AUSTIN: Roland Swenson, C.E.O. and co-founder of SXSW, addressed the festival’s commitment to human rights in an announcement on the festival’s website. Swenson announced the festival stands against discriminatory laws, it won’t disclose any participant or attendee’s immigration status to immigration agencies, and it will support L.G.B.T.Q. agencies that fight against discriminatory legislation. Read more here.
LAS VEGAS: Lenny Talarico is the new Las Vegas director of sales for design, production, and rental firm Blueprint Studios. Talarico has 25 years of experience in the event industry, spending 13 years as executive director of events for MGM Resorts. He is also a longtime instructor at the International School of Hospitality.
LOS ANGELES: Jack-o-lantern festival Night of the Jack kicked off October 3 and runs through November 3 at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Along with illuminated jack-o-lanterns, the event includes a speakeasy-style bar, local food trucks, live pumpkin carvings, and a gift shop.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort has appointed Conrado Tromp executive chef.
NEW YORK: Pestana Hotel Group will open Pestana Park Avenue, its first hotel in New York, in January. The 27-floor hotel will have 95 rooms and will be located on 39th Street between Madison and Park avenues.
Group Nine Media has acquired PopSugar, the digital women’s lifestyle brand that hosts events including PopSugar Play/Ground.
Lola Taverna, a Greek restaurant from restaurateur Cobi Levy, has opened in SoHo. The restaurant seats 64 guests inside and 32 outside.
Dante, an Italian-style aperitivo bar in New York, was awarded the World’s Best Bar Award at the World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 ceremony in London.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Michael Mandl, the current group vice president of Reed Exhibitions U.S., has been appointed C.E.O. of Reed Exhibitions Mexico. Mandl will relocate to Mexico and report to Hervé Sedky, president of RX Americas.
SAN FRANCISCO: Grand Hyatt SFO has opened at the San Francisco International Airport. The hotel has 351 rooms and 14,435 square feet of meeting and event space.
TORONTO: The inaugural Ontario Week of Wonder Magic Festival will take place October 24-31 in Fergus. The event will include theater shows, free busker-style street performances, and table-side shows at several restaurants.
WASHINGTON: Hargrove has appointed Tara Higgins president. Higgins has more than 20 years in the event industry and was previously executive vice president of global operations for George P. Johnson.
With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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