AI + Event Tech: Hype or Real?

Here's how to tell the difference, because not all AI-powered event tech is created equal. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

Hi there,   You've heard the pitches. "AI-powered." "Intelligent." "Agentic." But what does any of it actually mean for how you manage meetings and events?   There's a real difference between tools that use AI to do something genuinely new — and tools that have added a chatbot and called it a transformation. Knowing how to tell the two apart is one of the most useful skills you can have right now. That's exactly what we'll cover in our upcoming webinar on June 17, presented alongside Skift Meetings' new research report on AI in event tech.   You'll leave knowing: How to separate AI that moves the needle from AI that just hypes the conversation The right questions to ask vendors Where the real risks are — including the ones that don't show up in a demo Practical. Honest. Built for planners.   June 17 at 11 a.m. (ET) for 60 minutes (inc. live Q&A) REGISTER NOW CMP Credits: If you are working on your Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) accreditation you will be able to earn CE hours for this webinar.   — The Skift Meetings Team Want to participate in future events? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest event trends. Subscribe now. Are you innovating in Meetings and Events? The 2026 Skift IDEA Awards are open for submissions  - Apply today and spotlight your work on a global stage. Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA Manage preferences

⚽️ World Cup's Triple Threat

Security, heat, and disease  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Read online ⚽️ The World Cup's Triple Threat The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today with three risks testing organizers throughout the tournament: security, heat, and disease.   Miguel Neves, Skift Meetings Editor-in-Chief June 11th, 2026 IN THIS EDITION Conference ejections lead to leadership shake-up at ADA. Should you charge for no shows? Three big risks impacting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Plus, the unique challenges of a Tehran-based planner, Bali’s new convention center, a revived event security coalition, and smaller cities investing big in venues. Read on below.     FEATURED STORIES Conference Ejections Trigger ADA Leadership Shake-Up and Internal Review By Andrea Doyle The issue wasn't whether the ADA could enforce its rules. It was whether the organization's response, including the involvement of law enforcement, became a bigger story than the violation itself. GET THE STORY Is Charging for No Shows a Bad Idea? By Barbara Scofidio Some companies have had it with no-shows and started charging a penalty. Others say that only makes them a target on social media.  GET THE STORY World Cup's Triple Threat: Security, Heat, and Disease  By Barbara Scofidio Though organizers have announced strategies for every possible contingency, from drone attacks to food poisoning — the biggest of all is the weather.  GET THE STORY         The World Cup Starts Today. So Does a New Era of Meetings for a Surprising Host City. Visit KC + Skift Meetings The FIFA spotlight doesn't lie. What this summer's global stage reveals about one destination could reshape how you think about your next major event. GET THE STORY         WEBINAR AI is everywhere in event tech right now. This webinar gives you a grounded, practical read on where AI is genuinely changing how events get planned and run — and where it isn't. Joining us to share their independent insights are: Tess Vismale, CMP Fellow, DES, Co-Founder, Event Tech Atlas and Co-Host, The Event Tech Pull Up Podcast Doug Muller, VP, Technology & Innovation, George P. Johnson Vanessa Lovatt, Founder, Event Tech World REGISTER NOW         RECOGNITION The Skift IDEA Awards features five meetings and events categories: hotels, venues & convention centers, destination marketing organizations, event technology, and cruise lines. Submit your entry by July 1. SECURE YOUR ENTRY         DON’T MISS THESE STORIES Tehran-Based Event Planner Grapples With Job Loss and Daily Uncertainty By Barbara Scofidio The renewed of bombing of Iran will only mean continued uncertainty for planners, who remain unemployed and under pressure. View Article Bali’s New Convention Center Ups the Ante for Large Groups By Barbara Scofidio One of the most popular resort destinations in Southeast Asia, Bali has a new option for large-scale meetings. View Article As Event Risks Expand, Industry Revives Security Coalition  By Andrea Doyle Planners are confronting a broader and more complex risk landscape, from violence and cyberattacks to fraud and workplace safety gaps. In response, a long-paused security coalition is being reactivated and expanded to reflect today’s threats.  View Article These Smaller Cities Are Pouring Billions Into Convention Centers By Andrea Doyle Convention center investment is no longer concentrated in a handful of first-tier cities; cities from Albany to Indianapolis are spending billions to compete for meetings business. They are betting that modern facilities and walkable districts will draw planners in. View Article         Skift Meetings Toolkit Great events are built on strategy, innovation, and the right resources. The Skift Meetings Toolkit is your go-to hub for best practices in managing meetings and events. EXPLORE THE TOOLKIT         Thanks for being a regular reader. We are switching to a new email platform. Why? This change will allow for better delivery, and more engaging newsletters. Please take a moment to add this new email address to your contacts to ensure you continue receiving your newsletters without interruption. During this transition, these emails might land in your promotions or spam folder. To ensure you don’t miss out, please move this newsletter to your primary inbox.       DEFINING THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2026 Skift 35 W 31st St. New York, New York 10001, United States Terms of Service