Using Technology to Make Events Safer — Meetings Innovation Report

Just weeks after one of the deadliest shootings in U.S. history took place in Las Vegas, one of the busiest meetings and event destinations in the world, the incident is no doubt still on the minds of event organizers, especially the thousands who convened in Las Vegas the following week for the annual IMEX America trade show.

This week, our contributor Sheryl Poe, takes a look at what IMEX America organizers did to ensure the safety and security of their thousands of attendees, as well as how the industry overall is using technology to respond to safety and security risks. The story is well worth a read, especially as new and tragic events have, very sadly, become a normal occurrence in modern life today. Read the story here.

— Deanna Ting

The Future of Meetings and Events Security

Can Technology Make Meetings and Events Safer?: Experts say event and meetings security and the technology employed is continually evolving and will likely evolve even more rapidly after the Las Vegas attack. Read more at Skift

Be Prepared: Creating Your Meeting and Event Security Plan: Meeting security is at the top of everyone’s minds right now. Read more at Trade Show News Network

Are Meetings in a Bubble?: Despite a remarkable string of growth, the meetings industry may be under a false sense of security. That’s the fear of MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer and others who warn that all good things come to an end. Does that mean the industry’s bubble is about to burst as it did a decade ago? It’s too soon to tell, but beware these signs. Read more at Connect

Marriott CEO Believes There Are Limits to What Hotels Can Do About Security After Las Vegas: Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson described hotel security as a “tough space for us,” noting Marriott’s practices vary by region. Read more at Skift

Meetings and Events UX and Technology

How Artificial Intelligence Is Powering the Trade Show of the Future: Whether your view on Artificial Intelligence is colored by the cartoon from the 60s, the Jetsons, or the movie Terminator, chances are you understand some of the incredible capabilities behind it. What you might not have a good grasp of is what artificial intelligence could mean for trade show and business expo events. Artificial intelligence can bring a new world to you, your attendees, your vendors, and your sponsors. Read more at Event Manager Blog

The Future of Meetings, According to 4 Sci-Fi Authors: Who better to ponder the coming years for meetings and conventions? Read more at PCMAConvene

The 15 Most-Innovative Meetings 2017: And what you can learn from them. Read more at BizBash

Loews Hotels Is Taking a Contrarian Approach With Its Asset-Heavy Strategy: A big part of that strategy involves building meeting-friendly hotels near major sporting venues. Read more at Skift

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The Skift Meetings Innovation Report is curated by Skift Hospitality Editor Deanna Ting [dt@skift.com] and SkiftX Editor Greg Oates [go@skift.com]. The newsletter is emailed every Wednesday.

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