April 30, 2015: Vegas Reaping Benefits From Boxing Frenzy, What It Costs to Attend the Met Gala, Pop-Up Restaurant to Benefit Nepal Earthquake Relief

1. VEGAS REAPING BENEFITS FROM BOXING FRENZY: Boxing fans anticipating the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao on Saturday have pushed hotel rates and caused a huge jump in the ticket price. Los Angeles Times: “Among the primary reasons for the higher prices for tickets to major sporting events are the involvement of deep-pocketed corporations booking seats for their executives, the growth of secondary ticket sellers such as Stubhub.com, and the shrinking size of venues for many sporting events, said David Carter, a USC professor of sports business. … Unlike Super Bowls or popular conventions, which are set well in advance, fight fans had short notice of the Mayweather-Pacquiao matchup, which sparked a run on rooms before the best hotels sold out. The fight date was announced Feb. 20.” http://lat.ms/1GK4iD8

2. WHAT IT COSTS TO ATTEND THE MET GALA: The Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Monday, and it’s not easy—or cheap— to attend the exclusive event. From the 25,000 ticket to line items such as hair, makeup, and transportation, going all-out to get ready for the Met Gala could cost more than $62,000. A frugal approach for guests who score free tickets could lower the cost to around $800. Refinery 29: “Better get to locking down that Vogue job, learning how to waiter, or sinking your claws into a famous red carpet hottie for your chance at a major night out that doesn’t cost a year’s wages.” http://r29.co/1DMq2Iu

3. POP-UP RESTAURANT TO BENEFIT NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: A pop-up restaurant platform in London, Grub Club, is organizing a dinner at Rajiv’s Kitchen that will serve the chef’s native Nepali cuisine and present a program that includes disaster-relief experts to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Nepal. Mashable: “The Nepal fundraising event, which came together quickly over the past 48 hours, will take place at a free conference space in London's Waterloo neighborhood, accommodating approximately 100 people. Two Michelin-starred chefs will help KC in the kitchen, while community members will volunteer their time as servers, and help with other logistics.” http://on.mash.to/1KwDl4c

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Dave & Buster’s is now open in Woburn. The venue hosts corporate and social events.

CHICAGO:  Diffa Chicago will host its Imagine Ball on June 13 at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom.

LAS VEGAS:  To commemorate Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday, Sinatra at Encore Las Vegas executive chef Theo Schoenegger created a five-course tasting menu composed of Sinatra’s favorite dishes.

LOS ANGELES:  As part of the Anaheim Convention Center’s expansion groundbreaking ceremony, convention organizers added items and notes to a time capsule slated to be opened in 2030. Examples of mementos contributed to the time capsule include trade show programs, room keys, and drumsticks from National Association of Music Merchants.

On May 19, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village opens Stir, the new coffee bar serving Stumptown Coffee drinks, fresh-pressed juice, and full menu of grab-and-go items.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa plans to covert to a JW Marriott following a $250 million renovation and expansion. The property will close to guests from May 4-July 31 to complete the first phase, which includes new restaurants, expanded pool decks, and refreshed guest rooms and bathrooms. Work with continue through 2017.

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship will host the annual Ignite Entrepreneurship Launch Benefit on Saturday at the Palm Court in the Miami Design District.

NEW YORK:  The Doe Fund hosts its fourth annual “Sweet: New York” benefit May 7 at the Bowery Hotel. Students from the organization’s professional culinary training program will work alongside chefs from restaurants such as Tao, Lavo, the Wayfarer, and Magnolia Bakery to prepare fare for guests.

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair New York takes place May 15-17 at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn.

The Family Equality Council will host the 10th annual Night at the Pier benefit on May 11 at Pier 60.

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

TORONTO:  The Royal Canadian Yacht Club will host sailing events July 12-19, during the Pan American Games.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Washington Ballet hosts the Swan Ball, its largest event of the year, on Friday at the residence of the German ambassador.

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.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]