December 12, 2014: the Economic Benefits of Same-Sex Weddings, Why Washington Hosts Holiday Receptions and Not Parties, 4-Year-Old Royal Wedding Cake Sells at Auction

1. THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SAME-SEX WEDDINGS: The economic impact of same-sex weddings could be as much as $2.6 billion in the first three years alone, according to a study by the Williams Institute, a think tank at U.C.L.A. focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, and Credit Suisse. They developed an interactive tool that shows total spending on same-sex marriages, the tax revenue created, and jobs generated by state. Report: “Same-sex couples, and their out-of-town guests, pump money into state economies as they plan their weddings and celebrate their milestone. This spending boost can lead to an increase in state and local tax revenue and an influx of tourism dollars that benefit local businesses.” http://bit.ly/1IFIoj9

2. WHY WASHINGTON HOSTS HOLIDAY RECEPTIONS, NOT PARTIES: The U.S Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Embassy, and other groups in Washington forgo holiday “parties” in favor of holiday “receptions,” and the difference is more than semantics. Washington Post: “Ethics rules banning gifts to members of Congress and their staff include a few exceptions allowing them to attend events, and the provisions on receptions are the go-to for anyone who wants Capitol Hill folks at their party (read: everyone). … The biggest sign that you’re at a reception is that there’s nothing that could constitute “a meal,” a no-no, according to the ethics rules, so finger-food abounds.” http://wapo.st/1yGn4Sx

3. 4-YEAR-OLD ROYAL WEDDING CAKE SELLS AT AUCTION: A slice of fruit cake from Prince William and Duchess Catherine's 2011 wedding was sold at auction this week for $7,500, and the owner plans to use it in a company promotion in April. Huffington Post: “The cake had no less than eight layers and was made by Fiona Cairns, who spent five weeks producing and three days assembling the cake inside Buckingham Palace in London. As it goes, fruit cakes are only getting better with time, in fact William and Kate kept the top three layers of their wedding cake and served it in October 2013, at the Christening of their first child, Prince George.” http://huff.to/1Dml9dM

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Koy, an upscale Korean-fusion restaurant, opened on Tuesday near Faneuil Hall. The venue serves lunch and dinner, and menu items include kimchi fried rice with chorizo and bulgogi sandwiches.

CHICAGO:  The 30th annual New Year’s Day 5K Run & Walk will take place on January 1, starting in Lincoln Park.

DALLAS:  Lanyon has acquired GenieConnect, a provider of mobile applications for meetings and events.

LAS VEGAS:  Glutton restaurant is slated to debut downtown in January. The restaurant will seat about 80 guests indoors and an additional 25 on a patio.

LOS ANGELES:  Designer8 Event Furniture Rental has announced a new draping, swagging, and scenic division for events. Luis Juarez is the manager of the new division.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys is undergoing the final phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation, with upgrades including a renovated kids’ activities center and an expanded adults-only area. It's slated to finish in June.

NEW YORK:  The fashion designer Ralph Lauren opens the Polo Bar, his first restaurant in the city, later this month near his flagship store at Fifth Avenue and 55th Street. The New York Times: "To call the Polo Bar clubby would be a meek understatement. Aglow with amber light and dense with equestrian paintings and trophies, it feels like a country club as staged by Steven Spielberg." http://nyti.ms/1GqBuKJ

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

ORLANDO:  The Cowfish is now open at Universal CityWalk. The restaurant serves a mix of sushi and craft burgers, as well as its signature burger-sushi fusion items known as "burgushi."

TORONTO:  The 10th edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, an all-night celebration of contemporary art, is October 3 next year.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen will present the industry keynote address at the Washington Auto Show on January 22, kicking off the event's Public Policy Preview Day.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

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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