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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.

It’s been a busy week, so let’s take a moment to think about the future of the meetings and events industry.

This week we took a look at the ramifications of Europe’s new General Data Protection Regulation for meeting and event planners. Even if you don’t hold events in Europe, welcoming European attendees means you have to play by the new set of rules.

I also spoke to experts on the rationale behind commission cuts for planners enacted by Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide. As hotel chains have shifted their business models since the Great Recession, and complexity has built up in the meetings ecosystem, cutting costs for hotel owners has taken on increased importance.

We’ve also got the latest on IMEX Group’s partnership with C2 International, and much more, below.

If you have any feedback about the newsletter or news tips, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or tweet me @sheivach.

— Andrew Sheivachman, Business Travel Editor

The Future of EvenTs and Meetings

Marriott and Hilton’s Group Commission Cuts Put Pressure on Industry: As hotel chains have shifted their business models over the last decade, keeping owners happy has become the priority. Reducing group booking commissions for intermediaries saves owners money, so it’s easy to see how the largest U.S. chains will follow the example of Marriott and Hilton in the near future.

What Europe’s New Data Protection Law Means for Meetings and Events: 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.

IMEX Partnership With C2 Shows Impact of Experiential Networking: 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.

Around the Industry

Watch Out, Resort Fees Are Being Rebranded: A new set of fees are being introduced to replace the much-loathed resort fees that are being phased out by some upscale hotels. Since business is good, hotels aren’t afraid to charge more.

Maybe Don’t Plan a Fake Terror Attack for Your Conference: This could end up in the terrible event hall of fame. Fake gunmen, women in racy leather outfits, and off-color jokes aren’t good for anyone’s brand.

TED Experiments With Startup Concept: Combining real-life events with ongoing content and investment in innovative non-profits is an interesting concept.

Moving From Event Apps to Digital Assistants: Using technology to enrich interactions, instead of taking people out of an experience, is on the mind of innovators developing the next generation of event technology.

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Skift Business Travel Editor Andrew Sheivachman [[email protected]] curates the Skift Meetings Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Wednesday.

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Tags: meetings, meetingsiq, privacy

Photo credit: An attendee on his laptop at a convention in Berlin, Germany. New European data privacy laws will affect event planners worldwide. re:publica/Gregor Fischer / Flickr

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