Welcome to BizBash’s new Los Angeles-based column, where West Coast bureau chief Claire Hoffman recaps the week’s biggest local news. Got a tip? Get in touch!
In Case You Missed It
Our list of 2018's most innovative event professionals is out! Look for local industry pros like Two Bit Circus's Brent Bushnell and FX's Kenya Hardaway. This week, we also learned how Southern California event planners are coping with the devastating wildfires and took a look inside some of the season's most unconventional TV and film premieres.
In the News
Eater.com is tracking how the Woolsey Fire has affected local restaurants, including one Agoura Hills eatery that fed 1,000 first responders. Eater Los Angeles: “[Owner Marco Gonzalez of Tavern 101 Grill & Tap House] got permission over the weekend from local authorities to remain at his restaurant and continue to cook up free meals to those who needed to recharge. He and his crew only had whatever food was on hand from before the evacuation order.” https://bit.ly/2PVsVrc
Controversy erupted over Malibu Wine's decision to keep its animals, including the famous Stanley the Giraffe, on the grounds during this week’s evacuation orders. LAist: “On Friday, information began to emerge about those animals being left on the winery's grounds, and it was unclear how—or whether—they were being kept safe during the fire. … But what began as a lightning rod for activists was largely debunked on Monday, following several official visits to Malibu Wine's grounds, including from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.” https://bit.ly/2PZgR80
The city plans to give AEG almost $100 million to renovate the convention center and build a new 850-room expansion of the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live. Curbed Los Angeles: “The expansion would help boost the convention center’s standing, drawing more visitors to Downtown Los Angeles, says John Wickham, of the city’s chief legislative analyst’s office. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the city would only keep roughly half of the revenue generated by the hotel addition in the first 25 years of operation.” https://bit.ly/2RXcvMh
Moves & Milestones
Los Angeles Sanitation has awarded Love Catering with this year’s RecycLA Star award for its sustainability efforts. It is the first catering company to be certified under the city’s Green Business Certification Program.
In other eco-friendly news, the Los Angeles Convention Center has announced a ban on plastic straws.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, has added five new members to its board of trustees: Dr. Adrian Cheng, Marina Kellen French, Simon Mordant, Sean Parker, and Julia Stoschek.
Venue Buzz
New event space and photography studio Gearbox opens tomorrow in Van Nuys. The industrial space offers more than 13,000 square feet for events, including a 1,600-square-foot photography cyclorama and a large rooftop deck. A showroom features a rotating selection of vintage cars, and is also available for events. Gearbox also includes a salon and makeup room, lounge areas, a lecture area with an Apple TV, and a full kitchen. An opening party hosted by Angus Mitchell takes place tomorrow night.
Overheard
"It's been a really rough week in our home in Calabasas, Hidden Hills, and our neighbors in Thousand Oaks and Malibu. Our hearts are broken from the horrific shootings and those who have lost their lives and homes, as well as the hundreds of thousands of us that have been evacuated from the devastating fires that are currently burning. … Action is necessary, so anything that we can do to help—as simple as donating to the many organizations that are collecting supplies. No form of help is too small."
—Kim Kardashian, addressing the California wildfires during an acceptance speech during Sunday’s People’s Choice Awards at Barker Hangar. Stars including Mila Kunis, Melissa McCarthy, Danai Gurira, and Victoria Beckham also encouraged donations.
On the Scene
We checked out the inaugural Los Angeles Coffee Festival, held last weekend at Magic Box at the Reef downtown. In addition to latte art demonstrations, tasting rooms, and movie screenings, the event featured coffee-infused cocktails and treats from vendors including Lee'Poof Cotton Candy.
What's Next
This weekend’s big event is New York magazine’s Vulture Festival. Now in its second year in Los Angeles, the two-day pop culture festival will be held at the Hollywood Roosevelt and will include panels with Cynthia Nixon, Zack Braff, Roxane Gay, and many more. (Read about last year’s edition here.)
Also this weekend is the launch of Beautycon POP, a new pop-up from the creators of Beautycon that will feature eight Instagram-friendly galleries, plus access to Beautycon’s first retail space. The activation, which runs from today to early 2019, takes place next to the Beverly Center.
And the Grove’s annual Christmas tree lighting takes place on Sunday night. Featuring performances by Andy Grammer, Daya, and more, the event will be produced by Mirrored Media.
Events slow down as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, but one highlight to look for: Union Station Homeless Services' Dinner in the Park will take place on Thursday at Pasadena Central Park. The Pasadena Convention Center’s Centerplate team will prepare 300 turkeys to feed more than 1,000 people.
We'll be skipping this column next week, but look for us again on November 30. Happy Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and Worksgiving!
