Baltimore-based law firm Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, along with co-counsel Morgan & Morgan, announced on November 30, 2018, it had filed a class action lawsuit against Marriott International “on behalf of over 500 million customers whose personal information, including their names, birthdates, addresses, locations, gender information email addresses, payment card information, and passport information were stolen.”

Following the discovery and public announcement of a massive data breach at Marriott's Starwood-branded hotels that compromised sensitive personal information, including some passport numbers, of hundreds of millions of guests, Marriott International announced the company will pay for passport replacements if it finds customers have been victims of fraud, according to The Washington Post.

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.

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).

When I first saw Sugar Cubes by Symmetry Labs, I saw more than a pretty light show. I saw backdrops that turned into art installations, lights that turned into dance and amazed looks. “Woah, that is cool!” was the typical exclamation I overheard from event participants.

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.

Endeavor Hospitality Group announced today the appointment of Shannon Colbert as vice president of sales and marketing. Colbert joined the team in early 2018 and is accountable for all areas of sales, marketing, revenue generation and revenue management for the hospitality group and its properties. She is based out of the company’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters.

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.