

Mapping the future

From custom-designed content management systems to the latest software for creating natural 3D environments, the NAB Show is also where you will get up to speed on where the future’s headed. Whether you’re leading one of the 500+ skill-building sessions or polling a room full of broadcast pros with our Audience Response System rentals, we can set it up right – and pack it up when you’re done. After five or six days of interacting with over 1,500 different companies spread across more than 800,000 square feet of floor space, you might be a little tired!

Conferences are just one way that CRE can help you, but you’re not exhibiting and/or attending one every day. For every other day of the year, we’re here with the solutions that will empower you to plow through production bottlenecks with our render farm rentals or store terabytes of digital media on Xserve RAID rentals. Use the Quick Rental Quote form if you know what you need, or call or e-mail an expert Account Executive for assistance. Whether you’re headed to Vegas next month or not, CRE is the right destination when your digital workflow needs a boost or a breakthrough. That’s what we do!

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Trade Show: Building the Future

February 8th, 2011

The construction industry is one of America’s true engines of growth and productivity, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 (Construction Expo/Concrete And Aggregates)– in Las Vegas from March 22-26 – is its premier gathering place. CONEXPO, held every three years, brings the latest in services, technologies and equipment. Are you exhibiting? Lets us help you strategize the perfect convention rentals to make your best impression.

Rent plasmas & touchscreens to stand out

With 2,000 exhibitors expected, and an ocean of attendees, you need to stand out. Nothing works quite so well as great video or animated presentations on large-screen plasma rentals. Getting people to stop is one thing – now you want to engage them. Touchscreen LCD monitor rentals, as well as the Sony VAIO L touchscreen computer rentals, offer a simple way to interact with attendees. Consider making the presentations available on your Web site, too, and hand flyers or cards with the URLs to people who walk past your booth.

The CONEXPO focuses quite a bit on education, with 120+ sessions on everything from new industry trends to marketing. The exhibit area will be divided into “product concentration” areas, which will help route interested parties your way – but not everyone will stop at your booth. Counter that by carrying your presentations on iPad rentals, so you can take your multimedia message around with you. You now have multiple ways of communicating your own excitement to attendees.

Get interactive at Green Roads Summit

CONEXPO is holding a Green Roads Summit to cover such crucial topics as sustainability, transportation, climate and competitiveness. Multiply the effectiveness of your conference presence by adding interactive kiosk rentals. These units can be programmed to offer your product presentations on a touchscreen interface, while also collecting contact information on attendees you never see. If you have arranged to lead a breakout session during the summit, combine both information and audience feedback with Audience Response System rentals.

CRE has you covered for any type of trade show rental equipment you need for CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Do you know what you need? Use the handy Quick Rental Quote form, and get just the right gear when and where you need it.

Trade Shows in Feb. 2011: Security and Sedans

January 20th, 2011

The National Automobile Dealers Association will hold its 2011 NADA Convention & Expo at Moscone Center in San Francisco from February 5-7. Thousands of new vehicle dealers – plus retailers, automakers and industry leaders – will be there at the most important event in the automotive industry. Exhibitors need to stand out or be lost in the crowd, so audiovisual rentals and other attention-grabbers should be part of your plan.

Do you have a product or service that targets this industry? Your customers are going to be there as well as your competitors and potential partners. So, it is vital to put on your best show with an interactive presentation displayed on a touchscreen LCD monitor rentals.

Since exhibiting at NADA brings you into personal contact with more auto dealerships than any other venue, you want to make a memorable impression. Letting people “touch their way” through presentations on Sony VAIO L all-in-one computer rental will engage them at your booth, while interactive kiosk rentals placed elsewhere will present your message while capturing information from potential partners and customers. With CRE, you have ‘em covered, coming and going!

RSA Conference USA 2011, coming to San Francisco’s Moscone Center from February 14-18, is the most comprehensive gathering of information security professionals. Attendees will learn about the newest security technologies, get updated on new best practices and gain insight into the security challenges facing businesses today. If you market a product or service to this industry, you can make a big impact with CRE convention rentals tailored to your needs.

The RSA Conference USA 2011 is the ultimate way to connect with security pros from around the globe. They will come from everywhere looking for solutions to the latest security risks, and if you have one of CRE’s plasma rentals you can really wow them. With simple computer programs you can control a multi-monitor setup (even a “wall”), so a few plasma screens or a mix of them and some LCD monitor rentals can make your exhibit the most eye-catching of all.

Consider holding a breakout session with one of CRE’s Audience Response System rentals. You can get immediate input as well as valuable feedback for later use. With CRE’s array of convention rentals you can achieve whatever effect you want.

At CRE Rentals, we are constantly thinking of how we can best serve your needs. We are always ready to equip you to blast through any production bottleneck or put your best foot forward at a convention. Call or e-mail an experienced Account Executive, or fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, and we’ll set you up with the right equipment, at the right place, at the right time and the right price – right away!

