December 2, 2014: Times Square Hosts Surprise Concert for World AIDS Day, Why Fine-Dining Restaurants Are Selling Ticketed Reservations, D.C. Christmas Tree Sends Environmental Message

1. TIMES SQUARE HOSTS SURPRISE CONCERT FOR WORLD AIDS DAY: U2 minus ailing frontman Bono performed at a surprise concert in Times Square Monday to commemorate World AIDS Day. Kanye West and Carrie Underwood also performed, and former President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd at “A (RED) Thank You Presented by (Bank of America).” New York Post: “The gig had originally been planned as a secret U2 performance but Bono’s biking accident in Central Park last month scuppered that idea. Not wanting to disappoint, the three uninjured members of the Irish band invited Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Bruce Springsteen to fill in for vocal duty.” http://bit.ly/1vFbM3w

2. WHY FINE-DINING RESTAURANTS ARE SELLING TICKETED RESERVATIONS: Chef Thomas Keller will offer a ticketed dining system at his restaurants the French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York, adopting an idea developed by Chicago restauranteur Nick Kokonas. It’s fine dining’s biggest experiment and one that could filter to more casual restaurants. Grub Street: “At least in theory, a properly calibrated ticketed system could allow a restaurateur to provide better service and be more on point in general: Asking diners to pay for everything ahead of time can greatly reduce the number of no-shows that plague the industry as a whole, but moreover, when a restaurant knows exactly how many guests will fill its chairs, food costs can be more tightly controlled and front-of-house resources can be allocated better.” http://grb.st/1tyZzZD

3. D.C. CHRISTMAS TREE SENDS ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE: In Washington, D.C., even the Christmas trees are political. Donated by Norway, a 32-foot Christmas tree at the city’s Union Station is imparting a message about climate change with its polar bear ornaments. Washington Post: “Norwegian Ambassador Kåre Aas tells us the embassy selected the enviro theme after seeing the splash that last year’s tree featuring Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ made and realizing that the decor could serve as a platform for an important message.” http://wapo.st/1yGR703


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

The Halloween Industry Association and Urban Expositions announced they will acquire Halloween & Party Expo from H&P Expo. The upcoming event, scheduled for February 6-9 at the New Orleans Convention Center, will be operated by H&P Expo. HIA and Urban will take over the event immediately following the 2015 edition.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  As part of its First Night 2015 celebration, Faneuil Hall Marketplace will showcase ice sculptures December 31 and January 1.

CHICAGO:  Hyatt the Loop is scheduled to open in February 2015. The hotel at 100 West Monroe Street will offer 257 guest rooms, 2,540 square feet of meeting space, a French restaurant, and a rooftop bar.

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique, which provides catering for meetings and events, has new seasonal treats on the menu. Items include gingerbread-spice cupcakes and chocolate-peppermint macarons.

LAS VEGAS:  TSNN: "Four of Las Vegas’ largest trade shows, including No. 1 International CES, No. 2 SEMA Show, No. 8 World of Concrete Exposition and No. 9 ASD LV will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center. These four shows together will bring an estimated 394,000 business delegates to the destination generating nearly $518 million in non-gaming economic impact.” http://bit.ly/1yx4xKY

LOS ANGELES:  Restaurateur Stephane Bombet of Bombet Hospitality Group and chef Kris Morningstar, a judge on Esquire Network's Knife Fight, are slated to open Terrine, a California brasserie, on Beverly Boulevard this month.

Viceroy Santa Monica has announced the launch of its Champagne Atelier. The intimate private dining room features a prominent wall of featured champagnes and decorations and accommodates 48 guests.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The second annual Eats N Beats, a food and music event, is February 21 at the Moore Building. The inaugural event drew about 3,500 people.

NEW YORK:  Reebok Classic and The Fader are hosting the New York installment of the Coast to Coast concert series Wednesday at OpenHouse. The event will include a performance from Kiesza and a DJ set by Brenmar.

The redesigned De Gustibus Cooking School by Miele, located on the eighth floor of Macy’s Herald Square, has opened. The school, celebrating its 35th anniversary, offers classes for as many as 60 people as well as hosts corporate groups.

The Birchbox Man holiday pop-up shop will open to the public December 6-28, with a preview event on Friday. The build-a-box concept invites shoppers to choose their own beauty samples.

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

ORLANDO:  The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores has just completed renovations that include enhancements to its more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space and the addition of a new private dining facility.

TORONTO:  The Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance. The distinction was given by the Canada Green Building Council.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced that the 33rd annual Rammy awards will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on June 7.

Shane Krige has been appointed general manager for Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown.

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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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