Run the show by leading what's next

Leadership isn't defined by a title. It's built through experience, collaboration, and a desire to keep growing.   Meeting Professionals International (MPI) gives you opportunities to do exactly that.   As an MPI member, you can build leadership skills by volunteering with your local chapter, serving on committees and councils, mentoring peers, and contributing to initiatives that help shape the future of the meetings and events industry. Along the way, you'll expand your professional network, gain valuable experience, and grow your confidence as a leader.   Whether you're an emerging professional looking to take the next step or a seasoned industry veteran ready to give back, MPI provides meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and make an impact alongside peers who share your passion for the profession.   Running the show isn't just about leading great events. It's about helping lead the industry.   Learn more about what MPI membership can do for you at mpi.org/join. This content is brought to you in partnership with MPI. Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA Manage preferences

RainFocus' new Claude integration signals you're going to need to have an answer.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

November 10, 2026   |   Read online How Much Attendee Data Will You Give an AI Agent? RainFocus' new Claude integration signals you're going to need to have an answer.   David McMillin, Skift Meetings Head of Content November 10th, 2026 The events industry is obsessed with data. It’s the fuel behind personalization. If planners know which sessions attendees loved and which ones they walked out of after 10 minutes, they have valuable information to fine-tune an event and make the case to sponsors. Now, RainFocus’ newest product raises a question: How much of that data are they willing to hand over to an AI agent? Andrea Doyle dives into the platform’s new Anthropic Connector, which gives Claude access to data across 17 areas of event management and, with permission, the ability to change it. For anyone tired of static CSV exports that arrive after an event is over, it opens the door to real-time adjustments. But it also comes with plenty of trust and privacy concerns. Head below for the full story, along with smart tips for women traveling solo and new research on why people still attend trade shows (spoiler alert: it’s not education). — David McMillin       ADD THIS WEBINAR TO YOUR CALENDAR What’s ahead for incentive programs next year? Join some of the experts from Skift Meetings’ M&I 15 to hear how they are balancing budget pressures with rising attendee expectations. REGISTER HERE             FEATURED STORIES 10 Safety Tips for Women Planners Traveling Solo By Barbara Scofidio Planners sometimes become so focused on keeping their attendees safe that they forget to protect themselves when they travel alone. GET THE STORY New Research: Trade Shows Are Delivering Efficiency, but Education Isn’t Pulling Its Weight By Barbara Scofidio Both buyers and sellers view trade shows as a cost-effective way to meet with the most people — but fewer than one in 10 rank education as the main reason to attend. GET THE STORY RainFocus Gives Claude Access to Live Event Data — and the Power to Change It By Andrea Doyle RainFocus is moving AI beyond analyzing event data to modifying registrations, schedules, and other operational records. But human approval isn’t automatic, leaving event organizers responsible for deciding how much control to give AI. GET THE STORY Ohio State Wants More Meetings. It’s Offering More Than Just Space  By Andrea Doyle Plenty of universities rent meeting space. Ohio State is making its campus easier to book while offering something hotels can’t: access to faculty expertise, research facilities, and academic experiences. GET THE STORY             What If Conferences Got the Olympic Treatment? Melbourne Convention Bureau + Skift Meetings Learn how Melbourne rallied governments, police, and philanthropists behind Women Deliver 2026. All that worked paid off with a declaration named after the city. LEARN MORE             NEW REPORT ON THE GLOBAL MEETING LANDSCAPE How are your peers thinking about risk in the destination selection process? What’s next for entry policies and fees? Which regions are making the biggest infrastructure bets for the future? Find out in a new report from Skift Meetings designed to help you get a sense of the future of the global meetings landscape. This report was sponsored by Destination Toronto and Ottawa Tourism. GET THE REPORT             SKIFT PICK: TRANSLATING TRAVEL TRENDS FOR MEETINGS Your Senior Attendees Are Running on Empty Skift Research’s new Gen X report calls them “the generation in the middle,” and the numbers back that up. The report finds that seven in 10 Gen Xers are parents, and 65% say caring for an aging relative affects their ability to travel. Those responsibilities mean they need to be at home as much as possible. Now, take a look at the age breakdown at your next program. If the audience includes plenty of participants somewhere between their mid-40s and early 60s, every night they spend at your event is a night someone else handles school pickup or checks on Mom. That should change how you build the schedule. No matter how compelling the agenda looks, three nights away can be a tough sell. Wrapping a day early or offering a day pass may do more for attendance than another big-name speaker.             The Skift Meetings Toolkit All the tools you need for successful meetings and events, all gathered in one place. LEARN MORE             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