Latest, Greatest, Fastest: What Do You Really Need?

January 11th, 2011

Our technological tools are getting faster and better all the time, but you’ll spend a fortune trying to stay on the leading edge. This is why renting from CRE is such a powerful budgeting strategy. With Mac Pro rentals and high-end storage solutions, CRE provides the power you need for animation, post-production and other creative tasks, and you will know ahead of time what your costs will be. This is important for every company.

You may be better off thinking of computer technology the same way you think about renting equipment for conventions. How so? Unless your company is a Fortune 500 company, you’ll probably rent what you need for that upcoming trade show. Why pay for equipment that won’t be used most of the time? This is analogous to the tech question you need to ponder, “Why pay for computer power that won’t be used most of the time?” Why, indeed?

Overselling as an art form

PC and peripherals manufacturers suggest that you need the latest, greatest, most powerful hardware (and software) at every employee’s desk. Not so. Basic, entry-level computers can handle all the normal “office productivity” tasks you need done – word processing, spreadsheets and charts, even presentations – so you do not need leading-edge tech for the bulk of your employees’ work. You really need to match the equipment to the job at hand, ensuring that each employee has enough power for their work. Having too much power means you are spending too much money.

Once you look at what you really need to run your business, you may find that you can save a good deal of money on hardware. Crunch the numbers and you may discover that half a dozen iMac rentals makes more sense than continuing to buy them on a regular basis. Likewise, if you have production bottlenecks a few times each year (pilot season, FY end, etc.), your bottom line may respond better to some short-term render farm rentals than to purchase orders for the same equipment.

Customize technology…consider rentals

Any plan to save money on technology implementation requires a good deal of study. Customer service reps typically don’t need $6,000 gaming PCs, just as iPad rentals are most cost-effective for your field personnel than rubberized laptops. Many employees will do just fine with entry-level devices. You may even find that certain models in CRE’s wide range of computer rentals are more cost-effective (and more powerful) than the plain vanilla solutions that you will have to replace down the line. Still, your situation is unique – so YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

Our expert Account Executives can help you figure it all out if you give them a call or send an e-mail. Know what you need? Then fill out the Quick Rental Quote form and we’ll take care of everything. We are always ready to help. It’s what we do!

CES 2011: The Madness Begins!

January 6th, 2011

CES 2011 – the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the annual rite of passage for all things high-tech – begins today and runs through the 9th. It is by far the planet’s biggest get-together of gadgeteers, tech writers and assorted geeks. You know the type (you may be one): If you use our Mac Pro rentals and memorize every Dashboard widget, you share the mindset prevalent at CES. We have other blogs on New Year’s resolutions, and several recent looks at tech predictions past and future, so we’re not making any predictions here. We’re just reporting on the buzz, which is already at a high pitch.

Tablets ad infinitum

You may be tired of hearing it, but tablets will be humungous this year. CRE offers iPad rentals because Apple has sold about 14 million in nine months and people want them. Now Toshiba, Asus and other firms are rushing tablets to market. Some units will run Android, and some may even run Windows. CRE began offering high-quality Motion Computing tablet PC rentals when they were about the only game in town. Before we add any new products to our list, we’ll check them out up, down and sideways. What to watch for: A tablet from HP running the “WebOS” system. What to watch out for: Cheap tablets with an old Android OS (if it’s under 2.0, fuggedabowdit).

Is that “screaming” or “streaming”?

The streaming media market took off somewhat surprisingly last year. In no time we had Google TV, a new and improved Apple TV, revamped Boxee and Roku, new offerings from Logitech and plenty of Chinese lookalikes. Many of these units attach to large LCD monitor rentals to create a great presentation setup, but TV makers are way ahead of that. Instead of using large-screen LCDs or plasma rentals with the streaming devices, you can now get a TV with Web capabilities built in, so Netflix, Hulu and other sources will stream from “the cloud.”

Another shot at 3D

The far future of 3D monitor technology looks great, and your 2018 iMac rentals may be equipped with 3D screens that are great for design, layout, engineering and (of course) watching movies. Consumers pretty much ignored the TV makers’ 3D-TV push in 2010, possibly because of the expense, possibly because of the lack of 3D content – but definitely because of those silly glasses. Vizio is attacking the price problem, while Nintendo and Toshiba are making headway in developing goggles-free 3D viewing. And James Cameron is going to make two more Avatar flicks!

We follow the technology wherever it goes, and new products that prove themselves will enter the CRE inventory. In the meantime, we have state-of-the-art equipment for your media production needs, as well as convention rentals and great advice across the board. Call or e-mail an Account Executive, or fill out the online Quick Rental Quote form, and we will find the right solution for you – right now!

