Although this is just a briefing of what is included in the full report, it is clear that event planning is a growth industry. With the growth in smart devices and nearly universal internet coverage, hotels that have their own venues or are affiliated with a venue can almost not afford to have a piece of the event industry. By automating their processes, hotels and their event planners can increase efficiency and their bottom line.

The Thai government is considering adding technology as an addition to security for visiting tourists, As an addition to a potential curfew, use of the buddy system, and a restriction on where parties can be held, wristbands containing resort information can easily be issued to travelers. The Thai government is also considering an electronic tracking device, but they haven't worked out the details of its implementation. After the recent murders of two British tourists, the Thai government is anxious to show the world that people can still visit Thailand safely.

Though essentially an update from one company regarding personnel acquisitions, this article features the next generation of cloud-based property management systems. It also indicates, based on the growth of this company, that properties are willing to invest in cloud-based technologies rather than suffer the constant depreciation and maintenance that goes with traditional, in-house servers. As with other systems, the two most important items will be reliability and security. If both are provided by PAR Springer-Miller while reducing cost for hoteliers, both sides can potentially benefit. This system is also "built for the cloud", so it's not an online adaptation of a previous system. This may again help improve reliability and security.

As iPhone 6s begin shipping to pre-order purchasers tonight, this article is very timely for retailers everywhere. Apple already has the support of the big three credit card companies (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) covering 83% of all credit cards out there. They also have buy in from a variety of companies including: Disney, Subway, McDonalds, Walgreens and many more. 220,000 stores are already ready to accept contactless payments . The system uses a combination of hardware, software and biometrics to keep the transactions secure. No actual card data ever leaves the phone. All transactions have unique codes and store personnel never get their hands on a card. Apple may have finally broken the code to making shopping easier and more secure.

The geniuses over at Apple may have finally broken the code (so to speak) on secure transactions and electronic data interchange. Under their new Apple Pay program, arriving with the iPhone 6 in 10 days, users can pay for their transactions with a touch of their finger on their own phone. A unique transaction ID is created for each use, meaning the card data (secured by hardware, software AND biometrics on the phone) never leaves your hand, but the bank and the vendor conduct a highly secure transaction. Apple is launching with support for 83% of credit cards in use and a host of vendors who are ready to accept your digital transfer. Noticeably absent from the list was the world's largest retailer, Walmart. However, if Apples gambit is successful (as the majority of them are), Walmart would be crazy not to follow suit. I would gladly forego a few more things in my pockets if I can still have instant access to the same transaction power from my phone.

This is actually an article touting the benefits of "unplugging" from our 24/7 wired world. The National Park System is notorious for its horrible cell and WiFi coverage. However, with the exception of its use as a safety net, I concur with the author's points. We visit wide open spaces as an escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Our smartphones still function quite well as cameras even without a signal. At the end of a day of hiking, when we return to our hotels or homes, our phones automatically upload and archive our adventures. In contrast to the rental car, airline and hotel end of our industry, the escapist mindset that we go into vacations with, may actually benefit from a lack of networks in some cases. A visit to a high-end resort (a la Club Med) many times comes with the "benefit" of no phone or TV in the room. If you're going on vacation, then BE on vacation. Use the technology to archive and share the fun, but don't let it interrupt an unforgettable experience.

"Now a new kind of commercial drone phenomenon has taken off in the United States. People now use small quad copter drones to even shoot photos and videos for their weddings. What seems like a stranger than fiction phenomenon is actually a new craze across the country." The wedding and hospitality industry finds itself forced to conduct business illegally because the FAA is holding onto an outdated rule that essentially states drones cannot be used as part of a commercial enterprise. From Disney's recent application for four drone-related patents, to the ever-widening array of hospitality connected, drone-related applications (parking lot security, large event coverage, wedding photography, etc), the industry finds itself in a quandary. Does it forego use of drones and wait for an FAA ruling (no earlier than September 2015) and risk being left behind by the early adopters, or does it seize upon and expand the use of drone technology while risking the ire of a powerful government agency? In all likelihood, the market will speak with its wallets, forcing regulators to ultimately play catch-up with an industry that is on the verge of a technology driven explosion.