Rooms utilize new, cutting-edge technology to meet ongoing business needs for virtual and in-person meetings during COVID-19

Blacksburg, Va. (August 20, 2020) – The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center is unveiling four redesigned conference rooms which leverage the same technology developed by Virginia Tech for use in their modern-day classrooms. The more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space offers the ideal environment for both socially distanced on-site and hybrid meeting participation, where attendees have the ability to connect virtually from anywhere in the world.

“The conference industry has to adapt to accommodate virtual meeting technology that’s reimagining the event experience,” says Tom Cupo, general manager. “Our university affiliation has given us a great advantage to quickly embrace this new reality to offer our clients a business continuity advantage unique to The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.”

Each meeting room features specialized conferencing equipment, including:

• Front- and rear-facing Aver CAM 530 PTZ cameras with centralized control
• Self-adjusting ceiling microphones with 360-degree pick-up that recognize and respond to changes in volume and room echo based on the person speaking
• No-touch microphones connected to house and conferencing system sound
• AirMedia presentation systems that enable presenters to connect to the in-room projector from any location
• Live stream and on-demand viewing capabilities

Led by The Inn’s team of conference planning and audiovisual experts, the Skelton Conference Center’s modern meeting rooms are designed with built-in security features, including access controls that prevent cybersecurity risks, such as harassment, eavesdropping or data theft.

Shelly Jobst, director of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech, says the hotel’s conference facilities have played a huge role in supporting her unit’s needs for years, but implementation of the new equipment will expand opportunities by engaging both presenters and participants from any location around the globe.

“Having access to this meeting technology through the Inn will provide a seamless transition to delivering programs now and in a post-pandemic environment. Coupling our recent shift to virtual meetings with the new technology at the Inn, we will always be able to pivot and provide solutions for convening groups and providing meaningful experiences,” Jobst said.

“Quick adaptation of University technology is one of many steps the Inn has taken to continue meeting client and guest needs in this evolving environment,” explains Cupo. “This is in addition to changes at the Inn to food and beverage presentation and preparation, guest room renovations and numerous health and safety measures in accordance with CDC guidelines for hospitality businesses.”

As the hotel industry continues to respond with health and safety precautions to maintain guest wellness, The Inn at Virginia Tech has adopted numerous new protocols including the use of electrostatic sprayers to disinfect rooms, guest sanitizing stations, wrapped towels and linens, and a revised dining layout to accommodate social distancing guidelines in Preston’s Restaurant & Continental Divide lounge.

For more information visit www.innatvirginiatech.com