January Trade Shows: Macs ‘n’ Music

December 16th, 2010

Two January trade shows – NAMM, the world’s premier music products/services show, and MacWorld, the annual gathering of the Macintosh faithful – will overlap more than a little, as Macs and music have been close partners since the first day of the first Macintosh computer. Here’s a preview of what you can expect at these high-energy trade shows.

Music is NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is holding the 2011 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 13-16, 2011. In a nod to the environment and the growing “green convention” movement, NAMM has moved registration, schedules and program material to the cloud instead of including a printed supplement in PLAYback, its member magazine. Since the online format allows continuous updating, attendees are encouraged to check the program regularly.

“Music Education Days” (Saturday and Sunday, January 15-16,) feature panel discussions, hands-on training and educator workshops in the Anaheim Hilton’s “Learning Lounge.” You can lead your own breakout sessions with Audience Response System rentals and/or audiovisual rental from CRE, an official rental vendor. With attendance strictly limited to industry professionals, NAMM is where you can target just the right buyers, vendors or potential partners. From interactive kiosk rentals to pitch your product and capture attendee information, to dramatic NAMM plasma rentals that will make your exhibit space stand out, CRE will deliver the goods, set them up, get you going and retrieve the rentals when the trade show is done. CRE takes care of you, the whole way.

Mac is Macworld

Macworld 2011 is coming back to San Francisco’s Moscone Center once again, from January 26-29. All the latest software, hardware and accessories for Apple’s various product lines – Macs, iPods, iPad, AppleTV, etc. – can be viewed, reviewed and test-driven.

If you are exhibiting and need a dozen iPad rental for polling potential clients or need HD plasma rentals to showcase a product demo, CRE gives you a potent trade show presence. With Macworld offering access to the major players behind Apple-related products and services, it’s where you want to be to stay on the leading edge – while cultivating contacts, making presentations and sealing a few (or many!) deals.

One call or e-mail, or a few moments filling out our Quick Rental Quote form, will put us on the job for you. From convention rentals to strategic advice, our expert Account Executives can help you put your best foot forward at NAMM, Macworld or any other trade show event. We’re ready now!

Pharmacists’ Conference Hosted at Anaheim Convention

November 4th, 2010

ASHP Midyear Conference

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists chose Anaheim, CA for the 45th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition. Meeting sessions and exhibits will take place December 5-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center, the Anaheim Marriott and the Hilton Anaheim. Some 20,000 pharmacy professionals, clinicians and vendors will gather to update their knowledge of the latest technologies, practice standards and innovations.

With hundreds of workshops, sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities, the Midyear Meeting is a great opportunity for both attendees and exhibitors . If you are exhibiting, CRE has the convention rentals you need and can handle delivery and setup. Work with Show Management and see if a few interactive kiosk rentals can be showcased around the convention exhibit floor; they are unsurpassed for giving out promotional messages!

Hosting a planet-friendly convention

Being wireless-enabled at the Midyear Meeting with laptop rentals will help the organizers fulfill their commitment to hosting a planet-friendly convention. “ASHP has long incorporated conservation and energy efficiency into its events,” says the group’s promotional material, and this doesn’t just mean recycling. It means that ASHP is following many of the recommendations about green conventions that CRE has blogged about recently. All Midyear Meeting brochures, handouts, presentations and continuing education procedures will all be available online to minimize printing and paper waste.

CRE plasma rentals guarantee dramatic signage for your exhibit booth, but you may want to get into the “deep green” mindset of the organizers by making your own sell sheets and brochures downloadable for the wireless majority (while keeping a few print pieces for the un-wired).

We see good progress being made on the environmental front, as just about every major convention center is taking serious measures to reduce waste. This affects everything from how registration is handled to the choice of cloth napkins over paper. CRE practices what it preaches (see our corporate Green Statement), and supports good sense and sustainability by making high-tech tools available without purchase.

Exhibiting or attending ASHP and need trade show rentals? Fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, whether you need something before, during or after the ASHP convention, CRE Rentals can help!

November Trade Shows: Audio, Autos and Games

October 14th, 2010

Here is a look at the upcoming Trade Shows in November:

129th AES Convention

AES (the Audio Engineering Society) is a driving force in the evolution of pro audio expertise and education, and it will hold its 129th annual get-together at Moscone Center in San Francisco from November 4-7, 2010.

To help you stay on time and on track, AES is following one of the primary “green convention” recommendations by maintaining a constantly updated online calendar for finding special events, workshops, presentations, tutorials and technical seminars at the event.

If you are exhibiting at the AES Convention this year, showcase your product or service to engineers, executives, marketing directors and product developers with AES plasma rentals – it will put your message on a screen that can’t be missed. If you’re planning any presentations, we’ve got you covered there, too. CRE has the full range of convention rentals to outfit your booth including an interactive kiosk rentals that can display your products and take contact information from attendees.

