Tyler Davidson | Meetings Today

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Tyler Davidson is the vice president and chief content director for Meetings Today, which publishes the meetings industry trade magazine Meetings Today as well as MeetingsToday.com, various newsletters, webinars, the in-person Meetings Today LIVE! Hosted-buyer events and other meetings and events industry B2B channels.

Tyler has covered the travel trade for nearly 35 years. In his role with Meetings Today, which recently won the prestigious FOLIO: Eddies Award for best magazine issue, Tyler leads the editorial team on its mission to provide the most in-depth meetings content in the industry. Previously, he worked as the Asia, Canada, Pacific Northwest and Western U.S. editor at Travel Weekly magazine and TravelAge West. Before joining the dual editorial staff producing destination sections for Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, Tyler was the Africa, Israel, Middle East, Switzerland and Pacific Northwest editor at TravelAge West. He also undertook general news and feature assignments while working at the magazines.

Besides reporting on the travel trade, Tyler has covered the real estate industry, held various editorial positions at the San Francisco-based national satire magazine The Nose, wrote freelance technology industry pieces and covered the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders for a bilingual newspaper in San Francisco. He has a B.A. in Journalism from San Francisco State University, where he worked in various editorial capacities on its award-winning student magazine, Prism.

Contact: tyler.davidson@meetingstoday.com

Sweetheart of the Rodeo: A Love Letter to California’s Cow Palace and the Grand National Rodeo

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.

Potential Marriott Data Breach Fine Reinforces Need for Meeting Planner Security Measures

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.

Sweethearts (and True Stars) of the Grand National Rodeo

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.

Sweethearts (and True Stars) of the Grand National Rodeo

Loews Raises Planner Commissions at Select Properties

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.

Hawaii Marriott Strike Over

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.

D.C. Meeting Planners Get a Free Ride to PCMA

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

Cybersecurity Musts for Meeting Planners

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.

SmithBucklin EVP Carol McGury to Chair PCMA Education Foundation Board

Carol McGury, executive vice president, event and education services for association services company SmithBucklin, has been elected as chair of the PCMA Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which governs the organization. McGury will assume the role following PCMA’s Convening Leaders meeting January 6-9, 2019, in Pittsburgh. She will replace Maritz Global Events President David Peckinpaugh.

Event Planner Dallas Johnson Describes a Recent Scrabble Gathering in Fort Wayne

Dallas Johnson is an event planner with the North American Scrabble Players Association, which utilizes a number of destinations for events, including Fort Wayne, Indiana. Here she describes her experience meeting at the Grand Wayne Convention Center.