Jul 14, 2014

Innovation Unleashed; HMSHost Unveils ImagineIT, Airport Terminal Simulation Lab

BETHESDA, MD—Just imagine it—an airport terminal tucked inside of an office building in the outskirts of Washington, DC. But not even just any airport terminal. One with the latest technologies you could imagine, all in one place. Global restaurateur HMSHost, leader in travel dining, has unveiled imagineIT, an “airport terminal” innovation lab where the company can explore all the latest technology possibilities for its restaurants and travel offerings.

HMSHost’s imagineIT allows employees and consultants to demo various technologies in real-life scenarios related to the traveler experience, with several simulation stations including a restaurant and bar front-of-house, back-of-house area, gatehold seating area, and lounge, among others. It also provides an avenue for vendors to showcase their latest technology solutions for busy airport settings. With the exploration capabilities offered by imagineIT, HMSHost will be able to identify new solutions that can continuously enhance operations efficiencies and entertainment to create the best overall traveler experience.

“imagineIT delivers a critical opportunity and advantage to HMSHost to work with our technology partners in generating the most cutting-edge solutions for our restaurant operations and other offerings in travel venues,” said HMSHost Chief Information Officer Sarah Naqvi. “This lab allows us to maintain our industry leadership by continuing to stay a step ahead to meet the ever changing wants and needs of our customers. We are very grateful to have such dedicated technology partners and look forward to sharing this journey with them in delivering the latest solutions to our airport clients and travelers.”

imagineIT is about a glimpse into “what could be”—a chance to learn about and experience the solutions that might eventually create the future of travel dining.

Industry-leading technology partners have been central in HMSHost’s introduction of imagineIT. MICROS, provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries; Cisco, worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected; and NEC Corporation of America (NEC), provider of innovative IT, biometrics, network, and communications products and solutions, along with other strategic partners, have provided the technologies for the launch of imagineIT, and will have the opportunity to demo new solutions as they become available.