“A CITY IN FLORIDA LAUNCHES SMART TOURISM APP”

Civic Resource Group International (CRG) and the Downtown Development Authority of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (DDA) today announced the completion of the DDA’s modernizing Smart City initiative. The joint collaboration achieves the goal of designing and delivering a mobile solution that provides instant, multi-aspect navigation data. Residents, visitors and tourists in the city of Fort Lauderdale now have access to a broad variety of digital sources of information.

The two organizations are pioneering the first complete multifunction solution that supports Smart and Sustainable Urban Mobility, as well as Travel and Tourism in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The integrated technology suite includes key functional components covering all things Fort Lauderdale: a new website ( http://www.golauderdale.org/ ), smart phone application, and 10 interactive kiosks that will provide the latest information for those looking for what to do and how to get around the city using public transportation.

CRG is the prime and only contractor to DDA across the entire initiative. CRG developed the customized Smart City technology, which includes data from Yelp API, Google Places, Broward County Transit, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Tourism Bureau ( http://www.sunny.org/ ). The resulting interactive solution, named “GoLauderdale” combines data from various sources into a single, real-time display of information about cultural events, dining, shopping, special offers, attractions, hotels, and transportation options among others.

The “GoLauderdale” smart phone app is available on iTunes ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/golauderdale/id1053400388 ). The app works offline, thus eliminating roaming/data charges where applicable. Besides finding accommodations, events, dining, attractions and more the app will help enable users to navigate to their destination using the trip planner feature; use bookmarks to help plan the journey; use interactive maps & compass view to find what to do and how to get there. The app also includes Augmented Reality-enabled features such as geospatial search, pointing, and pointing- enabled search. Users will be able to virtually “teleport” to another location to see their next planned stop.

This interactive program was initiated to coincide with the Wave Streetcar’s station information and was funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Interactive kiosks are available downtown and along the beach. Users can get directions to attractions from their current location using GPS, with interactive mapping that incorporates real-time transit information. GoLauderdale.org allows users to choose from select geographical areas, and the program suggests restaurants and incorporates reviews, menus, current offers, and nearby options.

GoLauderdale is a new way to experience the city using an insider’s guide tailored to locals and tourists alike. “This system is invaluable for anyone who wants to experience Lauderdale like a local. Like all of our projects at the DDA, it’s an essential enhancement to the infrastructure of our great downtown,” said DDA urban planner Chadwick Blue. “This is just the latest improvement to make downtown user-friendly and accessible to new-comers, visitors and seasoned locals.”

“For today’s mobile citizenry ‘GoLauderdale’ is a quintessential modern community-serving necessity. It not only delivers curated up-to-date information to Fort Lauderdale’s residents and visitors, in essence, the ‘GoLauderdale’ service helps to boost local economy. Seeking to enrich their experience by participating in community events, attending concerts and festivals, shopping, dining and using public transit, locals and tourists equipped with the ‘GoLauderdale’ app now can directly contribute to the city’s economical and lifestyle well being. Another important aspect to note: ‘GoLauderdale’ serves as a great example of an effective engagement between citizens and the broad public sector agencies and organizations. Ranging from helping citizens and tourists find activities of their choice to exploring cost-effective and sustainable means to get there, as a result making the quality of communal life better through rich and satisfying cultural experiences,” said Gregory G Curtin, Ph.D., CRG’s Founder and CEO