If you’re like me, you probably think that scams are something someone else falls for — not you, of course. The reality, however, is that scammers have gotten much more sophisticated than I’ve been willing to admit. Earlier this year, a study from Airbnb revealed that more than 40% of Americans have fallen for an online scam with an average loss of approximately $2,000.
Scams aren’t always about a fake product or service, though. Today, Barbara Scofidio offers a look at the increasing number of illegal transit companies that are targeting business travelers and meeting attendees at airports. Why deal with that 35-minute wait for an Uber in Las Vegas when there’s a cheaper and faster option? Well, that option could be a company that lacks commercial insurance and fails to do any real vetting of its drivers.
Head below for the full story, along with helpful tips for breaking into the C-suite and advice on writing a welcome letter that will actually resonate with attendees. — David McMillin
DON’T MISS OUT
The scams reaching your attendees are the visible edge of a problem AI is scaling fast, and the events industry is an easy mark.
At Skift Meetings Forum, Nirjary Desai of KIS (cubed) Events leads a working session on how AI now forges documents, spins up fake vendor sites, and slips past the checks planners rely on. It sits inside a full day with senior planners from Time, FIFA World Cup 26, SXSW, and Marriott Bonvoy at the Javits Center on September 22.
FEATURED STORIES
4 Ways Women in Meetings Can Break Into the C-Suite
by Andrea Doyle
These moves tend to separate the people who get promoted from the people who deserve to be.
How to Write a Welcome Letter Attendees Will Actually Read
by Barbara Scofidio
A welcome letter is the one message every attendee is guaranteed to see — and often the one planners give the least thought.
Illegal Limos Are Targeting Meeting Travelers — and They Look Legit
by Barbara Scofidio
An early look at a study on unlicensed ground transportation providers show they now have slick booking sites and branded sedans — and they’re taking aim at convention-goers.
Visit Atlantic City + Skift Meetings
A century of firsts gave Atlantic City its identity. Now oceanfront venues, new hotel towers, and 500,000 square feet of exhibit space are giving it a modern meetings case.
WORTH YOUR TIME
Five things worth your time today.
Know when and where you should be next year with a rundown of the key dates on the 2027 meetings industry calendar.
Learn why emotional intelligence will carry a premium in the age of artificial intelligence.
Get a closer look at how a surprising World Cup host city is gearing up for a new chapter of welcoming mega-events.**
See how humans — yes, real humans — are doing a better job than AI-powered matchmaking apps.
Be aware of the privacy risks of letting attendees wear smart glasses to your next meeting.
** A sponsored message from Visit KC.
SKIFT PICK: TRANSLATING TRAVEL TRENDS FOR MEETINGS
Good News for Hotels: Rates Are Recovering Faster Than Expected.
Bad News for Planners: You May Have Less Bargaining Power Than You’d Like.
CBRE just raised its 2026 U.S. hotel RevPAR growth forecast to 2.5%, more than double its earlier call of 1.2% at the start of the year — and it's crediting the jump to a stronger-than-expected recovery in business transient and group travel. Luxury is leading the way at a projected 5.2% RevPAR growth. While the U.S. has the largest hotel construction pipeline on the planet, the pace of new construction starts has slowed for 15 straight months. And as anyone in the hotel world knows, there’s a big difference between a property that’s being talked about and a property that’s actually nearly done and ready to open its doors for your attendees.
What does it all mean? Well, group and business travel demand is recovering ahead of schedule, and net new supply is only trickling in relative to the existing base, especially at the top end. If you’re negotiating a block on the higher end for 2026 or 2027, expect less flexibility on rate than you managed to score over the past couple of years, and build your budget around the increase.
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.
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