The specter of active shooters carrying out mass shootings has fallen on the meetings industry after a drumbeat of such horrific incidents in 2018 and before. Sadly, this realization that a violent attack could occur has become part of our lives, and the “new normal” is to have a heightened sense of awareness and risk management preparation in order to protect attendees at events.

There were a number of notable hotel strikes and labor actions in major meetings and conventions destinations across the U.S. in 2018, with actions against Marriott International by the UNITE HERE labor union grabbing headlines throughout the back half of 2018.

In January 2018 independent meeting planners were met with some explosive news that reverberated throughout the industry: Marriott would be cutting commissions for third-party planners! Hilton, Hyatt and IHG joined the party, while smaller chains and independent hotels jockeyed for position by increasing their commission rates. More recently Loews Hotels took a notable stand and temporarily raised commissions.

The Gateway Arch, the signature architectural masterpiece of St. Louis and the icon of the Westward Expansion of the United States, is even more emblematic as a symbol of the city’s resurgence. Fresh off the $380 million CityArchRiver project that made massive improvements to the Gateway Arch National Park surrounding the Gateway Arch, the re-do added a wealth of impressive event options.

The good citizens of St. Louis are kind to their neighbors and welcoming of strangers. At least that’s one thing you could take away from the fact that the taxpayers of St. Louis have long made it a priority to fund a variety of attractions so they are free to visitors.

Michael Sam, a star college football defensive end, became the first openly gay NFL player to be drafted in the league. Sam now speaks about his experience through Keppler Speakers including the keynote at Association Forum’s 30th annual Holiday Showcase, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The American pastime is proving to be a fertile field for baseball stadiums—also known as baseball parks—that are courting meetings and events. In fact, many new ballparks that have been built in the last decade or so count on non-game revenue as a healthy portion of their revenue.

The death of an attendee at NeoCon 2018, held in Chicago’s theMART in June, recently sparked a wrongful death lawsuit against Merchandise Mart Properties, Hollander Design Group—the designer of an exhibit floor showroom swing—and The David Edward Company that operated the showroom.

MPI announced its 2019 International Board of Directors and 2019 MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees. 

Meeting Planners Unite, an association of independent meeting planners that was formed in the wake of the Marriott International commission cuts in early 2018, announced it is offering a healthcare plan for members.