Monthly Archives: December 2021

Two Dallas companies created ‘most magical’ holiday experiences at the Galleria. The mall kept two creative firms busy designing and operating its Santaland and Snowday experiences.

What makes Santaland the most magical?

There’s a big buildup to the visit with Santa. Families ride on the rumbling express train, where they look out the windows at the changing countryside. Then they walk through a “moonlit forest along an enchanted path filled with starry lights” to Santa’s chalet. There, Santa already has an idea about what the kiddos want for Christmas and knows the siblings’ names.

It’s not pandemic 2020′s standing in a line out in the mall corridor for your turn with Santa seated way up on his sleigh behind a Plexiglass screen.

What makes it the safest?

Santa’s chalet, the only fully enclosed space, is protected by technology from Addison-based CASPR Technology that continuously cleans viruses and bacteria off air and surfaces. Santa is vaccinated, and children don’t have to wear masks. They sit on a bench beside him. Santa will wear a face shield if families prefer that.

“[The company that designed and operates Santaland] Baymo had a vision and made it happen,” [General Manager of the Galleria] Angie Freed said. “They, too, have families and wanted it to be the most magical, layered in technology. It’s not your typical mall photo operator experience.”

Santaland is bringing additional traffic to the mall from people who wanted to see an “in-person” Santa, Freed said. NorthPark Center decided to make its Santa virtual for the second consecutive year.

Galleria Santa reservations are more than double last year’s numbers and are up 20% from 2019, Freed said.

The new experiences bring a new layer to Galleria’s longtime holiday traditions of the 95-foot Christmas tree in the ice rink and its official unveiling on Black Friday with a skating Santa and indoor fireworks.

The mall doesn’t know yet whether the new Santaland is a moneymaker, but, Freed said, “It’s meant to be a gift to North Texas.”

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Hotworx Knoxville franchisees go all-in with technology: infrared saunas workouts, plus CASPR Pro duct-mounted to kill pathogens and odors

Source: ABC Affiliate WATE in Knoxville

by: Melanie Vásquez Russell

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tucked in caches of local businesses among three Knox-area communities are studios of saunas that boast infrared technology and workouts that require more heat, but less time to burn calories while also giving the user benefits such as less inflammation and anti-aging effects. The owners of the Hotworx Knoxville franchise chain, Jen and Robert LeBus (pronounced “lee-bis”), are aiming to bring these benefits to more people as they continue to grow.

“We want to create a culture around these – a culture of safety, of health and wellness,” Robert LeBus, Hotworx Knoxville franchise co-owner, said.

What is an infrared sauna and why are people working out in it? According to the Mayo Clinic, an infrared sauna uses light to create heat, while a traditional sauna uses heat to warm the air; an infrared sauna heats a person’s body directly. Several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evidence of benefit; however, larger and more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these results.

CASPR Technologies

In Knoxville, the use of this infrared technology coupled with that of the CASPR [DUCT-MOUNT] air purifying system from Complete Disinfectant Solutions are part of the Hotworx Knoxville owners’ plan to bring a safer workout environment to clients. The technology was originally created with NASA for its space lab explorers in small vessels.

“CASPR [Technologies] really brought all of the third-party validation, all of the medical validation, all of the testing validation that’s been going on since the 60s that says, ‘this stuff does what is says,’ and since we’ve incorporated that, we now know that we absolutely have one of the safest places to work out – because we invested in that,”
– Robert LeBus

All three Hotworx Knoxville locations have CASPR installed into the HVAC system. Complete Disinfectant Solutions says it’s an innovative “no-touch” disinfection technology that helps create Hydrogen peroxide oxidizers that kill pathogens and combat against bacteria, viruses and mold – as well as odors. After seeing the results at their Hotworx studios, Robert LeBus bought the local distribution rights – and they’ve offered the system to others such as Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) and also donated the system to a Bearden High School sports facilities.

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According to a study by the Integrated Benefits Institute, “Due to lost time from work caused by COVID-19, employee benefits for absent workers could cost employers more than $23 billion in total.”

– Nashville Tennessean

COVID-19 has impacted our businesses and lives longer than most people anticipated.

Even with the strides that have been made, safety measures, and science advancements, the novel coronavirus and its ripple effects are still impeding companies worldwide.

Here at home, the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented staffing shortage across the country in industry silos including healthcare, manufacturing, food, tourism and more.

CASPR’s own Dr. Christophe Suchy is quoted in this article about the company’s continuous disinfection solutions that are available now, offering a no-touch solution for businesses looking to protect their spaces and their employees and get people back to work.

Read the article here.

“No matter the pathogen or the year, the impact of staff absenteeism needs to be addressed and fixed. No excuses. The solution is already here.”

Dr. Christophe Suchy
Inventor, Founder, CTO: CASPR Technologies

ABSENTEEISM IS EVERYWHERE AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE

COVID-19 has impacted our businesses and lives longer than most people anticipated. Here at home, the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented staffing shortage across the country. Each community has its own concept of why that is – wages, J-Visas, stipends, housing shortages, unemployment programs – but if you depend on employees showing up for work, you can’t afford to lose them. Cleaning, disinfecting, and keeping your distance are all great measures to stay healthy, but it may not be enough to keep your business staffed and your doors fully open.

IT COSTS US ALL, EVERY YEAR

According to a study by the Integrated Benefits Institute, “Due to lost time from work caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), employee benefits for absent workers could cost employers more than $23 billion in total.”

To alleviate the problem, businesses have taken measures such as shortening operating hours, closing certain days of the week, or opening as usual with minimal staff but then dealing with obvious delays in service. This is not all new. Public schools and businesses all over the country have dealt with lack of staff even prior to the pandemic because of the annual flu and other viruses. No matter the pathogen or the year, the impact of staff absenteeism needs to be addressed and fixed.

THIS IS THE PROVEN, INDEPENDENTLY TESTED SOLUTION

CASPR has an independently tested technology and a proactive solution originally designed for hospitals, which can also be used safely in any business. Its continuous disinfecting properties are scientifically proven to reduce staff absenteeism.

In a hospital trial, CASPR’s products were installed in the HVAC system and supplied a continuous application of low levels of oxidizing molecules over a four-month period. It created healthier air to breathe and, simultaneously, cleaner surfaces for staff and patients.
Compared to the previous year:

• Reduction from 1,313 absentee hours to 762 hours
• Bottom line: that is a 44% improvement
• Hospital room turnover times shortened by 30 minutes
• Benefit: once installed, the solution required zero maintenance
• Benefit: drastic reduction in costs associated with enhanced disinfecting protocols that require staff time to operate, hiring outside labor, and purchasing extra cleaning supplies

THE BOTTOM LINE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

CASPR Technologies has benefits beyond neutralizing up to 99.96% of the viruses, bacteria, mold, odors, and other volatile organic compounds simultaneously in the air and on surfaces. It allows stymied businesses to function better by solving the largest problem first: staff absenteeism.

FINALLY, STOP DEPENDING ON EPISODIC SOLUTIONS

Work environments need a solution that works continuously. But finding a “one-size-fits-all” product is difficult, time consuming and it’s not going to come from periodic treatments that come in a spray bottle or a mister. CASPR (Continuous Air & Surface Pathogen Reduction) is an innovative “no-touch” disinfection technology that utilizes a Natural Catalytic Conversion (NCC™) to create safe levels of gaseous hydrogen peroxide out of ambient humidity and oxygen in the air. Literally, turn it on and walk away. It works for you, so we can all get back to work.