UNITE HERE Local 2 hotel union workers ratified an agreement with Marriott International to end its 63-day strike in San Francisco, the last city to settle after a series of strikes at Marriott properties across the U.S. Strikes were held and later resolved in Boston, Detroit, Oakland (California), San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, Oakland and locations in on Oahu and Maui (Hawaii).

Matthias Schultze, managing director of the German Convention Bureau, was named the recipient of the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s 2018 JMIC Profile and Power Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the meetings industry forward.

Meetings Today Chief Content Director Tyler Davidson shares his personal stories and fond memories of California's the Cow Palace—a quirky and sometimes smelly venue for conventions and other major events—that also serves long-running home of the Grand National Rodeo.

Marriott International is taking a $126 million hit to pay for the massive data breach discovered in its Starwood Hotels division in November 2018. The news reinforces the need for meeting planners to protect the data security of their attendees who book or stay at hotels.

Meetings Today’s Tyler Davidson saddled up for behind-the-scenes access to the Grand National Rodeo, held in mid-October 2018 at the Cow Palace, in Daly City, California. Like the 77-year-old venue, the multigenerational world of rodeo is a quintessential study in Americana, attracting young and old to test their mettle. Tyler interviews Cindy Rosser, the second-generation leader of Flying U Rodeo Company, and Ellen Carr, a 70-year-old former competitor whose granddaughter tested her skill at Jackpot Barrel Racing at the event.

Loews Hotels is increasing its third-party meeting planner commissions to 13 percent at select hotels in 2019. The luxury hotel company is maintaining its current 10 percent commission structure at its other properties.

Hotel worker labor union UNITE HERE and hotel company Kyo-ya, which owns several hotels operated by Marriott in Hawaii, reached an agreement on a new union contract on November 27, ending a 51-day strike. The contract was ratified by a 99.6 percent vote by members of UNITE HERE Local 5.

Washington, D.C.-based meeting planners are being offered free shuttle service to PCMA Conventing Leaders.

While security threats in the physical world understandably grab most of the headlines, cybersecurity breaches have also impacted the meetings and events world, from corporate espionage over insecure Wi-Fi networks to credit card hacks and data theft at major hotel chains.