NCET Biz Tips: Windows Of The World Await

As we move through life, many of us develop bucket lists of experiences and achievements we hope to have or accomplish during our lifetime.

Deep down, we know there are so many things to see and experience, not just locally but around the world.  Yet there never seems to be enough time to make it all happen.  Even weekends end too soon.  We have family obligations.  Bringing up kids is a full-time job and more.  We have business obligations.  Maybe we don’t have the time and money to travel if travel is on your bucket list.  When you add it all up, it can be frustrating to be unable to break away, even if it is just for a day.

Here’s an unusual suggestion for you.  Your getaway, if only for an hour or two, can be found locally and serve as a calming escape.  The Peppermill right here in Reno is an oasis where you can view the beauty and splendor of the world we live in via stunning cinematography and photography on large screen displays throughout the resort.  And this FREE experience is available 24/7 for anyone who stops by.

Gaming and hospitality are certainly the most significant facets of the Peppermill.  You may not know that the Peppermill is known far and wide for its signature Entertainment, Electronics, and Media (EEM) group, led by Joe Ness, encompassing breathtaking videography and still photography that sets this resort apart from all others.

Here’s the back story of how EEM began.  In 2007 Bill Paganetti, owner of the Peppermill, walked into Joe Ness’ office to review some other projects that Bill had contracted with Joe for.  He noticed some screens that Joe was playing around with for personal use in his office, which drew Bill’s interest.

Bill came back later in the day wanting to look at them again and offered Joe a challenge to put together two 50” screens for his hotel registration area and 90 days to produce content for it.  Joe met the challenge.  After deployment, the project was so popular with hotel guests and employees that Bill decided to place the images throughout his property.  It has now evolved into an over $50 million investment in all of Bill’s properties.

The Energy Star-certified Peppermill Resort Spa Casino on South Virginia Street is the AAA Four-Diamond flagship property with 1621 opulent guest rooms and suites, a lavish three-story, 33,000 square-foot Spa & Salon, many award-winning restaurants, and 82,000 square feet of slots, keno, and table games.  Its state-of-the-art race and sportsbook area is second to none.  The property has more than 120 large LED displays, showing over 20,000 images that Joe’s Peppermill team has shot all around the world.  Every room has its own picture gallery, and no two screens are the same.

Joe and his team also have hundreds of other screens which are part of the Peppermill digital signage network.  They display directional signage information, restaurant touchscreen advertising, food art, daily events, and additional pertinent information to help guests enjoy their Peppermill experience.  Joe’s EEM group produces all of the content for these displays and the Peppermill’s website serving all six Peppermill properties.

Another big part of the daily duties is designing, organizing, installing, and executing the integrated systems that run all of this equipment.  That includes campus networked fiber optic distribution systems and large-scale event production for concerts and group meetings.  Not to be left out are TV systems for all hotel rooms and other high-tech systems such as the sportsbook and touchscreen displays.

Is all of the above glamorous?  Sometimes yes; often no.  Joe and his team just don’t set up shop in far away scenic places and take beautiful photos.  They are in the trenches.  Yet there is no denying that Ness’ group is as much an adventuring troupe as a photography and video crew.

As “Quarterback of the Offense” at the Peppermill, Ness states that one of the coolest parts his team gets to do is utilize the latest film production equipment technology, including drones, robots, and ultra slow-motion video capturing equipment.  Joe’s crew numbers 50 key technicians and managers at the Reno Peppermill alone.

Are there challenges?  Daily, yes.  But to justify the budget, Peppermill leadership expects Joe to get thousands of usable shots on every trip.  Every photograph has to be timeless.  No tourists are allowed in the pictures.  As you stroll through the resort, you will also notice you seldom see people in any video or photo.  The job stress is always there, but it spurs the energy for all.

Aside from the beautiful cinematography, Ness is incredibly proud of one project.  As some may know, the Peppermill Casino already has a reputation for running one of Reno’s best sportsbooks, if not the best.  A few years ago, the Peppermill took on an ambitious renovation involving a vast, curved LED digital signage video wall to make the betting area one of the most impressive and immersive in the country.  Working with Samsung and partners, the AV teams installed a 110-ft wide, fine-pitched LED curved digital signage wall in 10 days without shutting the area down.  The result?  Delighted patrons.

Peppermill images, unfettered by special effects often overused in the commercial world, may return you to a memory of a trip you had experienced with loved ones.  Maybe one of the videos takes you back to a less busy time in your life.  The overall experience of viewing so many wonders of the world close up may inspire you.

The Peppermill Reno continues to invest Joe’s travels to every continent to seek out those shots that stand the test of time.  Above all, there’s no question that Joe and the entire Peppermill team want your walk throughout the resort to feel like a walk around the world.

NCET Tech Wednesday, July 13, is your opportunity to learn more about Peppermill’s Entertainment, Electronics, and Media group.

Sign up early for the Peppermill’s onsite presentation tour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and networking from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.  For tickets and more information click here.

Bill Leonard is VP of Communications at NCET and a freelance copywriter of lead-generating case studies, brand and success stories, sales-driven web copy, and white papers.  Connect with Bill at linkedin.com/in/billleonardusa.  NCET produces education and networking events to help people explore business and technology.