Meetings can produce a treasure trove of data for associations to collect from their membership base.

“But with GDPR now in place, associations need to become even savvier in deciding what kind of data they collect from events, how this data is used and how it will bring value to their organisations,” says the Eventsforce team in a blog post. “Data management is no longer just an IT issue—it sits at the heart of an association’s success and its ability to acquire members and grow.”

And with more and more data being collected from meetings, data security has become a top priority for associations. That said, 4 out of 5 groups still say managing event data is a problem, according to Eventsforce’s “The Value of Event Data for Associations and Membership Organisations” study. More than 1 in 2 associations also say that their data is spread across multiple systems.

To combat any potential data breaches, the Eventsforce team recommends leaning on one event management system, which can not only help increase privacy protections, but it can also help improve the kind of data you receive from events, increase information sharing, and compile better, clearer insights into member wants and needs.

How to Throw a Sustainable Event

Making our events green is easier now than ever before. From reusable water bottles to venues with #LEED eco-certifications, I’m saving @SmartMeetings most recent eco-friendly checklist for #eventprofs 📝. https://t.co/QoLFrF57WR

— Allison Harris-Turk, CMP, DES (she/her) (@aliharristurk) November 20, 2018

Throwing an eco-friendly event isn’t only about going paperless. For an all-encompassing sustainable event, meeting planners need to start the process early, and with realistic expectations about what they can and can’t do to be more green, says Sean Timm in a post on Smart Meetings.

Start by looking at areas where you can make a more positive environmental impact. Transportation, for example. “By far the largest contributor to your event’s footprint is simply getting people there,” Timm says. “Being mindful about the destinations you consider, as compared to where the majority of your audience lives, can help a lot. Likewise, arranging carpooling shuttles and including public transit passes for attendees is a reliable way to cut down on greenhouse gasses once people are already there.”

Timm also suggests opting for venues with LEED or other eco-friendly certifications, as well as cutting back on water bottles or cans of soda. Remember, you might not be able to be 100 percent green all at once—but even a small step is a step in the right direction.

Other Links of Note

The 20 questions to ask before the end of the year that will make your organization more successful in 2019, from Inc.

As marketing automation continues to evolve, here are the five trends that will define its future, from the Marketo blog.

Social media isn’t the only benchmark for digital performance. CMSWire explains how to score your organization’s digital environment.

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