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.

As much as we might prepare and plan ahead for the holiday season, the stress that usually comes with the time that should be joyful often takes us by surprise, especially if you’re a busy meeting planner with seasonal events to oversee plus family life to balance. Three wellness experts—Holly Duckworth, Deb Gee and Nova Browning Rutherford—shared tips on ways to decompress, destress and re-emerge with newfound positivity.

As the new year approaches, so does a new beginning for San Francisco’s meetings business. The long-awaited opening of an upgraded Moscone Center came in early January, as the convention complex debuted a $551 million expansion.

Meetings Today reached out to Brian Friedman, vice president of digital innovation at event management software company Aventri to get his forecast on the top event technology trends.

Hyatt Regency Seattle opened with 1,260 guest rooms and more than 103,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The property is the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest and located just two blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022.

Omni Hotels & Resorts is making it easy to indulge this holiday season with Cookie Cocktails, part of the brand’s month-long Omni Originals culinary series. These cookie-turned-cocktails are bound to spread holiday cheer at properties across the country and will showcase recipes from select chefs.

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.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, one week after 7,500 hospitality workers at 24 hotels in Los Angeles and Orange County voted overwhelmingly to authorize strikes, 800 workers were set to celebrate the Catholic holiday, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe with public actions in front of Southern California hotels: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles, Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, Hilton Anaheim and Sheraton Park Hotel.