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Safety for Guests and Staff: A Top Priority
Safety has become one of the most critical concerns for hotels today. From secure access to staff protection and safe internet, the Scandinavian company ASSA ABLOY delivers innovative and reliable solutions worldwide. A loyal partner of the Independent Hotel Show since its first edition in 2019, we spoke with Jeroen Coesmans, Managing Director of ASSA ABLOY GLOBAL SOLUTIONS Benelux, about safety for guests and staff, and key hotel trends in his field.
How Does ASSA ABLOY Stand Out?
“ASSA ABLOY is the world’s largest provider of access and security solutions, offering everything from mechanical and electromechanical locks to biometric identification, digital access control, and automation. We protect millions of buildings globally and have a strong presence in both commercial and public sectors.
Within hospitality, our Vingcard brand sets us apart. As the inventor of the first keycard lock, Vingcard continues to innovate with digital wallet keys and cloud-based access management. Beyond locks, we provide integrated solutions for linen management, asset tracking, staff safety, Wi-Fi Networks and advanced energy and guestroom management, technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and the guest experience. With over 50 years of expertise and presence in 160+ countries, Vingcard has become a trusted name among hotels and resorts worldwide.”
How Do You Approach Safety for Guests and Staff?
“Safety is a top priority, and we’ve invested heavily. Vingcard now uses MIFARE Ultralight® AES technology for guest cards, securing all communication between keycards, mobile keys, and locks against manipulation, replay, or interception. Physical security has also improved: copying or tampering with key credentials is virtually impossible. 
We support multiple secure formats. From bamboo cards to mobile keys, badges, and wristbands, without compromising safety. Staff safety is equally important: we provide location-based emergency buttons that instantly alert the right response team, leveraging the same secure technology used in access control and asset tracking. Vingcard delivers a fully integrated ecosystem ensuring robust, future-proof security for both guests and staff.”
What Innovations Will You Showcase at This Year’s Independent Hotel Show?
“This year we’re excited to highlight several innovations tailored for modern hoteliers. Our partnership with the Members Lounge features a sliding door entrance and connecting door to our stand, demonstrating seamless guest convenience and operational efficiency.
A major crowd-puller will be our live demo of web-based provisioning for Wallet Keys. Visitors can scan a QR code to instantly generate a digital key in their wallet, ready to use on Vingcard locks at our stand. This process works just as easily from the front desk or a self-service kiosk. We’ll also showcase guestroom management systems for quick installation, immediate energy costsavings, and reliable network solutions. Because safe and dependable guest Wi-Fi is essential today.”
Top Trends in Hotel Digitalisation
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Mobile-first Access – Hotels are rapidly shifting from physical keycards to digital keys via Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and mobile apps, making check-in faster, contactless, and more secure. Most currently installed older Vingcard systems are future-ready and backward-compatible, requiring only minor reprogramming.
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Connected, Personalised Guestrooms – Guests expect rooms tailored to their preferences. IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, smart thermostats, lighting, occupancy detection, and cloud-based guestroom management enable hyper-personalised experiences while reducing energy consumption.
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Integration, Automation & Real-time Data – Hotels increasingly integrate asset tracking, staff safety, linen management, PMS, cloud middleware, and dashboards into one platform. This creates a modular, fully integrated hotel tech ecosystem supporting the entire guest journey, from check-in to housekeeping.
Why the Slow Adoption of Mobile Keys?
“Many hotels were still using older, expensive lock systems that couldn’t be upgraded. Before COVID, some hoteliers also worried that mobile keys would reduce personal interaction at reception. Other obstacles included app requirements, complex procedures, or costly radio-frequency networks that drained batteries. Our new wallet-based mobile keys solve these issues: keys appear directly in a phone’s digital wallet with no extra steps. No hardware requirements are needed other than a Vingcard RFID lock. Hotels are excited about this true digital guest experience.”
Why Participate in the Independent Hotel Show?
“It’s the leading hospitality event in the Benelux. It allows us to showcase our growing portfolio through live demos and connect with hoteliers and partners. We wish it lasted longer, preferable 3 days, so we could enjoy the buzz an extra day and meet even more guests and industry contacts!”
Why Partner with the Members Club?
“After years of planning, we’ve made it a reality. The Members Lounge now offers an exclusive, secure experience, featuring a Vingcard video intercom and card reader, accessible only by Members’ keycards. A connecting door links the Club to our Vingcard exhibition space.”
Goals for This Year’s Show
“Beyond inspiration and positive energy, we aim to reconnect with our key clients, demonstrate new technologies live, and strengthen our business relationships. Since our first exhibition in 2019, the show has become a key event for both team building and tangible business success.”
We're proud to partner with ASSA ABLOY at this years Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam, taking place 22-23 April 2026 at the RAI Amsterdam. Meet them at the show by signing up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when we open for registration!
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