2010 SEMA Show

From November 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the premier trade event for automotive specialty and aftermarket products will showcase the latest, greatest innovations. The SEMA Show, not open to the general public, attracts industry leaders, buyers, and retailers from 100+ countries.

If you are exhibiting, consider outfitting your team with iPad rentals to survey visitors to your booth or gather contact information. Or cut through the noise and bring your message to those who need to hear it with bright, bold graphics on our SEMA plasma rentals – 50 inches of true 1080p HD quality color and action sound. The right selection of audio visual rentals guarantees your message is seen and heard.

G2E: Global Gaming Expo

The Global Gaming Expo, G2E, the only event produced “by the industry, for the industry,” has been on the leading edge of the gaming industry for a decade now and is at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 15-18. Professionals from around the world will gather to see and learn what’s new and what’s next in a dynamic, ever-evolving marketplace.

G2E’s exhibit floor is packed with exhibitors and if you will be among them, you need CRE to help you rise above the crowd. Touchscreen LCD monitor rentals are great for that. Splash an animated welcome sign on one and invite passersby to sample videos, watch product demos or browse through your digital brochures and product displays. If you are conducting a breakout session and want feedback from industry pros, Audience Response System rentals are the way to go.

Exhibiting, attending or both, you will get the advice and the equipment you need with one call to a CRE Account Executive. Call or e-mail, or fill out the Quick Rental Quote form, and we will help you plan a powerful presence that is problem-free.

Greening of Convention Centers

September 21st, 2010

CRE is serious about the environment, saving energy and “going green,” which is why we have a “Green Statement” front and center on our site. It’s also why we return to the subject regularly in this blog. The last time we discussed Green (5 Great Ideas for Green Meetings & Events ), it was from the perspective of the conference attendee – lightweight signage, energy-saving devices and so on. Greening of Conferences Now that the green movement is in full swing, convention centers in cities large and small are on the bandwagon, incorporating the latest and greatest energy- and planet-saving procedures. Let’s take a look at what’s happening with these new green convention centers and how it affects building managers, exhibitors and participants.

Green convention centers are similar to the new generation of green hotels. The major areas of concern for the builders and managers of these facilities are

energy efficiency,
water efficiency,
transportation alternatives,
waste management,
using environmentally-friendly products,
indoor air quality and
ongoing education of guests and staff.

Energy-saving operations

The new generation of green convention centers debuted in the early 2000s with a variety of new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient features. These include highly advanced, computerized building management systems with the latest in efficient lighting, plus occupancy sensors that reduce demands on lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) as meeting rooms are vacated. In the most advanced facilities, these systems also reduce power, light and HVAC for exhibit hall setup and breakdown. If you are setting up your plasma rentals and other convention rentals at your hall location, facilities managers can ensure that the power outlets to the floor are on for your convenience even when building systems are scaled back.

When the exhibit hall opens and the conference gets going, energy-conserving compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) come into play and continue reducing the expenditure of both energy (up to 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs) and money. Also making major savings contributions are such construction techniques as the Sarnafil EnergySmart Roof system, which successfully and cost-effectively reduces atmospheric heat absorption. Other green roof systems use pre-vegetated mats, some half a foot thick containing sedum plants and other greenery. to provide both short- and long-term benefits such as reduced rain runoff and improved insulation.

Cleaning, recycling, transportation

Leading edge green convention centers also focus on the back end – what happens after the conference is over. Well-designed, comprehensive recycling programs deal with everything from composting food waste, reusing oil and grease, and collecting wood pallets to gathering up all glass, metal, plastic and cardboard materials. Exhibitors that anticipate a great deal of waste can arrange with facilities management for interim waste pickups or special handling of certain materials. Environmentally safe cleaning products are used in green convention centers, as well as low-flow toilets, efficient HEPA air filtration systems and paper products that are made from a high percentage of post-consumer waste. Before, during and after the big event, the same mindset holds – think green, start to finish.

Green convention centers also extend the enviro-friendly thinking to transportation, too. Conference center managers work with municipal and private bus systems, and also cooperate with event organizers to set up whatever shuttle systems are most suited to the event and location. The new, still-evolving green convention centers consider every step, every angle and every option that can save energy while sustaining the highest levels of comfort and quality. After you head back to HQ from the convention, and start going through the contact information you captured on your interactive kiosk rentals, the managers of the green convention centers are getting ready for the next conference – and keeping tabs on the latest energy-saving technologies, too.

That pursuit of quality and dedication to progress are qualities that CRE embodies, as well. Whether you require a touchscreen monitor rental for your booth or Audience Response System rentals for a conference breakout session, we have what you need. We also have it when you need it, and can put it where you need it, too. Fill out the online Quick Rental Quote form, and let us know how we can help you get “green”.

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