November 24, 2014: Katy Perry to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show, TGI Fridays Brings ‘Mistletoe Drones’ to Restaurants, What’s New in Event Technology

1. KATY PERRY TO HEADLINE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW: Following rumors of the choice for weeks, NBC confirmed that Katy Perry will perform at next year’s Super Bowl halftime show in Glendale, Arizona. Time: “The announcement late Sunday came with a would-be viral video in which Perry sketches out her dream halftime show, one with extinct wildlife, edible glitter, and “like a thousand” of the sort of fluffy white kittens Taylor Swift finds herself surrounded by, too. … Her announcement was cannily timed; it came in the minutes preceding putative enemy Swift’s winning a lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards. It was classic counterprogramming on the NFL’s part, at least, and proof that the run-up to the Super Bowl will be an interesting one.” http://ti.me/1AGFJ6t

2. TGI FRIDAYS BRINGS ‘MISTLETOE DRONES’ TO RESTAURANTS: Mistletoe drones—aerial devices equipped with the kissing-inducing plant—will debut at TGI Fridays in the United States this holiday season after their debut in the United Kingdom. Adweek: “Setting aside the fact that drones are a slightly delicate topic these days, Fridays isn't sending in the spy cam for the heck of it: This is a marketing mission. The drone is fitted out with both camera and mistletoe. Couples captured kissing beneath it will receive gift certificates.” http://bit.ly/1xZPGJx

3. WHAT’S NEW IN EVENT TECHNOLOGY: Mashable surveys several new technologies, from beacon technology and augmented reality to drones, that are changing the meeting and event industry: "There was a time we'd ask you to turn your phones off,” said Brian Solis, principal at Altimeter Group. “There was a time when we wouldn't provide Wi-Fi. And there was a time when we actually expected you to make eye contact with the person on a stage. Now, I'm actually better off if I just see your foreheads lift up. It means you're sharing the experience." http://on.mash.to/1r0C94a

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Chicken and Rice Guys, which has four local food trucks, will open its first brick-and-mortar shop in Medford early next year. The cafeteria-style space will sling items such as panko-fried tofu, spiced rice, and Israeli salad.

CHICAGO:  The Joffrey Ballet will host its 17th annual Family Nutcracker Dinner on December 7 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The event will offer kid-friendly activity stations including the “Arabians Bracelet Station” and the “Bubble Gum Bead Station.”

HOUSTON:  Event designer and JW Marriott brand partner Colin Cowie planned the 700-person grand opening of the JW Marriott Houston Downtown. CultureMap: http://bit.ly/1y7r6Xs

LAS VEGAS:  The Denver-based restaurant and bar Tom’s Urban is slated to open a branch this winter at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available.

LOS ANGELES:  The 10th annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure show is February 21-22 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Billed as the nation’s largest travel show, the event will have more than 450 exhibitors. Speakers include Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan and travel experts Rick Steves and Pauline Frommer.

Tiinto, chef Jose Garces's Basque tapas bar located at the Saguaro Palm Springs, will reopen on December 3 after a redesign this summer. The space now has a 100-person private dining room.

Aztec Tents has hired Bob Young as a regional sales manager servicing several states in the South.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Miami River Art Fair marks its third anniversary with an Opening Night Preview event on December 4 that benefits the Little Dream Foundation. The fair's Live Auction Gala is December 6.

The men's swim and clothing line Parke & Ronen will open a pop-up shop at the Shelborne Wyndham Grand's pool Friday to Sunday. Pampelonne and Wodka Vodka are providing complimentary drinks.

NEW YORK:  Google is taking over the largest electronic billboard in Times Square. Mashable: “Set to go live on Monday, the billboard will feature an interactive Android game that the public can play (until Tuesday at 9 p.m.) as well as the opportunity to get their custom Androidify characters, created on site, made into t-shirts and postcards. In addition to showcasing its own products, Google will also donate screen time to non-profits like Charity Water and the WWF (World Wide Fund).” http://on.mash.to/1zjAmWP

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

ORLANDO:  Rosen Plaza Hotel will open a new nightlife venue in spring 2015. Club 39 will have indoor and outdoor space for as many as 1,500 people along with a live music stage, DJ, video wall, and social media photo booth.

TORONTO:  Ovest Cucina e Vineria is now open. The 4,700-square-foot Italian restaurant and cocktail bar seats 120 guests and holds 150 for receptions.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Washingtonian will host its third annual whiskey and fine spirits festival, On the Rocks, on December 3 at the Maurice Electric Warehouse at Union Market. The ticketed event will include a DJ, fare from Union Market's vendors and Amphora Catering, and tastes of premium spirits.

P.M.M.I., the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies and owner and producer of the Pack Expo portfolio of trade shows, has hired Tracy Stout as vice president of marketing and communications.

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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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