Southfield, Michigan – May 1, 2012 – BlueWater Technologies, a national provider of Meeting & Event Technology, Digital Media Solutions, Audio Visual Integration, and Custom Fixtures and Displays, showcases new event technology this week at the Event Marketer Summit 2012 located at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, April 30 – May 2.

“With the rapid growth BlueWater is experiencing in its Digital Media division it makes sense for us to exhibit at the Event Marketer Summit and provide hands-on demonstrations of our event technology to the top tier marketers attending this conference,” said BlueWater Technologies’ Director of Marketing John Rose.

At BlueWater’s booth #401, attendees are seeing the latest lead generation and branding technology that can impact any event, for example mobile marketing tours, exhibits, product launches, sponsorships, and other major affairs. BlueWater provides companies with experiential marketing solutions to engage the audience while creating a positive branding experience.

Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies turn to BlueWater to provide a memorable customer experience with its custom iPhone® and Android™-based apps, interactive and multi-touch gaming, lead generation technology, and mobile marketing solutions.

“These types of solutions are what turns prospects into customers and drives positive business results,” said Rose. “Our lead generation technology also helps companies calculate their ROI, making it a powerful tool for marketers.”

In addition to the Event Marketer Summit, BlueWater is co-hosting an after party with Event Creative to demonstrate its registration and social media integration technology.

What: After Party, co-hosted by BlueWater Technologies and Event Creative
When: Tuesday, May 1st, 8:00pm
Where: 219 North Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Transportation: Trolley service from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers to Event Creative
Why: See BlueWater’s lead generation and social media integration technology at a live event

Media Contact: Melissa Diemert

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Southfield, Michigan- April 25, 2012- BlueWater Technologies, a national provider of Meeting & Event Technology, Digital Media Solutions, Audio Visual Integration, and Custom Fixtures and Displays, reports significant growth and expansion at its Grand Rapids’ office.

Continuing its 2011 momentum into 2012 Q1, BlueWater’s Grand Rapids office is already at 60-percent of its annual goal for the year.

“Anticipating our rapid growth in 2012, I began growing our team across departments including sales, engineering and project management,” said BlueWater Technologies’ Regional Vice President Tobi Tungl. “Already this year we’ve had more business than we did in 2011 and we’re still growing. It’s an exciting year for BlueWater.”

There is considerable growth in the custom AV integration business as more companies look for new approaches to working smarter and more efficient while decreasing expenses. With nearly 30 years of experience as audio visual integrators, BlueWater has provided state-of-the-art conference room presentation automation, video conferencing, distance learning, control and automation, and digital signage. BlueWater’s seasoned engineers, system designers, and installation teams develop solutions that fully support an organization’s communication needs and maximize its productivity.

A new addition to the Grand Rapids office is Senior Project Manager Ignacio Perez, PMP, who has more than ten years of experience within the industry, managing multi-million dollar projects on-time and within budget. Having a certified PMP is critical in managing the large scale and high profile clients BlueWater is attaining. In Q1, BlueWater was awarded a $2 million project with Michigan’s fourth largest higher education institution to design and install its sophisticated AV integration technology.

“We continue to search for the best talent who fits with our culture as we grow our Grand Rapids office,” said Tungl. “The success we’re having is in large part due to our integrated and collaborative team who has the common goal of exceeding our clients’ expectations for each and every project.”

Media Contact: Melissa Diemert

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Southfield, Michigan – February 29, 2012 – BlueWater Technologies, a national provider of Meeting & Event Technology, Digital Media Solutions, Audio Visual Integration, and Custom Fixtures and Displays, reported today 2011 revenue increased 25-percent and its workforce expanded by 35-percent over 2010, which is a direct result of new business across all divisions.

BlueWater’s rapidly growing digital media division doubled in size in 2011, as current and new clients are looking for innovative technology solutions to better promote and engage new business. Over the course of the year, BlueWater developed nearly 40 custom solutions, including iPhone® and Android™-based apps, interactive and multi-touch gaming, lead generation technology, and mobile marketing solutions for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.

“In 2011, we worked with some of the largest mobile phone carriers, financial institutions and automakers in the country,” said BlueWater Technologies’ Director of Operations Bob Daniels. “A significant part of our growth has been successfully integrating our digital media solutions with our other divisions, specifically our live events to help our clients more effectively promote new products through mobile tours and other major events.”

“With our continued success of providing these types of programs, we launched a new website this month to better represent BlueWater,” said BlueWater Technologies’ Director of Marketing John Rose. “We are in an excellent position to continue to increase our market share in all areas of the company as we continue to build our clientele.”

