Event Industry Updates

Why are hotel prices so expensive and perks so few? Take an in-depth look at one generic Marriott Hotel stay with US Event Photos lead photographer (and travel host) Mike Gatty. Hotel rates are up 20%, services are down. Fees — like parking — are added on. Restaurants remain limited. In-room amenities are lacking. Why […] The post Hotels in 2024: Less for More first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join LGBTQ travel guru Mike Gatty on his journey through the LUV Airline -- Southwest Air. This four minute look at flying Same Day Change will make your travel easier -- and save you money. Mike is a road warrior, flying about 70 flights on the airline each year -- he holds both A-list preferred status, and a companion pass. A companion episode to Flying Same Day Standby, don't book your flight without brushing up on these tips and hacks. The post Flying Same Day Change on Southwest Airlines first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join road warrior Mike Gatty as he explains the ins and outs of Same Day Standby on Southwest Airlines. They've recently updated their policies, so get up to date on their new rules. Use standby to fly better, get to your destination faster, and to hack the four hour rule at TSA. Learn tips and tricks not discussed any where else -- all in under four minutes. The post Flying Same Day Standby on Southwest first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join host Mike Gatty on a quick 4 minute tour on how to pick the perfect flight for your next trip. The post Picking the Perfect Flight, Part 1 first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join Mike Gatty as he explores how to prevent -- and what to do if -- the airline mishandles your luggage. Lost luggage is the bane of every traveler, but here are practical tips and tricks you can do to help yourself arrive with your bags. Mike is a travel expert, flying roughly 75 flights a year with 300lbs of equipment in 4 large cases, he knows a thing or two about baggage. The post Airline Lost Luggage: Prevention and What to Do first appeared on US Event Photos.

A three minute explanation telling you what to do if your flight is cancelled. Join US Event Photos lead photographer Mike Gatty -- who flies about 75 flights a year -- as he explains the best actions to take if your flight is cancelled. The post What to Do if Your Flight is Cancelled first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join US Event Photos host and lead photographer Mike Gatty as he takes a quick peek at life on the road as an event professional. Mike travels about 80 flights a year, and stays in a hotel about 1/3 of his life. Join him as he shares his best tricks to save money, score better rooms, and travel well. The post My Office at 35,000 Feet Introduction first appeared on US Event Photos.

With OMICRON infection rates plummeting across the country, US Event Photos Lead Photographer Mike Gatty takes a look at the event industry and travel across the country. Live from Greenville, SC and Bassmasters 2022, Mike explores how COVID continues to impact events and travel as we move into a new phase of the pandemic. The post IS IT OVER? How COVID Continues to impact events first appeared on US Event Photos.

According to the LA Times, it is possible to be infections with OMICRON before testing positive for the virus. Event planners should not rely solely on negative PCR or Lateral Flow testing to keep attendees safe. Mike also takes a look at isolation periods after testing positive. The post Omicron Testing Alert! first appeared on US Event Photos.

Host Mike Gatty examines the OMICRON variant, and what less severe illness, lower death rates -- but a more transmissible virus -- might mean for event planning in early 2022. The post Covid and Events: Omicron Silver Lining? first appeared on US Event Photos.

As the Omicron variant sweeps the world, travel and events went into meltdown. Then, the data started coming in and cooler heads are prevailing. The post Covid and Events: OMICRON PANIC first appeared on US Event Photos.

This week, Mike examines what our vaccination rate should be to prevent infection surges and runaway infections. The post How Much (Vaccine) is enough? first appeared on US Event Photos.

While cases rose 10% in the United States over the past two weeks, hospitalizations remain steady. Mike examines if we're moving into a new phase of the pandemic, where higher case numbers reflect less severe illness and may result in fewer future disruptions to events and event planning. The post Covid and Events: Case Climb Benign? first appeared on US Event Photos.

Mike examines the recent rise in COVID cases in California and what that may mean for events; loosening of restrictions on international travel. The post Covid & Events Episode 4 first appeared on US Event Photos.

Mike explores why event participation remains dramatically soft in the last months of 2021 -- and a disconnect between the health protocols event goers expect, and what event planners want to require. The post COVID and Events: Health Protocols Disconnect first appeared on US Event Photos.

Live from Santa Clara, CA US Event Photos Lead Photographer Mike Gatty tackles event attendance and business travel as we return to life on the road. Mike's unique perspective brings facts into sharp focus for these short broadcasts, and supports Mike's own perspectives as he gives his take on what to expect in the event industry for Q4 of 2021 and heading into 2022. The post Covid and Events Episode 3 first appeared on US Event Photos.

Join US Event Photos lead photographer Mike Gatty in a new series detailing what's happening in the live event industry. This first short episode examines events, COVID, DELTA and what to expect in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. If you are an event planner or other event professional, these insights by an industry insider shouldn't be missed! The post COVID and Events Episode 1 first appeared on US Event Photos.

Live from Atlanta, Mike explores whether asking event participants for proof of vaccine violates HIPPA laws. The post COVID and Events Episode 2 first appeared on US Event Photos.