My daughter has worked at Webster Hall, a medium-sized concert venue in NYC, for more than three years. I have been to the venue many times in my life to see bands I like, but not since she has worked there — not because I’m avoiding her, but because none of my bands have played there since she started.
Mind you, Webster has a full slate of concerts happening at any given time, but apparently ones that cater to a, let’s just say, more modern crowd.
That all changed recently when one of my bands, Sugar, who has not toured together in more than 30 years, sold out the venue for three nights straight. Fortunately, I had my in, and she took great care of me. I did warn her that the place was about to be flooded with guys who pretty much looked a lot like me. Not your typical Webster Hall concertgoers these days.
I had plans to attend the third night, but my daughter was also working the first night. She changes positions, but one of her regular stations is checking IDs at the door — she has an eagle eye for spotting fakes. However, that particular skill would be unnecessary for Sugar’s visit, as the manager told them to skip checking because the crowd was obviously way over 21. No need to put wristbands on anyone either, which tells the bartenders that the attendees are old enough to drink. Their eyes can do the trick for this night.
I did get to the show on night three, and they were fantastic.
The point of the tale is that age happens to us all, and one minute you are standing at barricade adjacent to the mosh pit (I had no desire to go in, but liked being near) and the next you are digging the vibe but glad the show lasts only 90 minutes because that is about the maximum time you can stand for.
It is also the point of this month’s feature story on aging in place. I originally believed that aging in place would mean a specific set of technology we could sell to clients, which is also what story-subject Jeff Galea of Boca Tech and Automation thought before he had his CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists) training. However, he learned that aging in place involves all the capabilities we already have, but is more of a change in perspective, and you needn’t only offer it to seniors.
Aging in place requires you to challenge your clients with thinking about their future needs, not only for themselves, but for the people that will visit their homes. Sure, it includes convenience features that automation brings to assist with mobility issues, but it also includes making sure there enough seats in the home theater so that it can be the place where the full family gathers.
While I don’t think it will be its own category as it covers most of the areas we already provide, it can be an important service for your middle-aged clients through to your most senior.
There is no doubt that the needs of a house change as the family ages, and as the trusted technology advisor, there is no one better to advise, install, and maintain it than custom integrators.
See you on the barricade at the back of the club!
