Articles tagged “meetings”

The hubbub over commission cuts seems to have died down for now, although agents and planners are scrambling to figure out what to do. Booking away from Marriott and Hilton properties may not always be the best move for a client, so it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Travel agents and meeting planners feel betrayed by Marriott’s – and now Hilton’s – move to cut commissions on group bookings. They’re grappling with ways to deal with the cuts, even as they fear more hotel companies may follow suit. It's not personal, though; it's strictly business.

Data security is taking on a new importance, with new legislation and the public spotlight moving to shine on the dangers of mishandled personal information. Partner with the right technology providers to avoid making a costly mistake.

U.S. meeting planners expect the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation to have a major effect on how they manage data. While the giant meetings firms are prepared to comply with it, smaller companies and related meetings vendors may lag behind.

Collaboration between IMEX Group and C2 International shows the value, and power, of creativity in the meetings and events space. The more lessons planners from around the world can learn from these educational sessions, the better.

Safety should be a priority for events, whether taking place at a local hotel or a convention center in a gateway city. Unfortunately, event planners don't always have the resources they need to prepare for complicated security situations.

The meetings and events industry is still working to figure out a better approach to security. For the time being, safety should be the priority for planners as they look to stage new events, even if a destination doesn't seem particularly risky.

Hilton following Marriott with a commission cut is no surprise, really. The writing is on the wall for a larger upheaval in meetings' distribution. The innovation of small upstarts will play an important role, as well.

Figuring out where to hold a small meeting is becoming more like booking a flight or hotel online. As more of the giant hotel chains buy into this model, there is the potential for the wider distribution marketplace for meetings space to shift significantly.

Nearly a billion people around the world will tune in to watch someone else play a video game this year. Digital events have become ingrained into the culture of millennials and Gen Z, and the sector is rapidly learning how to combine virtual entertainment with engaging real-life experiences. Event professionals need to pay attention to this evolution.