February 12, 2015: Private Lounge Caters to Models Only During Fashion Week, Wedding Photo App Gets Boost From Investors, Are Bridal Shows Worth It for Vendors?

1. PRIVATE LOUNGE CATERS TO MODELS ONLY DURING FASHION WEEK: In New York, a private restaurant and hangout called Modellounge caters to catwalkers, offering a “secret underworld” for models to relax between appointments and take advantage of amenities such as comfy seating and snacks. The free lounge is sponsored by brands such as Microsoft and Helmut Lang. Mashable: “For Fashion Week, the Modellounge takes special care in making sure the girls are fashion show-ready by arranging events the week before and the week of. Each model receives a ‘survival tote,’ equipped with things like makeup wipes and nail polish remover. The lounge hosts yoga classes, and there's also a pop-up shop in the West Village with additional amenities.” http://on.mash.to/1DJ0xuB

2. WEDDING PHOTO APP GETS BOOST FROM INVESTORS: The mobile photo-sharing application WedPics has raised $6.5 million in new funding to help it reach its goal of signing up 800,000 new couples in 2015 to use its service. TechCrunch: “WedPics is considering making some acquisitions in the wedding space, and is looking at a variety of companies now, including competitors or even printing businesses. The latter would help it capture additional revenue by offering WedPics’ customers wedding-related printed goods, such as invitations and thank you cards among other things.” http://tcrn.ch/1vn1JNf

3. ARE BRIDAL SHOWS WORTH IT FOR VENDORS?: Floral and event designer Preston Bailey is a veteran of many a bridal show, but that doesn’t mean he recommends the format for every vendor. Like any trade show, bridal shows can offer great exposure to potential clients, but they do require work beforehand, Bailey advises on his blog. “You need to be prepared to create a show stopping statement piece. Most bridal shows have a ton of booths and it’s easy to get lost in the mix.  If you are a florist, you need to create that one visually dramatic statement that will attract viewers and make them want to stop.” http://bit.ly/16X95kj

* LOCAL NEWS *

CHICAGO:  Center on Halsted will host its annual Academy Awards viewing party, “On the Red Carpet,” at Park West on February 22.

LAS VEGAS:  On March 28, Cirque du Soleil will host the 14th annual “Run Away With Cirque du Soleil” 5K run and one-mile fun walk at the Springs Preserve.

LOS ANGELES:  Brazilian steak house chain Fogo de Chão plans to open in an 8,000-square-foot space in downtown Los Angeles on February 19.

Levy, Pazanti & Associates, which specializes in event coordination and fund-raising, has named Lauran Huff as partner. The company will now be called Levy, Pazanti & Huff.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  VanDutch will host a pop-up showroom at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach Sales Gallery during the Miami International Boat Show; a kickoff event is tonight.

NEW YORK:  The Center for the Study of Men and Masculinities at Stony Brook University will host the International Conference on Masculinities: Engaging Men and Boys for Gender Equality March 5-8 at the Roosevelt Hotel. Speakers include Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, Gloria Steinem, and Jane Fonda.

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

ORLANDO:  Xero Gravity Action Sports has announced plans to build a $309 million sports facility in Osceola County. The complex would include multiple indoor and outdoor sports activities as well as a hotel, an amphitheater, restaurants, and the International Action Sports Hall of Fame. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1DFDwc4

TORONTO:  The Vector Game Art and New Media Festival will be held at multiple venues February 18-22.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Capital Area Food Bank is expanding its "Empty Bowls" event to Bethesda with a luncheon February 26 at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club.

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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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