US: Resy and Amex’s Pop-Up Picnics, Diffa’s Return to In-Person Events, Global Gaming Expo Updates and More

NATIONAL: Resy and the American Express Gold Card will host a series of outdoor picnics, called Amex Gold Card Picnic in the Park, in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston from June 26-27. Thousands of picnic kits—featuring lunchbox-style meals from top restaurants, along with bubble kits, frisbees, sunscreen and more—will be simultaneously distributed across the cities. Tickets go on sale June 9, and extra accessories like custom blankets are available for Gold Card members. Shiraz Creative is handling design, production and event management for the multi-market event.

The first annual Queerfolk Fest will take place virtually on June 12. The digital festival is sponsored by San Francisco nonprofit Bluegrass Pride and is the brainchild of Pineworks Creative and Cambridge, Mass., music venue Club Passim. The six-hour event, which has a suggested price of $20 per viewer, will feature performances from Mary Gauthier, Jaimee Harris, The Accidentals, lewloh and other LGBTQ-identifying artists and bands. 

LAS VEGAS: The American Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions will host the Global Gaming Expo from Oct. 4-7 at the Sands Expo. The in-person event, known as the gaming industry’s premier trade event, will also include virtual components, with more details to be announced in the coming months. 

NAPLES, FLA: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, has announced an extensive transformation and expansion, which will add 92 new luxury suites and the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, as well as enhancements to the lobby, event spaces, pools and existing rooms. Upon completion in December 2022, the hotel will feature 474 rooms.

NEW YORK: Diffa will host its first in-person event of 2021 on June 21 at the Ready Rooftop Bar atop the Moxy East Village. Called Diffa Pride and presented by Shaw Contract Summer of Color Series, the intimate affair will see attendees decked out in bright, festive colors; for those who can’t attend in person, there will be a hybrid raffle and auction of outdoor furnishings and home accessories.

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