1. NEW YORK DOMINATES JAMES BEARD AWARDS: The James Beard Awards, honoring the nation’s best chefs, restaurants, and bars, moved for the first time from New York to Chicago. But New York’s food scene still dominated the affair, winning best new restaurant (Bâtard), outstanding restaurant (Blue Hill at Stone Barns), outstanding chef (Michael Anthony), outstanding baker (Jim Sullivan), and best pastry chef (Christina Tosi). New York Times: “The ceremony will remain in Chicago for the next two years. The decision to shift the ceremonies from New York, where they have been rooted since their inception in 1990, came about in part because Susan Ungaro, the president of the foundation, believed there was a need to recognize the food scenes in other cities. … Ms. Ungaro also noted the enthusiasm and financial support that Chicago had given to the awards, along with what she said was a ‘compelling offer in terms of sponsorship and marketing.’ Banners announcing the awards were hung around the city.” http://nyti.ms/1c0jrCK
2. BASEBALL LOSES AT LEAST $7.5 MILLION FROM CLOSED GAME: Last week’s Baltimore Orioles-Chicago White Sox Game—the first in history played without fans—likely cost the team about $7.5 million in lost ticket sales, concessions, and other fees. The game was closed to the public because baseball officials feared the civil unrest in Baltimore could extend to the ballpark. Mashable: “A longer-term impact might arise if fewer out-of-town fans venture to Baltimore this season because of the unrest. David Berri, an economics professor at Southern Utah University who specializes in sports economics, said that normally sports events do not significantly impact local economies. ‘But to the extent it’s a tourist attraction, that is a possibility,’ he said. The next Orioles home game is on May 11, when they host Toronto. That day will be a test of whether fans will return in numbers after the pause.” http://on.mash.to/1c0mbAh
3. MET BALL PLANNING INCLUDES WHAT GUESTS WEAR: The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is all about clothes, from the exhibit the evening celebrates (this year the focus is China) to the elaborate fashions on display, which often are orchestrated by Vogue editor and gala co-host Anna Wintour. The New York Times: “As the gala has grown over the years to become a celebrity draw that rivals the Oscars — ‘Anna’s taken it far beyond what anybody expected,’ Calvin Klein said — the planning has grown ever more complex. … But others arrived with designers who Vogue paired them up with, demonstrating the magazine’s power in Hollywood at a time when the luxury business is booming and salaries for appearing in movies are dropping.” http://nyti.ms/1ABH8aC
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, has finished a multimillion-dollar renovation of 15,000 square feet of meeting space and its 27,000-square-foot spa, as well as an expansion of the outdoor pool deck.
CHICAGO: The Dog Dayz of Summer, a hot dog festival from former restaurant Hot Doug’s and Goose Island Beer Company, will take place June 27-28 at the Goose Island Barrel Warehouse. Criterion Productions is producing the event.
LAS VEGAS: Sky Suites at Aria Resort & Casino has unveiled Sky Pool, which has personalized services such as a private guest entrance, refreshments, and luxe amenities.
LOS ANGELES: Hinoki & the Bird has partnered with Virgin Atlantic on the airline’s new clubhouse in Terminal 2 at the Los Angeles International Airport. It will offer three signature dishes and cocktails, complementing a wider menu.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Les Dames d’Escoffier Miami will host a luncheon on May 16 at Smith & Wollensky Miami Beach to celebrate its latest culinary scholarship recipients. The ticketed event is open to the public.
NEW YORK: From July 4-12, Hornblower Cruises & Events will add a 495-ton wooden replica of a Spanish galleon to its fleet. The vessel, called El Galeon, is available for private charters and events of as many as 225 guests.
Katie Bonneau has joined Kwittken as an account supervisor.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN DIEGO: The Grand Del Mar resort has been sold and is now the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The property has 249 guest rooms and 31 suites as well as 27,000 square feet of meeting space and a 21,000-square-foot spa.
SAN FRANCISCO: Art Market San Francisco's fifth edition, which ended Sunday, drew a record 25,000 visitors to Fort Mason Festival Pavilion over five days.
TORONTO: The Toronto Comic Arts Festival takes place Saturday-Sunday at the Toronto Reference Library.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Washington Performing Arts’ 2015 Gala & Auction took place Saturday at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. About 550 guests attended the event, which was planned by RJ Whyte Event Production.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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