When planning a meeting or conference where participants may need Wi-Fi access, plan ahead to make sure you have enough access for your participants. Also plan to use Limousine Livery to get your guest speakers to the meeting or conference. They have been in business since 1986 and will get your speakers or clients to their destination any time day or night.

A Wi-Fi network is a wireless router connected to the Internet through a modem with a range of up to 200 feet, but the 100 feet range is considered optimal. Devices containing wireless network cards can access the Wi-Fi network. Many different types of devices are Wi-Fi network enabled. The devices people are most likely to use at a conference include smart phones, digital music devices and laptops. You can extend the range of a wireless router beyond the 200 feet range by using signal boosters, which can be purchased at electronic and computer stores.

Providing Wi-Fi access in a large room where there will be many participants using the network may appear to be a simple task, but there are potential problems. Wi-Fi is designed for small spaces like homes. It is not designed for large conferences with hundreds or thousands of people trying to access the network through multiple devices. Too many Wi-Fi enabled devices in one place can cause Wi-Fi overload. You may need to ask participants to turn their equipment off if the Wi-Fi network overloads. Steve Jobs had to do this because of a network overload at a conference in June of 2010 when he introduced the Apple iPhone 4.

When planning a conference where Wi-Fi connections will be available to participants, conference planners must consider multiple factors. The first factor is what Wi-Fi infrastructure does the place have? Is it satisfactory for the needs of the expected number of attendees? To help answer these questions, a conference planner can call on the expertise of a company that installs Wi-Fi networks. Even with these experts, because Wi-Fi is a technology that is designed for small spaces, not large conferences, there can sometimes be problems.

Wi-Fi experts should consider the number of attendees and the size and shape of the room. They also must evaluate how the Wi-Fi signals will behave in a room full of people with Wi-Fi enabled devices. Also, it matters what type of audience will be attending the conference. A more technologically advanced crowd will have a much higher need for Wi-Fi than a more low-tech crowd will.

If the Wi-Fi installation professional adds too many Wi-Fi connections, rather than providing more access, the connections could interfere with one another and be the cause of a Wi-Fi network freeze.

Wi-Fi devices not connected to the network can cause background interference problems because they still emit a signal. Smart phones and some laptops are particularly sensitive to this type of interference.

Even with all the complications involved in setting up a Wi-Fi network for a technologically advanced audience in a large place, it can be done successfully with proper planning, knowing your audience and using the right Wi-Fi professionals. While the Wi-Fi professionals handle the setup of the network, you can focus on other details like setting up transportation for speakers at your meeting or conference using Limousine Livery.

Here are some of our favorite picks for upcoming events in New Orleans that are not to be missed:

April 25 – May 1 for the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans!!

Come join us and watch the TOUR’s best players tee it up, April 25 – May 1, at TPC Louisiana for the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Your continued patronage of this event has helped the Fore!Kids Foundation raise nearly $20 million for children’s charities, servicing the needs of more than 200,000 kids annually.  Please visit http://zurichgolfclassic.com/ for more information.

Crescent City Classic on April 23, 2010

The 33nd Annual Times-Picayune Crescent City Classic, a 10K run held during Easter weekend every year, will be off and running on Saturday, April 23.

The 10,000 meter (6.2 mile) race course takes in some of the most scenic and historic sites in New Orleans, in addition to offering an “only-in-New Orleans” style party afterward that, alone, is worth the price of entry.

With world-class runners from all over the globe participating in the Classic, it has grown to become one of top races in the U.S. The race takes participants from historic Jackson Square in the French Quarter through the modern financial district, past the elegant old homes along Esplanade Avenue, and ending under the ancient moss-draped oaks of City Park where the post-race celebration kicks into high gear. For a more detailed course map click here www.ccc10k.com/uploads/CCCCourseMap.pdf.
 

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 29-May 1 and May 5-8, 2011

One of the greatest living legends of one of the greatest jazz eras, 80 year old tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, headlines a 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival lineup that covers more than a century of jazz history: from its earliest roots to present day smooth jazz, starring multi-platinum-selling soprano saxophonist Kenny G. Also appearing this year, as they do every year, is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band celebrating 50 years of keeping the old-style New Orleans jazz alive.

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience on May 24-28, 2011

Thousands of wine and food lovers will be gathering in New Orleans during the five days leading up to the busy Memorial Day weekend for one of this city’s most extravagant rites of passage, the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. The event, which began in 1991, spotlights the city’s legendary restaurants – and their chefs, along with fine wines – and their vintners, from around the globe. For more info please visit their website at:  www.nowfe.com

 
Over the twenty years of the NOWFE’s existence, it has grown into one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind. Many of the NOWFE-sponsored events help raise money for various charities.

Everywhere you turn these days, you hear about eco-friendly ways to live, but one thing you may not usually hear is how the “three Rs” not only save the planet, but also help save you money.

Buy in Bulk

In almost every situation, the more of a product you buy, the less cost you’ll endure per unit because the manufacturer or retailer will give you a bulk price rate.

Individual packaging (most likely a form of plastic) is either difficult to recycle or not recyclable.

Buying in bulk means less trips to the store or online orders, saving gas money and carbon emissions.

