Big DMC group Hosts Global, headquartered in Las Vegas, has announced the launch of its General Data Protection Regulation resource program. The announcement comes ahead of the May 25 deadline for compliance. Hosts is included on the latest Special Events "25 Top DMCs" list.
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is designed to better protect the personal data of EU citizens and residents. It covers everything from attendee names, photos and email addresses to social networking posts, medical information and computer IP addresses. It applies to a broad range of companies, including organizations headquartered anywhere in the world, holding events anywhere in the world, so long as the organization is collecting any personal data on any EU citizen or resident attendees. Further, it will cover the United Kingdom even after the U.K. separates from the EU.
In a nutshell, the GDPR aims to give greater power back to the data subjects over how their personal data is used by the organizations that capture, store and process it.
“To work towards global readiness and consistent execution for our clients in advance of the enforcement deadline, we are proactively rolling out a GDPR Resource Program, and initiating training with our 55+ member destination management companies,” said Marty MacKay, DMCP, president of Hosts’ global alliance of DMCs. The new program provides all Hosts Global DMCs with checklists for creating standard operating procedures, best practice guidelines, and training programs led by industry leaders and legal consultants, the company said.
“Hosts will not only be prepared to protect data and meet industry needs, but to drive the discussion around compliance preparation,” said Jennifer Patino, DMCP, chief operating officer of Hosts Global. “We will continue to keep you informed on the GDPR, its significant ramifications, and the magnitude of our efforts.”