Another major initiative for BlueWater is its ranking #21 in “System Contractors News” 2011 Top 50 Systems Integrators in the U.S. and Canada. Attributing to the company’s revenue growth, BlueWater’s integration department grew approximately 30-percent and as a direct result moved up seven spots from #28 in 2010.

New business in 2011 was for the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment, as owner Tom Gores invests in upgrading the Pistons’ home. The latest in audio visual technology is one of the many enhancements added to the player’s lounge, locker rooms, practice facility, and coaches’ offices, providing the ultimate sanctuaries for players and staff.

Unlike many companies in Michigan, BlueWater is pleased to be able to contribute to the local economy and hire within the state to support its continued growth in 2012.

Media Contact: Melissa Diemert

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Upgrades to Facility Designed to Attract High-Demand Free Agents

Within months of purchasing the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment April 2011, Tom Gores began investing into the future of the franchise. Rather than spending top dollar bringing in high-demand players, Gores copied a move out of Mark Cuban’s playbook and began by significantly investing in upgrading the Pistons’ home – the Palace of Auburn Hills. Offering modern amenities and ensuring player comfort, Gores looks to position the Pistons as a more desirable destination for free agents to help him build an all-star team.

Among the initial upgrades to the facility were the audio visual systems throughout the player’s lounge, locker rooms, practice facility, and coaches’ offices. Palace Sports and Entertainment turned to long time audio visual partner BlueWater Technologies to help guide them through the process and ensure the system worked specifically to their needs.

Player Lounge
To provide the players with a private sanctuary away from the press and media, the player’s lounge was completely updated with the latest in comfort and technology. The centerpiece of the luxory lounge is a Panasonic 85-inch plasma built into a custom entertainment center, all for player use. This player entertainment system includes Tannoy speakers, a Velodyne subwoofer, Blu-ray, iPod connection, various video game consoles and a Crestron control system to simplify its use – one control panel to manage all the audio visual solutions.

Palace Locker Room
The Palace locker room is now equipped with an 85-inch Panasonic plasma to be used for reviewing game film and scouting. This centrally located plasma provides coaches and players a tool to easily identify competition strengths, weaknesses, plays and more. Sources for this display are housed in a rack enclosure built into the wall and
include Blu-ray, HDDVR cable / satellite box, Denon AV receiver, iPod dock and laptop inputs. This room was also outfitted with a Crestron control setup to maintain simplification.

Offices & Conference Rooms
Throughout the offices and conference rooms, BlueWater installed several 55-inch Samsung LED LCDs for coach and staff use in reviewing, scouting and all other game operations. The requirement for this installation was to maintain the integrity of the interior design, so BlueWater housed all the components within finished racks that match the furniture. Sources in each room include laptop connection, Blu-ray, and cable/satellite.

Pistons’ Practice Facility
Looking for an efficient way to discuss strategy, BlueWater installed two 70-inch Sharp LED LCDs to be used as interactive white boards during training sessions – in both the locker room and the film room. Interactive white boards provide coaches a method to effectively demonstrate strategy, plays, and easily make adjustments as tactics are discussed. Sources feeding these displays include cable/ satellite, Blu-ray and laptop input.

Pistons’ Practice Court
To enhance the practice court, BlueWater installed six JBL controls and 28 speakers, all of which were housed in metal cages for protection. Sources for audio include AM/FM/XM from a new Denon receiver and a wall mounted iPod dock. All three of these zones were equipped with Crestron control to simplify their use.

Tom Gores has made significant enhancements to the Palace of Auburn Hills and continues down this path to reach the ultimate goal of building and maintaining an all-star team, as well as a first-rate entertainment venue.

Room Breakdown

Owner’s Suite

• Samsung 65” LED 1080/3D Display w/2 Pair Active Glasses
• Denon AV Receiver
• Blu-Ray Player
• Microsoft Kinect
• Tannoy Surround Speakers

Palace Players Lounge

• Panasonic 85” Plasma
• Blu-Ray Player
• iPod Dock
• Denon AV Receiver
• Surround Sound Speaker Package

Basketball Operations Office

• (2) Samsung 55” LED Display
• (3) Tannoy In-Wall Speakers
• Denon AV Receiver
• Blu-Ray Player
• (2) HD-DVR Cable/DirectTV Box

Practice Facility Locker Room

• Sharp 70” LCD Screen
• Denon AV Receiver
• Crestron Control System
• Blu-Ray Player
• Subwoofer

