(Source : freedigitalfoto)
The EU General Data Protection Regulation will be out on May 25th. It leaves event professionals less than two months to finish their preparations for the D-Day.
Back in February, Eventsforce, an Event Management software provider, released a study on the readiness of event planners in regards to the GDPR.
The study uses the responses of 120 events planners based in the UK and in the US. The survey focuses on the level of
understanding event planners possess toward the GDPR, their preparedness, the challenges they are facing and their view on the impact of this new law on the MICE industry. The study has also pinpointed that the Event industry is giving more weight to data security.
understanding event planners possess toward the GDPR, their preparedness, the challenges they are facing and their view on the impact of this new law on the MICE industry. The study has also pinpointed that the Event industry is giving more weight to data security.
Overall, the findings show that professionals are cautious towards the GDPR. This could be partially explained by the fact that this new regulation is not fully understood.
Almost 90% of the event professionals responded they were preparing for the new legislation, yet the majority was also aware of their limited understanding in regards to the GDPR.
Why is it an issue?
Data is a vital asset within the MICE industry. A major trend in the industry is the heavy personalisation given to events throughout the customer journey. To create and deliver a unique experience to their customers, event professionals must access data such as contact details, for example. Many events possess registration systems which provide online payment and thus, must deal with sensitive information like bank details. Whether this data is hosted by a third-party or not, event professionals are accountable for securing their customers’ data, to a certain extent.
With the GDPR, the collection, usage and storage of data will be more monitored to protect the EU residents et citizens from potential threats to their personal details. This legislation applies to any MICE holding data on EU citizens and residents, regardless of their location.
To abide the law, professionals will have to follow the guidelines of the GDPR and be prepared.
However, can event planners really be ready, when the GDPR still escapes them?
On this issue, event professionals are not equals. Indeed, depending on their size or strategy, not two organisations would prepare the same way, nor would their levels of preparedness be the same. Some event planners might allocate more financial and human resources to the digital application of the GDPR as well as its legal aspect. Some large companies can allocate the services of a DPO (Data protection officer) who will liaise between the company and the local authorities in charge of data protection. Many small to medium organisations might not have the same opportunity in terms of resources. However, their tactics and preparations for the GDPR could be innovative and efficient enough to withstand the storm.
The GDPR can threaten organisations that are not properly ready. Lacking understanding of this regulation could lead to unwittingly infringing the law. According to the findings, nearly 1 out of 2 event planners couldn’t tell how much were the maximum financial penalties in case of non-compliance.
In an industry where thrust is key, how would you prepare your team and your customers for the GDPR?
Comment below!
Posted by Gaelle Bulgare & Qianyao CHEN
SOURCES
Eventsforce. (2018, February 28). Infographic: Are Your Events Ready for GDPR? Retrieved March 31, 2018, from https://www.eventsforce.com/blog/infographic-events-ready-gdpr/
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