An experiment conducted by Real Simple magazine in 2003 found that purchasing 15 common items at a warehouse store in bulk as opposed to the supermarket saved $58.74 in Illinois and $109.72 in New York (including a membership fee). The major reason for the price discrepancy was the supermarket prices per state. It’s safe to assume that doing a majority of your shopping in bulk would save more than $200 on supplies and an estimated $20 per year on gas, regardless of where you live.

For goods that have a long shelf-life (i.e. anything that doesn’t need refrigeration), opt for a larger quantity and recycle as much of the packaging as possible.

Reduce Food Related Paper Use

Oil-based food stains are the easiest way to make your paper not recyclable. That’s why recycling locations for paper towels or paper napkins are unavailable.

Did you know–the average American family uses 1.5 rolls of paper towels each week.

Brown paper bags have just as high of an environmental footprint as plastic bags when considering manufacturing and disposal.
You’ll be lucky to find paper towels for less than 75 cents per roll. That means you’re paying at least $4.50 a month for disposable towels, so cutting your use to one roll a month would save $45 per year.
 Paper bags are only about 2 cents per bag, but if you make two lunches every day, that’s $14.60 per year thrown into the trash after one use.

Use reusable cloth towels for cleaning the house and your spills, and throw them in the laundry instead of the garbage (the cost to wash towels will be negligible if it’s done with the rest of your laundry). Check into lunchboxes or plastic containers to carry your lunch, which will be a one-time investment instead of constantly funding your disposable habit.

Use Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries can be charged hundreds of times without losing the ability to hold a charge, while single-use batteries are “one and done.”

It’s easier to find recycling locations for rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries.

In energy-draining devices, such as digital cameras, batteries may only hold a charge for a few hours of use.

Fact:  The average family buys 32 batteries a year, and you may be able to find them for 50 cents apiece. You could probably get by on four rechargeables for the same purposes at $2.50 per battery, and the charger should be about $10. Tack on an extra $5 for energy costs to charge your batteries (assuming you unplug the charger when not in use). This means switching to rechargeables will actually cost you an extra $9 the first year, but you’re looking at potential savings of $11 per year for many years afterward, depending on your battery use.
Even though you might spend a little more in the beginning, rechargeable batteries are still the way to go when it comes to saving money and reducing waste in the long run. Shop around for deals on rechargeable batteries, so you don’t get stuck buying cheaper alkalines at the last minute. Consider an ENERGY STAR-qualified battery charger so you’ll use less energy charging batteries.

Install a Programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats don’t require mercury to get a reading, unlike many analog thermostats.

These thermostats have settings to control your temperature based on time of day and season, lowering your energy bill.

ENERGY STAR estimates a yearly savings of $180 by installing a programmable thermostat. The unit will probably cost about $60, and you could spend $50 getting it installed, but that translates to a savings of $70 the first year and $180 each year after that.
Here are two things to consider once you’ve made the change:

• Properly dispose of your old thermostat if it contains mercury (see the eighth tip below about hazardous products to learn how).
• Check to see if your purchase will count as an energy-efficient home improvement for tax purposes to help justify the initial expense.

For more greenback green savings, click here.

Food in New Orleans is a way of life and a big part of the city’s inimitable charm. Here are some top choices, as rated by some of the locals:

Michael Uddo, G&E Courtyard Grill:

Pre-dinner drinks at the Napoleon House; appetizers at the Pelican Club; entrees at the Rib Room in the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel (“they have a great rotisserie”); desserts at Gabrielle; after-dinner drinks at the Chart House (“on the balcony only, overlooking Jackson Square”).

Mike Fennelly, Mike’s on the Avenue:

Pre-dinner drinks at the Polo Lounge in the Windsor Court Hotel; appetizers at Gautreau’s; entrees at Bayona; desserts at Gabrielle (“the Peppermint Patti”); after-dinner drinks at the Napoleon House.

Jeff Tunks, The Grill Room:

Pre-dinner drinks at Bella Luna (“for the view”); appetizers at Emeril’s (“and a second appetizer at Bayona”); entrees at Peristyle; desserts at Brigtsen’s; after-dinner drinks at the Polo Lounge (“it’s cigar-friendly”).

Kevin Graham, Graham’s and Sapphire:

Pre-dinner drinks at the Napoleon House; appetizers at Hana (“for sushi”); entrees at Taj Mahal in Old Metairie (“great Indian food”); desserts at Sapphire (Chef Graham didn’t follow the ground rules here); after-dinner drinks in the revolving bar at the Monteleone Hotel.

Rob Mitchell, Gautreau’s:

Pre-dinner drinks at Vizard’s; appetizers at NOLA; entrees at Peristyle; desserts at the Windsor Court Hotel; after-dinner drinks at The Columns.

Anne Kearney, Peristyle:

Pre-dinner drinks at Vino, Vino; appetizers at Bayona; entrees at Brigtsen’s or Gabrielle; desserts at NOLA; after-dinner drinks at the Napoleon House.

Greg Sonnier, Gabrielle:

Pre-dinner drinks at the Polo Lounge or the Napoleon House; appetizers at Emeril’s; entrees at Galatoire’s; desserts at the Pelican Club; after-dinner drinks at the Old Absinthe House.

Susan Spicer, Bayona:

Pre-dinner drinks on the rooftop of the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel; appetizers at Mike’s on the Avenue; entrees at Brigtsen’s; desserts at Peristyle; after-dinner drinks at the Napoleon House.