Palace Locker Room

• Panasonic 85” Plasma Display
• Denon AV Receiver
• Tannoy Surround Speakers
• Blu-Ray Player
• iPod Dock
• Crestron Control System

Practice Facility Film Room

• Sharp 70” LCD Screen
• New Wiring
• Use Existing AV Components

Coach’s Office / Conference Room

• (2) Samsung 55” LED LCD
• (2) Blu-Ray Player
• (4) HD-DVR Cable/Sat Box
• Furniture Equipment Rack

Practice Facility Workout Area

• Denon AV Receiver
• (6) JBL Control-28 Speakers
• (2) JBL Control-29 Speakers
• Protective Speaker Cages
• iPod Wall Dock
• Crestron Control System

Atrium

• (3) Sharp 80” Aquos Quattron LED in Portrait
• (3) BrightSign Digital Signage Players

Video Conferencing to Support Health & Advanced Education

As a world leader in patient care, the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) prides itself in offering the best coverage possible for each patient’s specific needs. In order to facilitate this kind of best-in-class care, the University invests heavily in targeted research facilities.

Research, Treatment & Care Facility Investment
Most recently, the university invested $215M into the development of a facility dedicated entirely to the research, treatment and care of patients suffering from heart disease, blood vessel disorders and strokes. At five stories and 315,000 square feet, the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center brings hundreds of doctors and staff from around the world together in one of the countries first state-of-the-art cardiovascular facilities.

Connecting Cardiovascular Specialists Globally
To facilitate communication between cardiovascular specialists around the world, the University of Michigan Health System administration and operational staff, and the students and physicians throughout the facility seeking extended education, the video conferencing and distance learning systems were installed into key rooms, including the auditorium, conference rooms, boardroom and procedure rooms. Equipment includes high-definition cameras and playback displays, audio reinforcement and equipment control.

Procedure Rooms
Starting with the procedure rooms, equipment was installed to provide audio and video connections designed to support distance learning, training and operation demonstrations for the University. This technology allows physicians, cardiovascular professionals, and students the ability to connect and view procedures in real time from any equipped room or at remote locations to facilitate their continued education. This technology also allows resident doctors the ability to collaborate with remote experts to better diagnose and treat their patients.

Boardrooms & Administrative Offices
Technology in the boardroom and in many of the administrative offices allows the hospitals’ operations staff to stay connected and work more quickly, within the building itself and with the rest of the University of Michigan Health System. The efficiencies created through use of telemedicine allow the UMHS to maintain a top global rating in medicine, treatment, and in physician education.

Telemedicine

Advances in communication technology are changing the way healthcare professionals are able to connect with their patients and among their peers, offering a greater reach for information to be shared than it was ever possible before. This increase in communication allows doctors to collaborate more quickly, hospitals to operate more efficiently, and provides essential benefits to patients’ and their care.

Video conferencing solutions instantaneously connect the farthest ends of the world, opening up access to specialists and advanced treatment without the need for travel. This technology allows doctors the ability to collaborate in real-time on cases, reviewing the same up-to-date patient information to provide the best care possible. This also allows specialists to work more efficiently, providing their knowledge to a much broader audience including those located in remote areas.

This technology helps hospital and other healthcare operations as well, providing a reduction in travel expenses and minimizing doctor and administrator downtime by allowing them to connect without travel. Healthcare organizations may also reduce their overhead through the sharing of resources, limiting the number of specialists on staff at each location, and sharing their talent across multiple facilities. This technology also allows for hospitals and healthcare providers to offer more advanced training to staff, removing the limitation of location and time. Training sessions may be recorded and played back at a later date when convenient, or used as tools to train new staff without the need to tie up resources to discuss something previously covered.

However, the greatest benefits of telemedicine are those passed on to the patients. Advanced communication systems allow patients to remain near home with their local healthcare provider, closer to their family and friends where they can feel more comfortable. Patients living in remote areas can be diagnosed and treated much more quickly than before and in some cases at all. These patients also have access to specialists that can provide better care for their specific needs. Patient information collected at one location may also be shared with others that need access to it, offering a quicker discovery process and smoother interactions in what can be a very stressful ordeal.

The increased ability to communicate through video conferencing and distance-learning systems provide a much higher level of care to people. From access to specialists, to quicker transfer of patient records and more attentive and experienced staff, organizations embracing the use of technology will take the lead in patient care and gain their recommendation to those around them.

