Technology expo introduces potential new gear

Photo By Lance Cpl. Andrew Avitt | Gayl Tibbs, a nation accounts manager with BearCom Wireless World Wide, presents a Total Enterprise and Mobility phone to Marines and Department of Defense contractors, April 13, during a technology exposition at the combat Center's Officers' Club. The phone can receive calls from office phones, serve as a cellphone with internet access as well as communicate with two way radio systems.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

04.16.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Andrew Avitt 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Department of Defense personnel aboard the Combat Center gathered at the Officers' Club to check out a variety of new technologies and tools that could be useful to the Marine Corps.

The semi-annual exposition displays technology and mission-enhancing equipment for commanders and sections aboard the combat center, said Christy Shaak, an event manager for National Conference Services Inc., the premier marketing, planning and production company serving the U.S. government.

"The purpose of having technology expos is to bring companies with their products and services to people who are in need of those products and services," said Shaak, from State College, Pa.

The event featured 17 different technological companies including Hewlett Packard, BearCom, Office Max, Newark and several others, which featured computers, printers, hardware and many other useful gadgets.

One of the products that received the most attention was a highly-mobile multi-featured phone.

"Most people, especially those in the military, don't sit at a desk all day," said Gayl Tibbs a national accounts manager with BearCom, "This phone is your desk phone, your Blackberry, and it's even interoperable with two-way radios."

The new phone, accurately named the Total Enterprise and Mobility phone, offers users the ability to interact with multiple types of communicating devices.

Having a phone with a two-way radio option is something most Marines could use, said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Espinosa, an administration chief with the commanding general's office and an expo patron.

Another major attraction at the expo was a small, mysterious black box. Alex Sebens, a government education salesman for Samsung, held the small box in his hand and challenged expo patrons with the question, "What is this?"

"He loves to do this," said Joe Fiumara, a print specialist with Samsung, to another bystander.

To some in the crowd, Seben's enthusiasm was justified. They soon learned he held the world's smallest light-emitting diode projector in his hand. The box is capable of projecting a 5-foot image onto a nearby wall.

The expo's specific focus tries to strike a balance between office and field technology. Companies invited to the expos are usually requested by commands through NCSI, who then contact the company to make an appearance.

The event, which began about 10 years ago at government installations around the world, is scheduled to return to the Officers' Club Dec. 7.

• Date Taken: 04.16.2010
• Date Posted: 04.16.2010 16:29
• Story ID: 48258
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US