1. N.F.L. PLANS TO TURN CHICAGO INTO ‘DRAFT TOWN’: When the N.F.L. Draft comes to Chicago at the end of the month, “Draft Town” will take over Grant Park. Within the activation, overseen by C3 Presents, will be a 40-yard dash activity, a Super Bowl museum, and a skydiving simulator machine. There will also be an 80-team flag football tournament. Crain’s Chicago Business: http://bit.ly/1axpRsq
2. PROTESTORS CREATE 2,000 HOLOGRAMS FOR VIRTUAL PROTEST: More than 2,000 holograms provided a virtual representation of opponents to a Spanish law that would have made physically gathering to protest a crime. Mashable: “Opponents of the Spanish Citizens Security Law, which would make it illegal to burn the national flag and protest outside parliament starting July 1, set up a hologram protest in front of a parliamentary building in the country's capital Friday night. The rally looked and sounded like a traditional demonstration—marchers toted signs and chanted—only the throngs of people weren't physically there.” http://on.mash.to/1z7lsCC
3. WHY COACHELLA HAS GREEN GRASS DESPITE CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT: Californians are under orders from the state to reduce water usage because of a severe drought—yet the grounds at the opening weekend of Coachella featured ample green grass. Organizers say the water reduction order came as preparations for the music festival were nearly finished. The New York Times: “The die is cast for the next two weeks,” said Paul Tollett, chief executive of Goldenvoice, the concert’s promoter. “Right after the shows, there are some hard decisions to be made, and we’re ready for them.”
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: The status of the the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit, a summit for Nobel Peace Prize laureates set to take place in Atlanta in November, is uncertain after a fallout between a Nobel laureate, his foundation that was planning the event, and the city of Atlanta. Part of the disagreement includes choosing vendors for the event. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://on-ajc.com/1FNOkEP
BOSTON: The Boston Medical Center gala will take place on May 9 at Seaport World Trade Center.
CHICAGO: The inaugural Lake FX Summit and Expo, presented by Google, will take place April 16-19. The free conference targets creative professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs; it will offer keynote speeches, professional development workshops, music and film showcases, and an expo showcasing local artisans.
LAS VEGAS: The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center is now the first entertainment venue in the city to accept Bitcoin as currency for show tickets.
LOS ANGELES: The gift bag for Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards included swag such as Lauren Merkin handbags, Marchesa by Lenox Corporation espresso cups, Calvin Klein sunglasses by Marchon Eyewear, and a gift card to the website DonorsChoose.org. Suz-Anna Dela Rosa for MTV and Backstage Creations produced the gift bags.
The Echo Park Craft Fair is May 9-10 at Mack Sennett Studios.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Meeting planners joined Hilton executives and civic leaders at a topping out ceremony for the 400-room Hilton West Palm Beach, which is connected to the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2016.
NEW YORK: A new event venue, 287 Gallery, a raw space in Chelsea, opens later this month. Amenities include exposed brick walls, 12-foot ceilings, built-in sound and lighting, and a patio. It seats 75 guests or holds about 150 for receptions.
The 22nd annual Watermill Summer Benefit will take place July 25 at the Watermill Center in the Hamptons.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
PALM SPRINGS: Riviera Palm Springs has launched its revamped meeting planner V.I.P. program, now known as "Plaid Patrol” (so named for the meeting staff’s sports jackets). It provides meeting planners with a single point of contact to provide a customized group experience.
TORONTO: The Toronto Flower Market will open on May 9 at a new location: 659 Queen Street East.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Tap magazine, Corona, Cantina Marina, and the Wharf are hosting the fourth annual Running of the Chihuahuas for Charity on May 3 along the southwest waterfront.
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]
More in Gifts & Swag
Most Popular