Benefits of telemedicine:

• Offer real-time communication between patient, provider and specialist to improve the level of care
• Increase access to top level doctors and specialists regardless of location, allowing rural hospitals the ability to provide more advanced care
• Reduce the need to transfer patients for special care by providing a more stable environment during treatment
• Improve training for doctors, nurses and general staff by allowing information to be presented at multiple locations simultaneously
• Reduce travel expenses and operation carbon footprint

Mobile Event Technology

Driving New Business
Collecting information from potential clients is critical to driving new business, yet it can be your most difficult initiative. When it comes to giving out contact information, people are more selective and your window of opportunity to engage is shorter. BlueWater Technologies’ digital media team specializes in providing experiences that help you gather that information in a non-invasive manner. For over 15 years we have created solutions designed to help our clients accelerate new business opportunities as well as retain and enforce existing relationships.

Lead Generation Technology
Through creative use of mobile and web technologies our team helps you streamline the process of conversation and data collection, along with providing comprehensive reporting and analysis tools to make sense of the data later. An intuitive CRM system offers your sales force, product specialists, and brand ambassadors the ability to quickly capture important consumer information that reaches far beyond just a name and address. Whether it is in your store, on the web, or at an event, a lead capture system helps you better understand the audience in front of you in the least invasive way possible. A conversation without the interruption of data entry is more likely to result in a positive brand experience; one that does not leave your audience feeling like they were part of your sales cycle.

Casual Gaming
Keeping consumers engaged is essential to learning more about them and building a stronger image for your brand. Casual gaming provides a great vehicle to do both. By bringing the experience of your event to mobile platforms, brands are able to drive more interest, further educate consumers and gather more insight in a positive and entertaining fashion. Game development also provides brands with a takeaway from events that can help promote conversation and extend reach. This type of mobile development can also be tied into lead generation efforts offering a non-invasive method of gathering information or adding to the information you have collected elsewhere.

Interactive Content
Content is king, yet even when displayed on bleeding-edge technology your experience will only be as good as the content you created. Adding interactivity requires additional thought to be put into the creation of your content. Without a natural user experience, your content will end up leaving your audience unsatisfied. BlueWater’s design teams have been creating this kind of content for over a decade, long before the first iPhone revolutionized touch technology. From art direction, creation and interactive programming, our team can help guide you through to successful results.

Social Media Integration
There isn’t much question to the power of viral marketing; Promotion is most effective when your customers are telling the story of your products or services for you. Tapping into the power your consumers’ social networks provides you with an extremely effective method of extending your reach far beyond the event floor. Our digital team is experienced in pulling together the various components of an event to create the most natural user experience possible. Whether your on-site activations include photo, video, or something as simple as a player score, integration to social media will gain you far greater visibility for your brand.

Our Experience
Mobile marketing tours, auto shows and tradeshows, summer concert tours, and retail applications are the most popular opportunities for mobile technology and development. BlueWater’s digital media team has developed and maintained successful lead generation programs, game development, and social media tie-ins for hundreds of clients including Ford, Nike, T-Mobile, Samsung, AT&T, Blink-182, General Motors and Mazda. Our creative team is always eager to brainstorm ideas with you to help reach your goals.

BlueWater Technologies has the Expertise to Ensure Your Brand, Messaging & Goals are Accomplished

With the demand for doctors’ and administrators’ time ever increasing and the growing importance of sharing new information, it’s essential to find a communication partner that efficiently facilitates the transfer of knowledge. BlueWater Technologies brings more than 25 years experience in helping organizations communicate ideas and information through use of technology that’s designed to reinforce your message, extend your reach, and make the world a little smaller.

Whether you’re putting on a large-scale meeting or fundraiser, hosting a conference, or looking to make an impact at a tradeshow, BlueWater has the state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and seasoned technical teams to support you. With one of the largest audiovisual inventories in the nation, and strategic partners located across the country we are there for you wherever you need to be.

Conferences, Seminars & Training
BlueWater provides technology and staffing to ensure your message is delivered at any size meeting or event. Through use of large format displays such as projection or LED, image magnification, and audio reinforcement we help your message break through to captivate and engage your audience. Recording and video streaming services increase the reach of your event by allowing greater attendance from anywhere in the world and on-demand playback for viewing at a later date.

Fundraisers
Mood is important at any event where you’re raising money, and BlueWater can help you create an experience to remember. Lighting and audio support can completely alter an environment, giving it a warm and inviting feel, while cameras and large format displays or distributed video allow you to showcase auction items to all in attendance to create more interest and help drive the number of bids.

