November 17, 2014: British Royal Couple Plan U.S. Visit, Government Trade Shows Face Decline, How Event Designer David Stark Spends a Sunday

1. BRITISH ROYAL COUPLE PLAN U.S. VISIT: Prince William and the former Kate Middleton—now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—announced plans to visit New York and Washington from December 7-9. It’s their first trip to either city and their first to the United States since a trip to California in 2011. The royal couple will attend the 600th anniversary gala of their alma mater, the University of St. Andrews; the National September 11 Memorial & Museum; a Brooklyn Nets basketball game; and other events. CBS News: http://cbsn.ws/1uxNLes

2. GOVERNMENT TRADE SHOWS FACE DECLINE: Producers of FOSE, a government technology event with a 37-year history, will not return in 2015, a casualty of federal sequestration cuts and other factors that are threatening the viability of trade shows that rely on government participation. Washington Post: “Dwindling government budgets, combined with a rise in corporate events hosted by the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Cisco, have dealt a blow to trade shows that rely heavily on federal government attendees and exhibitors. Last year’s sequestration further tipped the scales, according to David DuBois, president and chief executive of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. … Overall, attendance at trade shows that rely on federal government participation is down 30 percent so far this year, DuBois said, even as overall trade show attendance continues to grow about 2 percent year-over-year.” http://wapo.st/1xHDe06

3. HOW EVENT DESIGNER DAVID STARK SPENDS A SUNDAY: Event designer David Stark—who is planning the Whitney Museum Gala on Wednesday—shares his Sunday routine with the New York Times. He might be found at the Whitney or the Museum of Arts and Design, playing tennis at the Tennis Center in Prospect Park, or having dinner with his husband near their Brooklyn Heights home. http://nyti.ms/1xdJAFx

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  River Bar, an eatery and bar, opened on Somerville’s Assembly Row this week. The 123-seat venue, which hosts private events, has a 2,600-square-foot patio with fire pits. The menu has an “elevated street food” theme, and items include shrimp chips, chorizo Scotch quail eggs, and Chinese sausage subs.

CHICAGO:  The Chicago Botanic Garden will host its “All Aboard Wonderland Express” party on December 4. With an “Aurora Borealis” theme, the event will offer catering from Limelight and decor from Event Creative.

Rockit Bar & Grill in River North will get a redesign from interior designer Kara Mann in the spring. The venue will also get a new menu and an updated beverage program.

LAS VEGAS:  In a stunt to mark the last sequential date of this century—12/13/14—Caesars Entertainment is offering free, simultaneous weddings at the High Roller observation wheel beginning at 10:11 a.m. and ending at 12:13 p.m. The free rides, which take place in the wheel's 28 cabins, are for brides and grooms only.

Searsucker Las Vegas, the latest outpost of chef Brian Malarkey's upscale comfort food concept, will open in the spring at Caesars Palace.

LOS ANGELES:  J Public Relations, with offices in New York and San Diego, has opened a Los Angeles office. Director Nicole Myden will spearhead the new office.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Siena Tavern, a new Italian restaurant from Top Chef favorite Fabio Viviani, has opened in Miami Beach. The restaurant offers full buyouts for 420 seated guests or 600 for receptions, or partial buyouts of its main bar, terrace, and a private dining room that seats 50 and has a private bar. Viviani's Dineamic Group also offers catering. The 10,000-square-foot space formerly housed the China Grill.

NEW YORK:  Nios restaurant at Kimpton's the Muse hotel is hosting the "Drink Like a Man" event to benefit the Movember Foundation. The ticketed event includes an open bar and a menu of sliders, lollipop wings, and more. A lunch promotion dubbed "Staches, Sliders, and Shines" offers a trio of sliders, a beer, and a shoe shine.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO:  Sixteen monster trucks will compete in side-by-racing at the Monster Jam on January 24 in the new Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium.

SAN FRANCISCO:  San Francisco State hosted its 18th annual "Taste of the Bay" on November 12 at a new venue: City View at Metreon. The event featured tastings from 20 restaurants and 19 wineries.

TORONTO:  Yong Hee Community Wellness Foundation will host its 26th annual Dragon Ball on February 21 at the Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place. Three-star Michelin chef Alvin Leung and MasterChef Canada winner Eric Chong will oversee the dinner menu.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Foreign Policy Initiative Forum, this year with a theme of "A World In Crisis: the Need for American Leadership," is scheduled for December 3 at the Newseum. Speakers include Senators Ted Cruz and James Talent, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and more.

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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.

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