July 10, 2015: How Comic-Con Plans Security for 3,000 Fake Weapons, the Problem With Men's Fashion Week, Burning Man Without Permit After Battle With Federal Agency

Beth Kormanik
July 10, 2015


1. HOW COMIC-CON PLANS SECURITY WHEN ATTENDEES BRING 3,000 FAKE WEAPONS: A well-coordinated security team at Comic-Con inspects about 3,000 “weapons” that fans bring to the San Diego Convention Center as part of their elaborate costumes. Hollywood Reporter: “While Comic-Con International has a strict policy forbidding functioning weapons, the convention has brought in a group of contracted security officials to help ensure that every Jedi and Jon Snow — and the hordes of Stormtroopers, comic book and video game character cosplayers — with a dangerous-looking accessory is playing by the rules. … And for those who fail to have their dangerous-looking accessories inspected, the security team is roaming the convention floor and surrounding areas looking for anything untagged.” http://bit.ly/1HRCgGW

2. THE PROBLEM WITH MEN'S FASHION WEEK: The first New York Fashion Week for men, dubbed NYFW: Men's, is a grand experiment that not everyone believes in, from critics who complain that it overstuffs the busy fashion calendar to observers who question the support of stalwart American menswear labels such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger that will stage presentations rather than runway shows. Bloomberg Business: “Even though some have asked for it, there is considerable debate about whether or not the industry actually needs a men’s week in New York. … The real test—for everyone—will be if the inaugural NYFW: Men’s results in increased sales. After all, even the most darling of CFDA designers must prove his worth with tangible financial results. It costs tens of thousands of dollars to produce a show—a prohibitive expense for some—and investors need tangible results.” http://bloom.bg/1CoDNBX

3. BURNING MAN WITHOUT PERMIT AFTER BATTLE WITH FEDERAL AGENCY: Burning Man organizers have yet to resolve a host of health issues about a month before this year's event, according to the Bureau of Land Management, which has yet to issue a permit for the festival. Las Vegas Review-Journal: “The agency took the unusual step of making public a letter listing the outstanding health and safety issues. Of 20 compiled following the 2014 festival, the BLM said 18 remain to be resolved including improvements to its medical program, transportation management and security surrounding the festival’s signature burn events. … The BLM making potentially embarrassing public health and safety issues with Burning Man is the latest twist in the relationship between the agency and the festival that this year has been anything but routine in the history of the event that dates to the early 1990s in Nevada. The bureau came under withering criticism earlier this month after it proposed Burning Man pay for a separate compound for federal working staff with amenities such as refrigerators, washing machines, vanity mirrors, flush toilets and food choices including ice cream and steak.” http://bit.ly/1LUECF1

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  Super League Gaming, the world's first in-theater gaming league, is coming to five Atlanta-area movie theaters the week of July 20. Theaters include AMC Phipps Plaza 14 and Regal Snellville Oaks Stadium.

AUSTIN:  Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. plans to add two new Aloft hotels to Austin by 2018. Austin Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1RmJCGS

BOSTON:  The Gallery, a new event space, has opened at Frost Ice Loft. For private events, the venue holds about 130 guests.

CHICAGO:  Residents and boaters have complained about recent concerts held at Montrose Beach. Chicago Tribune: http://trib.in/1SaLxJK

Green City Market will host its 15th annual Chef BBQ on Thursday.

Susan Katz of True Value is the new vice president of operations for the Professional Convention Management Association.

LAS VEGAS:  Elvis impersonator Justin Shandor will return to M Resort Spa Casino for an August 8 performance inside the 2,300-seat M Pavilion to perform “Elvis, the Vegas Tour Tribute,” a commemoration of the singer's sold-out Las Vegas appearances from 1969 to 1975.

LOS ANGELES:  The Anaheim City Council voted on Tuesday to extend a policy to not collect admission taxes for Disneyland's ticket sales in exchange for a $1 billion expansion of the theme park. Los Angeles Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1dP6NHn

On Tuesday, WE TV will host its L.A. Hair premiere event at Avalon Hollywood, with a runway hair show featuring looks from celebrity stylist Km Kimble, who appears on the show.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Detect Ovarian Cancer in Time will host its fifth annual Celebrating Life event July 29 at Brickhouse.

NEW YORK:  A Central Park festival highlighting the city's Evangelical movement is expected to attract 60,000 people to the Great Lawn. The New York Times: http://nyti.ms/1MiT6MY

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Downtown Orlando food tours will begin on Saturday. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/1Cslg88

PHILADELPHIA:  Mt. Airy USA has turned to crowdsourcing to save Street Fare, an annual event scheduled to take place September 17 that has suffered funding cuts. Philadelphia Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1UGpQFy

SAN FRANCISCO:  Wes Shaw has returned as the chef of the Presidio Social Club. SFGate: http://bit.ly/1UGvesb

TORONTO:  Scarborough will host nine Pan Am and Parapan Am competitions at three venues. Inside Toronto: http://bit.ly/1HfX9WL

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Jeffrey Herbst, former president of Colgate University, has been hired as the new president and C.E.O. of the Newseum. Poynter: http://bit.ly/1NRLkKg

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: tips@bizbash.com. 

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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

Feed the Sheet: tips@bizbash.com

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

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