Tradeshows
From eye-catching visual technology and interactive elements to help drive attendance to your booth, to lead generation solutions that quickly capture relevant information and help your investment pay dividends, BlueWater is a leader in providing tradeshow technology to enhance your brand and leave a longer lasting impression with your audience.

AV Meeting Services

• Professional AV Equipment Rental
• Projection, LED, HD Displays
• Cameras, Switching, Recording & Playback
• Audio Reinforcement
• Staging, Set Design, Labor
• Breakout Room Support
• Distance Learning, Recording, Online Distribution

Interactive Elements

• Interactive Displays & Content Creation
• Custom Game Creation
• Tradeshow Booth Technology
• CRM & Lead Generation Solutions

BlueWater Technologies Installed & Configured a State-of-the-Art Digital Media Solution

When Davenport University added the Robert W. Sneden Center to their list of facilities, they wanted to ensure they had the right infrastructure in place not only for the technology that was installed at the time but for the technology of the future. With that goal in mind Davenport sought out the experience of BlueWater Technologies’ AV Integration team to help design a system that could easily adopt new technology as it was required.

“We designed the systems in the Sneden Center to be as future proof as possible,” explains a BlueWater senior systems engineer. “The systems had to be state-of-the-art and easily added on to, since the university did not have the budget to do everything they wanted in the initial build-out, particularly in their new auditorium.”

In the auditorium, on of the keystones of the project, BlueWater installed a Crestron DigitalMedia backbone, which allows the ability to transport and switch digital audio and video signals between all the devices over Crestron’s version of a network cable. Crestron’s cable standard supports much higher bandwidth than traditional network cable to facilitate the transfer of full 1080p HD video and audio signals over much greater lengths.

The auditorium design includes multiple projectors, audio control and processing, and a number of different media sources including PC and Blu-ray. Future additions to this system are planned to include streaming, production, and distance-learning capabilities to support the various types of events planned for the auditorium. With this much equipment, installing a control system was necessary to simplify day-to-day use.

To accomplish this, a 15” Crestron touchscreen was installed into the main podium and programmed with an easy and intuitive interface that was simple enough for novice users to learn. A second 15” Crestron touchscreen in the equipment area was installed for the technical operator; with much more advanced controls over the equipment.

The Sneden Center executive boardroom, also designed around the Creston DigitalMedia backbone, was outfitted with HD video conferencing and digital AV presentation capabilities that allow the university to regularly interact with its 14 other campuses throughout Michigan. BlueWater installed projection, audio reinforcement equipment, and a number of different sources including Blu-ray, computer, laptop inputs, and the university’s video distribution system, which carries cable news and television plus campus programming.

To keep things simple for the faculty and administrators using this room, BlueWater provided a clean and intuitive control solution that anyone can use by following the on-screen instructions. Through use of control and automation, high-end technology can be at a much more friendly level that doesn’t require an expert to use.

BlueWater Technologies provides interactive technology in CMU’s McGuirk Arena

When Central Michigan University (CMU) decided to deploy a digital signage network within McGuirk Arena, they wanted to provide something more than dynamic displays. The goal was to engage its audience with more personalized information, and as a result incorporated an interactive wayfinding solution into their digital signage installation.

The traditional digital signage network, consisting of nine 52” displays mounted around the arena, contained the information you expect to find; current and upcoming events, local weather, news, emergency notification, live game feed and static direction. All of these displays are controlled from a cloud management server, offering remote access to the network administrators, allowing them to update the content and schedule playlists, as well as provide real- time feedback on network and device status.

To take the system to the next level, four 52” optical touchscreen displays were installed in tamper-proof enclosures at ground level around the stadium. These displays offer a unique experience to its audience, providing access to custom developed wayfinding software that is designed to help users navigate the facility.

The interactive map shows users their current location and where to find concession stands, restrooms, elevators, seating, and stores for merchandise. By selecting the desired destination, the system virtually maps out the path the user should take to get to that point from the current location, making navigating the expansive facility simple.

More detailed information on each location is also available from these displays, such as menu items available at a particular concession stand, or the services offered at the different counters and ticket booths. More detailed information found on the digital signage is also accessible through zoned areas on the pages of the wayfinding displays. With a single touch users can expand out more details on weather, upcoming events, current game statistics, news and more!

Technical Specifications

• 52” Commercial Grade LCD Monitors
• Optical Multitouch Overlays
• Digital Signage Software
• Media Players
• Content Server
• Wayfinding Content Development